In Day One of Hearings, Dr. Seuss Rhyme Illustrates Bradley Manning Mistreatment

Retired Marine Col. Daniel Choike, who commanded the Quantico base during Manning’s imprisonment, took the stand yesterday to argue that the treatment was necessary due to Manning’s ​“erratic behavior, poor judgment in the past and poor family relationships.”When Coombs asked what “erratic behavior” Manning had displayed, Choike replied, ​“His acting out, playing peek-a-boo, licking the bars of his cell, dancing, erratic dancing—those are the ones I recall.” Coombs asked if it was likely that someone under such extreme conditions might engage in this type of strange behavior out of boredom, to which the colonel replied, “I suppose so.”Yesterday’s hearing also revealed that one of the staff composed a Green Eggs and Ham-inspired ditty about the removal of Manning’s underwear at night:I can wear them in a box,I can wear them with a fox,I can wear them in the day,I can wear them so I say,But I can’t wear them at night,My comments gave the staff a fright.Meanwhile, protests are being held in dozens of cities across the country in an effort to bring attention to the mistreatment of Manning. During yesterday’s hearing, protesters held up signs outside the court in support of Manning and later packed into the courtroom, many wearing shirts bearing the word “Truth.”