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markpkessinger

(8,381 posts)
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 05:41 AM Jun 2014

Very powerful response to the Bergdahl nonsense by a retired US Navy Chief Warrant Officer

I have never read any of this blogger's work until today, when a friend shared it with me on Facebook. The blogger's name is Jim Wright, a retured US Navy Chief Warrant Officer who lives in Alaska and writes the Stonekettle Station blog. The utter disgust and contempt he feels towards those who suggest Sgt. Bergdahl should have been left behind is positively palpable in this piece. I've posted an excerpt below, but do yourself a favor and go to the link to read the entire piece, because a 4-paragraph excerpt doesn't begin to capture it..

[font size=3]Monday, June 2, 2014[/font]
[font size=5]Negotiating With Terrorists[/font]

< . . . . >

I didn’t think these people could dishonor the spirit of this country any more than they already had, but I was wrong.

Oh, I get it. I understand that frightened people become more and more irrational, especially when they are allowed, encouraged, to feed incestuously on each other’s fear. And I get that they are afraid. I can see it in their faces, I can hear it in their voices. I get that they’re afraid of change. I get that they’re afraid of the future. I get that they’re afraid of the past. And I get that they’re afraid of the present. I get that they’re afraid of losing power and privilege and prestige. I get that they’re afraid of their capricious and childishly vengeful god. I get that they’re afraid of different races and different cultures and different accents and different religions and different sexual orientations and different viewpoints and different politics. I get it, they’ve screamed their small fears over and over and only a dead man could possibly miss it.

I get that they are so consumed with rage and so filled with naked hate and so programmed with their diseased ideology that it poisons their minds like a computer chip submerged in acid.

I get that they are so utterly terrified of the world that they piss themselves in abject fear at the mere thought of going to the grocery store without a goddamned gun stuck in their pants like an extra oversized prick.

