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applegrove

(118,600 posts) Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:08 PM Jun 2014

Joint Chiefs Chairman: This Was 'The Last, Best Opportunity' To Free Bowe Bergdahl

Joint Chiefs Chairman: This Was 'The Last, Best Opportunity' To Free Bowe Bergdahl

by Amanda Terkel at the Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/03/martin-dempsey-bowe-bergdahl_n_5437521.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

"SNIP.......................

According to The New York Times, GOP strategists even organized a conference call for members of Bergdahl's former platoon to speak out against him.

But on Facebook Tuesday, Dempsey defended the exchange and emphasized that Bergdahl is "innocent until proven guilty":

In response to those of you interested in my personal judgments about the recovery of SGT Bowe Bergdahl, the questions about this particular soldier’s conduct are separate from our effort to recover ANY U.S. service member in enemy captivity. This was likely the last, best opportunity to free him. As for the circumstances of his capture, when he is able to provide them, we'll learn the facts. Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty. Our Army's leaders will not look away from misconduct if it occurred. In the meantime, we will continue to care for him and his family. Finally, I want to thank those who for almost five years worked to find him, prepared to rescue him, and ultimately put themselves at risk to recover him.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Dempsey added that the Army may pursue an investigation that could lead to desertion charges against Bergdahl.

......................SNIP"

6 replies

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Joint Chiefs Chairman: This Was 'The Last, Best Opportunity' To Free Bowe Bergdahl (Original Post) applegrove Jun 2014 OP

Rather than participating in governing this nation.... Swede Atlanta Jun 2014 #1

I'm thinking this will turn out like the attempted swift boating of the President Cha Jun 2014 #2

Yes I saw that. Who thinks the GOP would not be screaming bloody murder if they at let him applegrove Jun 2014 #3

They're already on record for it.. of course they would be screaming bloody murder! Cha Jun 2014 #5

Bergdahl was dying riverwalker Jun 2014 #4

It makes me curious what kind of food and Cha Jun 2014 #6

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)

1. Rather than participating in governing this nation....

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:23 PM

Jun 2014

as those that control the House of Representatives, they continue to latch onto any and every possible action (or inaction) the President takes to beat him over the head.

I'm not saying that a decision to release 5 Taliban in exchange for one American soldier, whose disappearance and subsequent capture is disputed, isn't a serious matter.

But the decision here has the support of the military's highest leadership including the Secretary of Defense. It was a decision taken based on the facts available at the time to facilitate his release. A review of his conduct at the time will most likely follow and if he did engage in improper conduct such as deserting his post, he will have his day in a military court.

We are winding down the war in Afghanistan. Will the war "on terror" ever be "won" or "over"? I suggest not unless moderate Muslims take care of the extremists in their midst.

What are we going to do with the remaining prisoners at Gitmo? There is a general consensus that they couldn't be tried in U.S. civilian courts because we have tortured them. The CIA and other agencies have determined that while their actions were unfriendly to the U.S., their continued detention isn't warranted. But what do you do with them?

If you let them go they may very well return to and in fact be emboldened in their hatred for America after being tortured and detained for ten or more years. Well, that is what happens when you do what the Bush administration did. They created this new category of prisoner "enemy combatant" for which there were no rule books, no protocol, no plans.

Cha

(297,117 posts)

2. I'm thinking this will turn out like the attempted swift boating of the President

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:28 PM

Jun 2014

regarding bin laden.

Right-Wing Bloggers Wanted Bergdahl Release Before Obama Got Him Back

http://linkis.com/aattp.org/aycAq

applegrove

(118,600 posts)

3. Yes I saw that. Who thinks the GOP would not be screaming bloody murder if they at let him

Reply to Cha (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:55 PM

Jun 2014

die or linger in Taliban control as the USA leaves Afghanistan? I mean the war is winding down. His status as a deserter was not going to change.

Cha

(297,117 posts)

5. They're already on record for it.. of course they would be screaming bloody murder!

Reply to applegrove (Reply #3)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:08 PM

Jun 2014

Sam Stein ✔ @samsteinhp

McCain's appearance from Feb in which he endorsed 5:1 exchange for Bergdahl http://bit.ly/1pPRy1S Spox now says he's troubled by details

Eric Schultz ✔ @Schultz44
Follow
.@samsteinhp notice the chyron? pic.twitter.com/RQvsRoY9yB
11:25 AM - 3 Jun 2014 Warsaw, Polska
49 Retweets 17 favorites

Republican Congressman Deletes Statement Calling Bergdahl "A National Hero"

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/republican-congressman-deletes-statement-calling-bergdahl-a

apple~

riverwalker

(8,694 posts)

4. Bergdahl was dying

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:05 PM

Jun 2014

the latest video (not made public) shows him "rapidly deteriorating" and in really bad shape.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/army-starting-new-investigation-of-sgt-bowe-bergdahls-2009-disappearance-1401821702
Secret Videos Prompted Bowe Bergdahl Taliban Prisoner Swap

Rapid Deterioration of Soldier's Health Persuaded Leaders to Back Exchange

Cha

(297,117 posts)

6. It makes me curious what kind of food and

Reply to riverwalker (Reply #4)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:10 PM

Jun 2014

exercise he was given since his health was deteriorating in one so young after 5 years?

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