Will Manning Hurt this Country

Over the course of five years, from 2004 to 2009, twenty two year old Pfc. Bradley Manning leaked more than 76,000 pieces of military information and intelligence concerning the Afghanistan war to outside sources. His actions have put Afghan informants and U.S. troops at mortal risk. The leaking of this detrimental information was distributed to Wikileaks, a sight that aims in providing the public with leaks about what "really takes happens". The leaked information spread like wildfire and the Obama administration stepped in to put a halt to the further broadcasting of, what was supposed to be, classified military operations and intelligence. The Pentagon is currently charging the Private with twelve accounts of breaking Army codes and regulations; He currently awaits trial.

Does one man who pledged allegiance to fighting for this country have the capability to cripple the nation's security? By leaking information, such as classified State Department diplomatic cables, information has been published on Wikileaks that compromises the means by which the military has the capabilities to gather intelligence. This results in our enemies understanding the structure of certain functions of our power. With these documents out for the public to see, more so, the whole entire world to view, how will America's security and defense remain strong if first off, the individuals taking an OATH to defend this country and its safety are able to compromise the welfare of fellow troops and even family back home; secondly, if the secrets are out, there is not trying to cover them up or hiding, the military must find a way to overcome this by means of rebuilding. Will America's national security continue to remain strong with rats like Manning chewing away at its power cord?