Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How Many Americans Will Die Because of the Bergdahl Trade?
Frontpage ^ | 6/9/2014 | Ronn Torossian

Posted on 06/09/2014 2:33:29 AM PDT by markomalley

As Time Magazine reported this week, “Asked whether the Taliban would be inspired by the exchange to kidnap others, a commander laughed. “Definitely.”

Once again, President Barack Obama has shown why he is a horrible President. A weak, impotent American president. Here are some quotes that are important to share in regards to just how awful this deal was for America:

“Swapping Bergdahl for illegal enemy combatants (terrorists, in common parlance) signaled unmistakably to Taliban and al Qaeda that Obama is determined to withdraw from Afghanistan no matter what the cost to the United States or those in Afghanistan fighting to remain free.” — John Bolton

“We all must be mindful that the United States has diplomatic, civilian, and military personnel deployed in other countries with both challenging security environments and active terrorist networks interested in targeting not just our facilities but our people. One of their greatest protections – knowing that the United States does not negotiate with terrorists – has been compromised.” — John Boehner

“I fear that the administration’s decision to negotiate with the Taliban for Sgt. Bergdahl’s release could encourage future terrorist kidnappings of Americans.” — U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio

“If you negotiate here, you’ve sent a message to every al Qaeda group in the world – by the way, some who are holding U.S. hostages today – that there is some value now in that hostage in a way that they didn’t have before.” — Mike Rogers

“By releasing these five top Taliban commanders, the U.S. is demonstrating that it is throwing in the towel in the long struggle against the Taliban and its al-Qaeda allies in Afghanistan.” — Jonathan S. Tobin

“This is an example of a signing statement where the President is taking power for himself that the law didn’t give him.” — Jeffrey Toobin

“While not as well known as Guantanamo inmates like 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Taliban 5 were some of the worst outlaws in the U.S. war on terror. And their release will end up replenishing the diminished leadership ranks of the Afghan Taliban at a moment when the United States is winding down the war there.” — Eli Lake, Josh Rogin

“The idea that we’re now making trades, what does that do for every single soldier stationed abroad? It says the reason why the U.S. has had the policy for decades of not negotiating with terrorists is because once you start doing it, every other terrorist has an incentive to capture more soldiers.” — Senator Ted Cruz

“One was the deputy minister of intelligence for the Taliban. One was the deputy minister of defense for the Taliban. These are no local level individuals. These are leaders and this is serious to put them back on the street.” — James Lankford

“At least when Israel releases terrorists to gain the freedom of one of its soldiers, the country’s leaders have the grace to treat the decision as a regrettable action made out of necessity and nothing to celebrate.” — Jonathan S. Tobin

“It’s very interesting to me that they would be willing to release five extraordinarily dangerous Taliban members in exchange for this soldier who apparently left his post.” — Senator Susan Collins

“We have now set a price. We have a changing footprint in Afghanistan which would put our soldiers at risk for this notion that ‘If I can get one, I can get five Taliban released.” — Mike Rogers

“Radical Islamists are serious about killing in pursuit of their extreme objectives. Releasing their soldiers can only embolden them to take more Americans hostage. The deal for Sgt. Bergdahl may well turn out to have been a bargain with the devil.”– Cal Thomas

“If it was an isolated incident, then maybe you could just say, ‘Oh, this was an emergency situation.’ But what you have is a pattern of the administration ignoring the law, whether it’s health care, immigration or now national security. And obviously those sorts of patterns undermine our system of government.” — Rep. Mac Thornberry

“America has maintained a prohibition on negotiating with terrorists for good reason.” — James Inhofe

“Shame on the Obama administration for this “prisoner exchange.” It is sad that a U.S. soldier was a hostage for five years in the hands of the Taliban, but releasing five Taliban is wrong. These people will likely kill more of our troops, and this deal will encourage more hostage-taking.” — Sassan K. Darian

“Mr. Obama is more willing to negotiate with the Taliban than Congress.” — Joseph Curl


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: bergdahl

1 posted on 06/09/2014 2:33:29 AM PDT by markomalley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: markomalley
"It is sad that a U.S. soldier was a hostage for five years in the hands of the Taliban.

He walked away on his own. That makes him a deserter. Did he anticipate the treatment he received from the Taliban? No.
Do bank robbers consider the jail they will wind up in? No

We need a complete investigation by the military to determine his punishment. Hopefully we get the complete investigation.

2 posted on 06/09/2014 2:45:25 AM PDT by DeaconRed (The only person real happy right now is Rabbit Boy. . . JIMMAH. . . . He is now the 2nd worst. . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DeaconRed

It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when we have to actually consider whether or not our own government will follow the law or not, isn’t it?


3 posted on 06/09/2014 2:53:25 AM PDT by RandallFlagg (Uninstall Fascist Firefox. Get Pale Moon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
“If it was an isolated incident, then maybe you could just say, ‘Oh, this was an emergency situation.’ But what you have is a pattern of the administration ignoring the law, whether it’s health care, immigration or now national security. And obviously those sorts of patterns undermine our system of government.

