[dewilson58]

Did we just do that???

He walked away from his post.

Court martial now???

Wow.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Did we just do that???

He walked away from his post.

Court martial now???

Wow.

We have become weak and easily manipulated. Look for a huge increase in kidnappings.

[billethkid]

I sense another "I didn't know" scenario!!!
If he was a deserter somebody, somwhere in the chain of command knew that.

So, if a deserter, why the rush to jump in and get him now....they could have easily waited until the last year of the "war schedule".

As usual there is an odor surrounding the event.

Another dizzying spin is in the offing.

[birdawg]

Five Marine's died searching for him.

[jflynn1]

Sure sounds like this is turning into a political event and comments. Thought this was done away with on this blog? Why not wait for all the facts.

[rp001]

The topic itself is political because of the differences of opinion based on political leanings. We must wait on the facts and not pass judgement till they are in. Then Only those that have walked the walk should be ones to pass that judgement. It's the old lets go to war but you first and the others lead from behind, far behind!

[dewilson58]

The men who died looking for the Bowe:

Staff Sergeant Clayton Bowen, 29, of San Antonio, Texas

Private 1st Class Morris Walker, 23, of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Staff Sergeant Kurt Curtiss, 27, of Murray, Utah

2nd Lieutenant Darryn Andrews, 34, of Dallas, Texas

Staff Sergeant Michael Murphrey, 25, of Snyder, Texas,

Facts, not political.

[Rags123]

This is a sad situation and one that is going to have "sides"

I am distressed about the swapping of prisoners with a terrorist group, not a country, but a group of bandits.

I am distressed about congress being totally by passed even though the law says that cannot happen....both on prisoners of GTMO and any release. Done with "executive powers" !

I am distressed with the reports from his comrades on his behaviour which immediately precluded his capture. This might be my biggest problem, if all reports are validated since as noted other soldiers died as a result.

I am happy as can be that he is home with his family but time will tell what REALLY happened here.

Of course as expected...

"Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has issued a rare public statement hailing the exchange of five Guantanamo Bay detainees for a Taliban-held US soldier as a "big victory"

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27655312

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by buggyone

It is interesting to read some of the articles from the "vulpine network" from 2009 and 2010 regarding this soldier and comparing the articles from the same network today.

I am really not sure what articles from Fox News, and they are news articles, not written by Fox have to do with this current situatation at all.

I am aware of a guest on Bill OReilly who said that he felt the government knew that the soldier had abondonded his post, and there are reports today saying the exact same thing....but not of Fox.

This was on the site set up by the family...


Aug, 2010

"Pentagon Condemns Taliban for Claiming Captured U.S. Soldier Joined Their Cause "

2010 8-23 FOX News 2010 8-23 FOX News : Pentagon Condemns Taliban for Claiming Captured U.S. Soldier Joined Their Cause « The Bowe R. Bergdahl Information Collection

And suggest you read this article from TWO YEARS ago....

"Three years ago, a 23-year-old soldier walked off his base in Afghanistan and into the hands of the Taliban. Now he’s a crucial pawn in negotiations to end the war. Will the Pentagon leave a man behind?"

Read more: Bowe Bergdahl: America's Last Prisoner of War by Michael Hastings | Politics News | Rolling Stone
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

It was written without the glare of todays headlines and may open your eyes.

Again, not sure what the intent of a post alluding to Fox has to do with ANYTHING WHATSOEVER.

[Villages PL]

Five dangerous terrorist prisoners were returned to terrorists in exchange for one American. Good for that one American and his family, but how many will eventually be killed by those 5 terrorists? They didn't even renounce terroism.

[janmcn]

Look up the military Code of Conduct before criticizing the government for rescuing a prisoner of war.

This should give all those residents on active service or with children or grandchildren on active duty some comfort knowing the government will try to recue you if you are captured and become a POW. Thank you for your service.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Look up the military Code of Conduct before criticizing the government for rescuing a prisoner of war.

This should give all those residents on active service or with children or grandchildren on active duty some comfort knowing the government will try to recue you if you are captured and become a POW. Thank you for your service.

I do not think most of those folks you mention, and I am overjoyed for this mans family, ever thought such a switch would be done with a terrorist group.

"PESHAWAR — The Afghan Taliban are celebrating the release of their five top commanders — who were swapped in exchange for American Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after being held in Guantanamo Bay for 12 years — serving their guests with sweets and goats cooked in rice.

“This is a historic moment for us. Today our enemy (for the) first time officially recognized our status. I can’t explain how our people are happy and excited over this unbelievable achievement. Today we reached our destination,” a senior member of the Afghan Taliban told NBC News exclusively from a hideout in Afghanistan."

Taliban Celebrates Release of Top Commanders in Bowe Bergdahl Swap - NBC News

Secondly, as happy as everyone is for this release, there are legitimate questions about the bypassing of laws.

The government, despite what you say, is not being criticized for rescuing him.....and you call him a prisoner of war, WHICH IS THE FIRST TIME THE US GOVERNMENT HAS USED THAT TERM TO DESCRIBE HIM. They felt he was a hostage.

This from 2012.....

""We had been waiting for years and years to hunt down such an important bird. Once one fell into our hands, then we knew how to keep it safe and sound," a militant has said."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/detai...#ixzz33WcZleI6


No matter how happy everyone is, this has a ton of questions attached to it, and to not recognize it IS making it a political issue.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Look up the military Code of Conduct before criticizing the government for rescuing a prisoner of war.

This should give all those residents on active service or with children or grandchildren on active duty some comfort knowing the government will try to recue you if you are captured and become a POW. Thank you for your service.

It has not been determined he was a POW. Several news reporters today have been cautious to not use the word captured.....because they do not know.

The most valuable input I heard today were interviews with the men who were actually in his unit. They were not very kind to him at all...labeled him a deserter....had been telling his comrade soldiers his dislike for the USA and that he was planning to leave.....which his commanding officer said he did.

I believe his umit members long, long, LONG before the news media or the Washington scene spinners....either side.

There is nothing political about the subject matter what so ever. It will increasingly become political as the feces comes loose from the oscillator!!!!

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Look up the military Code of Conduct before criticizing the government for rescuing a prisoner of war.

This should give all those residents on active service or with children or grandchildren on active duty some comfort knowing the government will try to recue you if you are captured and become a POW. Thank you for your service.

I do not know if you have ever served. I have, as have many others on here I am positive.

This is also in the code you reference,,,

"the Code of Conduct is a personal conduct mandate for members of the American armed forces throughout the world.

Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service, number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America."

[Rags123]

So many of these posts are trying to pick sides on this issue. By posting on the code of conduct, by posting on whatever network and it is not political in anyway.

This is a milestone for many involved or not involved and is a matter of american interest and should be discussed openly. Everyone is glad a son is home with his family, but it is not black and white and news reports dating back years before this occured questioned a lot even then.

Also remember if you will this family for one whose son also lived by the code of conduct...

"The deal that got Bowe Bergdahl released in exchange for five high-ranking Taliban detainees doesn't sit right with the family of an Army lieutenant killed in an ambush while searching for the missing sergeant.

"He was killed while looking for this deserter," said Andy Andrews, father of 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews, who died in eastern Afghanistan in September 2009.

"If this guy [Bergdahl] had not gone off post, our son would not have been killed."

Family of Soldier Slain in Bowe Bergdahl Search Blasts Prisoner Swap - NBC News

This goes into great detail on how this family is suffering through this. EVERYONE should look at the entire story and all sides of this issue.