Obama illegally trades 5 top-level Taliban Commanding Officials for 1 anti-American deserter

[TheRussianRocket.]

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/63482

By now youve undoubtedly heard the story. U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been released from 5 years of captivity, and is currently hospitalized in Germany. Hell be treated medically, as well as psychologically, before he comes home. Thats the good news, and believe us when we tell you that we do, in fact, think its good news.

The bad news comes when you start digging into who Bergdahl is, how he was captured, and the extraordinarily high - illegal - cost of his release.

To understand Bowe Bergdahl, you first have to take a look at the war in Afghanistan. What had begun as an effort to debilitate the Taliban and capture or kill Bin Laden had ballooned into ...something different. President Obamas 2009 troop surge was allegedly designed to break the back of the Taliban and allow the interim Afghan government to place itself on a more secure footing. The problem was that there were never any clearly defined victory conditions. The surge seemed less like an effort to win (whatever than meant) and more like an attempt to make something happen so that the U.S. government could lay claim to some nebulous achievement and bring our troops home. Obama was roundly criticized for shipping more troops off to fight for an increasingly ill-defined mission.

It was at this moment that Bergdahl was placed in Afghanistan.

Some of the best reporting about Bergdahls time in Afghanistan comes from - of all places - Rolling Stone magazines 2012 article, titled Americas last Prisoner of War.

Bergdahls unit had been sent to the tiny village of Yaya Kheyl, where they were supposed to win the hearts and minds of the local population. However, according to the magazine, his initial excitement faded quickly.

With his customary zeal, hed been preparing for the deployment by learning how to speak Pashto and reading Russian military manuals. Almost as soon as he joined his fellow soldiers, he began to gravitate away from his unit. He spent more time with the Afghans than he did with his platoon, Fry says. His father, recalling that time, would later describe his son to military investigators as psychologically isolated.

Bergdahls outfit was plagued with discipline problems, and they were exacerbated in the combat zone. He began to despise the military and his mission. Then, an IED near Bergdahls outpost took the life of a well known, well liked, and highly admired soldier. Bergdahls mood sank, and he sent his parents a final email which revealed his contempt for what he believed his own country had become.

The future is too good to waste on lies, Bowe wrote. And life is way too short to care for the damnation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong. I have seen their ideas and I am ashamed to even be American. The horror of the self-righteous arrogance that they thrive in. It is all revolting.

I am sorry for everything here, Bowe told his parents. These people need help, yet what they get is the most conceited country in the world telling them that they are nothing and that they are stupid, that they have no idea how to live.

So, one night, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl deserted.

In the early-morning hours of June 30th, according to soldiers in the unit, Bowe approached his team leader not long after he got off guard duty and asked his superior a simple question: If I were to leave the base, would it cause problems if I took my sensitive equipment?

Yes, his team leader responded if you took your rifle and night-vision goggles, that would cause problems.

Bowe returned to his barracks, a roughly built bunker of plywood and sandbags. He gathered up water, a knife, his digital camera and his diary. Then he slipped off the outpost.

According to various reports Bergdahl was apparently trying to flee to Pakistan, with the eventual goal of reaching China. His platoon had no idea where he was. For all they knew, he could have been captured, killed, or simply wandered away. Theyd spend the next week searching for him, despite the fact that he had already been taken prisoner by the Al Qaeda- affiliated Haqqani terrorism network.

At 9:00 that morning, the acting platoon leader, Sgt. 1st Class Larry Hein, called in over the radio to report a missing soldier. According to sources in the battalion, this was the last thing Hein needed, given all the scrutiny the unit had been under. The men needed a break. Instead, they had to find a member of their platoon. That was a shitty week for all of them, says one soldier in the unit.

It would get worse. Those searching for the missing soldier would eventually suffer their own casualties. The New York Post is reporting that six men gave their lives in the fruitless search for Sgt. Bergdahl. This has led many of the men who served with him to condemn him as a traitor. The Obama administration would, it seems, like to keep that fact quiet.

From CNN:

The sense of pride expressed by officials of the Obama administration at the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is not shared by many of those who served with himveterans and soldiers who call him a deserter whose selfish act ended up costing the lives of better men.

I was pissed off then and I am even more so now with everything going on, said former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahls platoon when he went missing on June 30, 2009. Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him.

...Many of Bergdahls fellow troopsfrom the seven or so who knew him best in his squad, to the larger group that comprised the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divisiontold CNN that they signed nondisclosure agreements agreeing to never share any information about Bergdahls disappearance and the efforts to recapture him. Some were willing to dismiss that document in hopes that the truth would come out about a soldier who they now fear is being hailed as a hero, while the men who lost their lives looking for him are ignored.

Now we learn that this is the man for whom the Obama Administration has reversed a 200 year old policy regarding a refusal to negotiate with terrorists. Five of the Talibans worst are being released from the prison at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for his freedom. Thats bad enough, as it incentivizes the capture and ransoming of American soldiers and civilians, but the exchange is also completely illegal.