This is all true, so what does the congressman plan to do about it? BOHICA? Absolutely nothing? Wait for a race card to be thrown at him? This regime is tiresome.

4 posted on 06/09/2014 2:54:46 AM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DeaconRed

>> He walked away on his own. That makes him a deserter. Did he anticipate the treatment he received from the Taliban? No.

Here’s the primary problem: Other troops suffered for it!

I’m livid about the disregard of the views, comments, and accounts provided by the troops deployed with Bergdahl. The MSM’s choice to latch onto Bergdahl’s plight and repudiate the platoon, AT THE EXPENSE of honorable sacrifices made on his behalf, is sadly on par with the hostile treatment of the vets on their return from Vietnam.


5 posted on 06/09/2014 3:06:18 AM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RandallFlagg
It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when we have to actually consider whether or not our own government will follow the law or not, isn’t it?

Yep, it has been that way for 5 years now. It looks like it will continue. . . . . . especially if we depend on the LSM and some of the weasels in congress.

6 posted on 06/09/2014 3:10:25 AM PDT by DeaconRed (The only person real happy right now is Rabbit Boy. . . JIMMAH. . . . He is now the 2nd worst. . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Mark17

Exactly. These are powerful quotes, but it’s been over a week now. It’s a new work week.

I am done listening to them until they take action.

If they think it’s really that bad, they must counter it.

Congress must do their job.


7 posted on 06/09/2014 3:18:16 AM PDT by ReaganGeneration2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Gene Eric
"I’m livid about". . . . .

There is not enough room here to write what I am livid about.

This is about as bad as it gets. Releasing 5 scum back to be scum again for a DESERTER.
In my humble opinion there is not nearly enough outrage over this.

8 posted on 06/09/2014 3:18:20 AM PDT by DeaconRed (The only person real happy right now is Rabbit Boy. . . JIMMAH. . . . He is now the 2nd worst. . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

It doesn’t matter to Obama as long as they are white Christians.


9 posted on 06/09/2014 4:19:03 AM PDT by Redleg Duke ("Madison, Wisconsin is 30 square miles surrounded by reality.", L. S. Dryfusbutcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

I personally wouldn’t be disappointed if obama and family members were taken one for one as a result of the American deaths the WON will have approved and encouraged. That would be more just.


10 posted on 06/09/2014 5:05:34 AM PDT by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gene Eric
AT THE EXPENSE of honorable sacrifices made on his behalf, is sadly on par with the hostile treatment of the vets on their return from Vietnam.

I remember those days. Frankly, I have never forgiven the bastards for that, and never will.

11 posted on 06/09/2014 5:20:26 AM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Bowe Bergdahl = Rachel Corrie in camo


12 posted on 06/09/2014 5:25:17 AM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
There is an assumption here that it will only be military personnel who will be kidnapped.

The wives and children of diplomats would be more valuable....

Our president really screwed up this time. People are going to die because of this one.

13 posted on 06/09/2014 5:26:17 AM PDT by oldenuff2no
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: oldenuff2no

I made a prediction very early in the Obama era that he would end up getting a lot of good people dead.

Wish I was wrong, but it looks like I’m not.


14 posted on 06/09/2014 5:30:33 AM PDT by Texas resident (The democrat party is now the CPUSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

I have heard rumors about 5 million dollars that was also paid to these terrorist. I can easily see a little of that money being used to buy a shoulder fired missile that could bring down a commercial airliner in the USA killing hundreds and bringing our economy to an instant freeze. Imagine, our tax payer dollars buying American technology to kill Americans and freeze our economy right here all because the resident wants to close gitmo before his time is up. And they will still find away to blame it on Bush


15 posted on 06/09/2014 5:49:30 AM PDT by reefdiver (Be the Best you can be Whatever you Dream to be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

This has sure quietened down the scandal of the VA medical debacle....

It evidently served Obama’s purpose.....


16 posted on 06/09/2014 6:17:14 AM PDT by Boonie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

The Democrat Party hitched their wagon to Obama and he has pulled them over a cliff.
EVERY terrorist attack now belongs to the Democrat Party.
Have you noticed how quiet the American press is about the terrorist attack at the airport in Pakistan? Why is that?
It’s because it happened just days after Obama released five terrorist bigwigs. Whoops!


17 posted on 06/09/2014 6:36:29 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

“What difference does it make?”


18 posted on 06/09/2014 6:36:56 AM PDT by JaguarXKE (1973: Reporters investigate All the President's Men. 2013: Reporters ARE all the President's men d)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

We should also be asking how many Afghanis, Iraqis, Egyptians and (dare I say) Isrealis will die because of it.


19 posted on 06/09/2014 6:48:20 AM PDT by uglybiker (nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-BATMAN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Texas resident
And you were so right. This wann be president does not know how the military works and does not know how to work the military, and he has shown them nothing but disrespect in the process.

He has purged those who were at the top and did not agree with him, twice.....

Even in this they warned him not to do it but he did and has put a lot of other military members, diplomats and their families at risk.

AND HE STILL DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE!!!!!!

The only question right now is, how many lives does it take to support his ego?????

20 posted on 06/09/2014 4:26:04 PM PDT by oldenuff2no
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson