President Obama Commutes a Bulk of Chelsea Manning’s Sentence

Interesting news from NYTimes

President Obama on Tuesday largely commuted the remaining prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the army intelligence analyst convicted of an enormous 2010 leak that revealed American military and diplomatic activities across the world, disrupted the administration, and made WikiLeaks, the recipient of those disclosures, famous.

The decision by Mr. Obama rescued Ms. Manning, who twice tried to commit suicide last year, from an uncertain future as a transgender woman incarcerated at the male military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. She has been jailed for nearly seven years, and her 35-year sentence was by far the longest punishment ever imposed in the United States for a leak conviction.

Now, under the terms of Mr. Obama’s commutation announced by the White House on Tuesday, Ms. Manning is set to be freed in five months, on May 17 of this year, rather than in 2045.

SF Pride again makes Chelsea Manning a Grand Marshall

Approved drawing of Chelsea by Alicia Neal

Very interesting stuff is happening at SF Pride.

Remember when they tried to make Chelsea Manning a Grand Marshal? Well, they did it again, she is now an Honorary Grand Marshal.

The 2014 Pride Committee explained their reasons why she was chosen. The new Board President, Gary Virginia, said:

SF Pride’s oversight of the Electoral College community grand marshal nomination and election process in 2013 was mishandled. Even with this controversy, thousands of Manning supporters in the 2013 Pride Parade represented the largest non-corporate, walking contingent in the parade. I want to publicly apologize to Chelsea Manning and her supporters on behalf of SF Pride, and we look forward to a proper honor this year.

 This issue caused a lot of drama last year and it seems to do so now.

National Military Activist Sean Sala released this statement on the matter:

"As the one who lead the campaign and national boycott last year against San Francisco Pride when they chose to make Chelsea Manning (former Bradley Manning) their Grand Marshall; I learned yesterday that they have once again chose to do so. I could make a statement grand and tailored for the decision but the bottom-line is this: after the national backlash last year, the fact that SF Pride would do this once again is just astounding. They will reap what they sow. You reap lawlessness, don't expect it to help you in the end. They have once again spit in the face of the LGBT Military community, all in the name of senseless ideology. Once again, SHAME on San Francisco Pride."

More to come

Chelsea Manning files Presidential Pardon

pic from JMG

Chelsea files for a pardon from President Obama

You can read the pardon here

Fox News plays 'Dude Looks Like a Lady' over a Chelsea Manning segment - VIDEO

This is me when I hear folks call Chelsea Manning or Edward Snowden a Hero

Bradley Manning: I am Female, I am Chelsea

Bradley Manning announced today the plans to live as a woman named Chelsea.

In a written statement, Bradley wants to be known as Chelsea E. Manning.

Chelsea writes:

"As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible,"

Read the full statement here