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Traitor Or Hero? Military Groups In Alachua County Have Different Perspectives On Army Private Bradley Manning

Traitor or hero?  Florida's 89.1 WUFT-FM's Dyann Lesnever reports, military groups in
Alachua County have different perspectives on Army Private Bradley Manning after his conviction for leaking classified documents.

DYANNLESNEVER

After being convicted on espionage charges the next phase is sentencing. Army Private Bradley Manning was arrested over three years ago for leaking classified documents to wikileaks.

Al Linden, Executive Director for the Disabled American Veterans department of Florida, said providing classified information to the public is a serious  violation of military law.

"He should never have provided that information to anybody, period."

Linden says classified information should only be shared among those with the authority to receive it.

"It is a treasonous act, he could have cost many of our great American Soldiers their lives," said Linden.

While some believe Manning belongs behind bars, others feel his actions were heroic. Scott Camil, President of the Gainesville Chapter of Veterans for Peace,  said he believes Manning deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his patriotic actions.

"In a democracy, the function of the citizen is to control the government. Our government is out of control," said Camil.

Camil believes making the classified information public focused attention on changes that needed to be made.

"I think that he saw wrongdoing and felt that the public had the right to know what was being done in their name, with their money," said Camil.

Camil said if the governments actions are unlawful, he wants them stopped.

Although the whistleblower was acquitted of aiding the enemy, his fate is yet to be determined.

Dyann is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.