The events in "Collateral Murder" had already been reported, in detail, almost scene-for-scene, because Reuters was shown the video shortly after the event.

Nope. In WWII such things happened all the time. its not always clear who the enemy is, and it's far better to be alive and sorry than dead. For more information on chaotic wars look no further than Orwell's account of the Spanish Civil War. There were more than three sides who would alternate alliances on an almost daily basis, Orwell himself would shoot anyone who held a gun and appeared to be a threat -- and he was supposed to be a non-partial reporter!

Also it's unclear what torture took place, the article fails to mention anything worse than what happens to child molesters in regular prisons, and Manning's crime is of the same caliber, whether you like the US's actions or not betraying your word and countrymen is a terrible crime.