See other War, War, War Articles
Title: Go Bowe!
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/06/karen-kwiatkowski/go-bowe/
Published: Jun 4, 2014
Author: Karen Kwiatkowski
Post Date: 2014-06-04 08:42:27 by Ada
Keywords: None
Views: 983
Comments: 74
The Gitmo prisoner swap that sent Bowe Bergdahl into the loving arms of the psych ward at Landstuhl Military Hospital near Ramstein AB, Germany is in the news. The swap is viewed by the Republican Party establishment, in an election year, as an Obama media diversion from delicious and well-deserved dereliction of duty charges against the Veterans Administration. Republicans are also unhappy, and neoconservatives particularly so, because it signals the public end of the end in Afghanistan — an endless play-war for the United States government that all but evaporated from the mind of the American public several years ago. In an age of economic contraction, average Americans see no reason to pay for Afghanistan any longer, absent some sign of benefit, some visible victory. Neocons may insist that absence of victory in not evidence of the absence of victory, but I think by now, even Don Rumsfeld gets the picture. Just as for the Soviets, Afghanistan has been a USG-directed waste of trillions of dollars, millions of Afghan lives, and hundreds of thousands of American lives and families damaged or ruined by a soldier’s service in uniform. Some neoconservative hawks like fellow POW Lt John McCain, who ended his active duty career by being shot down while bombing rice paddies in another foreign country, in another unpopular war, after wrecking two fighter planes and playing a role in the deadly fire on the USS Forrestal in 1967, are extremely angry about bringing home Sgt Bowe Bergdahl. Here is a POW who is a nobody with the nerve to question an overseas war, in the face of evidence that the US government was lying to soldiers, and to the American public. McCain was always a somebody, and he has never had the nerve to question government policy unless he saw a political gain in doing so. Curiously, many in the right would gladly support Obama’s policies if a midwestern Republican were implementing them. These same folks took pride in the Bush II era, yet are totally offended by Obama’s identical foreign policy, his identical pernicious domestic meddling and state growth. It isn’t racism, but it may be harder to fix. Most of what passes for the political right as a movement doesn’t even understand what they stand for. They don’t understand fundamentals of federalism and limited government, they don’t understand the language and motivations of the founders, and they lack the kind of self- awareness that might allow them to question why they feel there is such a difference between a George W and Barack H. Had President Bush conducted this prisoner exchange, brokered by Qatar or even his friends in Saudi Arabia, I imagine the spin would be a bit different from the raging superpatriots on the neocon left and right. I’m sure we would find (after the fact) that Bush had in fact consulted with members of Congress privately, and that the return of the dangerous Talibani to Afghanistan (a year from now (?), after being held by a US-friendly khanate) was actually a great strategy to ensure that the USG would have another stick with which to beat the post-Karzai government into signing a status of forces agreement that allows US troops to stay in country and do what they and (the military establishment and global banking elite) want. What? Is Obama a political genius — with impeccable timing, and a boldness that even his enemies would admire? I mean, no less than Dick Cheney just called Obama the weakest president ever — and then the sly politico openly bucks a Congressional rule about a legal netherworld of Guantanamo and its inmates, who in fact are not POWs, but detainees, because no war was ever declared, and as Washington well knows, these prisoners have been found not to be subject to Geneva Convention rights, precisely because they are not prisoners of war. And war, whether on terrorism or poppy growers, or a political sector of a foreign country, is not the correct legal term — but I guess words mean whatever we want them to mean, in this fantasy world of political rules and niceties, of tortured limbs and tortured logic. But back to Bowe Bergdahl. I worry more about him today in the hands of the USG, in this post-Wikileaks and post-Edward Snowden world than I ever did when he was in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bowe, home-schooled, raised with an ethical spine, and informed by classical and worldly readings, had already become disillusioned by the lies and the falsity of what our soldiers were being asked to do in Afghanistan. His disillusionment would find flight in his words, and if it is true that he walked away, in his actions that would inspire many if widely known. When one can observe and measure the world around him or her, and articulate what