For Bradley Manning



George Bellows, Blessed are the Peacemakers, The Masses (July, 1917) 

This man subjected himself to imprisonment and probably to being shot or hanged.

The prisoner used language tending to discourage men from enlisting in the United States Army.

It is proven and indeed admitted that among his incendiary statements were -

Thou shalt not kill

and

Blessed are the peacemakers.

George Bellows (1882-1925) was an American artist and editorial board member for the Socialist journal The Masses.  Bellows, a left-wing supporter of  U.S. entry into the war was critical of the Espionage Act of 1917.  The Socialist Party of America (SPA) would remain adamantly opposed to the war and its leader Eugene Debs was arrested and charged under the Sedition Act of 1918 for urging resistance to the draft.  Upon conviction Debs was sentenced to ten years in prison.  Below the photo is an excerpt from a statement he gave at his sentencing hearing.

Eugene Victor Debs

Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

Pfc. Bradley Manning is facing 22 charges related to violations of the Espionage Act of 1917.  The Supreme Court may soon review whether the government is permitted to use the Espionage Act against whistle blowers.  Chris Hedges points out the implications of a court ruling favoring the government's postion.  A must read.