Manning

It seems the Bradley/Chelsea Manning issue doesn't seem to go away as the military has stated they're considering transferring Manning to a civilian prison so the he/she can get the medical care for his/her transition since the military is prohibited from such care.

But that's only half the problem and maybe something he/she may not want to ask to the military to do. Consider Manning has been sentenced to 35 years eligible for parole in 7 years. If Manning chose to stay in Leavenworth (military) prison, he will be released and then discharged in 7 years, after which he/she could pursue his/her transition.

If he accepts a transfer, the military could just as easily sustain the full prison sentence and Manning would be there the full 35 years, without the possibility of parole since Manning would be out of sight and mind of the military, but he/she could pursue some of her transition while in prison.

I won't argue about what Manning should do, but I will argue we shouldn't forget what he was convicted for while in a military uniform, which is something that seems to be lost on the transgender community, as they seem to think Manning's transition is more important than the crimes he/she committed.

And I disagree that not allowing someone to transition is cruel and unusual punishment as Manning won't die from not transitioning, although some transgender people have committed suicide over not being able to transition, there is no evidence Manning is such a person.

That said, does Manning deserves therapy and hormones? Probably, but that violates military regulations which anyone diagnosed with Gender Identity Condition is mentally ill and can't serve in the military. Hence the thought of the discharge and transfer for treatment.

And that's the conundrum with Manning. They can't discharge him (official status) until all legal avenues have been exhausted to transfer him, and they can't treat him. So he has the choice, maybe, to withdraw any appeal, get discharged and transferred in hopes of treatment but risk a longer sentence.

Or accept the reality and get through the 7 years, get paroled, discharged and released. And for anyone going through a transition, it's maybe a no brainer between freedom to be who they want to be, albeit paying for it is another issue, or risk being in prison, and all that entails, the full term for some treatment at government expense.

While I think it's time the military accept transgender people as the science and economics shows it's better for both the transgender people who are serving or want to serve and the military. The cost of a transition is far less than what the DOD and VA spend treating a disable soldier or veteran.

But until then, Manning is stuck in the laws and regulations governing transgender people in the military, and the choices they and Manning has within those laws and regulations. So yelling at the military about Manning's rights doesn't change anything.

The decision, and gamble, is Manning's. He's in prison for a reason, we shouldn't forget. And he/she deserves some measure of treatment for his/her condition, but not available where he/she current is incarcerated. The military is offering him what he demands, with caveats, and as they say, nothing comes without a price, as Manning has discovered.