Going after Wikileaks, and what’s going on with Army Private Bradley Manning.

Activists protest outside FBI headquarters in support of U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, the alleged leaker of documents to WikiLeaks, who is currently jailed. (AP)

Before the giant Wikileaks dump of classified cables and video, there was the accused leaker: Army private Bradley Manning.

He saw himself as a whistleblower, now he’s a prisoner in the brig at Quantico, awaiting trial. For many months. In conditions critics say smack of Abu Ghraib. Stripped naked. Prolonged isolation. Sleep deprived. Shackled when he moves.

The Army says, necessary. State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.” Now Crowley’s gone.

This hour On Point: Wikileaks, state secrets, and the alleged abuse of Private Bradley Manning.

- Tom Ashbrook