Posted on 06/02/2014 7:55:21 AM PDT by don-o
I am writing this because last night I heard Fox News’ Harris Faulkner refer to Army SGT Bowe Bergdahl as a local hero. I just listened to Bergdahl’s father refer to his son’s character.
So, we must have a discussion of the truth here. Army SGT Bergdahl was not “captured” by the enemy in 2009. He abandoned his assigned post on his Forward Operating Base (FOB), leaving his weapon. Several U.S. Army Soldiers lost their lives in search for Bergdahl. His disappearance can only be classified as desertion and the media must not be so giddy about a good news story that they don’t tell the truth — which is apparent to many. The allegation of desertion is serious. It is grave because it occurred during a war, during combat operations.
The U.S. Army must uphold proper order and discipline and this allegation must be investigated — but the truth is already known. I believe the liberal media will attempt to elevate him to some type of status that will cause the Army not to pursue the right direction under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). We who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat areas of operation against radical Islamists know they don’t hold our troops — they are savagely and brutally murdered. They exist to kill Americans.
Are we glad that Bergdahl is home? After five years, yes, but there are many unanswered questions that cannot be dismissed because of emotions.
As well, America has now negotiated with terrorists, because the Taliban is not a nation-state, it is a non-state, non-uniform belligerent organization, a terrorist group. This is a dangerous precedent and was done unilaterally by President Obama.
How many of our troops lost their lives and sacrificed to capture those five senior Taliban leaders? All for naught. I must admit, the only way I would have released these barbarians would have been once a tracking chip/device had been implanted — without their knowledge. I believe there are long-term ramifications that will result from the release of these five terrorists — there was a reason why the Afghan Taliban demanded these five.
And why would we enter into brokerage with Qatar, a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood? I believe we should see them for who they are and cease our air operations from that country.
We all know how the media works — hence why Obama made this move over the weekend, on Saturday, as a matter of fact. The belief is that we will cease paying attention to the story by middle of this week. But we cannot. Bergdahl is home, but emotions cannot allow us to abandon our senses, as he abandoned his post.
Some of you may have forgotten something similar happening during the Clinton administration in the Balkans. I went back and found this in the New York Times by Susan Sachs, May 2, 1999:
Three American soldiers held captive for more than a month were released today and handed over to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson for their trip home. On Saturday President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia agreed to free the Americans after a lobbying effort by Mr. Jackson that was not sanctioned by United States officials.
The soldiers, who were captured March 31, said they had no ill will toward the Yugoslav people and were treated well. Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone also said he was thankful for the gesture of goodwill. He and the other soldiers, Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez and Specialist Steven M. Gonzales, then joined Mr. Jackson for the trip home. After winning Mr. Milosevic’s promise on Sunday to release the men, Mr. Jackson urged NATO to reciprocate by immediately halting further air strikes and opening negotiations on Kosovo.
Of course, the question back then by those of us in the military was, how did these guys get captured and not fire off a single shot or make a radio call for reinforcements? They were taken along with their HMMWV gun truck. The dirty little secret was that they were somewhere they should not have been.
Bottom line, there is always more to the story than what some want you to know — but in the case of Army SGT Bowe Bergdahl, there is a lot to know. The question is, will we allow the typical sound bite liberal media to direct us away from seeking the truth?
What Col. West writes here seems to be the truth as I remember it. If so what should happen to this guy? He does not seem to be a hero.
Obama traded 5 people that hate america for one person that hates America... its that simple
cause he hates America too
Obama will prevent the Army from bring desertion charges against Bergdahl.
Reminder that Bush pinned medals on the crew that handed over the P3 to the Red Chinese.
I just heard on the beck show from a soilder in TX that after he wondered off the base we started getting attacked in places only he would know about.. 6 men died because of him..
They could have kept him if that is true.
LtCol.West gets it right
W darn well better investigate this traitor
but I also hope we keep the fire on the VA scandal.
Unlike 0bozo we can walk and chew gum at the same time
thanks for posting LtColWest’s article
Also from the caller, this guy hated america. Just like his dad and his president.
Remember the defector to the Vietnamese, Robert Garwood? When he came back to the USA the media proclaimed him a “hero”, took photos of him holding a Bible, even produced a Made-for-TV movie about him staring Michael J Fox.
How soon will Bergdhal get a movie contract?
According to articles, he was an E-3 when he took off and has been promoted to E-5 somewhere along the line. So now he’s looking at five years of back pay and if he separates he’ll add vacation pay on top of that. Could there also be some sort of POW compensation or per diem ...not to mention his coming book deal?
THE ANSWER IS FREE REPUBLIC!
The media will ‘make him a hero’ just as they have done so many times before with other traitors and deserters. This is noting new for them.
As for Bergdahl himself, I predict nothing serious will happen to him. It would be a huge embarrassment to the administration to prosecute him now. Hero turned traitor? No prosecution from this CIC...................
What Bergdahl did and what 0bama did is traitorous.
omg
talk about bds and wildly inappropriate moral relativity
What should happen is a court martial. His action contributed directly to the deaths of Americans. The stories being told by those on the ground at the time indicate he acted with malice. He has a price to pay.
Its not like this was ever even a secret. At the time the incident happened they were saying Bergdahl walked off. You have to ask yourself the question of why did Obama even negotiate for Bergdahl’s release in the first place. Its not like he was a decorated Navy SEAL or something.
“I will stand with the muslims....”
Ad nauseum.
"As well, America has now negotiated with terrorists, because the Taliban is not a nation-state, it is a non-state, non-uniform belligerent organization, a terrorist group. This is a dangerous precedent and was done unilaterally by President Obama."
President Obama negotiated unilaterally...but was it personally as well? Recall dear leader was in Afghanistan on Memorial Day Sunday, purportedly as a SURPRISE to support our troops. Breitbart also reported that Karzai snubbed dear leader this visit.
Is it mere coincidence that an Afghan CIA operative was revealed around this time also? Did Obama directly and personally negotiate with terrorists this trade for Burgdahl...right under the noses of our troops (& Karzai)who risk their lives every day they battle with these same terrorists in Afghanistan to serve our country under the direction of this duplicitous and unnervingly incompetent CiC?
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