Bergdahl: “at best a deserter, at worst a traitor”…
…according to former U.S. Army Sgt. Josh Korder, who served with Berghdahl in Afghanistan.
There is really almost no other conclusion one can draw from the facts that are coming out about Bergdahl’s departure from his unit five years ago.
Even the NY Times is reporting what would lead any thinking person to agree with Korder. For example, Bergdahl left a note in his tent saying “he had become disillusioned with the Army, did not support the American mission in Afghanistan and was leaving to start a new life…[taking] with him a soft backpack,water, knives, a notebook and writing materials” but leaving behind body army and weapons, something he would ordinarily need in that region.
Other curious facts about Bergdahl before his disappearance were that “he wouldn’t drink beer or eat barbecue” with the others, and he was teaching himself local languages such as Pashto and Dari, as well as Arabic. None of these things would be evidence of much of anything in and of themselves, but taken together with Bergdahl’s note and desertion they also could indicate a “going native” phenomenon that might involve a conversion to Islam, which forbids alcohol and pork.
As Korder said, at best a deserter and at worst a traitor.
[NOTE: Patterico calls the Obama decision to exchange Bergdahl for the five Taliban “inexplicable” in light of this information.
But I think the explanation isn’t so hard to find. As I wrote in my first article about the exchange, “it may be that the release of these particular prisoners wasn’t just a reluctant move in order to free Bergdahl, it may be more accurate to say that Bergdahl’s release was negotiated at this point in time in order to free the Taliban Five.” The president probably thought getting Bergdahl back would allow him (Obama) to be seen as a champion of the military because the non-disclosure agreements signed by many people who had served with Bergdahl would hold (as similar agreements seem to have done so far in Benghazi). Meanwhile, Obama anticipated that releasing the Taliban would serve at least two purposes, the first being to help empty Gitmo as promised and activate his supporters for the 2014 election, and the second being to jump-start talks with the Taliban leadership who had been asking for the release of these five people for years.]
“What none of these media is reporting is that the father’s (SGT Bowe Bergdahl’s father Bob) first words at the WH were in Arabic — those words were “bism allah alrahman alraheem” — which means “in the name of Allah the most gracious and most merciful” — these are the opening words of every chapter of the Qur’an except one (the chapter of the sword — the 9th) — by uttering these words on the grounds of the WH, Bergdahl (the father) sanctified the WH and claimed it for Islam. There is no question but POTUS knows this.” Claire Lopez former CIA operations officer emailed her friend Allen West
smile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ift-Fv9RzlY
Of course there is already push-back. Various people, such as the Administrations’s Representative to the “UN something or other” in Afghanistan from 2009-2011 was on TV last night chiding us for our “rush to judgment”. I don’t know how they will do it, but I suspect that soon anyone who criticizes the action will be called “racist”.
Then as you noted; there is the “he suffered enough the past five years”, so don’t question the President.
The narrative will continue to evolve. Right now Obama’s apologists are in the mode where they try different ones to see if any might work. Like Benghazi. Like the IRS. Like most everything that blows up in their faces.
In one way they are succeeding. The outrage and push back over Bergdahl is over shadowing in the minds of some, the 5 for 1 nature of the swap, and the “quality” of the individuals swapped. Not much, but some. Those who are more interested in the strategic issue than the sensational will not be distracted. It has also driven the VA off of the front pages for now.
Local news now calling Bergdahl exchange a “government deal”…no Obama mention
The president probably thought getting Bergdahl back would allow him (Obama) to be seen as a champion of the military because the non-disclosure agreements signed by many people who had served with Bergdahl would hold (as similar agreements seem to have done so far in Benghazi).
If that’s true, the president is either the most sheltered man to ever hold the position, or the most stupid. The guys who signed non-disclosure agreements would eventually get out of the service. And at least somebody in the administration had to have known about this guy’s tendencies, since he was being investigated before he disappeared.
No, I don’t think the president is stupid OR that sheltered. That said, what are the alternatives? The only one I can think of is that the president has sympathies for islamic militants. This is too scary a thought for me to contemplate.
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Patterico is more comfortable fighting politics. Fighting a war is different. This hasn’t changed in 6 years.
This is too scary a thought for me to contemplate.
You thought he was selling arms to AQ in Syria and Libya because what… that was in America’s best interests then?
No, I don’t think the president is stupid OR that sheltered. That said, what are the alternatives? The only one I can think of is that the president has sympathies for islamic militants. This is too scary a thought for me to contemplate.
I choose Iago over Mr. Magoo. Not perfect comparisons, but you get the idea.