< . . . . >


.
100 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Very powerful response to the Bergdahl nonsense by a retired US Navy Chief Warrant Officer (Original Post) markpkessinger Jun 2014 OP
Thanks for posting. Hoyt Jun 2014 #1
"Dead or alive, we get our people home, whatever the cost... MadrasT Jun 2014 #2
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #19
So you joined DU just to shit on this vet and this thread? SunSeeker Jun 2014 #31
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #37
Sure, that's all you were doing. SunSeeker Jun 2014 #51
You are right about emotions, for sure. randys1 Jun 2014 #62
Did Reagan have one.. whathehell Jun 2014 #64
you would not trade a photo for a life? Welcome to DU uppityperson Jun 2014 #35
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #39
"wouldn't trade them a photo of a POTUS burning an American flag". So a photo of a piece of cloth uppityperson Jun 2014 #47
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #52
I caught that one too. It's just piece of cloth, is it really worth more than a life? n/t A Simple Game Jun 2014 #40
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #43
Purr-ty sure that happened in this case. (n/t) klook Jun 2014 #45
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #55
What if it was "a photo of a POTUS burning an American flag"? Maybe we could get shrub to do that? uppityperson Jun 2014 #56
Post removed Post removed Jun 2014 #61
Wow, we have a psychic on du now, neato. I disagree with your saying a photo is worth more uppityperson Jun 2014 #63
You have zoomed in on one tiny statement, a rhetorical device klook Jun 2014 #58
"wouldn't trade them a photo of a POTUS burning an American flag" uppityperson Jun 2014 #49
American influence will be positively influenced by this trade. Uncle Joe Jun 2014 #65
no, it is a photo of a piece of cloth. After all, we MUST have our standards, right? uppityperson Jun 2014 #48
It's pretty subtle isn't it? bluesbassman Jun 2014 #54
Maybe shrub during his drunken frat days? Or they could take a raygun bit from one of his movies uppityperson Jun 2014 #57
The right hates America and the troops and they would oppose ANYTHING Obama randys1 Jun 2014 #66
Well, there was the photo of Bush scribbling his autograph across the face of the flag. Closest sabrina 1 Jun 2014 #77
went to the link and read the whole thing ejpoeta Jun 2014 #3
Jim Wright has gone on a righteous tear! From your link.. Thanks Mark Cha Jun 2014 #4
"Capering lunatics..." ChazInAz Jun 2014 #34
A classic rant malaise Jun 2014 #5
I Loved It But... billhicks76 Jun 2014 #89
yeah that part was way off... druidity33 Jun 2014 #100
K&R B Calm Jun 2014 #6
Thank You For Sharing cantbeserious Jun 2014 #7
OUCH LisaLynne Jun 2014 #8
read and shared to fb barbtries Jun 2014 #9
That guy's pissed. longship Jun 2014 #10
If you don't want to bring them home, don't send them over there. IronLionZion Jun 2014 #11
Now That's The Way To Think gussmith Jun 2014 #41
Hear, hear! genwah Jun 2014 #79
Not to mention MsLeopard Jun 2014 #12
Elbow from the sky! blackspade Jun 2014 #13
Damn straight. As a vet, I view Republicans/Conservatives and Libertarian filth no more than Katashi_itto Jun 2014 #14
Very good read! pacalo Jun 2014 #15
that says it all niyad Jun 2014 #93
Wow... handmade34 Jun 2014 #16
excellent heaven05 Jun 2014 #17
which is why I refuse The Wizard Jun 2014 #18
Over and over again, they illustrate the ugly side of our nation. UtahLib Jun 2014 #20
the absolute best thing I've ever seen posted on DU ReasonableToo Jun 2014 #21
Outstanding! CrispyQ Jun 2014 #22
kick and recommend samsingh Jun 2014 #23
Well said Jim Wright! sheshe2 Jun 2014 #24
That was an excellent rant! Agreed with every word! JNelson6563 Jun 2014 #25
Wrighteous! n/t TygrBright Jun 2014 #26
Bravo..Bravo abakan Jun 2014 #27
This guy has summed up my feelings perfectly. EnviroBat Jun 2014 #28
So am I. mimi85 Jun 2014 #94
He said it all riverwalker Jun 2014 #29
This should be on the Greatest page The Blue Flower Jun 2014 #30
Well said, shipmate. Well said. This Retired CPO salutes you. cleanhippie Jun 2014 #32
This retired AF MSG joins you. sarge43 Jun 2014 #59
Wow! Thanks for posting this perfect view!! K&R!! hue Jun 2014 #33
long read and well worth the time.. frylock Jun 2014 #36
k&r thanks for posting. nm rhett o rick Jun 2014 #38
He says so very eloquently what I have often thought: RWNJ are fearful little people Hekate Jun 2014 #42
My gods, man, tell us how you really feel about John McCain! Hekate Jun 2014 #44
Exactly Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2014 #86
GREAT JOB Mr Dixon Jun 2014 #46
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jun 2014 #50
John McCain feels he IS the spokesman on all things military!!! copperearth Jun 2014 #53
Wonderful. TwilightGardener Jun 2014 #60
K&R! This is a MUST READ. Brilliant! I was particularly awed by this part.... Moonwalk Jun 2014 #67
Thanks for sharing, I put this on my FB page life long demo Jun 2014 #68
Bingo! +1000 blackspade Jun 2014 #69
I'm not informed enough on Snowden to have an opinion, but yean, that was one righteous rant. Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2014 #71
Yes - he is correct about Bergdahl, but way off the mark with Snowden and Al Awlaki. Maedhros Jun 2014 #74
Outstanding. K&R. Tommymac Jun 2014 #70
I've had some mild struggles with this issue. This one post put it all in perspective for me. +10000 wyldwolf Jun 2014 #72
An excellent point made by someone in the comments on that piece: tblue37 Jun 2014 #73
bravo! I will be adding this blog to my list (thanks for finding it) RussBLib Jun 2014 #75
Welcome home, soldier, indeed. Land of the free, home of the brave.. mountain grammy Jun 2014 #76
Awesome ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #78
K & R !!! WillyT Jun 2014 #80
Righteous rant, K & R nt Zorra Jun 2014 #81
Thanks Enoki33 Jun 2014 #82
WOW !!! russspeakeasy Jun 2014 #83
Yes a very powerful response Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2014 #84
Thanks for this great post! n/t Duval Jun 2014 #85
That was awesome. WinstonSmith4740 Jun 2014 #87
, blkmusclmachine Jun 2014 #88
Kickass nt mikekohr Jun 2014 #90
what a wonderfully written blog by Jim Karma13612 Jun 2014 #91
k and r--thank you for posting this niyad Jun 2014 #92
CWO Wright not only has... 3catwoman3 Jun 2014 #95
Stumbled on this late. K & R anyway. Best righteous rant on this ever. freshwest Jun 2014 #96
This was brilliant Iwillnevergiveup Jun 2014 #97
No words.... just a K & R defacto7 Jun 2014 #98
K. N. R. sarchasm Jun 2014 #99

MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
2. "Dead or alive, we get our people home, whatever the cost...
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 06:07 AM
Jun 2014

Last edited Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:08 AM - Edit history (1)

... that’s the one promise that must never be broken."

It is as simple as that for me.

Thanks for posting this, it was a great read.

Edit to add: I have had my fill of keyboard warriors who wouldn't last a day in the actual military armchair quarterbacking this.

Response to MadrasT (Reply #2)

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
31. So you joined DU just to shit on this vet and this thread?
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:20 AM
Jun 2014

Shameful.

GOP talking points are not welcome here.

Oh, and although we may not have traded nukes as far as I'm aware, we know GOP hero Ronald Reagan gave 1,500 TOW missiles to Iran in exchange or a few hostages.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/31/1303494/-GOP-Hero-Reagan-Gave-Iran-1-500-Missiles-for-Hostages-Obama-Trades-Five-Guys-GOP-Heads-Explode#


Response to SunSeeker (Reply #31)

randys1

(16,286 posts)
62. You are right about emotions, for sure.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:08 PM
Jun 2014

I bet if the soldier in question was your son or grandson, you would be pretty damn emotional too...

While I would not trade a nuke or vial of disease for my own son either, I would hope the trade that was made would be made

I bet you would too

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
64. Did Reagan have one..
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:10 PM
Jun 2014

when he gave Iran over a thousand missiles to get the hostages back?

Were you ok with that?

As to what you would or would not "recommend", I really don't think you

should imagine that any here takes the advice of a 6 post Newbie all that

seriously.

Response to uppityperson (Reply #35)

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
47. "wouldn't trade them a photo of a POTUS burning an American flag". So a photo of a piece of cloth
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:35 PM
Jun 2014

is worth more than a life to you.

Response to uppityperson (Reply #47)

Response to A Simple Game (Reply #40)

Response to klook (Reply #45)

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
56. What if it was "a photo of a POTUS burning an American flag"? Maybe we could get shrub to do that?
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:52 PM
Jun 2014

Was the "cost" of this trade too high for you?

Response to uppityperson (Reply #56)

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
63. Wow, we have a psychic on du now, neato. I disagree with your saying a photo is worth more
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:09 PM
Jun 2014

than a life, specifically a photo that doesn't exist of a president burning a flag.

You are quite the addition to DU.

klook

(12,134 posts)
58. You have zoomed in on one tiny statement, a rhetorical device
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:56 PM
Jun 2014

used in a righteous screed, and tried to make it seem like a fatal flaw.

Kind of a curious way to expend your energy in your first few posts on DU.

Looking forward to more substantive posts from you in the future, Mr_Adams. Welcome to DU!