By law, Obama is required to notify Congress 30 days in advance of releasing Gitmo detainees.

From the Washington Post:

Lawmakers were not notified of the Guantanamo detainees transfer until after it occurred.

The law requires the defense secretary to notify relevant congressional committees at least 30 days before making any transfers of prisoners, to explain the reason and to provide assurances that those released would not be in a position to reengage in activities that could threaten the United States or its interests.

The White House even admits that it broke the letter of the law, but its using used its tried and true we dont care because the law stinks defense as an explanation.

A senior administration official, agreeing to speak on the condition of anonymity to explain the timing of the congressional notification, acknowledged that the law was not followed. When he signed the law last year, Obama issued a signing statement contending that the notification requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on his powers as commander in chief and that he therefore could override it.

Due to a near-term opportunity to save Sergeant Bergdahls life, we moved as quickly as possible, the official said. The administration determined that given these unique and exigent circumstances, such a transfer should go forward notwithstanding the notice requirement.

So, where does that leave us?

Were all glad that one of our own - even one who appears to be so deeply misguided - is coming home. Whether or not Sgt. Bergdahl has committed any crimes will need to be determined. He has a long road ahead and he may still be forced to deal with the consequences of his decisions. That will happen in due course. As Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel says, Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family. Other circumstances that may develop and questions, those will be dealt with later.

The bigger problem is that the United States has now revealed to the world that it has retreated from its stance on negotiating with terrorist organizations. Capture an American, demand the release of a few Gitmo detainees, and (since our President would very much like to be rid of them anyway) you just may get your wish. This endangers the American public, its military, and its interests around the world.

Moreover, we - once again - have evidence of a President who somehow believes that he wields the God-given power to ignore United States law when he feels its too restrictive.

Video of the exchange:

...this is such a controversial, grey, head scratching move, I just don't get it. Firstly, it's a disgrace that 6 soldiers died searching for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl and at the end, he's brought back by an exchange giving the Taliban back 5 of the most feared HVT's (High Value Targets) and those 6 that does searching for him basically gave up their lives no reason. Heck, thw troops suggest that Bergdahl's desertion makes him more traitor than hero.

Commenters who suggested such comments were unduly harsh were dismissed by and large. Maybe if you knew the truth and the sacrifices made from people in our units in Alaska to find this douche you wouldnt feel the way you do, one responded to a poster urging restraint. I feel worse for the kids who have to grow up fatherless cause their daddies died looking for this punk.

Even worse, Obama defends his decision for the swap

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t02-jcperQg

Yet the same time says this move could jeapordize lives of Americans. In fact Bergdahl doesn't look malnourished at all from the looks of the video. He walks steadily at a form pace but the Obama and the US gov stated the contrary. If anything his psychological and mental state is probably busted and he might be so traumatized by being held captured for 5 years he may not even be able to give much information at all, and for all we know he might try leaving again.

But hey, we all know the saying - "America doesn't deal with terrorists". What an absurd, controversial move

[Special Ed]

So brutal. Obama just seems to be a terribly weak leader. If this guy deserted and then helped the Taliban he should be brought up on charges of treason. Although that would be weird because obamas administration has already massively played this guy out like a hero.

[MJDDawg]

This is like soooo four days ago.

[TheRussianRocket.]

This is like soooo four days ago.

Yea I know. Just saw there wasn't an existing topic so decided, why not make one for discussion? Better late then never

[Aladeen]

Freedom Ain't Free!

[hockeyfan87]

Here's another great article about this.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/president-obamas-fraught-prisoner-swap/372111/

If there's ever another major terrorist attack (comparable to 9/11) what will happen? The groundwork for a totalitarian state is there already. More and more power is being consolidated in the executive branch and there is less and less accountability all the time. In this particular case Obama violated a law that he himself signed previously.

[MJDDawg]

Yea I know. Just saw there wasn't an existing topic so decided, why not make one for discussion? Better late then never

True enough.

Heck, the President broke the law and ignored the constitution he's supposed to defend.

I'm really curious to see if he could be impeached for this.

[hockeyfan87]

True enough.

Heck, the President broke the law and ignored the constitution he's supposed to defend.

I'm really curious to see if he could be impeached for this.

After everything else that President's have done and not been impeached for? Unlikely. Something as innocuous as a blowjob from an intern is what get's a President's impeached because that's the only thing the apathetic public will turn the station for. In a democracy you get the leaders you deserve.

[Hugor Hill]

Whatever....

[Dr.Strangelove]

Okay I have 3 main problems with this whole Sgt Bergdahl SS.

1) He asked his platoon leader if it would be very bad to leave base with his Rifle , body armor and night vision goggles. The next morning at role call they find him M.I.A. with only his compass , map, knife and canteen missing.

2) He was clearly based on the E-mail's to his parents very disillusioned with the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

3) He went missing from a FOB that would be almost impossible for the Taliban to get into and grab a GI without being noticed.

