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Bergdahl's Hometown Caught In Crossfire Of National Backlash (The heat is on)
Boise State Public Radio ^ | June 3, 2014 | Jessica Robinson

Posted on 06/03/2014 3:50:09 PM PDT by tellw

People in Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, say they're “shocked” by how quickly the captive soldier's homecoming has turned into a national controversy.

Bergdahl was released Saturday after nearly five years in Taliban captivity. Since then, some fellow soldiers have accused him of being a deserter.

Angry phone calls and emails have poured into Hailey's city hall, police department and the chamber of commerce since the weekend. Many online commentators have accused the 28-year-old soldier of being a traitor and a Taliban sympathizer.

The backlash stems from reports that Bergdahl intentionally walked off his base in southeast Afghanistan in 2009. A former member of his battalion has said six soldiers died in the search efforts that followed.

But longtime supporters of the Bergdahl family say at this point, it’s all speculation. Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said a welcome celebration later this month will move ahead as planned.

“It's about them getting their son back," Gunter said. "It's about their son being captive. And all this other stuff -- I understand there's other things in play. But I'm just happy he's going to be reunited with his family. And we're not judging one way or the other. There's a process for that.”

The secretary of the Army issued a statement saying they are investigating the circumstances that led to Bergdahl’s capture. Members of Congress, meanwhile, are pushing for hearings on the deal that led to Bergdahl's release.

The Obama administration agreed to exchange five Taliban detainees for the soldier.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Idaho
KEYWORDS: awol; bergdahl; deserter; taliban
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1 posted on 06/03/2014 3:50:09 PM PDT by tellw
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To: tellw
And all this other stuff -- I understand there's other things in play. But I'm just happy he's going to be reunited with his family

Yeah you're right. Those six soldiers who died looking for this scumbag doesn't matter.

2 posted on 06/03/2014 3:52:32 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: tellw

You can thank Obama for dropping you in it


3 posted on 06/03/2014 3:53:02 PM PDT by molson209 (Blank)
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To: tellw

I was shocked that ObaMao would go to this much trouble to save an American soldier given his demonstrated hatred of this country’s military. Then I found out why.


4 posted on 06/03/2014 3:53:26 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: tellw

I cannot put cartoons on FR. Don’t know how and am not a good artist.

But will someone please draw a cartoon that has the following:

Susan Rice at a podium, saying that the Bergdahl issue was just another “bump” in the road to the US leaving Afghanistan, with 6 gravestones in the background with the names of US soldiers killed looking for this deserter.

Entitle it: “Hillary and Rice - Part II”

Thanks.


5 posted on 06/03/2014 3:54:52 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: molson209
You can thank Obama for dropping you in it

Everything he touches turns to sh--

6 posted on 06/03/2014 3:55:02 PM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
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To: molson209

Who planned or is planning the local homecoming celebration? Just saying, Obama isn’t the only skunk in the woodpile.


7 posted on 06/03/2014 3:55:07 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: tellw
And all this other stuff -- I understand there's other things in play. But I'm just happy he's going to be reunited with his family. And we're not judging one way or the other.

Typical low information public employee.

8 posted on 06/03/2014 3:55:29 PM PDT by Rocko
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To: Vigilanteman

Muslim to Muslim courtesy.


9 posted on 06/03/2014 3:55:32 PM PDT by Don Corleone ("Oil the gun..eat the cannoli. Take it to the Mattress.")
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To: tellw
This is all about releasing five scum terrorists into the world. What is it going to take for people to realize there is a enemy Muslim in the Oval Office??!!
10 posted on 06/03/2014 3:56:04 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (Some people say that experts agree!!)
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To: tellw

“We don’t need another Zero...” Sung to the tune of “We Don’t Need Another Hero” (Tina Turner).


11 posted on 06/03/2014 3:56:18 PM PDT by equaviator (There's nothing like the universe to bring you down to earth.)
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To: tellw
Ah yes, the dumbed down, touchy-feely, weepy, know nothing, low information people of Hailey, Idaho. All those yellow ribbons for a traitor are coming back to bite y'all in the a**, aren't they?

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

12 posted on 06/03/2014 3:57:23 PM PDT by wku man (Veterans, it's up to us to save the Republic...let's roll.)
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To: tellw

I would suspect Chief Gunter is riding the wave...

“Doesn’t matter what the circumstances are surrounding Berghdal...we’re going to have a parade dammit!”


13 posted on 06/03/2014 3:57:29 PM PDT by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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To: tellw

The Secretary of the Army, whoever that is, is looking into the Bergdahl affair just like OJ is looking for the killers of his wife and Ron Goldman.

Report due after the 2014 elections.

Is it “Army Strong” (the slogan under which my son served in Iraq) or is it “Army Gone”?


14 posted on 06/03/2014 3:57:43 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: tellw
Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said a welcome celebration later this month will move ahead as planned. “It's about them getting their son back," Gunter said. "It's about their son being captive. And all this other stuff -- I understand there's other things in play. But I'm just happy he's going to be reunited with his family. And we're not judging one way or the other. There's a process for that.”

Contact Information for Police Chief Gunter

15 posted on 06/03/2014 3:59:58 PM PDT by tellw
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

My first thoughts also. This whole mess takes me back to that stinking Jimmy Carter giving all the draft dodgers a free pass while the rest of us went to war. A lot did not come home alive. They all ran off to Canada and Carter gave them a free ticket home. ALWAYS THE STINKING DIMOCRATS who pull this crap.


16 posted on 06/03/2014 4:00:06 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (MARANATHA, MARANATHA, Come quickly LORD Jesus!!! Father send thy Son!! Its Time!)
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To: tellw
“It's about them getting their son back,” Gunter said. “It's about their son being captive. And all this other stuff — I understand there's other things in play. But I'm just happy he's going to be reunited with his family. And we're not judging one way or the other. There's a process for that.”


Indeed, there's a process for that and that process does not consist of good ol’ Bowe and his Radical Islamic father having a victory party with Carole King and Code Pink.

Bowe needs to go directly to Leavenworth or Gitmo until an investigation determines if he needs to stand for any violations of Desertion or Treason under the Uniform Code Of Military Justice at a Courts Martial.

17 posted on 06/03/2014 4:01:09 PM PDT by rdcbn
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To: tellw

I want the rotten egg and ripe tomato concession at the parade.

“Get your rotten eggs and over ripe tomatoes here. $1 each. $10 a dozen!”


18 posted on 06/03/2014 4:01:46 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (There can be no Victory without a fight and no battle without wounds)
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To: Mark17
Everything he touches turns to sh--

Shaving Cream......be nice and clean....Shave everyday....and you'll always look keen.

19 posted on 06/03/2014 4:02:00 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: wku man

In their defense, I don’t think anyone really knew or understood what the circumstances were PRIOR to his release, but once word got out, man oh man. I’d be sitting back waiting for the smoke to clear on this one before I proceeded with a town celebration of any kind.

The rescued Army truck driver chick who was hoisted up as a hero during Iraqi Freedom comes to mind. They overstated her actions and role and she was finally exposed...don’t recall if she came clean or others. But the townspeople were sure made to look silly after all the adulation they poured out on her.

The fellow servicemembers in Bergdahl’s former unit either have one serious axe to grind with this dude or what they’re saying is absolutely true.

I dismiss the first simply because there has yet to be anyone in a position to know who has come out to rebut the latter about him deserting his post.


20 posted on 06/03/2014 4:02:57 PM PDT by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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