Which is more plausible?
so long as Bergdahl remained in Taliban captivity in Pakistan, the Obama administration would never be able to close the chapter of the failed Afghanistan campaign it has owned since approving – and then under-resourcing – a surge of U.S. forces in the country
in other words… how could he pull out troops if he was going to create a MIA martyr cult like vietnam got
and korea but less and forgotten fast… most people dont realize that the number of troops launched in korea was larger than hitlers forces during the bulge! and the koreans put the americans and almost everyone to shame as to rememberance and reverance
at the graveyard where the americans are interred, every child class gets an area to take care of for a year. they tend the graves, place flowers and trim the grass by hand on their knees with tiny scissiors so they grow up to remember
european children do this, or used to…
the older ones remember waht they sawa as children
Bergdahl does a lot to tarnish such regard
that was in America’s best interests then?
Up to that point, it could be looked at that he was just a bumbling fool who had no foreign policy experience, acting on the whims of the press’ coverage. That said, too many of these show a pattern, and that is that this man really dislikes his own country and is trying to sabotage it.
I do not think even Obama could be so clueless as not to understand that he traded five terrorists for a man who in more sane times would now be facing a firing squad. Malevolence as an explanation for this move certainly is the only reasonable explanation I can come up with. – See more at: http://the-american-catholic.com/2014/06/03/obama-a-reappraisal/#sthash.7q5luhr5.dpuf
I quote from the American Catholics post cited a couple entries above. This from a writer who has taken the “gross incompetence” pov until now.
Sorry yet another post, but … even folks who dislike Obama and question his competence make an exception for his political instincts, which are praised to high heaven.
But what, really, are the brilliant political traits?
There is only one: hatred, and more hatred, and making people hate each other.
Hatred can be incredibly effective if disguised properly.
With BO, some people bought the disguise, some did not, and many others are confused on the issue.
As with every Leftist, hatred of America is the faith, the creed, the redemptive soul experience.
For those who cannot fathom the hatred, the religious zeal, it might look like incompetent policy or misguided politics.
The more I look at this, the more I tend to think the simplest explanation is the right one. Given the VA scandal was not going away, his own party was ratcheting up the heat for him to do something, and Obama’s preoccupation with his image, I truly believe this was a bungled move to score points with vets.
The lack of consultation with anyone outside the Whitehouse staff on the matter was a matter of expediency to get the VA story off the page. I can more easily envision Obama being upset that he was tied to another embarrassing scandal and trying some half baked idea to pacify the Vets, than a some highly complex web of deceit he’s been plotting. I’m not discounting his malevolence, but i am discounting is long term planning and execution.
They probably thought they had a lid on the servicemen with the non-disclosures in place, and if they violated them, they would threaten retribution, or in the least, control the message to the media that anybody who would violate the terms of thier NDAs couldn’t be trusted anyway.
I think this blew up in their face because they didn’t realize how much information was available on Bergdahl from alternate sources, and the overestimated their ability to control the spin of the story, assuming someone raised questions about the wisdom of letting the Gitmo prisoners go. That was the spin they were focused on taking out, but I would bet they overlooked the character of Bergdahl in their rush to get the VA story off the charts.
If I am wrong, and they KNEW this was going to happen, they would have come out from the start diffusing the situation with a pre-programmed argument – something along the lines of “we know this is a controversial move, but here are the reasons we wanted to bring Bergdahl home — he’s a victim, he was troubled, under duress, etc.” There are a lot of things they could have and would have cooked up ahead of time if they anticipated such a shit storm. If the real plan all along was to release these prisoners and do us harm, they would have planned a “Bergdahl’s troubled past narrative” or some other nonsense which would put critics in the awkward position of having to defend animostiy towards a deeply troubled patriot. That is assuming they were aware of how easily Bergdahl’s “POW” status could be blown up. The were in hurry to change the subject, didn’t do their homework, and overestimated both their intelligence and their ability to control the message. That’s my 2 cents, and it’s consistent with Obama’s narcissim, ineptiude, and lack of planning he’s displayed in many, many other situations.
Southpaw’s scenario only explains the Berg angle. It doesn’t explain the Taliban and prisoner exchange angle.
By Taliban, I’m including Berg’s father of course.
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Yes, just as BO has never heard of anything at all until he reads about it in the newspaper, maybe he just found out about Bergdahl Sr.’s taliban sympathies in the Rose Garden.
Hey, what’s so bad about returning Rommel if we can get Tokyo Rose in return?