Uncle Joe

(58,112 posts)
65. American influence will be positively influenced by this trade.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:11 PM
Jun 2014

The sooner they can close Guantanamo Bay detention camp, the better, it should never have been opened in the first place.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp

Although the Bush administration said most of the men had been captured in fighting in Afghanistan, a 2006 report prepared by the Center for Policy and Research, Seton Hall University Law School reviewed DOD data for the remaining 517 men in 2005 and "established that over 80% of the prisoners were captured not by Americans on the battlefield but by Pakistanis and Afghans, often in exchange for bounty payments."[28] The U.S. offered $5,000 per prisoner and distributed leaflets widely in the region. A perfect example would be Adel, a Chinese Uighur and dissident who had been sold to the US by Pakistani bounty hunters.[29]

(snip)

In 2010, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, a former aide to Secretary of State Colin Powell, stated in an affidavit that top U.S. officials, including President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, had known that the majority of the detainees initially sent to Guantánamo were innocent, but that the detainees had been kept there for reasons of political expedience.[46][47] Wilkerson's statement was submitted in connection with a lawsuit filed in federal district court by former detainee Adel Hassan Hamad against the United States government and several individual officials.[48] This supports numerous claims made by former detainees like Moazzam Begg, a British citizen who had been held for three years in detention camps in Afghanistan and Guantanamo.The Prisoner - Moazzam Begg

A 2013 Institute on Medicine as a Profession report concluded that health professionals working with the military and intelligence services "designed and participated in cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and torture of detainees". Medical professionals were ordered to ignore ethical standards during involvement in abusive interrogation, including monitoring of vital signs under stress-inducing procedures. They used medical information for interrogation purposes and participated in force-feeding of hunger strikers, in violation of World Medical Association and American Medical Association prohibitions.[49][50][51][52][53]

(snip)

On 13 January 2009, the Pentagon said that it had evidence that 18 former detainees have had direct involvement in terrorist activities.[222] The Pentagon said that another 43 former detainees have "a plausible link with terrorist activities," according to its intelligence sources.[222] Peter Bergen, a national security expert and CNN analyst, says that DOD has classified some former detainees of the latter category as suspected of having returned to terrorism because they made statements against the United States; Bergen noted "that's not surprising if you've been locked up in a U.S. prison camp for several years."[223] If all 18 people on the "confirmed" list have "returned" to the battlefield, that would amount to 4 percent of the detainees who have been released. This is much lower than the recidivism rate of the general U.S. prison population (>65%).[223]

(snip)

European Union members and the Organization of American States, as well as non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have protested the legal status and physical condition of detainees at Guantánamo. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch has criticized the Bush administration over this designation in its 2003 world report, stating: "Washington has ignored human rights standards in its own treatment of terrorism suspects. It has refused to apply the Geneva Conventions to prisoners of war from Afghanistan, and has misused the designation of 'illegal combatant' to apply to criminal suspects on U.S. soil." On 25 May 2005, Amnesty International released its annual report calling the facility the "gulag of our times."[9][225] Lord Steyn called it "a monstrous failure of justice," because "... The military will act as interrogators, prosecutors and defense counsel, judges, and when death sentences are imposed, as executioners. The trials will be held in private. None of the guarantees of a fair trial need be observed."[226]


uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
48. no, it is a photo of a piece of cloth. After all, we MUST have our standards, right?
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:36 PM
Jun 2014

Next thing you know they'll be demanding separation of church and state!!!!1111

seriously, wtf

bluesbassman

(19,310 posts)
54. It's pretty subtle isn't it?
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:46 PM
Jun 2014

I guess there would have to BE a photo in the first place, not that ANY POTUS would do that, right?

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
57. Maybe shrub during his drunken frat days? Or they could take a raygun bit from one of his movies
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:54 PM
Jun 2014

maybe the one with the chimpanzee?

randys1

(16,286 posts)
66. The right hates America and the troops and they would oppose ANYTHING Obama
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:11 PM
Jun 2014

accomplished ...

They didnt give him credit for Osama, they sure as hell wont give him any credit for this...

Why should they, they HATE Obama and about half of the American people, after all...

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
77. Well, there was the photo of Bush scribbling his autograph across the face of the flag. Closest
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 05:45 PM
Jun 2014

I can think of to a president actually burning it.