he sees, and can use language and logic to explore what it all means, this is a gift, rarely seen. The soldier poet, the veteran who becomes a worker of words to deal with what he has seen and perceived about power, and love, and hate and war, politics and human beings – this solder and this veteran are extremely valuable. But because they can tell the truth and speak it nobly, if the truth they speak goes against the desires of the state, or falsifies a state fairy tale, these men and women become dangerous. I don’t know Bowe. But when I read the letters Bowe wrote home five years ago, I see the simple words of a brave thinker. He is in a class of men who use language and live their lives in service to honesty and personal integrity. This is rare, and when it is found, the hacks and sycophants of governments everywhere become enraged. In fact, the loud collective hysteria of the hacks and sycophants is quite helpful in identifying those we should be listening to, and learning from. karen head shot benchThe existence of one Bowe Bergdahl speaking the truth will undercut ten statist thinktanks, a hundred neoconservative op ed writers, a thousand GOP and Democratic warmongering strategists, and can soothe the minds of millions of Americans who sense the truth but cannot articulate it. Bowe is not safe in the hands of the military, where men with guns and men with medical degrees all serve the state, with too much obedience and too little honor. I hope his time with the debriefers and the government psychiatrists is short. If Bowe gets home and is allowed to live his life, it will be the right thing, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. If this episode leads to more discussion of the legal and Catch-22 status of Gitmo and the utter inability of anyone there to get a legitimate trial, or to be released without controversy, that would be good. If it leads to a deeper discussion of the real nature of the evil the USG has been doing in Afghanistan for the past decade, and more awareness of Afghan politics today, that’s fine. And, if due to Washington politics and reactive anger by war lovers some aspect of this case leads to an impeachment of the President, after we’ve seen so many impeachable offenses that never motivated the Republican House to act, well, that would be icing on the cake.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Ada (#0)
Interesting article. I agree with a lot that he says - eg. muddled, platform free, mush heads in the GOP; the failure of the Afghan War; the purposeless sick affection for war by the neocons. But I disagree vehemently with his lionization of Bowe Bergdahl. Bergdahl is no hero. If he had second thoughts about serving in the Afghan War, he should have turned himself in to military authorities, said he was conscientious objector, and paid the penalty. Seeking out the Taliban and teaching them how to build more effective IED's, how to ambush US soldiers are not praise worthy actions. Rather they are traitorous actions, imho.
He wasn't a conscientious objector. To claim that you have to against all wars, and AFAIK he only objected to this one. To voice loud objections would risk him becoming another Pat Tillman and being shot at close range by "friendly fire". FWIW even the NYT doesn't buy the package about soldiers dying trying to rescue him: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/world/middleeast/can-gi-be-tied-to-6-lost- lives-facts-are-murky.html
Look, anyone brave enough to leave his post and venture into Taliban headquarters alone on a mission to teach them ballet & badminton deserves a medal. If Obama was smart he'd use the heroic actions of Boo to sell US War bonds (see Ira Hayes).
Birdies and slippers for peace! Chuck Hagel was was asked if the exchange could open up an opportunity for dialog and he didn't say no.
Here are some newly graduated army Rangers applying the Bergdahl Method of modern American warfare.
Ballet set to the Kumbaya song!
Yes! The Dance of Freedumb!!!
Bergdahl is a free spirit - he thinks and follows his heart. Leaving his post was clearly the wrong thing to do. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. He has paid dearly for doing so - what more will befall him. Bergdahl’s feelings are 100% correct regarding our military actions in Afghanistan - we are not the heroes that we portray ourselves to be. Of course, exposing the truth is unforgivable. He has more to pay. Mainstream Taliban did not know that 9/11 was going to happen. 9/11 was not their doing. Saudi Arabians did 9/11. Why are we attacking and killing these backwards native peoples thirteen years later? Obama was 100% wrong to do a surge in Afghanistan. It did nothing - nothing has changed - the Afghan people are still the same. The Zionist necons who advised Bush on Iraq, also control Obama. They thrive on chaos at our expense. Truth --- Bergdahl and all of humanity are caught up in the wicked web of Zionism. 9/11 happened because of Zionism - period!
