American held hostage by al Qaeda appeals to Obama... (1 Viewer)

[humpback]

The guy was an American soldier who should have been rescued. Got it? That said...

If everyone in his unit is saying the guy was a deserter and should be shot... that should be investigated further.

Sorry, but I don't believe he needed to be rescued at all. He walked off on his own volition into enemy territory. What did he think was going to happen? The taliban was going to throw him a party?

What he thought was going to happen is irrelevant to whether we rescue him. Also irrelevant to the rescue operation is whether he caused additional American casualties by giving up valuable intelligence. Soldiers need to know that the US will do whatever it takes to bring them home, no matter what. But once home... they need to own up to what they did. And if that means we rescue them just so they can be shot by us after court martial, then so be it.

Wat?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

It's a VOLUNTEER army; don't join if you don't want to follow lawful orders. Imagine how well the army would do if everyone just "did their own thing".

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2647397/Revealed-Bowe-Bergdahl-left-note-comrades-telling-leaving-start-new-life-Army-general-says-faces-desertion-charges.html

The New York Times reported Bergdahl also left behind a note in which he said he did not want to fight for America any more, did not believe in the war - and was leaving to start a new life.

The letter to his comrades was separate from the email he sent to his parents before he sent his goods home to them, wherein he wrote: 'life is way too short to care for the damnation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong.... I am ashamed to even be (A)merican.'

Way to take a bold stand here.

Soldiers shouldn't desert, you say? Poppycock!

 

[Widbil83]

No idea, doesn't make a ton of sense to me. They could have done this without making a spectacle of it also.

this I agree with 100%. Obama adminstration never passes a chance to blow their own horn, even when the horn shouldnt be blown.

Trying to get the media to change the conversation from the VA scandal.

What will they come up with now to knock this out of the news?

 

[timschochet]

I disagree with Jim 11. I think that soldiers should be allowed to desert whenever they choose. Anarchy for the USA. It's coming sometime, MAYBE!

 

[Mookie]

There's so much ugly rhetoric in this thread.

He was a naive kid who joined the army, served his country, and then apparently made a really stupid decision to leave his post. The army will ultimately decide whether to bring charges against him, but he is an American soldier and citizen who is innocent until proven guilty - even in military court. Since he hasn't done anything wrong in the eyes of the law, we had to bring him back. As we wrap up our involvement in Afghanistan, I'd imagine that we will be returning a lot more Guantanamo prisoners too, and I'm sure many will be outraged over that.

I'm willing to bet that Bergdahl has, or will have, deep regret over his decision to leave the base, as well as a profound appreciation for the resources and sacrifices it took to bring him back to the USA. Once he's done with his re-introduction into society, it is my hope that he avoids the public spotlight and lives a good life to honor those who died serving their country. That's a big ask considering the intense media pressure he will be subjected to as well as how scrambled his head is. If he writes a Tell All book and hits the talk show circuit to profit on this, you can rest assured that I will be the first to throw stones at him.

 

[johnnycakes]

There's so much ugly rhetoric in this thread.

He was a naive kid who joined the army, served his country, and then apparently made a really stupid decision to leave his post. The army will ultimately decide whether to bring charges against him, but he is an American soldier and citizen who is innocent until proven guilty - even in military court. Since he hasn't done anything wrong in the eyes of the law, we had to bring him back. As we wrap up our involvement in Afghanistan, I'd imagine that we will be returning a lot more Guantanamo prisoners too, and I'm sure many will be outraged over that.

I'm willing to bet that Bergdahl has, or will have, deep regret over his decision to leave the base, as well as a profound appreciation for the resources and sacrifices it took to bring him back to the USA. Once he's done with his re-introduction into society, it is my hope that he avoids the public spotlight and lives a good life to honor those who died serving their country. That's a big ask considering the intense media pressure he will be subjected to as well as how scrambled his head is. If he writes a Tell All book and hits the talk show circuit to profit on this, you can rest assured that I will be the first to throw stones at him.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

The furious search for Sergeant Bergdahl, his critics say, led to the deaths of at least two soldiers and possibly six others in the area. Pentagon officials say those charges are unsubstantiated and are not supported by a review of a database of casualties in the Afghan war.

...

A review of the database of casualties in the Afghan war suggests that Sergeant Bergdahl’s critics appear to be blaming him for every American soldier killed in Paktika Province in the four-month period that followed his disappearance.

They can't even say for sure if the first two that died were actually searching for him.

Edit to add link

Are we surprised??

“The fact of the matter is, when those soldiers were killed, they would not have been where they were at if Bergdahl hadn’t left,” says Buetow. “Bergdahl leaving changed the mission.”

http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/03/team-leader-bowe-bergdahl-wanted-to-talk-to-taliban/

 

[dozer]

Does anyone know the process of changing a soldiers duty status from active to POW or deserter?