Cha

(295,925 posts)
4. Jim Wright has gone on a righteous tear! From your link.. Thanks Mark
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:02 AM
Jun 2014

snip//

"When these capering lunatics stand in front of the nation, the world, and without a single shred of decency, without the tiniest modicum of self-conscious shame, without any apparent awareness of their own boundless hypocrisy, and loudly protest the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the clutches of our sworn enemies, I have to say no more."

snip//

"Nevertheless, Bergdahl has been condemned by the popular media, by social networks, by pundits and politicians, not because they know more about the situation than you or I do, but solely because they hate the president. If Obama was behind Bergdahl’s release, then Bergdahl is a traitor, Q.E.D. because the president must never, ever, be allowed even the slightest acknowledgement of patriotism.

This condemnation isn’t about Bergdahl, it’s about Obama."


Rec reading the whole piece.



 

billhicks76

(5,082 posts)
89. I Loved It But...
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 08:25 PM
Jun 2014

I thought the entire piece was excellent except for bringing Swowden into it...Snowden is not a political blowhard...he is an activist now who I bet wouldn't vote for Bush or Clinton. But this guy nailed it...everything is about Hate...remember "The Hate" in 1984? These are Orwellian times where universal deceit is the norm in every institution or way of life. Republicans are against Democrats because of racism and cultural bigotry. BUT remember to remind the republicans that hate us who aren't racist that their prejudice is the same...they hate hippies, gays, anarchists and whatever Left-like stereotypes they feed off of.

druidity33

(6,435 posts)
100. yeah that part was way off...
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 06:04 AM
Jun 2014

"The staggering hypocrisy of this becomes immediately apparent when you realize that the very same folks who would grant an unconditional pardon to the traitorous Edward Snowden, a man who provably and self-admittedly gave aid and comfort to our adversaries during time of war and who continues to do so to this very day, these same people would proclaim Snowden a hero and leave Bergdahl to die unlamented in a Taliban cave – solely because they despise Barack Obama and for no other reason. "

I haven't seen any Republicans calling Snowden a hero and i haven't seen any Liberals calling Bergdahl a traitor...



barbtries

(28,702 posts)
9. read and shared to fb
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:23 AM
Jun 2014

one thing that has me feeling pretty distressed about this bullshit meme is the way the mass media has apparently latched on. i'm so frustrated at this point.

IronLionZion

(45,261 posts)
11. If you don't want to bring them home, don't send them over there.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:39 AM
Jun 2014

No one gets left behind. For any reason.



Support the troops. Bring them home. Give them health care and jobs. I'd really like to see the party registration of employers who hire veterans.

MsLeopard

(1,265 posts)
12. Not to mention
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:44 AM
Jun 2014

that there are bona fide war criminals walking free right now, right here! And never will a word be uttered about it by the crazy right wing lunatics. Disgusting.

 

Katashi_itto

(10,175 posts)
14. Damn straight. As a vet, I view Republicans/Conservatives and Libertarian filth no more than
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:59 AM
Jun 2014

rabid animals.

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
15. Very good read!
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 08:00 AM
Jun 2014

Obama & Hagel made the correct, ethical decision to get Bergdahl home.

It should be stressed over & over that the U.S. does not leave its service members behind, most particularly with deliberate intention by the government. The Republicans will try their best to guide the direction of this argument out of pure hatred for Obama, but as Mr. Wright pointed out:

Is that what we’ve become?

If so, then the sooner America collapses of its own maggot-ridden gangrenous rot, the better.

UtahLib

(3,179 posts)
20. Over and over again, they illustrate the ugly side of our nation.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 09:10 AM
Jun 2014

They are the most vile example of the ills of America.

ReasonableToo

(505 posts)
21. the absolute best thing I've ever seen posted on DU
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 09:42 AM
Jun 2014

As a person who watched c-span before the first guns were fired and saw that the intelligence community was saying that Cheney was guiding the conclusions of the "intelligence" reports, I have been vehemently opposed to both wars from the beginning.