2. To voice loud objections would risk him becoming another Pat Tillman and being shot at close range by "friendly fire". 1. "Even the NYT" - ??? - shocking! NOT. 2. If he said he couldn't fight in a war he didn't believe in, he would have likely have been dishonorably discharged or maybe he could have cut a deal to complete his military service in a non war zone. He had taught himself Pashto and some Arabic - he showed an apptitude for foreign languages. He was an expert marksman. He had useful skills the military could use either training grunts or doing reconstruction in other locations like Africa or Central America etc. He didn't need to desert. He was 23 years old, not some tempestuous teenager - he should have known better. 3. Bowe Bergdahl from Idaho was no star NFL quarterback. I don't think the DOD had to worry much about bad PR if Bowe bad mouthed the Afghan War to Idaho locals.
Not Pat Tillman but Bergdahl could read the paper and draw a conclusion when his mates began to look at him funny.
What IYO would have been the right thing to do?
Amen and thanks.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
What IYO would have been the right thing to do? Good point.
See post #8, point #2.
Bergdahl volunteered for.....what? Did he think he was going to defend America from the mexicon invasion and shoot beaners swimming across the Rio Grande river?? Just where did he think he would most likely be sent once his combat training was completed?? He never should have volunteered if he opposed the ongoing nonsense in Ashcanistan.
#2. To: scrapper2 (#1)
#3. To: Ada, 4 (#0)
#4. To: Jethro Tull (#3)
#5. To: Deasy, 4 (#4)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
#7. To: Deasy (#6)
#8. To: Ada (#0)
#9. To: Ada (#2)
1. FWIW even the NYT doesn't buy the package about soldiers dying trying to rescue him
#10. To: scrapper2 (#9)
Bowe Bergdahl from Idaho was no star NFL quarterback. I don't think the DOD had to worry much about bad PR if Bowe bad mouthed the Afghan War to Idaho locals.
#11. To: johnj (#8)
Leaving his post was clearly the wrong thing to do.
#12. To: johnj (#8)
#13. To: Ada (#11)
"Leaving his post was clearly the wrong thing to do."
#14. To: Ada (#11)
#15. To: Ada (#0)
-Alex Kurtagic
#16. To: X-15 (#15)
Uhhhhh.... Suppose NO ONE volunteered???? That would mean one of two things, THERE WOULD BE NO POLICE ACTIONS, OR THERE WOULD BE A DRAFT. One or the other. In my lifetime I lived thru two peacetime drafts, there was no war....THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH STUPID VOLUNTEERS... not enough of we poor, stupid worthless kids that were filling the ranks. So what happened??????? The government passed drafts and FORCED STUPID POOR KIDS SUCH AS ME TO """""""VOLUNTEER""""""". People seem not to understand, when we do NOT volunteer in enough numbers, they pass a god damned draft. It got me. The "bright" kids stayed home, it happens every time. No matter how we cut it, it is the same class of people that end up in the military. Middle class go in few numbers, elite dont go. Hate the stupid volunteers????? Just consider what happens when they stop volunteering. He never should have volunteered if he opposed the ongoing nonsense in Ashcanistan.
#17. To: Cynicom (#16)
I'd love to see the Democrats twist their core values into pretzels to come around to supporting a draft, we already know that the Republicans would do it in a heartbeat. I'm all for the populace agitating against DeeCee, and the mere mention of a draft would do just that. Suppose NO ONE volunteered????
-Alex Kurtagic
#18. To: X-15 (#17)
Too many patriotic Americans seem not to understand how the system works. They despise the people at the top for endless wars and other maladies, then they gang up on those at the bottom just for being poor and stupid. Hell of a lot of hate there and I am tired of it. Why is it I hear not one voice in dissent calling for the government to stop using youth that are mentally challenged (stupid). Take only those such as we have here? People that are willing to serve and know full well their rights, on and on and on. Anyone here willing to walk in this guys shoes for six months? I want to meet them. If he is guilty of military law, let the military hang him. Civilians judging, safe and sound at home irritate me.
#19. To: X-15 (#17)
And yet... what Presidents used the draft most often in recent memory? alas, the twisted pretzel DemRat Presidents and which President fought to keep conscription on the books? none other than DemRat President Jimmmmmmmmy Carter. I'd love to see the Democrats twist their core values into pretzels to come around to supporting a draft, we already know that the Republicans would do it in a heartbeat.
