Bowe and Bob Bergdahl

BedellBrave said:
And why exactly is the father a "wack job"?

Because he is likely a libertarian? Because he disagrees with neocon foreign policy? Because he's been studying all he can to help him in seeking the release of his son?
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The Dad is upset and I get that, but what is the relevancy? And who cares what the son was barring some shocking revelation? Unless he's some super soldier what does it matter? We traded 5 fairly high ranking Taliban members for what appears to be a rather nonspecialist soldier. I agree that 5 years in Taliban prison is a fitting punishment at least for a deserter so let's leave that alone. But let's leave emotion alone as well. Why was this a good deal for the USA outside of emotion? Is there something we don't know in regards to intelligence? It's possible. But there should be questions here.

Do the liberals on this board truly not have some concerns about this deal? I wonder if they will ever be honest with themselves.
 
gilesfan said:
Or you could watch the video of him posted earlier. Or listed to him speak at the White House.
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I've already given you an alternative read of that opening statement he made. Until he publicly recites the shahada, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
 
weso1 said:
The Dad is upset and I get that, but what is the relevancy? And who cares what the son was barring some shocking revelation? Unless he's some super soldier what does it matter? We traded 5 fairly high ranking Taliban members for what appears to be a rather nonspecialist soldier. I agree that 5 years in Taliban prison is a fitting punishment at least for a deserter so let's leave that alone. But let's leave emotion alone as well. Why was this a good deal for the USA outside of emotion? Is there something we don't know in regards to intelligence? It's possible. But there should be questions here.

Do the liberals on this board truly not have some concerns about this deal? I wonder if they will ever be honest with themselves.
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How do you know the last 5 years were punishment for him?
 
weso1 said:
I get that, but I'm still not sure what makes this a good deal for the US unless you make some assumptions or give the benefit of the doubt to a White House that maybe doesn't deserve it.
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Fair enough. I'm not saying it's a "good deal." I'm saying that the way it's being cast isn't quite accurate.
 
As of last year when the church was closed, the Bergdahls (not Bowe), were members in good standing of Sovereign Redeemer Presbyterian Church (OPC). Could they have secretly converted to Islam since? Maybe. But even if they had, something I would lament, I can still rejoice that their son has been released.

If their son faces justice for a crime, so be it.

Btw, Bowe never was a professing believer in Christ, to my knowledge.
 
Julio3000 said:
Fair enough. I'm not saying it's a "good deal." I'm saying that the way it's being cast isn't quite accurate.
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Nobody really knows what the full story is here. It's entirely possible the US feels they can keep tabs on these 5 guys. It's a good trade if the US can do that. I think the Idaho soldier being a deserter is irrelevant. But if it's just politics then it could be a bad deal for the US.
 
weso1 said:
The Dad is upset and I get that, but what is the relevancy? And who cares what the son was barring some shocking revelation? Unless he's some super soldier what does it matter? We traded 5 fairly high ranking Taliban members for what appears to be a rather nonspecialist soldier. I agree that 5 years in Taliban prison is a fitting punishment at least for a deserter so let's leave that alone. But let's leave emotion alone as well. Why was this a good deal for the USA outside of emotion? Is there something we don't know in regards to intelligence? It's possible. But there should be questions here.

Do the liberals on this board truly not have some concerns about this deal? I wonder if they will ever be honest with themselves.
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I'm not a liberal. But I have concerns with the deal. That's an aside from what I am saying to gilesfan, though.
 
BedellBrave said:
I'm not a liberal. But I have concerns with the deal. That's an aside from what I am saying to gilesfan, though.
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On the one hand you have the President saying terrorism is still our greatest threat, yet on the other you see him letting these 5 Taliban members go. The Taliban members aren't terrorists, yet I think it's pretty clear they are enablers. The only logical progression is that maybe the CIA has tabs on these guys. If that's the case then I am all for it and I understand that I may not and shouldn't understand all the details. But it's hard for me to believe this White House is doing that. I would like to believe it, but why should I? Why should I believe this White House is putting their own interest below the interest of the US?\If they are then I give them full credit, but their own misleading on multiple issues have caused me to seriously doubt this.
 
weso1 said:
On the one hand you have the President saying terrorism is still our greatest threat, yet on the other you see him letting these 5 Taliban members go. The Taliban members aren't terrorists, yet I think it's pretty clear they are enablers. The only logical progression is that maybe the CIA has tabs on these guys. If that's the case then I am all for it and I understand that I may not and shouldn't understand all the details. But it's hard for me to believe this White House is doing that. I would like to believe it, but why should I? Why should I believe this White House is putting their own interest below the interest of the US?\If they are then I give them full credit, but their own misleading on multiple issues have caused me to seriously doubt this.
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I'm not saying you should. My posts in this thread have been more about Bowe and Bob. Again, I've got my questions and my concerns about the transaction (i.e., it's legality and wisdom). I hope there's more going on than meets the eye. I hope there is good actionable intel that results from this. But I also hope we are out of there sooner, rather than later, a lot sooner.
 
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