All that indicates highly that he left his post willingly (desertion) which during a time of war carries the Death penalty or life in prison. Now when he went missing I was with an MP brigade in Iraq so I wasn't directly involved in the search. However I did hear the reports that an American PVT had deserted likely with intent to join the Taliban.

Now after all this time we trade several HVT's back to get him home? I wouldn't be pissed if the SGT had been taken from a post by the Taliban but this clown walked off base looking for them!!!! Then to top it off several soldier's are K.I.A/W.I.A well searching for him.

Hopefully the CID decides to investigate and put him on trial for desertion.

[TheRussianRocket.]

Okay I have 3 main problems with this whole Sgt Bergdahl SS.

1) He asked his platoon leader if it would be very bad to leave base with his Rifle , body armor and night vision goggles. The next morning at role call they find him M.I.A. with only his compass , map, knife and canteen missing.

2) He was clearly based on the E-mail's to his parents very disillusioned with the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

3) He went missing from a FOB that would be almost impossible for the Taliban to get into and grab a GI without being noticed.

All that indicates highly that he left his post willingly (desertion) which during a time of war carries the Death penalty or life in prison. Now when he went missing I was with an MP brigade in Iraq so I wasn't directly involved in the search. However I did hear the reports that an American PVT had deserted likely with intent to join the Taliban.

Now after all this time we trade several HVT's back to get him home? I wouldn't be pissed if the SGT had been taken from a post by the Taliban but this clown walked off base looking for them!!!! Then to top it off several soldier's are K.I.A/W.I.A well searching for him.

Hopefully the CID decides to investigate and put him on trial for desertion.

Yep, completely agree however, why not just leave him there and keep the Taliban 5? If he comes back and is given life, basically just put him behind bars and will be ineffective and gave back 5 HVT's...it makes no sense.

[boxiebrown]

US military policy has always been to negotiate release for ALL POWs, even traitors and deserters. Bergdahl may very well have to face charges in the US for his actions, but there is nothing untoward about negotiating his release. If he is to be punished, the US should do it themselves, in their own justice system, rather than letting him stay a POW.

[boxiebrown]

Yep, completely agree however, why not just leave him there and keep the Taliban 5? If he comes back and is given life, basically just put him behind bars and will be ineffective and gave back 5 HVT's...it makes no sense.

Right now nobody knows what happened. It's possible he tried to join the Taliban, but we don't know. Due process requires that he be given a trial, in the US justice system, before he is sentenced to life (which may very well happen, who knows.) That's why they can't just leave him as a POW.

As for the 5 Taliban members, apparently ALL Taliban members will be released from Gitmo at the end of the Afghan War, so to me it is not a huge concern. Moreover, my understanding is that these 5 were government officials, rather than terrorist operatives, although I could be mistaken about that.

[Grapefruits]

Someone told me in another online forum that that the 5 Taliban members were set to be released under the terms of the U.S. pulling out of Afghanstan in 2015. Anyone know anything about this?

[Dr.Strangelove]

Yep, completely agree however, why not just leave him there and keep the Taliban 5? If he comes back and is given life, basically just put him behind bars and will be ineffective and gave back 5 HVT's...it makes no sense.

I think the reasoning was that it looked bad on the administration to have an American solider as a Taliban prisoner regardless of how he came to be there.

All this said I think Bergdahl should get a chance to defend his actions regardless of how stupid they may have been and Traitor or not he deserves at the least a fair trial in the USA.

[asian player]

Motivates terrorists to capture more americans...

[hockeyfan87]

Someone told me in another online forum that that the 5 Taliban members were set to be released under the terms of the U.S. pulling out of Afghanstan in 2015. Anyone know anything about this?

They aren't pulling out of Afghanistan anytime soon. American tax payers will be paying for private contractors, many of which are former American soldiers, to stay there indefinitely. It's a great travesty that the public believes that the troops will be out when American contractors who are paid by American tax payers will be there indefinitely. There's 115,000 of them there right now.

[nuckster33]

While I can sympathisize with his views, heck there shouldn't have been a war and we all know it, so from that perspective I get his views. What is sad is that six men lost their lives searching for him, and I can't even imagine how the families of those men feel. As for GITMO, well that place is illegal to begin with, not suggesting those people are all released but isn't due process owed? yup!

[jovocop55]

funny they wave the Taliban good bye...

[Madwolf]

We can argue if he was a deserter or not until our faces turn blue. The bottom line here is we got an American soldier back, and I'm okay with that.

What did we really give up? 5 "teeeeerrreeeerriiiiists?" If you want to talk about pissing on the Constitution someone might want to explain to me how we find it okay to leave these dudes locked up in prison for the last decade with no ability to stand trail which is a direct violation of our Constitution.

And I really can see how a soldier would question his duty to his country serving over there in that desert. We fought the war over there, we "won," about as much as we can, and we're still over there! They come back home and our glorious "Patriotic" Republican party tells our troops, "we can't afford to fix the VA, or help you find jobs, etc." I'm sick of this damned flag wavers not taking care of the very troops they sent to war when we couldn't afford it. They should be hung for treason, not our troops.