Posted on 06/08/2014 11:31:56 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When Bowe Bergdahl was first released, the administration’s line seemed to be that he had suffered enough as a Taliban prisoner, and thus that the U.S. would not likely punish him as a deserter even if that’s what he turned out to be. But as the deal came in for strong criticism and evidence mounted as to Bergdahl’s betrayal, the line changed.
We were assured by the military that Bergdahl’s conduct would be investigated and, if misconduct were found, he would be subject to the military justice system. In the meantime, we should withhold judgment.
But Bill Otis predicts that, regardless of the facts (which so far point unambiguously to the conclusion that Bergdahl deserted), Bergdahl will never face a military trial because President Obama will pardon him. Bill, who worked on presidential pardons in the last days of the Bush 41 administration, has even drafted a statement to accompany the pardon (see below). It’s written in perfect Obamaese, which should worry those of us who are close to Bill.
I tend to agree with Bill’s prediction, though. The advantages to Obama of pardoning Bergdahl seem overwhelming. With no court martial, there will be no investigation into Bergdahl’s conduct which, in addition to desertion, may include collaboration with the Taliban whom he sought out so earnestly after abandoning his unit. And there will be no investigation into the causal link between Bergdahl’s walkabout and the deaths of American soldiers who went looking for him.
Finally, and crucially, by short-circuiting an investigation, Obama will likely prevent us from learning how much he knew (or should have known) about Bergdahl’s conduct and its impact on American lives before he decided to release five Taliban commanders in exchange for the deserter.
Here is Bill’s pitch perfect rendition of the anticipated pardon announcement:
America is winding down its longest war. It has exacted a terrible price on our nation, our ally Afghanistan, and the people of that country and ours. While America’s motives were good and our cause urgent after the attacks of 9-11, there have also been deeply troubling episodes. Surveillance procedures in our country and abroad have not always honored civil liberties, and the incarceration and interrogation of some enemy fighters have not lived up to what we, as a people, stand for.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was one of the thousands of brave Americans who volunteered to defend us. He was young at the time, barely into his twenties. He came from wholesome values, and was thrust from a small town in Idaho into an a dangerous, frightening and alien world.
Like so many at home, over time he came to question America’s role in the war. It is one of the great hallmarks of our country that, while our military men and women respect and adhere to a discipline not expected of those in civilian life, they do not leave behind their freedom of conscience.
Even after all this time, we do not know exactly what led Sgt. Bergdahl into his five years of cruel captivity. It’s clear that he left his post, plainly a wrong decision. He’s a young man, perhaps a troubled one, and young, troubled people make mistakes, sometimes very serious ones.
But that is no longer the point. Our country should embrace two far more important points: That the future awaits, hoping to live free of the encumbrances of the past; and that the kind of people we are beckons us more urgently than any mistakes Sgt. Bergdahl may have made. It’s time for a compassionate country to allow Bowe Bergdahl to move on with what we all hope will be a productive life.
Even more important, however, it’s time for America to move on with its life. It is not merely compassion but prudence that counsels us to try to come together. And we have the past as our guide. After the terribly divisive and painful war in Vietnam, our country pardoned those who had not fulfilled their military obligations. This helped us pave the way for national reconciliation, and for an era of great progress and prosperity in the generation that followed, as the Soviet Union fell, freedom flourished around the world, and opportunity grew here at home as never before.
The key to moving into a better future is letting go of the bitterness and divisions of the past. To help our country do that, I am announcing today that I am pardoning Sgt. Bergdahl for any conduct related to or following his departure from his military post in Afghanistan in 2009.
As Bill says, it’s all there: opportunism burlesquing compassion; politics impersonating statesmanship; evasion supplanting accountability; contempt aping patriotism; and platitudinous, old fashioned blather.
Who would bet that Obama doesn’t end up uttering something close to these words?
Bowe Bergdahl = Rachel Corrie in camo
They were mean to poor Bowe.
If he can be believed it was only AFTER they had treated him so nicely and AFTER he betrayed their kindnesses by trying to escape, that they then put him in a cage where he should have been in the first place.
A Pardon would imply assumed guilt, especially in this case.
What you say is true. Notwithstanding that, there is a term for that and it is called “undue and improper command influence.” Commanders at all levels are not to be seen as improperly influeincing the normal disciplinary processes untill the matter comes to their attention through normal command channels.
I know that this wont stop an evil malevolent POS like Obama, but we can at least highlight any such impropriety, and add it on the mountain of Obama depradations and grotesqueries.
Hi NAV, you may be right. We’ll see.
I’ve discussed this with my Captain Nephew, going back to Afghanistan on June 21, and he thought that Generals would be much more influenced by retired Generals like Keane and Mattes. BTW, he participated in the search for bergdahl when he was there in 2010 and 2011.
Gwjack
He will be ruled incompetent to face courts martial, given a general discharge and sent on his way (keeping his pay).
Look for a plea of PTS, caused by his military service.
We’ll keep your nephew in our prayers. This tour will be much more dangerous.
There is a reason why every natural born American citizen knows the name; Benedict Arnold.
Thus it will be with Bergdahl...
Thank you NVA (I’m old enough to feel awkward about that acronym).
My nephew was back home for the funeral of his G’ma (and my mother). We didnt have a lot of time to talk, but i make the best of what is available. I’ll go to Fort Hood next week to talk further.
My speculation is that he will be there until the total withdrawal. When he was in country before, he shared events with me that he didn’t share with his parents. He was afraid of frightening them. He, and his soldiers encountered IEDs daily. One flipped his APC and he lost his hearing for 6 days. He has a slight hearing loss now.
Our brave servicemen/women are much to be admired. If we can rid ourselves of the politicians/bureaucrats, our country is in good hands.
Gwjack
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.