Officer Wright is absolutely correct that it doesn't matter what Sgt. Bergdahl is accused of, the country's duty is to get all soldiers and sailors home.

So what of the desertion charge?...I have absolutely no inside knowledge and we may never know...but do I know that...
MANY soldiers became aware of the atrocities that the US committed and did not want to take part. The tales told by returning soldiers are horrifying. Just imagine that you are there and are aware of these atrocities. Imagine that your group had just done something horrifying and illegal or you've been told of your next orders. Imagine that it is another horrifying atrocity. What do you do? Just go along with it? Argue with your chain of command? Self-inflicted wound? Suicide? Refuse to participate? Walk away?

Would you walk away?

CrispyQ

(36,231 posts)
22. Outstanding!
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 10:06 AM
Jun 2014
And let’s say it’s true.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that Bergdahl is indeed a deserter, that his capture by the Taliban was a result of his own cowardly actions.

So?

So what?

Last time I checked, the punishment specified for violation of UCMJ Article 85 (or Article 86 depending on Bergdahl’s intentions) isn’t to throw him to our enemies!


EnviroBat

(5,290 posts)
28. This guy has summed up my feelings perfectly.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 10:54 AM
Jun 2014

Thanks for posting this. I am sharing it with everyone I know.

mimi85

(1,805 posts)
94. So am I.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:36 PM
Jun 2014

What a powerful rant! It totally blew me away. I'm going to keep an eye on this guy's writings - just amazing.

riverwalker

(8,694 posts)
29. He said it all
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 10:54 AM
Jun 2014

and dropped the mic. Masterful, magnificent writing. Hope it goes viral.


Welcome home soldier, welcome home.

The Blue Flower

(5,420 posts)
30. This should be on the Greatest page
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:03 AM
Jun 2014

The very best commentary on the sickness of the other side that I've ever read. I posted it on my timeline as soon as I finished reading.
And absolutely K&R.

Edit: I just posted it as a message on McCain's fb page.

sarge43

(28,939 posts)
59. This retired AF MSG joins you.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:59 PM
Jun 2014

Well said, sir. Well said. It would have been an honor to serve with you.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
42. He says so very eloquently what I have often thought: RWNJ are fearful little people
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:20 PM
Jun 2014

They are afraid all the time, every waking moment, and fear haunts their dreams.

I can't add anything to it -- I am in awe at his righteous, righteous anger. I'd like to shake this man's hand, I really would, but in lieu of that

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
44. My gods, man, tell us how you really feel about John McCain!
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:26 PM
Jun 2014
The staggering hypocrisy of John McCain continues unabated, the man is a disgrace to the uniform he once wore and the honor he swore to uphold. McCain, more than any other living American, should know what it’s like when governments value politics over their own citizens. Navy Lieutenant John McCain, if he still exists inside that wretched bitter old man, that John McCain more than any other should remember what it’s like to come home as a POW under a cloud of doubt and suspicion. But Vietnam was a long, long time ago and John McCain is a rich man now and more than willing to condemn others for his own sins.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,111 posts)
86. Exactly
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:18 PM
Jun 2014

If hard core types had the attitude McCain carries now back then McCain would still be in the Hanoi Hilton.

copperearth

(117 posts)
53. John McCain feels he IS the spokesman on all things military!!!
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 12:40 PM
Jun 2014

Well, I think he is a skulking coward. He sold his fellow soldiers so he would be released from Prison Camp. Tell me what could be more cowardly? Yes, he suffered but not like those he left behind did. He was a traitor and now he is a great hero? Thank God he was not elected to the Presidency!

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
67. K&R! This is a MUST READ. Brilliant! I was particularly awed by this part....
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:24 PM
Jun 2014

....

