What's up with controversy about Bob Bergdahl?

[Gen]

had he not tried to negotiate for the guy, these same POS clowns would be calling him every name under the sun, and cuss him how he left a soldier over there and what not.

matter of fact warmonger cheney and mccain would have been first in line to cuss him for leaving a soldier behind.

every time mi start muster up likkle respect fi mccain him tun round and chat/do something like this

the average american from what mi see repeating what them hear on tv i.e. we don't negotiate wid terrorist blah blah

yes i hear all kinds of political types commenting. I'm interested in the average person take. what are your reasons for opposing this move?

personally i think it was a good political move....i'm not buying that it materially affects the "war on terror" in any way if these guys are in or out.
if i was in Obama's position it suits me to have them out. i can "deal" with them much more easily if they are not in my custody.

[lonewolf]

Gen
had he not tried to negotiate for the guy, these same POS clowns would be calling him every name under the sun, and cuss him how he left a soldier over there and what not

Maybe, but how do you know that? If there wasn't any negotiations it wouldn't be an issue. There would not be any controversy because the incident would not exist. And, Bergdahl isn't the only soldier or American held in captivity. What about the others?

matter of fact warmonger cheney and mccain would have been first in line to cuss him for leaving a soldier behind.

every time mi start muster up likkle respect fi mccain him tun round and chat/do something like this

I don't care for cheny or mccain, but mccain is a military guy, he was a soldier. I respect his opinion on military matters, he knows far more than Obama will ever know. He didn't like the move...end of story.

the average american from what mi see repeating what them hear on tv i.e. we don't negotiate wid terrorist blah blah

You are simply showing your ignorance. If a person is an American and has paid any attention to past history or current affairs since 9/11, they'd know that the US does not make deals with terror organizations...As I stated, it's a long held principle...do your homework before you start with the blah, blah, BS.

And if you paid any attention yourself, you would know that there is bipartisan criticism with this decision.
Politicians in his own party are against this move. It's not just public opinion formed by the boob tube.

This isn't the only poor decision Obama has made as of late.

[Tropicana]

The U.S. Army has appointed a two-star general to investigate how and why Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl left his base in Afghanistan, resulting in his capture, a senior defense official said Saturday.Bergdahl spent five years in captivity until his release May 31, in exchange for five Taliban figures being held at a U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Bergdahl, 28, returned to the United States -- specifically to an Army medical facility in San Antonio, Texas -- early Friday.

he investigating officer looking into the circumstances surrounding how Bergdahl went missing is expected to begin working on the case next week, though that doesn't necessarily signal anything about when the sergeant will undergo formal questioning.
The senior defense official declined to name the general who will investigate until there is a formal announcement.
Bergdahl went missing on June 30, 2009, in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where he was deployed with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
An Army fact-finding investigation conducted in the months after his disappearance concluded he left his outpost deliberately and of his own free will, according to an official who was briefed on the report.
The Army has no definitive finding that Bergdahl deserted because that would require knowing his intent -- something officials couldn't learn without talking to the soldier, a U.S. military official recently told CNN.
Bergdahl arrived in San Antonio from a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where he'd been recuperating since his release May 31 in exchange for five Taliban figures held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Officials have described Bergdahl's condition as stable.
With Qatar as the broker, the United States struck a deal with the Taliban to free Bergdahl.
The Obama administration didn't tell Congress of the releases. Under law, the White House has to give a 30-day notice to Capitol Hill before any terrorists are transferred from Guantanamo.
Believing that his health was deteriorating, the administration said it acted quickly to save his life.
U.S. special operations forces recovered Bergdahl without incident on May 31 at a helicopter pickup point in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/14/us/bowe-bergdahl-case/

[RichD]

First off, the US always took the stance that it won't deal with terrorists. It's a long held principle. (Regardless of how you, I or others may view them.)The US views them as terrorists. (not another country's military force) It's their rules that they are breaking, and this is what makes things confusing. Right or wrong... stand by your rules or simply change them...That's one of the reasons I don't like the move.

PS (I'm sure there are back door dealings with terrorist all the time. We just don't hear about it.)

its more of a guideline that a rule. not so sure how "long standing" its been ..didnt carter negotiate for the hostages in iran? Im sure I have heard fo negotiations with some of these pirates more recently.

what about the "rule" that America does not leave men behind?

Second, is it not a risk to show terrorist organizations all over the world that they can win concessions from US by kidnapping Americans? Not just American soldiers, but American citizens. I think this could change the game.

do you really think this is the signal they were looking for to try this?

Third, why did he (we) pick such a controversial figure to swap?

he was the only POW left.

when they were calling for his release int he years and months before was there any talk about how controversial he was?
[QUOTE=lonewolf;796346]AND! Why five for one? Do the math.../quote]

maybe they offered one for one but the Taliban said we are not giving up our prize for just one of those clowns ...your guys is worth much more than just one of these washed up has beens.

Why did they not ask for the release of innocent Americans being held, such as Caitlin Coleman and her baby and her CANADIAN husband Joshua Boyle...or any other innocent people that were just doing charity work, and are being held captive just because they are westerners.

who is holding them? are they alive? have they been offered for ransom? Maybe that was part of the negotiation too .

Fourth, if the prisoners that they asked for are not important(or a threat), why did they ask for them?

maybe they did not ask for those specific guys ..maybe they asked for somebody else but this is what they were offered and decided to take it as better than nothing. there is always more than one side to a story and plenty of the details of the negotiation are not known.

