Bergdahl mostly seen as traitor

The Newnan Times-Herald ^ | June 15, 2014 | W. Winston Skinner

[2ndDivisionVet]

Local military veterans – like veterans and other citizens across the country – have varying opinions about Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, but their views are generally negative.

“I think a firing squad is too good for him,” said Tim Gresham of Newnan, who served three years in the Army. Gresham referred to Bergdahl as “that traitor.”

Bergdahl returned to the United States early Friday after his release from five years in captivity in Afghanistan.

There is controversy about the Obama administration swapping five senior Taliban officials – who had been held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – for Bergdahl’s release, without consulting Congress. There also are questions about whether Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban in 2009 or whether he simply walked away from his unit and into the arms of the terrorist group.

“We do not know all of the facts of the Bergdahl case,” said Newnan photographer Bob Shapiro, who served in the military during the Vietnam War. “I feel sure there is a much deeper story here.”

Shapiro said Bergdahl may be mentally unstable, and he acknowledged the Idaho native could be a deserter. “Whatever the case, he is now in the U.S., and the military will deal with him” through its own court system, he said.

“As for the terrorists, they may just quietly disappear,” Shapiro said.

Mike McGuffey, who served in Afghanistan, agreed Bergdahl’s case is murky, but he was less optimistic about the five Taliban leaders. “I’m not too sure on Bergdahl,” McGuffey said, noting the story is still unfolding.

Still, Bergdahl is “worthless for walking away from his post and leaving his fellow soldiers,” he added.

“As for the Taliban commanders, I know for a fact – 100 percent – they will return to the battlefield. They will be gazed upon as heroes, and in their status in that region will be just under Allah,” McGuffey said.

“Little girls will grow up dreaming of having a husband like that,” he said.

“Once we leave Afghanistan, the Taliban will celebrate a total victory. The Taliban will continue to kill those who oppose their way – and even the children. I have seen it,” McGuffey said.

While McGuffey was in Afghanistan, the Taliban hanged an 8-year-old boy from a tree in his family’s front yard. Their crime was allowing Americans to dig a well for fresh water on their property “so they didn’t have to walk to the river to get water in the same place Afghans took baths,” he said.

He said he also saw Taliban followers digging holes for explosive devices. “While they had a shovel in one hand, they were holding a baby in the other – and digging. They did this because they knew we would not strike with a drone or artillery while he held the baby,” McGuffey said.

“They use women and children as shields on the battlefield,” McGuffey said. “I know how evil they are and (they) have zero rules. … They hate the U.S.”

Returning to the exchange of Bergdahl for the five Taliban leaders, McGuffey said, “Based on what I know, it was a bad swap.”

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, who lives in Coweta County, issued a statement following the exchange. “I am glad Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been reunited with his parents. However, it is highly concerning the Obama Administration authorized the release of five dangerous Taliban terrorists from Guantanamo Bay without first consulting with or notifying congress, as required by law.”

Chad Hill, a veteran who pastors Allen-Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Lone Oak, said the communication issue does create problems.

“I think the issue here is the president did not communicate with the other branches of government. I think we should have brought him home, but everyone should have been consulted in some way,” he said.

“I think that all life is sacred. Therefore, no question we should have got him back home,” Hill explained. The release of the five men from Guantanamo “not only endangers our soldiers abroad and our security at home, but affects our intelligence gathering efforts,” Westmoreland stated. “There is no guarantee that these prisoners will not resume their terrorist activities, including targeting innocent Americans.”

Bergdahl, who has been recovering at an Army medical facility in Germany since his release last month, "will continue the next phase of his reintegration process" at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement released early Friday via the Idaho National Guard, Bergdahl's family asked for privacy as they prepare to see their son for the first time in years.

Officials have kept a lid on details of Bergdahl's condition out of concern that he not be rushed back into the public spotlight after a lengthy period in captivity and amid a public uproar over the circumstances of his capture and release.

The Army has not formally begun a new review into the circumstances of Bergdahl's capture and whether he walked away without leave or was deserting the Army when he was found and taken by insurgents. In a statement Friday, the Army said that after Bergdahl's reintegration it would "continue its comprehensive review into the circumstances of his disappearance and captivity."

Republican Senate candidates Jack Kingston and David Perdue were critical Friday about the swap of five terrorist leaders for Bergdahl. Democrat Michelle Nunn was more circumspect but also expressed concerns.

"I believe the burden is on the Obama administration to clearly show that the situation necessitated bypassing congressional notification," she told Morris News Service. "This is another example where distrust and lack of communication between the president and Congress diminishes our nation."

Perdue told Morris News he worries about a return to terrorism by the five men.

"I am deeply concerned that Pres. Obama made a critical decision to release five terrorists which could result in the future loss of American lives. My concern is only compounded by the fact that the president did not appropriately consult with Congress and that there are so many unresolved questions regarding the circumstances that led to Sgt. Bergdahl’s captivity," he said.

Kingston said he is troubled the exchange will set a precedent that might prompt the kidnapping of soldiers, sailors or airmen in the future by groups hoping to free other terrorists. "The president should not sacrifice American security and hard-won prisoners of war over a misguided campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility," he said.

Kingston said Obama’s decision is based on an “ideological pursuit” which “ignores the realities of Islamist terror and undermines the ability of our troops to defend the nation."

[2ndDivisionVet]

How much do you want to bet that the commenter "Erik" is with OFA?

[Darksheare]

“I think a firing squad is too good for him,” said Tim Gresham

Aim low Tim!
If everyone uniformly bolloxes up their aim together, it sends a clear message: don’t side with the enemy.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I wouldn’t want to be the guy who gets a blank.

[Darksheare]

Issue everyone blanks, bayonets, and m14 rifles.

[BenLurkin]

Bergdahl Obama mostly seen as traitor

[MeshugeMikey]

Kingston said Obama’s decision is based on an “ideological pursuit” which “ignores the realities of Islamist terror and undermines the ability of our troops to defend the nation."

Obies decisions never ignore the realities. Rhey are simply what they are. Attempts to DESTROY this nation.

I grow weary of these people who think the vile puke is merelyan unstable arrogant...power hungry communist narcissist.

[Gene Eric]

I guess consensus isn’t good enough for the Left in this case.

[ConorMacNessa]

In my opinion, Bergdahl is a deserter and traitor. I don't expect the Army to exact much in way of punishment for his conduct. The rails are being greased for him to be found mentally unfit for trial - he may well go out on a general or admin discharge.

My focus is not on Bergdahl - it is on the perfidious criminal enterprise we know as the Obama Regime, which saw fit to release five high level Taliban in return for this hapless misfit. According to Ollie North, who spoke on WMAL Radio a few mornings ago, all the Haqanni really wanted was ransom money, and that the "prisoner exchange" was a gratuitous add-on solely at the instance of the Obama Regime.

Bergdahl is a classic Sierra Bravo - totally unfit for duty. The Perfumed Princes in the Pentagon and WH who hatched this exchange should be sent to GITMO, if not hanged from the yardarm.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[relictele]

Bergdahl is a traitor...and so is his son!

[Terry L Smith]

Bergdahl broke the UCMJ.
He aided and abetted the enemy.
He renounced his citizenship.
He ‘went native’ in a time of war.

He is a traitor, according to the UCMJ,
and should be executed. His new ‘friends’ beheaded
their foes, so that might befit him.

[logi_cal869]

Bergdahl never should have been admitted to the US Army in the first place.

I want to know if he got the waiver that’s been asserted he needed after his ‘exit’ from the CG, and who gave it to him.