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

[jonessed]

LOL... "we were going to set them free anyway.... For NOTHING"

The Spin on my Facebook now seems to be "yeah, it's bad..... BUT Bush did A,B and C and Reagan did X and Y"

If that's the counter argument then we're Screwed.

LOL....

Now adding.... "We were going to set them free anyway...... For NOTHING"

WOW

Are you under the impression that we will be letting them all die in prison?

Certainly these guys. Have you read their background? The Taliban wanted them back for a reason. These were some serious asskickers.

 

[timschochet]

LOL... "we were going to set them free anyway.... For NOTHING"

The Spin on my Facebook now seems to be "yeah, it's bad..... BUT Bush did A,B and C and Reagan did X and Y"

If that's the counter argument then we're Screwed.

LOL....

Now adding.... "We were going to set them free anyway...... For NOTHING"

WOW

Are you under the impression that we will be letting them all die in prison?

Certainly these guys. Have you read their background? The Taliban wanted them back for a reason. These were some serious asskickers.

Just about everyone from the Taliban that we have captured doesn't have a great resume. The Taliban are among the worst people on this planet. But we have to work with them anyhow. Sucks.

 

[MaxThreshold]

LOL... "we were going to set them free anyway.... For NOTHING"

The Spin on my Facebook now seems to be "yeah, it's bad..... BUT Bush did A,B and C and Reagan did X and Y"

If that's the counter argument then we're Screwed.

LOL....

Now adding.... "We were going to set them free anyway...... For NOTHING"

WOW

Are you under the impression that we will be letting them all die in prison?

Certainly these guys. Have you read their background? The Taliban wanted them back for a reason. These were some serious asskickers.

Just about everyone from the Taliban that we have captured doesn't have a great resume. The Taliban are among the worst people on this planet. But we have to work with them anyhow. Sucks.

No way you get away with that. Lumping in the masterminds and leaders in with the foot soldiers is disingenuous. These guys are evil human beings and we let them go for a deserter.

Of course, "deserter" equates to "hero" and "dignity and honor" with this administration.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

So we were going to keep those guys prisoner forever?

 

[MaxThreshold]

So we were going to keep those guys prisoner forever?

Maybe not forever. But this deal is just plain bad.

 

[tommyboy]

Im sure this will blow over soon as the next scandal appears

 

[jon_mx]

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.

It sounds like an illegal order which should have no effect. Obama is the executive branch. He can only make executive orders within his realm of power. He does not have power to legislate nor should he. Of course the courts will allow it under some guise that CO2 and oxygenate some kind of pollutantant which the legislature has given authority to regulate under the EPA. Hopefully we can reign in the reach of executive abuses, but their are too many government tithe-suckers to ever do that.

 

[jon_mx]

LOL... "we were going to set them free anyway.... For NOTHING"

The Spin on my Facebook now seems to be "yeah, it's bad..... BUT Bush did A,B and C and Reagan did X and Y"

If that's the counter argument then we're Screwed.

LOL....

Now adding.... "We were going to set them free anyway...... For NOTHING"

WOW

Are you under the impression that we will be letting them all die in prison?

Certainly these guys. Have you read their background? The Taliban wanted them back for a reason. These were some serious asskickers.

Just about everyone from the Taliban that we have captured doesn't have a great resume. The Taliban are among the worst people on this planet. But we have to work with them anyhow. Sucks.

Of course when Republicans work with bad people it is treason. Sometimes we do have to work with who we think are the lesser of two evils, I just don't see it in this case. We gained nothing except for getting a traitor back who deserves to be in prison in exchange for letting 5 dangerous terrorist back into society. Dumb deal anyway you cut it.

 

[jon_mx]

Obama Adminstration did not realize he was a deserter????? No way in hell they did not know that.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

LOL @ the conservatives skipping right over their old and shown false attacks and starting up a different round of bullcrap.

You guys have zero decency.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

#### you Tim

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

Nice work in this thread, Tim.

 

[quickhands]

Laughable how the lefties are desperate to prove that the deserter wasn't really a deserter. Yep, all those guys who served with him are just making #### up.

Don't have to prove anything of the sort. He is a US soldier.

Everything else is the righties gnashing their teeth for all things Obama.

Agree with the first part.

The second part is rediculous and small.

