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Obama: ‘Absolutely no apologies’ (Bergdahl)
The Hill ^ | June 5, 2014 | Justin Sink

Posted on 06/05/2014 8:52:28 AM PDT by maggief

President Obama said Thursday he would make “absolutely no apologies” for ordering the controversial prisoner swap to rescue Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the last American prisoner of war in Afghanistan.

Obama said he was never surprised by “controversies that are whipped up in Washington,” but deflected criticism from members of Congress and the military over the trade of five Guantanamo prisoners for Bergdahl, who has been accused of abandoning his post in Afghanistan before his capture.

“I make absolutely no apologies for making sure we get back a young man to his parents,” Obama said at a joint press conference with in Brussels with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Obama said he had “discussed with Congress that something like this could occur” and reiterated that his administration had pressing concerns about the health and safety of Bergdahl.

“With the fragile nature of these negotiations, we felt like it was important to go ahead and do what we did,” he said.

Obama reiterated that no matter what the allegations surrounding Bergdahl's conduct, the U.S. had a “basic principle” that they “do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind.”

“The American people understand this is somebody's child and that we don't condition whether or not we make the effort to get someone back,” Obama said.

The president also defended the decision to appear alongside Bergdahl's parents during an announcement of the deal on Saturday. Some have argued that decision elevated the soldier's profiles and invited the tougher examination of his conduct on the battlefield.

But Obama said he felt it was important to humanize the decision, and said he wrote "too many letters" to parents whose children don't return from war.

“I think it was important to understand this is not some abstraction, not some political football,” Obama said.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bergdahl
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1 posted on 06/05/2014 8:52:28 AM PDT by maggief
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To: maggief

What else is new? The guy has not apologized for any of his other debacles why start now. Its not like he’s in danger of getting impeached or anything.


2 posted on 06/05/2014 8:54:41 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: maggief

Goody. Now we hear from chief bootlicker Justin Sink.


3 posted on 06/05/2014 8:54:43 AM PDT by Luke21
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To: maggief
The American people understand this is somebody's child

Ted Bundy was somebody's child, Mr. President.

Joseph Stalin was somebody's child as well.

Byron de la Beckwith was also somebody's child.

Americans do indeed understand basic biology, Mr. President.

Do you have a point?

4 posted on 06/05/2014 8:55:42 AM PDT by wideawake
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To: Luke21

The man is certifiable.


5 posted on 06/05/2014 8:55:44 AM PDT by mware
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To: maggief

Obama and his media are working overtime painting the guys in his troop as crazies. Watch them destroy the lives of these patriots who step forward to tell the true story.


6 posted on 06/05/2014 8:56:06 AM PDT by Wavy_Wally
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To: maggief
You have a president who, clearly, considers himself above the law and is determined to act accordingly. There is a real constitutional crisis occurring in the US right now.

The constitution provides the remedy that must be followed now. He must be removed from office via impeachment. Otherwise, your republic is doomed.

7 posted on 06/05/2014 8:57:47 AM PDT by Former Proud Canadian
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To: maggief
Moron… it couldn't have possibly been MORE of a political football. Barack Hussein thought he had the perfect dry powder to get the VA and Benghazi off the front page. But, as with everything else this inexperienced, affirmative actioned, community organizer touches, it is a TOTAL MESS!!
8 posted on 06/05/2014 8:57:48 AM PDT by headless_thompson_gunner
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To: maggief

Good!...Go down with the ship, Gilligan!


9 posted on 06/05/2014 8:59:56 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: Former Proud Canadian

And if depending on the Constitution fails, we are obligated to take other, more drastic measures to ensure the nation. If it is another Lexington and Concord, so be it.


10 posted on 06/05/2014 9:01:09 AM PDT by shankbear (The tree of Liberty appears to be perishing because there are few patriots willing to refresh it.)
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To: maggief

“The American people understand this is somebody’s child...”

Obama didn’t come up with this on his own. They must have been working the focus/polling groups overtime trying to find a phrase.


11 posted on 06/05/2014 9:05:09 AM PDT by Duke of Milan
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To: maggief
“The American people understand this is somebody's child and that we don't condition whether or not we make the effort to get someone back,” Obama said

No, you limp wristed panty waist POS! This was a grown man who made a decision to desert his post and who put the lives of the rest of the men he left behind in jeopardy. He may very well be a traitor and collaborator. He is NOT a child!

12 posted on 06/05/2014 9:06:01 AM PDT by pgkdan (ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF THE ANTICHRIST!)
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To: maggief
I make absolutely no apologies for making sure we get back a young man to his parents

And the eight who died because he deserted? What about their parents?

13 posted on 06/05/2014 9:09:39 AM PDT by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: Duke of Milan

Sounds like he is going to help now a soldier in uniform in a Mexican jail in Tijuana


14 posted on 06/05/2014 9:10:29 AM PDT by rovenstinez
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To: Duke of Milan

And its starting to soak in that 6 other parents lost their child looking for this POS...


15 posted on 06/05/2014 9:10:57 AM PDT by MNlurker
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Yeah, I heard this.

You know, I’m wondering if the scenario was this.

1. Obama takes flak on the VA scandal.
2. His advisores suggest that he present the persona that he is very much pro military.
3. Plans spontaneous visit to Afghanistan.
4. And at the same time orchestrates single handedly the release of a so called POW.

Problem is it back fired showing that absolutely no one in the WH has a clue of what military life is about.

In short, the incompetency of this WH is staggering.


16 posted on 06/05/2014 9:11:39 AM PDT by nikos1121
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To: maggief

Dig in and double-down.

It’s who he is. It’s what he does.


17 posted on 06/05/2014 9:12:41 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: maggief
BACK STORY (must read)
18 posted on 06/05/2014 9:13:55 AM PDT by Baynative (How much longer will the media be able to prop up this administration?)
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To: maggief

“With the fragile nature of these negotiations, we felt like it was important to go ahead and do what we did,”

OK folks, which word is the key word in this sentence?

And the answer is..........”felt”.

Feelings are emotions, not rational thought about the most logical and strategic policy.

Liberals....doing things cause it FEELS good.


19 posted on 06/05/2014 9:14:00 AM PDT by stillfree? (I am the Tea Party)
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To: maggief
But Obama said he felt it was important to humanize the decision, and said he wrote "too many letters" to parents whose children don't return from war.

Prove it you POS! Having staff sign form letters with an autopen does not count! This moron and his misadvisors simply do not understand the American people, I'm sure they thought zero would be hailed for bringing Bergdahl home and it would deflect from the VA catastrophe. Well success herr zero! You have stepped into an even bigger pile of feces.

20 posted on 06/05/2014 9:15:26 AM PDT by Mastador1 (I'll take a bad dog over a good politician any day!)
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