PFC. Bowe Bergdahl Controversy ( POW, Deserter, Traitor? )

[Big Lutz]

Figured I would start a topic based on the brewing controversy over Bergdahl and his release from the Taliban.

The Facts
PFC. Bowe Bergdahl was captured in 2009, held in captivity by the Taliban for 5 years as a POW. He was recently released in exchange for the release of 5 high ranking Taliban Prisoners. The 5 Taliban Prisoners will be held inside of Qatar for 1 year before being allowed to return to Afghanistan, by this time U.S. involvement will largely be over and there would be no reason to hold the Taliban prisoners at that time anyway.

The Controversy
From reports, as well as letters sent home to his parents, Bowe Bergdahl had become disillusioned with the war and America, he had sent his uniform home as well as other personal artifacts of his. After his duty shift he left his weapon and gear in his tent, took a knife, a compus, and a canteen of water and left the army base. After that he was taken by the Taliban, or allowed himself to get captured as some say he sought them out. For months the army searched for him, Taliban tactics became far more lethal and soldiers died in the hunt to find him. Furthermore his father during this time has seemingly become a full on nutcase and may actually be sympathizing with the Taliban now, possibly hinting at his son's allegiance.

As this incident seems to be dominating the news now, ranging from "feel good story" to questions of "court martial" I figured I would start a topic to discuss these events. Was he a POW? Was he merely a disillusioned deserter? Or was he a full blown Traitor?

 

[Big Lutz]

Moving this to Serious Business as it is rather not political, if this thread turns more toward Obama's decision to get him back then I will move it back to the Campaign Bus.

 

[Dorothy LaRouge]

The fact that he deserted is irrelevant. If any other American had been captured and held prisoner as he was, this would still be a feel-good story upon his release.

 

[Big Lutz]

Interesting article from CNN from the Team Leader of Bergdahl's squad says that they picked up talk of him actively seeking out the Taliban.

Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow was the team leader with Bowe Bergdahl the night Bergdahl disappeared.

"Bergdahl is a deserter, and he's not a hero," says Buetow. "He needs to answer for what he did."

Within days of his disappearance, says Buetow, teams monitoring radio chatter and cell phone communications intercepted an alarming message: The American is in Yahya Khel (a village two miles away). He's looking for someone who speaks English so he can talk to the Taliban.

"I heard it straight from the interpreter's lips as he heard it over the radio," said Buetow. "There's a lot more to this story than a soldier walking away."

Bergdahl's team leader: Intercepted radio chatter said he sought talks with the Taliban – The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs

 

[Kadabra]

That is quite interesting, indeed. Looks like they'll need to launch a thorough investigation, then.

 

[Dorothy LaRouge]

[video=youtube;o2EiFQXTwVM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2EiFQXTwVM[/video]

In which Oliver North of all people wonders if a ransom was paid which would go towards funding terrorists.

(Iran-Contra was what again?)

 

[Big Lutz]

It's been confirmed that a cash payout was a opinion but was dropped

A military intelligence source also confirmed to Fox News that a second option — involving the payment of a cash ransom for Bergdahl’s freedom — was pursued as late as December 2013.
The source said the goal was to reach out to Pakistan leadership with direct ties to the Taliban, and float the possibility of trading cash, instead of prisoners, for Bergdahl. That option, though, was put “on hold” in December when it was made clear the administration intended to pursue a prisoner swap.

Intelligence officials confirmed to Fox News that the Bergdahl prisoner swap was then on an accelerated track, and no formal assessment of the entire intelligence community was conducted. This made the opportunity to push back against the transfer extremely limited.

Administration bypassed intel community to pursue Bergdahl trade, shelved ransom plan | Fox News

 

[Big Lutz]

It's been confirmed that a cash payout was a opinion but was dropped

A military intelligence source also confirmed to Fox News that a second option — involving the payment of a cash ransom for Bergdahl’s freedom — was pursued as late as December 2013.
The source said the goal was to reach out to Pakistan leadership with direct ties to the Taliban, and float the possibility of trading cash, instead of prisoners, for Bergdahl. That option, though, was put “on hold” in December when it was made clear the administration intended to pursue a prisoner swap.

Intelligence officials confirmed to Fox News that the Bergdahl prisoner swap was then on an accelerated track, and no formal assessment of the entire intelligence community was conducted. This made the opportunity to push back against the transfer extremely limited.

Administration bypassed intel community to pursue Bergdahl trade, shelved ransom plan | Fox News


Just wanted to throw this out too, if he did purposely abandon his unit to seek out and help the Taliban, help that caused numerous casualties afterwards. Should he be tried for treason and executed?