I think the prevailing idea there is the sentence for Manning was above and beyond how similar things were treated in the past. That's certainly up for debate. Perhaps media attention, Wikileaks, etc. lead them to drop the hammer and make an example. I'm sure they got some egg on their face when it became known the military/government were murdering innocent people including journalists, covering up child abuse by contractors, and a variety of other findings. Yes, I did "declare" what I think he deserved. I understand it's not up to me, but I am still allowed to have an opinion about it. Current laws also allow the President to reduce Manning's sentence. What's your point? Save your condescending, indignant, partisan nonsense for someone else.