"If our people aren’t worth four or five terrorists sitting in a Gitmo prison cell, then you tell me why we’ve spent the last twelve years in two wars, why we traded the lives of six thousand servicemen and why we killed hundreds of thousands Iraqis and Afghans to avenge three thousand Americans. Go on, tell me why it was okay for the previous administration take a hundred enemy lives for every one of ours, but it’s not acceptable for the current administration to trade five terrorists for the life of one American soldier – especially when we gave six American lives as a down payment looking for him after his disappearance. Why were the Americans who died on 911 any more valuable than Bowe Bergdahl?

And if Bergdahl is guilty of desertion, then don’t we owe it to those six dead soldiers to bring him home and make him account for his cowardice?"


Whoah! This fellow is amazing and I'm going to keep an eye on him. In fact, I hope some site picks him up and makes them their chief political critic. He is sharp and unflinching.

Thank you for posting this.

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
69. Bingo! +1000
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 01:51 PM
Jun 2014

Disagree on the Snowden part, but otherwise right on.

Welcome home Sgt.

and for President Barack Obama.

Dark n Stormy Knight

(9,760 posts)
71. I'm not informed enough on Snowden to have an opinion, but yean, that was one righteous rant.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 03:25 PM
Jun 2014

Too bad the R's aren't swayed by facts and reason, no matter how righteous.

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
74. Yes - he is correct about Bergdahl, but way off the mark with Snowden and Al Awlaki.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 05:14 PM
Jun 2014

Obama did the right thing here.

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
70. Outstanding. K&R.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 03:19 PM
Jun 2014

As the son of a deceased Marine who fought in both WWII and Vietnam, I learned early on the philosophy of "We never leave Our own behind. Ever."

Keep on challenging the crazy, and thanks for pointing this article out.

tblue37

(64,982 posts)
73. An excellent point made by someone in the comments on that piece:
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 03:46 PM
Jun 2014
Craig HoughtonJune 3, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Thank you. You've articulated everything I was feeling as well. I'm so angry at friends and the media who are jumping on the bandwagon to trash this guy without giving him his day in court. We had a soldier walk off post and kill 16 Afghanis in cold blood - including 9 children, then proceed to try to burn their bodies. He got less shit than this guy is getting. They're calling for Berghdahl's death - yet they were anxious to get Sgt Bales home so that the Afghanis didn't kill him. I'm a bit confused by our warped values.


This point should be made whenever and wherever possible!

RussBLib

(8,985 posts)
75. bravo! I will be adding this blog to my list (thanks for finding it)
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 05:17 PM
Jun 2014

Especially liked the words on McCain and Cruz.

(Meant to post under the main topic)

mountain grammy

(26,571 posts)
76. Welcome home, soldier, indeed. Land of the free, home of the brave..
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 05:35 PM
Jun 2014

and the extremely stupid. Thank you for this excellent post.

Enoki33

(1,584 posts)
82. Thanks
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 06:49 PM
Jun 2014

For renewing my faith in the goodness of America that is endangered by the Ted Cruz political gangs attacking from within.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,111 posts)
84. Yes a very powerful response
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:11 PM
Jun 2014

I clicked on the link and read his piece.

He starts out slow and meandering but you can tell he's pissed off. Once he get's going he overwhelms the haters with facts.

Those who are bad mouthing Bergdhal's release are not patriots and probably never served in the military.

WinstonSmith4740

(3,048 posts)
87. That was awesome.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 07:20 PM
Jun 2014

Jim Wright is my new hero. I wonder how long its gonna take Faux Noise to start jumping on him. Thanks for posting it.

3catwoman3

(23,820 posts)
95. CWO Wright not only has...
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 12:32 AM
Jun 2014

...writing chops, he also has some real stones, to go right along with the name of his blog - Stonekettle Station.

(And he apparently likes cats too, as he warns potential readers about his site containing not ony profanity, but pictures of cats.)

Iwillnevergiveup

(9,298 posts)
97. This was brilliant
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 02:00 AM
Jun 2014

and will surely make the media rounds quickly. I would love to hear McCain answer this question:

"So, Senator, are you saying you don't support our troops?"

K&R

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