 

[Premier]

So supposedly he was gravely ill which was the reason for the "expedited" trade. Other than being a little thin and walking gingerly, which could be from a few Afghan Thursdays, he didn't seem gravely ill to me.

Yea I'm sure you're really qualified to make this judgment.

 

[Premier]

It is so weird to me to see people upset about this guy coming home. Even with the desertion part...if true I would rather he face fair justice in America rather than be held hostage by animals.

5 years in a Taliban POW camp must be 75 years in an American prison. I can't even imagine the nightmares he will have. Hopefully he is able to find some peace in this life.

 

[The Kerminator]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

They didn't realize he was a deserter? Do you really believe this?

 

[quickhands]

It is so weird to me to see people upset about this guy coming home. Even with the desertion part...if true I would rather he face fair justice in America rather than be held hostage by animals.

5 years in a Taliban POW camp must be 75 years in an American prison. I can't even imagine the nightmares he will have. Hopefully he is able to find some peace in this life.

Deserter is the second worse military offense. If he did he shouldnt have to worry about nightmares because he should be shot.

Either way who cares if he has nightmares

 

[Premier]

It is so weird to me to see people upset about this guy coming home. Even with the desertion part...if true I would rather he face fair justice in America rather than be held hostage by animals.

5 years in a Taliban POW camp must be 75 years in an American prison. I can't even imagine the nightmares he will have. Hopefully he is able to find some peace in this life.

Deserter is the second worse military offense. If he did he shouldnt have to worry about nightmares because he should be shot.Either way who cares if he has nightmares

I work for veterans everyday who have awful nightmares and dreams about their service. I care. Sorry you're a heartless ####stain.

If he is a deserter he has what's coming to him. But he already paid a horrible price.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

They didn't realize he was a deserter? Do you really believe this?

As amazing as it is, I heard a sound bite from Obama speaking yesterday and I think I actually believe it.

 

[matuski]

Whether he was a deserter or not is completely irrelevant... are the whackos still on this?

 

[3C's]

So supposedly he was gravely ill which was the reason for the "expedited" trade. Other than being a little thin and walking gingerly, which could be from a few Afghan Thursdays, he didn't seem gravely ill to me.

Yea I'm sure you're really qualified to make this judgment.

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[Mister Martie]

So supposedly he was gravely ill which was the reason for the "expedited" trade. Other than being a little thin and walking gingerly, which could be from a few Afghan Thursdays, he didn't seem gravely ill to me.

Really? He could have final stage ball cancer for all you know from what you saw.

one can only hope

Time to reevaluate your political obsession when you are hoping this guy has cancer.

 

[avoiding injuries]

A Taliban commander close to the negotiations over the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl told TIME by telephone Thursday that the deal made to secure Bergdahls release has made it more appealing for fighters to capture American soldiers and other high-value targets.

Its better to kidnap one person like Bergdahl than kidnapping hundreds of useless people, the commander said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. It has encouraged our people. Now everybody will work hard to capture such an important bird.

http://ti.me/UeoAii

 

[Widbil83]

Whether he was a deserter or not is completely irrelevant... are the whackos still on this?

Yep, nothing to see here!

 

[avoiding injuries]

Whether he was a deserter or not is completely irrelevant... are the whackos still on this?

Yep, nothing to see here!

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

A Taliban commander close to the negotiations over the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl told TIME by telephone Thursday that the deal made to secure Bergdahls release has made it more appealing for fighters to capture American soldiers and other high-value targets.

Its better to kidnap one person like Bergdahl than kidnapping hundreds of useless people, the commander said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. It has encouraged our people. Now everybody will work hard to capture such an important bird.

http://ti.me/UeoAii

So they are now more selective in their targets? And that is a bad thing?

 

[matuski]

Whether he was a deserter or not is completely irrelevant... are the whackos still on this?

Yep, nothing to see here!

Yes, we got back an American Soldier. Only a nut would construe this as a bad thing. One topic.

He will have a chance to defend himself against his accusers, and face the consequences if found guilty. Another topic entirely.

 

[Slapdash]

17 pages? What is the story here?

 

[tom22406]

17 pages? What is the story here?

Very good question(s).

Almost every political thread(and yes this is political)ends up the same way.The left who support Obama defend him no matter what and on the other hand those on the right are critical no matter what.Rinse and repeat.

