Put your feelings about the transgender debate aside, and consider this fact: Chelsea Manning was convicted for leaking classified documents. She spent years in prison (until Obama commuted her sentence) and she is considered by many, many Americans to be a traitor.
So why has Harvard University chosen to honor Manning by naming her a visiting fellow for the John F. Kennedy Center? Harvard officials say Manning will provide perspective on issues of LGBTQ identity in the military.
OK, so why not consider an actual service member who isn’t a noted traitor. Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland immediately comes to mind. Or former Navy SEAL Kristin Beck, the subject of the documentary “Lady Valor.” Anybody who hasn’t committed military crimes, mmmkay?
Harvard, who also tapped Sean Spicer for this visiting fellow gig, seems to care more about eye-catching names and less about real debate.