#20. To: Cynicom (#18)
Civilians who pay the tab for fraud wars and for military becoming a career with perks have every right to make their opinions known. Sorry - the military is not a self-sustaining closed club.
#21. To: Cynicom (#18)
Why are you irritated that people judge a deserter? The people he served with said he deserted and he only took a canteen and a knife and went out hunting the Taliban. Now if he had taken his rifle out hunting the Taliban he might make a reasonable argument that he was hunting the enemy to kill them, but leaving your unit with a canteen and a knife to join up with the enemy isn't cool. And you can bet your ass that he is useless or Obama wouldn't have gone to all those lengths to get him released--Obama traded five terrorists for one traitor, one I don't have any sympathy for. And no, I don't agree with the war in Afghanistan and all the other places our troops have been sent but the fact is that they all volunteered. I suspect that if he had made it known that he was sympathetic to the Taliban before he just walked away from his unit that they might have relieved him of any further duty. Civilians judging, safe and sound at home irritate me.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#22. To: Ada (#0)
"The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the greatest liars: the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth." - - H. L. Mencken I don’t know Bowe. But when I read the letters Bowe wrote home five years ago, I see the simple words of a brave thinker. He is in a class of men who use language and live their lives in service to honesty and personal integrity. This is rare, and when it is found, the hacks and sycophants of governments everywhere become enraged. In fact, the loud collective hysteria of the hacks and sycophants is quite helpful in identifying those we should be listening to, and learning from.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
#23. To: abraxas (#22)
It never fails. "The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the greatest liars: the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth." - - H. L. Mencken
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#24. To: James Deffenbach (#23)
The story is so over covered by partisan hacks edging for some political clout from nubs glued to the box in the living room. Meanwhile, the dollar is crapping out. Russia, China, and India are forming a trade block that will be the death of the dollar. The idiots running the banks are wailing that the banking system will fall apart "if" they are prosecuted when they know damn good and well it will fall apart anyway. The bill of rights is shredded. They want to talk of this soldier deserting or walking away or what ever and a big scary exchange for five men that have been sitting in Gitmo for five years without ever being convicted of ANYTHING. If they had a case on any of them, it would have been tried years ago. This nation has been warring non stop since Vam and hasn't had a win against rebels even when they call them terrorists. The dead from these wars are piled miles high, mostly civilians, and the nubs want to rant and rave over a swap for an American who had clarity and integrity about the criminality of all of it. Meanwhile, Obama's drones keep killing day in and day out. Every nation touched by the American war machine in the Middle East is falling apart......yet, they can't wait to get into Ukraine or Sudan or Syria. It's disgusting.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
#25. To: abraxas (#24)
What are nubs? Whatever... Bergdahl is no Paul Revere if that's what your quote is attempting to portray him to be. At age 23 he joined the military to do exactly from which he later deserted - ie. blood and gore. No one here disputes the fact that the Afghan War, which was significantly increased by Dear Kenyan Leader, is anything but a bust, a fraud, a screw up mess. But Bowie Boy joined the military of his own free will - after being rejected by the French Foreign Legion - at a time when President Dumb A*s was doing the troop surge thingie. It strikes me that Bowe supported Dumb A*s' strategy if he enlisted at that time. If he disagreed he would have stayed stateside and organized anti-war marches in Idaho, no? That he made a colossal mistake joining the military is forgivable; it warrants sympathy. But Bowe's actions thereafter are unforgiveable.