 

[jonessed]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

The DOD has stated that it's unclear and there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence to suggest the soldiers are bull####ting.

Why do you think they are lieing?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

 

[jonessed]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

 

[Soonerman]

So which of you think we shouldnt have done the deal and should leave US POWs with the Taliban?

Them

So the USA should make decisions about US POWs based upon the emotions of the families of dead soldiers?

Really. Just dead soldiers? You are a Taliban sympathizer just like Tim. Both of you just don't like America

You didnt answer my question, KooK.

I just want to get you on record that you're a Taliban sympathizer. Let's affirm that right here, right now. Just say it.

I would have sent 10 million US soldiers to Afghanistan and not stopped til there were no living Taliban/Al Qaeda fighters over the age of 16.

Man, you are the most badass internet tough guy ever.

Do you have any idea how many soldiers the US even has? What a freaking joke.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

If he was a bad solider... why not just perform a Code Red on him.

Is there any reason to actually be discussing his soldiering aptitude?

 

[jonessed]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

Just because something is bull#### doesn't mean they're definitely bull####ing...they could believe it, but that doesn't necessarily make it true. It could be as simple as they f###ing hated the guy, hated that he bailed, and they're blaming him for subsequent bad #### that went down.

 

[Fennis]

If he was a bad solider... why not just perform a Code Red on him.

Is there any reason to actually be discussing his soldiering aptitude?

Its beyond me why 80% of the argument is we shouldn't be saving this guy. "He's a deserter, a traitor, his Dad is a Muslim, he's a muslim, he wants to be an Afghani, his Dad speak a foreign language, his Dad tweets to the Taliban. blah blah blah"

At this point, the only focus that makes sense is whether or not Obama should have released those 5 guys at this point in the war. Yet, that's a secondary issue to everyone.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

And the secondary source I'm referring to above is the soldier that was actually being interviewed. He didn't know what that patrol was doing when they were ambushed.

 

[Mario Kart]

I'm on record as not liking this exchange and I still do not. That will never change.

However, the individuals on talk radio, in this thread or elsewhere claiming Americans all over the world will be kidnapped for ransom are over reacting a bit much. I don't think Americans are at any more danger being American all over the world just because of this exchange. To think Americans risk of kidnapping has increased greatly is a tad over blown.

 

[jonessed]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

Just because something is bull#### doesn't mean they're definitely bull####ing...they could believe it, but that doesn't necessarily make it true. It could be as simple as they f###ing hated the guy, hated that he bailed, and they're blaming him for subsequent bad #### that went down.

Alright

 

[GroveDiesel]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

He was still a US soldier. Hate 'em all you want.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

Just because something is bull#### doesn't mean they're definitely bull####ing...they could believe it, but that doesn't necessarily make it true. It could be as simple as they f###ing hated the guy, hated that he bailed, and they're blaming him for subsequent bad #### that went down.

Alright

OK!

 

[Fennis]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

I agree with the bolded. He will be discharged from the military sometime in December after the mid terms. Until then he will be hospitalized and/or reintegrated back to our society.

 

[Fennis]

Sounds like the "6 dead soldiers" claim is potentially bull#### too.

I would trust the soldiers stationed there over anybody else. Why do you think they are lieing?

I'm saying they didn't necessarily know. Even in Saints' post above, he leaves out a pretty important quote:

Buetow says even though those operations were not "directed missions" to search for Bergdahl, there was an underlying premise of acting on intelligence to find the missing soldier.

It's not like they were doing nothing but searching for the guy.

But the soldiers said they were during the ambush.Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

You mean from the NYT article? That was secondhand information.

The anger toward Sergeant Bergdahl increased exponentially after Sept. 4, when they learned that two members of Third Platoon, which routinely went on tandem missions with Second Platoon and who they believed were also searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, had been killed in an ambush. Pfc. Matthew Martinek and Lt. Darryn Andrews, both of them friends of Mr. Cornelison, died in the ambush. A Defense Department official said it was unclear whether the two men were killed directly because of the search for Sergeant Bergdahl.

Right. There doesn't seem to be a definitive source outside of the soldiers stationed there. Why do you think they are "bull####ting"?

Just because something is bull#### doesn't mean they're definitely bull####ing...they could believe it, but that doesn't necessarily make it true. It could be as simple as they f###ing hated the guy, hated that he bailed, and they're blaming him for subsequent bad #### that went down.

Alright

OK!

fine then

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

..., this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

Absent these five guys pulling off a stunning terrorist strike this will be soon forgotten.

 

[Fennis]

..., this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

Absent these five guys pulling off a stunning terrorist strike this will be soon forgotten.

no way. Its the new rallying cry... Benghazi will drop to #2.

