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

[Fennis]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

Because they are trying to clean out Guantanamo. Not sure I see any other reason to be honest.

Fine, clean out Guantanamo. But why tie their release to his release effectively destroying a long held position and putting at risk future Americans? I haven't seen a reporter ask the question which makes me also think something else is up.

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.

 

[Fennis]

FWIW, Israel does prisoner exchanges when needed. here's an example of a 1,000 [SIZE=10.5pt]Palestinian [/SIZE]for 1 Israeli soldier exchange they did: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/17/world/meast/israel-prisoner-swap-explainer/index.html

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

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.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

Because they are trying to clean out Guantanamo. Not sure I see any other reason to be honest.

Fine, clean out Guantanamo. But why tie their release to his release effectively destroying a long held position and putting at risk future Americans? I haven't seen a reporter ask the question which makes me also think something else is up.

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.

Yeah having the family at the White House was a bit much. This Administration controls the release of information and its image closer than any of the other administrations I've worked under. They absolutely flip out if something even somewhat innocuous gets out that they weren't privy to. There are no Cheneys, Wolfowitzs or Rumsfelds, but they have a very high pucker-factor and a good amount of passive aggressiveness.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

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.

Yeah, that's not out of the question although the timing is strange. Stuff they want front and center is usually a Monday or Tuesday release, not a Saturday release. That's usually something they don't want a ton of light on.

 

[rascal]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

Because they are trying to clean out Guantanamo. Not sure I see any other reason to be honest.

Fine, clean out Guantanamo. But why tie their release to his release effectively destroying a long held position and putting at risk future Americans?

[SIZE=10.5pt]Whether you like it or not, its a romanticized view to say we don’t negotiate with terrorists. [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]We have had indirect talks with the Taliban many times. We have direct talks with warlords in Afghanistan.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The Sunni awakening in Iraq was a result of direct negotiations with terrorists. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The freeing of this dude was the result of indirect negotiations. Maybe its bad policy. Maybe its worse to leave a soldier behind, even if they deserted their post and their dad is a nut. :shrug[/SIZE]

Then just come out and say so instead of this horrific interview Susan Rice had. If you want to change policy, then have the balls to say it.

FWIW, the Sunni Awakening actually began with a tribe that was being pushed out by an Al-Qaeda tied group.

 

[rascal]

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.

maybe

 

[Lutherman2112]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

would you rather have the President trade captives from 2008, or would you rather have a Presidents that deals 1500 missiles for no hostages at all?

 

[Max Power]

For those on twitter, go read the timeline of @codyfnfootball. He was supposedly in Bergdahl's unit and gives a detailed story of what took place.

This link has most of it:

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/06/143437-american-soldier-served-bowe-bergdahl-casts-doubt-official-story-fears-reprisal-obama-administration/

Glad this kid posted it. I knew someone would within the first 48 hours. This feels like a slap in the face to all who supported his rescue and recovery missions.

 

[Jim11]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

would you rather have the President trade captives from 2008, or would you rather have a Presidents that deals 1500 missiles for no hostages at all?

Why have either?

 

[Jim11]

Traded 5 bad guys for 1 deserter.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/01/us/bergdahl-deserter-or-hero/index.html

The sense of pride expressed by officials of the Obama administration at the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is not shared by many of those who served with him -- veterans and soldiers who call him a deserter whose "selfish act" ended up costing the lives of better men.

"I was pissed off then and I am even more so now with everything going on," said former Sergeant Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl's platoon when he went missing on June 30, 2009. "Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him."

Vierkant said Bergdahl needs to not only acknowledge his actions publicly but face a military trial for desertion under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

 

[jonessed]

For those on twitter, go read the timeline of @codyfnfootball. He was supposedly in Bergdahl's unit and gives a detailed story of what took place.

This link has most of it:

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/06/143437-american-soldier-served-bowe-bergdahl-casts-doubt-official-story-fears-reprisal-obama-administration/

Glad this kid posted it. I knew someone would within the first 48 hours. This feels like a slap in the face to all who supported his rescue and recovery missions.

CNN has a good article up. Apparently this guy's desertion got a lot of people killed.

 

[ArbyMelt]

Bergdahl was also promoted to Sergeant while being held captive when they knew he deserted. This is a bizarre story.

 

[Kal El]

This whole story seems contrived and meant to distract from the VA disaster. Something just seems off about the whole story.

 

[jon_mx]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

would you rather have the President trade captives from 2008, or would you rather have a Presidents that deals 1500 missiles for no hostages at all?

.........

 

[GroveDiesel]

What's weird is that Obama has actually wanted to do this for 2 years.

http://m.nationalreview.com/corner/313687/obama-sweetens-pot-taliban-gitmo-prisoner-exchange-offer-andrew-c-mccarthy

 

[dozer]

Black dot for the developing story. This is going to get weird.

 

[Bogeys]

Black dot for the developing story. This is going to get weird.

Agree.

 

[RC94]

 

[jon_mx]

Has Tim weighed in yet? This has got to be part of Obama's brilliant foreign policy that the common laymen are just too stupid to understand.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

What's weird is that Obama has actually wanted to do this for 2 years.

http://m.nationalreview.com/corner/313687/obama-sweetens-pot-taliban-gitmo-prisoner-exchange-offer-andrew-c-mccarthy

August 2012:

U.S. officials are now cautiously seeking to prepare the ground for a resumption in talks. But any negotiations involving the Taliban, even preliminary ones, could pose a political risk for Obama months before the U.S. presidential election.

The proposed prisoner transfer was first reported in December by Reuters.

The Taliban detainees are seen as among the most dangerous remaining at Guantanamo, and the transfer idea drew strong opposition on Capitol Hill even before it was formally proposed.

Many lawmakers fretted that transferred detainees would reappear on the battlefield, and objected to the possible release of prisoners blamed for bloody crimes in Afghanistan.

U.S. officials stress that the transfer, if it occurs, will be done in accordance with U.S. law, which requires Congress to be notified before any detainees are moved from Guantanamo.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/08/us-usa-afghanistan-taliban-idUSBRE87700020120808

 

[GroveDiesel]

So what's the penalty for breaking US law by not notifying Congress before the transfers?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

Because Obama wasn't negotiating the release of a soldier. He was negotiating the return of the Taliban.

 

[jon_mx]

So what's the penalty for breaking US law by not notifying Congress before the transfers?

Congratulations from an adoring media?

 

[Widbil83]

Has Tim weighed in yet? This has got to be part of Obama's brilliant foreign policy that the common laymen are just too stupid to understand.

Looks like the Obamaguys are in wait and see mode right now.

 

[igbomb]

Has Tim weighed in yet? This has got to be part of Obama's brilliant foreign policy that the common laymen are just too stupid to understand.

Good Lord. Doesn't it get old being so friggin negative for 8 straight years? Just chill out a bit.

 

[whoknew]

I don't see why this is such a huge deal. Hasn't the US done prisoner exchanges since ... forever, basically?

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Has Tim weighed in yet? This has got to be part of Obama's brilliant foreign policy that the common laymen are just too stupid to understand.

Looks like the Obamaguys are in wait and see mode right now.

Obamaguys should take this a compliment.

 

[jonessed]

What's weird is that Obama has actually wanted to do this for 2 years.

http://m.nationalreview.com/corner/313687/obama-sweetens-pot-taliban-gitmo-prisoner-exchange-offer-andrew-c-mccarthy

August 2012:

U.S. officials are now cautiously seeking to prepare the ground for a resumption in talks. But any negotiations involving the Taliban, even preliminary ones, could pose a political risk for Obama months before the U.S. presidential election.

The proposed prisoner transfer was first reported in December by Reuters.

The Taliban detainees are seen as among the most dangerous remaining at Guantanamo, and the transfer idea drew strong opposition on Capitol Hill even before it was formally proposed.

Many lawmakers fretted that transferred detainees would reappear on the battlefield, and objected to the possible release of prisoners blamed for bloody crimes in Afghanistan.

U.S. officials stress that the transfer, if it occurs, will be done in accordance with U.S. law, which requires Congress to be notified before any detainees are moved from Guantanamo.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/08/us-usa-afghanistan-taliban-idUSBRE87700020120808

I feared as much, but was hoping it wasn't the case.

This strikes as odd and ill-advised on so many different levels. Why Obama would do this AND make it so high profile is beyond me. I get that he dislikes Congress, but this just bizarre.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Something about this doesn't make sense.

Why would America/Obama/whatever go against a long standing policy of not negotiating to rescue a soldier who deserted his post?

Rhetoric is not policy.

 

[timschochet]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

 

[StrikeS2k]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

Doubtful if this guy turns out to be a deserter, as is looking very likely.

 

[jonessed]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

That is such a cop-out.

 

[Fennis]

Apparently "Support the troops" just means fund wasteful defense programs.

 

[Bogeys]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

 

[shader]

Everyone at work is fired up about this. I didn't even know about it. Also, what the heck is the VA disaster?

I was on vacation last week, so I guess I missed a lot, but cliff notes would be nice.

 

[Kal El]

Apparently "Support the troops" just means fund wasteful defense programs.

I'm of the idea that the US should bring their soldiers home to defend our own territory, and let the world deal with it's own problems.

 

[timschochet]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap. Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

 

[timschochet]

Apparently "Support the troops" just means fund wasteful defense programs.

I'm of the idea that the US should bring their soldiers home to defend our own territory, and let the world deal with it's own problems.

This sort of delusional thinking is growing in this country, more than at any time since right before World War 2. It's depressing.

 

[Bogeys]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap.Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

Read your posts in the last few years and compare it to the GWB fanboys...same coin.

I also noticed you didn't actually respond to either point I brought up. And why bring up Fox and Ollie except to deflect?

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

I love how this is Timmy's fault!

 

[timschochet]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap.Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

Read your posts in the last few years and compare it to the GWB fanboys...same coin.

I also noticed you didn't actually respond to either point I brought up. And why bring up Fox and Ollie except to deflect?

Israel's unique position has nothing to do with this issue. I brought Israel up because of the trade, no other reason. I think their trading hundreds of terrorists for one guy puts this trade in some context. If Obama had vetoed this trade, it might have been leaked. If It had been leaked it would have been criticized.

 

[Widbil83]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap. Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

Looks like pretty much everybody from everywhere is showing up to rip Obama for this.

 

[timschochet]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap. Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

Looks like pretty much everybody from everywhere is showing up to rip Obama for this.

Not this kid's family. They're just happy to get him back after 5 long years. None of us know all the details but from what we know, I approve of this deal.

 

[timschochet]

The other thing we need to discuss here is dealing with the Taliban. The Taliban is an evil organization, among the worst people on this planet. But we've been trying to destroy them for 13 years now and we haven't done it. We can't stay in Afghanistan much longer either. So as bad ad the Taliban is, we have to try diplomacy with them on some level. That's not weak; there is simply no alternative.

 

[Bogeys]

Israel traded hundreds of terrorists to get one soldier back.

If Obama had refused this deal, he would have been heavily criticized by many of the same people ripping him now.

You tell us all the time how Israel and its position is unique so now you are using it for justification?

And if Obama had refused the deal we never would have known about it so how could it be criticized?

I swear you are just as bad as the guys that on reflex defended GWB on everything because of the attacks from the left.

There's plenty to criticize Obama about. I've done my share. But this is crap.Wlll Oliver North show up on Fox and rip Obama for this?

Read your posts in the last few years and compare it to the GWB fanboys...same coin.

I also noticed you didn't actually respond to either point I brought up. And why bring up Fox and Ollie except to deflect?

Israel's unique position has nothing to do with this issue. I brought Israel up because of the trade, no other reason. I think their trading hundreds of terrorists for one guy puts this trade in some context.If Obama had vetoed this trade, it might have been leaked. If It had been leaked it would have been criticized.

You can't use Israel as a justification in this situation because of their unique position unless you are okay with people comparing them to South Africa during apartheid....either they are unique in their positioning or not, you don't logically get to pick and choose if you want to be consistent.

And if the President was against trading prisoners with the Taliban then there would have never been anything to be leaked as there would have been no negotiation.

I am not saying the administration is wrong for doing this (although my knee jerk is that it is), but trying to say that people saying WTF are just out to bag on the President is knee jerk defense without thought.

 

[Kal El]

Apparently "Support the troops" just means fund wasteful defense programs.

I'm of the idea that the US should bring their soldiers home to defend our own territory, and let the world deal with it's own problems.

This sort of delusional thinking is growing in this country, more than at any time since right before World War 2. It's depressing.

The mass slaughter of groups of people is a terrible thing, and should be stopped whenever possible, but we're not the world's police. If US intervention would stop such a thing, then I say go for it. But removing a person from power that we don't like is a bad reason to invade, especially if we had a hand in them gaining power in the first place.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Not this kid's family. They're just happy to get him back after 5 long years.None of us know all the details but from what we know, I approve of this deal.

I have never been in the military, but I imagine your fellow platoon members from combat know you as well as anyone. These are men that stand next to you in life and death... If his platoon members accuse him of desertion, which some are, and accuse him of costing others their life, I have to disagree with you - Not only did this man cost others who stood by their brothers in arms their life, but now some very bad people are no longer directly under our watch.

 

[johnnycakes]

Has anyone seen pics of Bob Bergdahl, the soldier's father? He looks like an American Taliban himself. And from what I've heard of his tweets, he apparently sounds like one, too.

 

[[icon]]

The other thing we need to discuss here is dealing with the Taliban. The Taliban is an evil organization, among the worst people on this planet. But we've been trying to destroy them for 13 years now and we haven't done it. We can't stay in Afghanistan much longer either. So as bad ad the Taliban is, we have to try diplomacy with them on some level. That's not weak; there is simply no alternative.

Jesus....