#26. To: James Deffenbach, 4um armchair warriors all (#21)
Civilians are not capable of judging anyone in the military, without exception. That is the job of the military. If they decide to charge him, find him guilty and hang him, so be it. That is their responsibility, not an armchair civilian sitting safely at home, usually one that has never walked in the kids shoes. Trust me, if the military decides it will be best FOR THEM, if the kid is hung, THEY WILL DO SO. I have seen kids in chains hauled away, fifty at a time, flown directly to the Korean front as replacements, all having a known life expectancy of two days. Their crime??????? They dissented and said they did not want to go. They were given a sure death sentence, without trial, all perfectly legal... Where were the concerned civilians, as plane load after plane load, left CA bound direct to Korea?????????????? The civilians were safe at home, those kids dared dissent, good for them, let them be killed who cares, how dare they walk away, while I am safe at home??????????? James, been there, seen all of this a hundred fold, no civilian sitting at home had a right to judge me, then or now. If they were with me, then they can complain. Read a book called, "Valleys of Death" by Richardson, then we can discuss this kids situation. Judge not that thee be judged............. Why are you irritated that people judge a deserter?
#27. To: abraxas (#24)
If he had actually had clarity he would never have joined because anyone who keeps up knows that America has gotten itself into one CF after another for the benefit of bankers and munitions manufacturers. If he had integrity he wouldn't have deserted his unit and sought out the enemy. The dead from these wars are piled miles high, mostly civilians, and the nubs want to rant and rave over a swap for an American who had clarity and integrity about the criminality of all of it.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#28. To: Cynicom (#26)
You have the right to your opinion but I disagree with it. But it doesn't matter that much what either of us think, Bammy will probably give him the Medal of Honor since he served, according to that known liar Susan Rice, with honor and distinction. Never mind that he walked out of his camp into the hands of people we are allegedly at war with. Never mind that he seemed to be in solidarity with them. Bammy thought it would be a good thing to trade five of the detainees, supposedly some of the worst of the worst, for one known deserter (and possibly collaborator). I'm not gonna fall out with anyone who has a different opinion about it but I do claim I have the right to speak out against Obama and Bergdahl even though I have never spent a day as a "hero." Civilians are not capable of judging anyone in the military, without exception.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#29. To: James Deffenbach (#28)
Thats fine. James, it comes down to this, in the final judgement, if it is ME that is going to be shot or hung for military malfeasance, then I want it by a jury of my military peers. Not civilians that have never walked in my shoes while they have been safe at home. That will not wash by me or anyone else in the military. After the fact opinions and expressions of dissent are valueless. Not in your time. Media etc is now replete as to what a horrible man Tibbets was to bomb the Japanese. He should have been tried as a war criminal, on and on. The best estimate, if we invaded Japan proper, was a million American casualties. Of those, 500,000 would be dead. Those now safe at home, judge that Tibbets and the rest should be judged war criminals. really???? Tibbets and his crew are judged as war criminals by those that were not even born yet? Judge the military, the government whatever, leave the rest of us alone. You have the right to your opinion but I disagree with it.
#30. To: Cynicom, All (#29)
Fine, just send him to his local VA for "treatment" and he'll soon be gone and all this talk will fade away. :) James, it comes down to this, in the final judgement, if it is ME that is going to be shot or hung for military malfeasance, then I want it by a jury of my military peers.
-Alex Kurtagic
#31. To: X-15 (#30)
X...I learned long ago, never have anything to do with military or VA medicine.
#32. To: James Deffenbach (#27) (Edited)
He would not be the first to learn clarity from experience rather than prior investigation. From my understanding his unit was a CF. If there was no person to turn to and no positive outcome, walking into the desert may have been the path to take. I did not walk a mile in his military issue boots, therefore I cannot fully comprehend or dare to judge the actions taken. If he had actually had clarity he would never have joined because anyone who keeps up knows that America has gotten itself into one CF after another for the benefit of bankers and munitions manufacturers. If he had integrity he wouldn't have deserted his unit and sought out the enemy.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
#33. To: scrapper2 (#25)
ut Bowie Boy joined the military of his own free will - after being rejected by the French Foreign Legion - at a time when President Dumb A*s was doing the troop surge thingie. It strikes me that Bowe supported Dumb A*s' strategy if he enlisted at that time. If he disagreed he would have stayed stateside and organized anti-war marches in Idaho, no? Average person who has a "healthy" 20+ hour a week relationship with the TV. Never called him a Paul Revere. Have you never learned something from experience? Perhaps thought a certain venture would be beneficial, especially after you were told it would be great, only to find that nothing you believed about the experience was true? Uh, once you join, you do not get the luxury of deciding if you remain stateside or not, even if the recruiter told you that would be the case. Thousands joined the National Guard and have been deployed MULTIPLE times. His actions of walking away are unforgivable? Forgiveness is the very air of the soul. I didn't walk a mile in his boots, so I will withhold judgement and see no need to forgive or not forgive since I am not his judge. What are nubs?
