Bradley Manning, the alleged whistle-blower accused of releasing classified documents to Wikileaks, is reportedly being mistreated in solitary confinement as he awaits trial.

President Obama and Congress are failing to uphold the letter and spirit of the law. Manning is being punished for a crime of which he has yet to be found guilty.

If Obama were not a former professor of Constitutional law, it would be sad enough, but given that he was, his administration’s disrespect for the law ought to disturb every patriot’s sensibilities, because it goes far beyond this one case.

Our elected officials continue to demonstrate that the rule of law is no longer the law of the land as this president freely follows in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Manning, continuously monitored, is forced to take psychotropic drugs and has not been allowed exercise in his small cell for seven months. This physical and mental abuse — this form of torture — is being inflicted to weaken his mind and body to inhibit him from preparing his own defense for the day when he finally gets his day in court. Presumed guilty, he is already being punished, and cruelly so. This is retribution not justice — born out of the guilt, embarrassment, anger and fear of would-be emperors who we now see wearing no clothes.

No government has the right to treat any person this way, especially if the charges against him are true. For this whistle-blower bravely kept his oath of office, something his commander in chief, our elected officials and the military refuse to do. The oath this hero took was to defend the Constitution, not help presidents and others cover up their ongoing lies and unconscionable offenses.

— Mark A. Goldman