As with everything else, BO is willing to express his hatred toward America and then let the chips fall where they may, knowing the soviet media will go along, and understanding that he can merely use HATE to answer his critics.
He will use hate on this issue, and he will use hate successfully, as he has done for years.
He will say shut up haters and the issue will go away.
Why would BO mess with success?
Now it’s being reported that Bergdahl left a note before his desertion/walkabout wherein he renounced his citizenship.
If President Historic First thought this 5 Taliban for 1 American Taliban swap would paper over the VA scandal, he thought wrong. They are both of a piece, both anti-US military. The criticism over this Taliban swap is only just beginning, and definitely has legs as even his media is reporting on the history of issues Bergdahl had (see: Jake Tapper).
Nobody is more angry than President Obama that a deserter was taken in trade for five Taliban. No one.
Good one, Yancey.
That is hilarious, Yancy.
Paul at Powerline had a funny one just now. Commenting on Bergdahl’s use of Pashto in the Rose Garden, Paul said: “I suppose we should be grateful Obama did not respond in Pashto.”
Your line and Paul’s line gave me huge laughs within minutes.
I Callahan said:
“That said, what are the alternatives? The only one I can think of is that the president has sympathies for islamic militants. This is too scary a thought for me to contemplate.”
I think it is good, not scary. It is good because it mobilizes people who would not be mobilized by other actions taken by Emir Hussein.
We are gradually building an alliance of profound visceral opposition to Hussein and his hangers-on. Disparate elements coming together. Only Leftist dreck is speaking up in favor of the Bergdahls.
This is all working to good purpose.
We must keep it going.
I think Neo is correct- Bergdahl’s release wasn’t the prime motivation for this deal. Given that it was extremely stupid to laud Bergdahl’s service with so many other people knowing the true details, I tend to think that no one in the White House or at the higher levels of State or Defense even knew them. This is all about closing Gitmo and Bergdahl’s inclusion is just epic incompetence.
That, by the way, is why I think Obama is going to be claiming soon that he learned about Bergdahl’s desertion by watching CNN.
Per my comment above:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/06/03/wartime-messages-to-parents-fellow-soldiers-reveal-troubled-bergdahl/
Bergdahls’ not just a deserter but a traitor. Too bad we don’t shoot traitors anymore or President Historic First would have already been in front of a pock-marked wall by now.
southpaw, boils down to laziness and incompetence
Just one traitorous SOB recognizing another kindred soul and facilitating his return to the US.
Yancey, I assume you read neo’s new post where it is revealed that BO knew of the political downside two years before this happened, and the swap was vetoed in part because Panetta said it was too risky politically, but it happened now quickly and with “forced consensus”.
Incompetence, ignorance and laziness are not consistent with the facts. No one had to let the Bergdahls into the Rose Garden after they got a look at them.
Also, no one is claiming that Bergdahl’s release was the prime or only motivation. Getting as many enemy soldiers back on the field fighting America, appeasing our enemies, weakening America and making us a laughing stock, are factors also.
Plus, whatever bad stuff happens in satisfaction of the hatred BO has for America.
I heard they’ve cancelled Bergdahl’s home coming parade in Kandahar, Idaho. More evidence – to me anyway – that although information about his treasoness nature was plentiful, it might not have been that well known. The reporting a couple of days ago from his home town was they were all very excited to get him back, and hadn’t given up hope for 5 years. Evidently, the actual story about his “capture” wasn’t that well known in his own home town.
Rumour has it that after Berg was “taken”, US locations were attacked that had been left alone for quite some time.
Evidently, the actual story about his “capture” wasn’t that well known in his own home town.
They knew as much as the rest of us. They just closed their eyes and wished the “malevolence” away, preferring to think better thoughts.
Anyone cognizant of how US and Taliban forces handle “prisoners” would know something abnormal had occurred. US superior forces in Afghanistan generally save the last bullet for themselves, before capture. Taliban dragging US prisoners, are forced to kill them due to a number of combat field conditions, resistance, etc. Those that couldn’t face it, eventually either left or got reassigned somewhere else. Fear of the enemy, though, can make anyone a good shooter.
With enough hate, anyone can see what they refused to see before. That will be necessary to fight the LEft, otherwise people freeze and the enemy caps them in the head.
If American patriots cannot convince Americans that hate is necessary… then so be it. Let the Leftist alliance convince people that there is a need for hate. They are much better at “changing the world”. Even if that change leads to hell, that will certainly “convince” people.
