As is demonstrated by the current state of the world, people are lazy and stupid. My advice for the billboard is big, bold, letters and simple words to get through to the most people. I voted for the middle one for that reason. While I like the 3rd one in the format of a dictionary definition, it requires more reading and dictionaries scare some people.

Bradley Manning is the peoples' soldier for Truth. In the field he discovered documentation that couldn't possibly be right, cables from our own side that conflicted with what the media was telling the American tax payers. He made the decision to reveal to us (by way of Wikileaks) the real truth about the actions our government was taking without our consent. The armed forces killing in our name? We don't want this! - No doubt, after much internal conflict of good versus evil, Manning stepped up to the plate and hit a home run for truth. Now I call that damn good soldiering !

Every parent in Congress should support Bradley Manning. His actions are exemplary, and he shouldn't be treated as a criminal.

Heed the message of D. Eisenhower, my thoughts are with Bradley Manning.

http://documentaryfree.com/watch/why-we-fight-required-reading

Sweet !

I got in right at the end, wow .. we made a cool billboard. The chosen design is the best, it is exactly the point.

If you are not in the US, you can easily donate to the campaign by using the Paypal option, paying with a credit card, as it allows for international addresses

Hi everyone. For those who are overseas/unable to sign up with EpicStep to donate, you can still help. Donate to the defense fund and note that it's for the billboard - we'll be tracking & earmarking funds for it.

I love the campaign to support Bradley Manning, but I am a little iffy about a poster that takes as a given that it was Bradley who released the info to Wikileaks; I don't know if he has taken the credit for this heroic act.

I wish (easy for me) that Bradley would step up and publically take the credit so that a long overdue legal battle can be publically aired to debate whistle-blowing; the protection of the blowers and the prosecution of the crimes revealed.

In the meantime it might be best to support the stance of Bradley, innocent until proven guilty.

Therefore I have not endorsed any of the poster designs (which implicitly say Bradley blew the whistle), but I have donated money and do want to see this young man released.

And if he is the Blower, he definately goes on my list (very short) of heroes to be admired and emulated.

I think the most important thing to do is to connect with military personnel, make those people clear that the published documents describe serious war crimes committed by the military (their colleagues) and make them spread this information among their colleagues.
These people can release (or at least get) that kind of information (like Manning did). These people can make a change.

The billboard sure is a very good start to make people aware of what actually happened, who don't know about it, because the news media don't really seem to show/mention it like they should.

Why didn't the government go after those who outed Valerie Plame the way they are going after Bradley Manning?

Bradley Manning is a brave young man--and a good young man. He is a true hero, and the whole world knows this. I am an English professor in the Saarland now; people here are very sensitive to and disturbed by Bradley Manning's illegal incarceration. Not far from where I live, the US-led War Crimes Trials took place--and tried Nazis for war crimes that we now know the U.S. has been committing. And the whjole world knows about our war crimes, thanks to Bradley Manning.
Bert Hornback

i'm a bit bothered by the $1/vote rule since that is precisely what is at the heart of the political purchase program here in the U.S. i'm kicking in regardless . . .

howdy folks! 100% behind this initiative.

On a technical note, the pledge form requires that you enter a US address - might be worth raising this with the people at Epic, to make it possible for people residing outside the US to donate. I registered at a relative's stateside address;)

I am concerned that the sign say only what is the most important, that Bradley Manning is a hero fir exposing war crimes and that we want him FREE NOOOW DAMMIT!

The dictionary design isn't clear/blunt enough in my opinion...people won't always have all that long to look at a billboard, and the other two get straight to the point, whereas the dictionary design doesn't make it's point until the very end.

My best wishes to this fantastic campaign! Bradley is a wonderful young man! We are so proud of him in Wales!

"Whistleblowers Protect Democracy" is the clearest design - it will have the best impact, as a billboard, of these three designs.

Stay strong, Brad

I'm so proud of Bradley Manning. What a brave young man.

I like the 'blowing the whistle on war crimes is not a crime one'. It is straight to the point, which is important because a lot of people don't even know who he is (many of my friends ask me "who's Manning?" when I mention this to them). The dictionary one is nice but I think would be over the heads of many people we should be targetting.

If you would like to be inspired, check out an Australian web site 'GetUp'
I'm a member, we've had many issues here in Australia and have changed the political thinking,on a number of occasions. The answer is PEOPLE POWER.
EG. We had our then, Sycophant Prime Minister John Howard bring back David Hicks from Guantanamo. Most recently we had a win in the Federal budget, a large increase in funding for mental health - championed by Professor Patrick McGorry and GetUp.
Stand up and be counted. To be blunt from where I am on the other side of the world America doesn't seem to be in a good state. Then again, neither does Australia with our mostly dimwit Politicians.
We're the only ones that can make a change!

I think the dictionary-style billboard will have the most cross-spectrum appeal - the first few lines would draw in Tea Party style folks as well (although, I suppose it might turn off Progressives?)

I am speechless at the state of our country's national consciousness. I PRAY that Bradley is treated with the justice we're supposedly fighting other people to "defend."

If Bradley Manning is convicted none of us are safe.

Just got done reading Unbroken, about our POWs in Japan during WWII.

The treatment of Bradley is not much better, shame on our government.

Lynn G

MY ENTIRE FAMILY OF 18 MEMBERS IS SICKENED BY BRADLEY'S IMPRISONMENT.
PLEASE TELL "OUR" PRIVATE 1ST CLASS THAT IN OUR HEARTS, HE IS A GENERAL!
IT IS OUR DEEP HONOR TO SUPPORT YOU AND SPEAK OUT FOR YOU........

I like the dictionary design because it doesn't immediately make clear that it is about Manning.

The other two will make people think about Manning first, which might revive unjustified mis-truths left in their mind by media terrorists.

The dictionary design on a few small billboards around the beltway will make people start talking, and hopefully that will reach those entrusted with deciding Manning's fate.

We made 11"x3" vinyl bumper stickers of each of the three designs we posted. If you have made a pledge to this campaign, we'd like to send you a free bumper sticker of your preferred design. Just send your name, address, and a description of which one you want to us at courage(at)riseup.net -- or you can order all three http://www.bradleymanning.org/resources/store

Show your support for this brave young man. Let's make this happen! Spread the word and let everyone know. Every dollar makes a difference!

For the love of god please don't let this hero get railroaded. . Please support, the billboard will make a difference!!!