There ya go...that's my take. Just my opinion and questions I would like answered.

those were all reasonable questions

[RichD]

seems to me that the opposition come from the POV that because its the Obama administration they could never have gotten the better deal.

what do we know about the 5 guys who were released?

[Tropicana]

seems to me that the opposition come from the POV that because its the Obama administration they could never have gotten the better deal.

what do we know about the 5 guys who were released?

I shared that information before RichD.

I believe it is earlier in this thread. Frankly I am not buying the hype.

[Gen]

ummm ok the US does not and has never done deals with terror organizations pre or post 9/11

I don't need to do any HW and I don't give a rat's batty that there is bipartisan opposition to the move.

Maybe, but how do you know that? If there wasn't any negotiations it wouldn't be an issue. There would not be any controversy because the incident would not exist. And, Bergdahl isn't the only soldier or American held in captivity. What about the others?




I don't care for cheny or mccain, but mccain is a military guy, he was a soldier. I respect his opinion on military matters, he knows far more than Obama will ever know. He didn't like the move...end of story.



You are simply showing your ignorance. If a person is an American and has paid any attention to past history or current affairs since 9/11, they'd know that the US does not make deals with terror organizations...As I stated, it's a long held principle...do your homework before you start with the blah, blah, BS.

And if you paid any attention yourself, you would know that there is bipartisan criticism with this decision.
Politicians in his own party are against this move. It's not just public opinion formed by the boob tube.

This isn't the only poor decision Obama has made as of late.

[lonewolf]

Gen
ummm ok the US does not and has never done deals with terror organizations pre or post 9/11

I would have to agree with you on that statement. I said as much, previous to this post. (please re-read my last couple of posts)

I don't need to do any HW and I don't give a rat's batty that there is bipartisan opposition to the move.

Ok, no one said you have to care, but some of us find it relevant that there is disagreement with politicians that are supposed to be on the same side. Especially when those politicians are the president of the US and his own party.

[RichD]

And, Bergdahl isn't the only soldier or American held in captivity.

they do claim he was the last soldier held in captivity

[Tropicana]

This seems awfully fast to me. Why are they rushing him along?

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, released from Taliban captivity last month, has been moved from inpatient care at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to outpatient treatment for reintegration and medical care at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the Army said Sunday.It is the latest step in the reintegration process for Bergdahl, who was held captive for five years and released in exchange for the transfer of five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

A day in the life of freed Bowe Bergdahl
He is the seventh person to go through the Army's reintegration program but the first junior enlisted person to do so. The program began at Brooke Army Medical Center in 2006. That's where Bergdahl arrived on June 13.

Again this seems really fast:

Previous captives have completed their reintegration in a week to 10 days before returning to their families or occupations.Bergdahl was at the medical center for 10 days, but his reintegration process will extend beyond that with the outpatient care at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
"His reintegration process continues with exposure to more people and a gradual increase of social interactions," the Army said in a statement. "Debriefings and counseling from Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) psychologists continue to ensure he progresses to the point where he can return to duty."
Bergdahl went missing on June 30, 2009, in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where he was deployed with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Several veterans and soldiers call him a deserter who walked off his base.
An Army fact-finding investigation conducted in the months after his disappearance concluded he left his outpost deliberately and of his own free will, according to an official who was briefed on the report.
The Army has no definitive finding that Bergdahl deserted because that would require knowing his intent -- something officials couldn't learn without talking to the soldier, a U.S. military official told CNN.
The military has assigned Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl to conduct an investigation and said that Dahl will not interview Bergdahl until the reintegration team approves.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/22/us/bowe-bergdahl-outpatient-care/

[Tropicana]

Recently released Bergdahl venturing off-base, rubbing elbows with public

Since being freed,Bergdahl has been carefully monitored at a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and his home since June 13, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.He recently transitioned from inpatient care at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texasto outpatient care, the Army said on June 22.
Still, Bergdahl has hardly left the care of military health professionals.
Members of his reintegration team escort him whenever he leaves base and interacts with the public, the Army spokeswoman said. His stops have included a library, a supermarket and several stores of his choosing.
Bergdahl has also eaten at fast-food and sit-down restaurants. The Army sergeant is encouraged to pick the places, but because he's not from San Antonio, he is offered some advice.
"Sometimes they sit at the table with him," the Army spokeswoman said of those on Bergdahl's reintegration team who accompany him. "... Other times, they hang in the background."
During his trips off-base, Bergdahl sometimes wears civilian clothing and others times dresses in his military uniform.
In some instances while he has been in uniform, members of the public have recognized him and shaken his hand, according to the Army spokeswoman.
His reintegration phase will end sometime in the next several weeks, an Army official said.
He will then be assigned to an Army unit, according to the official, though details of his next stop have not been disclosed.
Bergdahl went missing on June 30, 2009, in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where he was deployed with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
An Army fact-finding investigation conducted in the months after his disappearance concluded he left his outpost deliberately and of his own free will, according to an official who was briefed on the report.
But there was no definitive conclusion Bergdahl was a deserter because that would require knowing his intent, something officials couldn't learn without talking to him, a U.S. military official told CNN last month.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl is leading the Army's formal Bergdahl investigation, which will review previous findings. The two-star general could ask to re-interview anyone who can shed light on the case; talking to Bergdahl himself would likely be the last step in this investigation, one official said.
As of the middle of last week, the soldier hadn't been interviewed by investigators nor did he have a lawyer, one official said.
Military officials have talked to Bergdahl about the days and years after his capture as part of the reintegration process.
"We have no reason to believe that he engaged in any misconduct during that period of time," one official said late last month, referring to Bergdahl's time in captivity.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/us/bowe-bergdahl-reintegration/