 

[juanjuan]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

They didn't realize he was a deserter? Do you really believe this?

As amazing as it is, I heard a sound bite from Obama speaking yesterday and I think I actually believe it.

How about these other clips of Obama claiming he only found out about his other scandals from the news like the rest of us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLERK4xZ14

Considering the amazing pattern, Obama has to be either lying or completely incompetent. Take your pick.

 

[juanjuan]

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

You forgot the part where you apologize to everyone who you attacked as a hateful reactionary idiot for reaching the same conclusion days ago that your feeble mind is only reaching now.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

17 pages? What is the story here?

Very good question(s).Almost every political thread(and yes this is political)ends up the same way.The left who support Obama defend him no matter what and on the other hand those on the right are critical no matter what.Rinse and repeat.

This thread is just cluttered with defenses of Obama!

 

[Hang 10]

I'm glad he was brought back. The trade doesn't bother me at all, since Homer's point is right: in the end, we're going to end up releasing all of these Taliban guys anyhow. Like it or not (and personally I hate it) we're going to have to come to an accord with the Taliban, in what will inevitably a messy end to a messy war. It's going to be ugly. Hopefully not Vietnam in 1975 ugly (that was the worst ending to a war in our history) but ugly all the same.

But the more I read about this guy, I have to say the more he really bothers me. I'm not gonna go all tommyboy and hope he gets ball cancer, but he doesn't sound like a good dude. (Also, if you read the Rolling Stone article, the troops he served with don't sound too good either- demoralized, not knowing what the hell they're doing there, hating the Afghans and themselves- sounds like Vietnam all over again!) I'd like to see him court-martialed for desertion. He doesn't need to serve any time (he's done that already) but he really should get a dishonorable discharge.

And I have to add, in this instance, the Obama administration looks foolish. They spoke too soon; they obviously didn't realize this guy was a deserter; they called him an honorable soldier. That's crap. And it is reminiscent of the first days after Benghazi. While I have little concern with President Obama's foreign policy (as I've written, I think he's been terrific) there is no question that his public relation team sucks. They keep getting #### wrong, mixing their messages, and sometimes insisting on stuff they know is wrong because they can't acknowledge that they screwed up. Not good. Of course the conservatives will run with this and try to find conspiracy ####; they're certain to go overboard as they always do. But this time Obama and crew really messed up good.

They didn't realize he was a deserter? Do you really believe this?

As amazing as it is, I heard a sound bite from Obama speaking yesterday and I think I actually believe it.

How about these other clips of Obama claiming he only found out about his other scandals from the news like the rest of us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLERK4xZ14

Considering the amazing pattern, Obama has to be either lying or completely incompetent. Take your pick.

Yup. There's no one madder about about Bergdal deserting that Obama...after he heard he deserted on CNN...yesterday.

 

[greenroom]

So here is the question for those on the right. It seems that you would of been happy to leave him as a POW or what ever you want to call it because he deserted the US! Yet those same people are upset that President Obama authorized a drone attack on an American fighting for the enemy? And did not give him due process? How do you explain this?

 

[StrikeS2k]

So here is the question for those on the right. It seems that you would of been happy to leave him as a POW or what ever you want to call it because he deserted the US! Yet those same people are upset that President Obama authorized a drone attack on an American fighting for the enemy? And did not give him due process? How do you explain this?

you really need the distinction explained to you?

 

[avoiding injuries]

I'm right of center. I don't have an opinion on the drone attack because I don't know much about it. As for this topic, I'm glad he was released. My issue is with the way it went down. Ceremony in the rose garden, Susan rice on TV, congress not given notification as required by law, 5 "high risk" Taliban members released, saying they'll be detained in Qatar but video is released that appears to contradict that etc.

I'm waiting to reserve judgement on the guy. Desertion is one thing (which I believe to be true), but I heard a platoon member on TV say ied explosives became more accurate right after his capture. I don't know enough about how that would work, but the implication was there.

I have no issues with the guys dad. He was doing what he thought would help get his son back.

 

[Ghost Rider]

It is so weird to me to see people upset about this guy coming home. Even with the desertion part...if true I would rather he face fair justice in America rather than be held hostage by animals.