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
#34. To: Cynicom, 4um (#29)
The NYPD, and other police departments, fought this idea for decades before John Lindsey installed a Civilian Complaint Review Board as a watchdog agency to oversee controversial police actions. The police argument was the same as you describe above; until one knows what it's like to be a cop in Harlem, or any other ghetto, civilian judgement would likely miss the point. Today most would agree, including me, that the CCRB is a necessary part of the American social fabric. The steady erosion of the caliber of military enlistee over the years suggests that they are far from sacrosanct, and could use close scrutiny by both the military and civilian commentators alike. Not civilians that have never walked in my shoes while they have been safe at home. That will not wash by me or anyone else in the military.
#35. To: abraxas (#33)
Bergdahl signed a contract with the Army. The US military is not a travel agency. A person cannot sign a contract with the military "to try things out." He was age 23 at the time of the contract, not exactly a babe who was wet behind his ears. He knew he would be deployed to Afghanistan. In fact he prepared for the deployment by learning Pashto ( Afghan main language) and by studying Russian military plans. He was expert marksman. He knew he would be using that military skill in a blood and gore capacity in Afghanistan. He wasn't deploying to Afghanistan to teach the locals ballet. 4um is a free speech board wherein a variety of opinions/judgments/discussions about news items - often political in nature- take place 24/7. 4um posters (including myself and yourself) make judgements on a host of topics without having "to walk in the subject's shoes." Why is Bergdahl so special, that 4um posters' opinions are suddenly considered untoward, inappropriate, disrespectful by some? Bergdahl is a political news story, just like any other that discussed here.
#36. To: abraxas (#32)
The other soldiers he was there with said he is not a hero, that he deserted. Are they liars? If they are telling the truth, and I don't know what reason they would have to lie, he put them at risk. Do they have any right to judge his actions? The ones I have heard talk, to a man, do NOT call him a hero--the kindest thing they say about him is that he was a deserter if not a traitor/collaborator. I did not walk a mile in his military issue boots, therefore I cannot fully comprehend or dare to judge the actions taken.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#37. To: scrapper2 (#35)
Judgements????? Whatever, lets satisfy the blood lust aboard, hang the kid. Lets buy the rope and wait for one of our members willing to open the trap door? Surely we have stalwarts willing to do that???? Myself I am willing to let those holding his contract decide his faith. If they decide to hang, so be it. Not up to me. Opinions are one thing, we all have them, judgements, I do not have any of those, above my pay grade. 4um is a free speech board wherein a variety of opinions/judgments/discussions about news items
#38. To: Cynicom (#37)
Lets buy the rope and wait for one of our members willing to open the trap door? Opinions are one thing, we all have them, judgements, I do not have any of those, above my pay grade. How sanctimonious of you to claim you don't make judgements on the one hand, but the the other you demonstrate clearly by your words that you've made judgements about 4um posters who have criticized Bengdahl's actions. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones is an adage that comes to mind. lets satisfy the blood lust aboard, hang the kid.
#39. To: Cynicom, 4 (#37)
Our illustrious CIC has already decided his fate; He has sent Susan Rice out into the public to anchor the narrative that Bergdahl had served with “honor and distinction.” Who are we to question Obama & Rice? Myself I am willing to let those holding his contract decide his faith.
#40. To: James Deffenbach (#36)
Yes, we have here say regarding the matter. Maybe these soldiers did not like him or they speculate or they saw the incident in a certain way. That doesn't make it true. He walked off. We do NOT know his intent. What evidence is there that he was a traitor/collaborator? The fact that he did not want to kill more Afgans? He walked away but we do not know his intent or his state of mind. And, for the record, I have not called him a hero. I said he followed his conscience, which is certainly a rarity. The other soldiers he was there with said
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
.
.
.
Comments (41 - 74) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest