Fred Manget on Chelsea Manning

Dear Sir John,

The most recent news bulletin from Rhodes House states the following about a Rhodes Forum on technology:

“ We are delighted to announce our first keynote speaker, Chelsea Manning, technologist and former U.S. intelligence analyst who significantly contributed to discussions on government transparency and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.”

If the Warden were truly concerned about "transparency" and "ethics," the description should add the following:  "Chelsea Manning, a disgraced former low-level member of the United States Army who admitted and was convicted of several felonies, who violated her oath of loyalty to the United States and her fellow service members, and is widely considered a traitor who significantly damaged the national security interests of the United States...".

Putting Manning on the stage as a keynote speaker as a "technologist" with the prestige of the Rhodes Trust behind her is a mistake and should be unacceptable to the Trust.  The Warden has responded to criticism of this inexplicable parody by stating that it's intent is to push the inclusion of the "unlikeminded," whatever that is.  

Where can she draw the line?  Why not invite neo-Nazis to speak on how fascism is unlike democracy?  Or invite Putin to speak on how Russia is unlike the United Kingdom? Or invite deniers to speak on how vaccinations cause autism?   Is the Trust paying Manning a fee?  

I write again to urge the Trustees to keep the efforts of the Trust focussed on its core mission, not to expand them by including every current controversial dispute in an empire-building frenzy centered on Rhodes House.  By giving Manning a prominent public platform Rhodes House has again inserted itself into a morass.  

The description of Manning is wholly misleading.  Featuring her as a keynote speaker is a poor decision.  The Warden should withdraw the invitation.

Please pass this to your fellow Trustees and the Warden to let them know my views and those of any others of similar opinions.  

Sincerely,

Fred Manget

(Georgia and Oriel 1973)