5 years in a Taliban POW camp must be 75 years in an American prison. I can't even imagine the nightmares he will have. Hopefully he is able to find some peace in this life.

If he is found guilty to have deserted, I'd say he has suffered enough already. Give him his dishonorable discharge and let that be it. Throwing him in prison, after he was in a Taliban hell for five years, would seem almost too cruel.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

A note to to Tim, Todd and others who have represented "That was the deal."

That was not the deal.

This was the deal:

The next day, American forces had a chance to free Bowe. The battalion operations officer, call sign GERONIMO 3, met with two tribal elders from the nearby village. The elders had been asked by the Taliban to arrange a trade with U.S. forces. The insurgents wanted 15 of their jailed fighters released, along with an unidentified sum of money, in exchange for Bowe.

That was the deal in 2009.

And we have stayed in Afghanistan while teh price has gone UP every single day. As we got closer to leaving, after we stated it was a matter of policy to abandon Afghanistan, the incentive for the Taliban to negotiate anything has gone DOWN.

Now that this deal has been made the five worst people that could have been let go have been let go.

 

[timschochet]

A note to to Tim, Todd and others who have represented "That was the deal."

That was not the deal.

This was the deal:

The next day, American forces had a chance to free Bowe. The battalion operations officer, call sign GERONIMO 3, met with two tribal elders from the nearby village. The elders had been asked by the Taliban to arrange a trade with U.S. forces. The insurgents wanted 15 of their jailed fighters released, along with an unidentified sum of money, in exchange for Bowe.

That was the deal in 2009.

And we have stayed in Afghanistan while teh price has gone UP every single day. As we got closer to leaving, after we stated it was a matter of policy to abandon Afghanistan, the incentive for the Taliban to negotiate anything has gone DOWN.

Now that this deal has been made the five worst people that could have been let go have been let go.

I'm not sure what you're referring to in reference to something I wrote.

 

[avoiding injuries]

The White House showed a video to members of congress last night showing Bergdahl was in bad health and claim it was one of the reasons they chose to act swiftly and not go through the process of notifying congress before a deal was made. But the video is from 6 months ago. That seems strange.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/04/senators-shown-bergdahl-video-that-taliban-provided-white-house-before-trade/

 

[HellToupee]

So after the exchange why didn't we take the taliban crew off the board with a couple of armed drones

 

[timschochet]

So after the exchange why didn't we take the taliban crew off the board with a couple of armed drones

Because we have to deal with the Taliban in the future.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

A note to to Tim, Todd and others who have represented "That was the deal."

That was not the deal.

This was the deal:

The next day, American forces had a chance to free Bowe. The battalion operations officer, call sign GERONIMO 3, met with two tribal elders from the nearby village. The elders had been asked by the Taliban to arrange a trade with U.S. forces. The insurgents wanted 15 of their jailed fighters released, along with an unidentified sum of money, in exchange for Bowe.

That was the deal in 2009.

And we have stayed in Afghanistan while teh price has gone UP every single day. As we got closer to leaving, after we stated it was a matter of policy to abandon Afghanistan, the incentive for the Taliban to negotiate anything has gone DOWN.

Now that this deal has been made the five worst people that could have been let go have been let go.

I'm not sure what you're referring to in reference to something I wrote.

Pretty much this, which in one way or other has been echoed here and there by a few others (Henry being one):

...That being said, IMO even if it was a straight 5 for 1 trade, the price was not too high.

This pretty much sums up my position. If the US government prosecutes his ### for desertion or treason, or whatever the facts support, I wont care one bit. But that hasnt happened, and US soldiers belong here and not in the hands of our enemies. A lot of so-called troop supporters in here arguing vehemently about how we should leave US soldiers in captivity. Pretty remarkable.

Todd, the question you raised a page ago was whether anyone here would make the trade or not. If the question was whether we should make serious attempts to bring him home, I believe most/all would say "yes."

That is the trade.

It's being assumed that the deal was the deal was the deal. Not so. That was not the case. The "price" started out very low.

If the goal has been to leave Afghanistan the whole time the surge looks like a waste, our time in Afghanistan under Obama at least has been a waste.

And since 2009 certainly the price for Bergdahl has gone up and up and up. And then Obama decides to finally trade for him at the very moment we are leaving, after we have announced our withdrawal, absolutely maximizing the price that would be asked of us.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

So after the exchange why didn't we take the taliban crew off the board with a couple of armed drones

Because we have to deal with the Taliban in the future.

No we don't. When we leave, we go. It will be our Afghan allies dealing with the Taliban.

 

[timschochet]

What Todd wrote and what I wrote is very different. Based on your evidence, the price may be higher than it was, but I wrote that I don't regard it as too high and I still don't.

 

[tommyGunZ]

A note to to Tim, Todd and others who have represented "That was the deal."

That was not the deal.

This was the deal:

The next day, American forces had a chance to free Bowe. The battalion operations officer, call sign GERONIMO 3, met with two tribal elders from the nearby village. The elders had been asked by the Taliban to arrange a trade with U.S. forces. The insurgents wanted 15 of their jailed fighters released, along with an unidentified sum of money, in exchange for Bowe.

That was the deal in 2009.And we have stayed in Afghanistan while teh price has gone UP every single day. As we got closer to leaving, after we stated it was a matter of policy to abandon Afghanistan, the incentive for the Taliban to negotiate anything has gone DOWN.

Now that this deal has been made the five worst people that could have been let go have been let go.

I'm not sure what you're referring to in reference to something I wrote.

Pretty much this, which in one way or other has been echoed here and there by a few others (Henry being one):

...That being said, IMO even if it was a straight 5 for 1 trade, the price was not too high.

This pretty much sums up my position. If the US government prosecutes his ### for desertion or treason, or whatever the facts support, I wont care one bit. But that hasnt happened, and US soldiers belong here and not in the hands of our enemies. A lot of so-called troop supporters in here arguing vehemently about how we should leave US soldiers in captivity. Pretty remarkable.

Todd, the question you raised a page ago was whether anyone here would make the trade or not. If the question was whether we should make serious attempts to bring him home, I believe most/all would say "yes."

That is the trade.

It's being assumed that the deal was the deal was the deal. Not so. That was not the case. The "price" started out very low.

If the goal has been to leave Afghanistan the whole time the surge looks like a waste, our time in Afghanistan under Obama at least has been a waste.

And since 2009 certainly the price for Bergdahl has gone up and up and up. And then Obama decides to finally trade for him at the very moment we are leaving, after we have announced our withdrawal, absolutely maximizing the price that would be asked of us.

What price would you have paid Saints? And what if they said no? You'd have left him there to rot?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The White House showed a video to members of congress last night showing Bergdahl was in bad health and claim it was one of the reasons they chose to act swiftly and not go through the process of notifying congress before a deal was made. But the video is from 6 months ago. That seems strange.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/04/senators-shown-bergdahl-video-that-taliban-provided-white-house-before-trade/

There are a couple exigences the WH has claimed explain its reason to not inform Congress according to law:

1. That they might lose the deal if they did not act quickly. That's not true, the first offer for Bergdahl occurred in 2009. There has never been a rush until now.

2. Berdahl's health was in decline - apparently there was a 'proof of life' video. Apparently Bergdahl did not look as bad as the WH claims, though that's according to Saxby Chambliss ®, on CNN.

 

[timschochet]

So after the exchange why didn't we take the taliban crew off the board with a couple of armed drones

Because we have to deal with the Taliban in the future.

No we don't. When we leave, we go. It will be our Afghan allies dealing with the Taliban.

You mean our Afghan stooges. And we will still have to be very involved in that even after we leave.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

What Todd wrote and what I wrote is very different. Based on your evidence, the price may be higher than it was, but I wrote that I don't regard it as too high and I still don't.

You were both saying the same thing - the deal was the deal, either we take the deal or we don't. It's impossible for you to logically claim that the top 5 on the Taliban list was a justified price when they were originally asking for 15 field fighters and a ham sandwich.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

So after the exchange why didn't we take the taliban crew off the board with a couple of armed drones

Because we have to deal with the Taliban in the future.

No we don't. When we leave, we go. It will be our Afghan allies dealing with the Taliban.

You mean our Afghan stooges. And we will still have to be very involved in that even after we leave.

There are men, women and children not in the government who will be on the firing line. Soccer stadium executions, villagers killed in teh streets, that stuff is real. Or it was until we showed up.