 

[ArbyMelt]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

I don't know. Even Diane Feinstein is pissed. This isn't a D vs. R scandal. Both sides pissed. Its not looking good for Obama. I have no idea what he was thinking on this one.

 

[dozer]

Does anyone know the process of changing a soldiers duty status from active to POW or deserter?

Bergdahl was never listed as a POW by US.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

..., this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

Absent these five guys pulling off a stunning terrorist strike this will be soon forgotten.

no way. Its the new rallying cry... Benghazi will drop to #2.

Which will also be barely a footnote in history.But then again "modern Presidential history" could mean since Memorial Day.

 

[Todd Andrews]

So which of you think we shouldnt have done the deal and should leave US POWs with the Taliban?

Them

So the USA should make decisions about US POWs based upon the emotions of the families of dead soldiers?

Really. Just dead soldiers? You are a Taliban sympathizer just like Tim. Both of you just don't like America

You didnt answer my question, KooK.

I just want to get you on record that you're a Taliban sympathizer. Let's affirm that right here, right now. Just say it.

I would have sent 10 million US soldiers to Afghanistan and not stopped til there were no living Taliban/Al Qaeda fighters over the age of 16.

Man, you are the most badass internet tough guy ever.

Do you have any idea how many soldiers the US even has? What a freaking joke.

You dummy, I would have implemented a draft and sent everyone to kill our enemies. I dont understand why you pacifists dont understand what war is really about.

 

[Mario Kart]

In other news... Obama signed an executive order telling coal producers to cut emissions by a lot. Any thoughts on this? Pretty big executive order since it will affect much more than coal.

 

[timschochet]

Does anyone know the process of changing a soldiers duty status from active to POW or deserter?

Bergdahl was never listed as a POW by US.

That's nothing to do with him though. That's because we are not at "war" in Afghanistan. I think the last official war was Vietnam- not sure about that though.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Does anyone know the process of changing a soldiers duty status from active to POW or deserter?

Bergdahl was never listed as a POW by US.

"seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force in a foreign country." Some would say that amounts to being a POW. For purposes of reporting and recording the status of service members, the Pentagon some years ago stopped using the term "prisoner of war,"

 

[GroveDiesel]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

He was still a US soldier. Hate 'em all you want.

Not if he joined the Taliban he wasn't. That's worst case, but the possibility does seem to exist that rather, than being there against his will, he actually defected and has been aiding them all this time.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

He was still a US soldier. Hate 'em all you want.

Not if he joined the Taliban he wasn't. That's worst case, but the possibility does seem to exist that rather, than being there against his will, he actually defected and has been aiding them all this time.

Yes he was.

He was never discharged and nobody actually knew his status. Soon they will.

 

[timschochet]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

He was still a US soldier. Hate 'em all you want.

Not if he joined the Taliban he wasn't. That's worst case, but the possibility does seem to exist that rather, than being there against his will, he actually defected and has been aiding them all this time.

Baaed on what we know this is really unlikely. He would almost surely have been used for propaganda, ala Tokyo Rose, rather than as trading material.

 

[timschochet]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

 

[GroveDiesel]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Maybe he was looking for an Outback Steakhouse.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

Pretty damn close.

 

[timschochet]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

 

[GroveDiesel]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

Don't you dare take that out of full context. That's low and pathetic even for you.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

B.I.N.G.O.

 

[quickhands]

Does anyone know the process of changing a soldiers duty status from active to POW or deserter?

Not listed as either

 

[GroveDiesel]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

B.I.N.G.O.

You're seriously pathetic. You're everything that is wrong with talking politics on this board.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

B.I.N.G.O.

You're seriously pathetic. You're everything that is wrong with talking politics on this board.

You'll recover.

And you can keep on hating the soldier while you do.

 

[quickhands]

If the part about them intercepting a call in which there was information about him trying to contact the Taliban after deserting is true, this will go down as one of the most epic blunders in modern Presidential history.

If this guy went looking to go talk with the Taliban, then we didn't trade 5 terrorists for a US soldier, we traded 5 terrorists for one of their own.

If his former squad leader is lying, he should be severely punished. If it's true...

My guess is this guy gets buried though and a fake investigation takes place. No way will this be allowed to go south for the White House.

He was still a US soldier. Hate 'em all you want.

This.

But the rose garden thing was a turd.

 

[timschochet]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

Don't you dare take that out of full context. That's low and pathetic even for you.

What does it mean, in full context?

 

[BigSteelThrill]

First he defected, supposedly. Now suddenly dudes an active member of the Taliban? Seriously?

Is that what I said?

We traded 5 terrorists for one of their own. What did you mean by that remark?

Don't you dare take that out of full context. That's low and pathetic even for you.

What does it mean, in full context?

It means, he is too scared to speak plainly.

He said what he meant to say and tried to pre-deflect any criticism of his hatred by making those pre-qualifiers.