People generally believe whatever they want to be true. People have neither the will, strength, nor the education to comprehend the Truth. The cost of that knowledge is pain, blindness, and despair. Bliss and ignorance are far better places to be, for most people.
I think many people are on the right track here.
The exchange happened because Emir Hussein Obama needed to get the VA scandal off the front page, mission accomplished! He sent Susan Rice out there to lie through her teeth again promoting Bergdhal as a hero.
As Ace states, the left considers anti-American soldiers as heroes.
Obama knew what the score was from the beginning.
Bergdhal is his kind of soldier. He was useful to Obama the way the VA is useful in eliminating conservative Americans.
Does anyone think the VA is going to get fixed?
Of course not. It is working exceedingly well for Obama’s purpose.
I don’t think people are forgetting about the VA scandal. It’s ongoing and what stays in the headlines for longer than a week? Nothing. Unless its a media led great event like Sterling or the missing plane.
But, seriously, this scandal doesn’t make Benghazi or the VA go away. It unites them.
Tonawanda,
I read it, but I am not sure that Bergdahl’s details were what scuttled the deal in the past- I view the release of the Taliban honchos as what held that up. I am still trying to figure out just why, precisely, the White House tried to make Bergdahl seem like a returning a hero. The easiest explanation is that they simply didn’t know.
Berg story distinctly resembles what happened with Kerry and the Swift Boat crowd. Berg and Kerry were both good soldiers if you asked only them.
I loved the Swifties and I hope the same befalls our esteemed Emir Hussein al-Hawaii the Magnificent and All-Knowing, into whose ear only Allah speaks.
ghost707
Is an example of a person that has been freed from social shackles and limitations, through seeing evil for what it is, and thus there is little to no fear of being hated by evil. Humans only fear hate of other humans. We don’t fear being hated by ants. Well, except people who fear ants.
Until most of the country is like this, things will not be ready for US Civil War II. So 15 years, it is proceeding as predicted.
“it may be that the release of these particular prisoners wasn’t just a reluctant move in order to free Bergdahl, it may be more accurate to say that Bergdahl’s release was negotiated at this point in time in order to free the Taliban Five.”
Exactly what I thought immediately.
The release was a done deal that Obama tried to get 2 years ago; Bergdahl was supposed to sweeten it for public consumption.
The only one I can think of is that the president has sympathies for islamic militants. This is too scary a thought for me to contemplate.
Unfortunately, this is something we’re All going to have to contemplate.
“Until most of the country is like this, things will not be ready for US Civil War II. So 15 years, it is proceeding as predicted.”
Oh no, I will be, if still alive, 81 in 15 years. My eyesight might hold steady for 15 years, but my right knee will still be waiting for knee replacement surgery under single player. If we are to have a reprise of the civil war let it be soon. After I fire a few rounds I want to be able to change my firing position somewhat faster than a sloth. 😉
Parker you can get your wheel chair outfitted with an RPG launcher and a 30mm cannon.
A decade in the future, we’ll have humans attached to the outside of helicopters firing the autocannons. Because all the silicon, gold, and computers were outsourced to China.
Don Carlos:
I’ve been thinking of the Swift Vets and Kerry, as well.
southpaw,
I’m a bolt action big bore guy and an aficionado of 357 revolvers (I own 3), but I would gladly have a few rpgs mounted on my future wheelchair, along with a few stinger missiles at my disposal. Which in a more serious vane leads me to believe how underestimated we are in the eyes of DC. We bitter clingers in the south and flyover country are far more capable of making serious mischief than towel heads.
BTW, read Unintended Consequences by John Ross.
The FBI caught a Democrat campaign operator (he’s not that Chip guy here, was it) with an IED assembly line in the guy’s apartment.
This was when the guy was found under the GOlden Gate Bridge in CA.
Watching the discombobulation of the Left is fun and sad at the same time. Obama was so eager, wasn’t he, from the beginning speech at Cairo to this latest transaction. Hey, Obama, get a clue: they don’t like you. They think you’re an apostate.
The whole of Obama’s foreign policy can be summed up in this: He thinks we can be friends with Islam. Thus Isreal, Turkey, Boko . . .
I’ve been watching “Warlords” on Hulu. That Roosevelt and even Churchill, to some degree (I thought there was something else in Stalin beside the totalitarian, something relating back to his seminary days, something of a Christian gentlemen-paraphrased.) thought the same of Stalin led to the cold war.
Wishful thinking because the alternative is just so uncomfortable and demanding?
Over at another blog someone had the temerity to point out that the Bergdahl show coincided with the visit of the shadowy 44th and the outing of the CIA station chief.