Posted on 07/21/2009 2:12:11 PM PDT by Jack L. Lee
Soldier caputred by Taliban.
First, nobody knows for sure all the details of how PFC Bergdahl came to be making a video for a repressive and brutal enemy, but what we do know is this: Bowe Bergdahl freely volunteered for military service and he took an oath to protect and defend the United States of America against all enemies.
We know he walked off his base located in enemy territory and without his weapon. It was an area occupied by the Taliban and the Taliban have only recently killed over 30 American soldiers. We're having a rough time of it over here.
We know this action by PFC Bergdahl was a violation of a direct order, something we in the military take very seriously. Going AWOL in a time of war is one thing, going to the enemy is another and we don't know which he did yet. But, we do know the Taliban are the people who made it possible for 9-11 to happen, or have we all forgot those scenes where thousands of Americans died horrific deaths? Again, we don't know the exact circumstances here and hopefully we will learn more as time passes.
This was a dangerous time in a dangeroius place when his brother soldier's y lives are at risk daily. What else do we know? Well, we know that every soldier must do his sworn duty especially in a war, if not for the love of his country, then for their brother and sister soldiers who depend on them for their survival.
We know... being in enemy hands has been a huge propaganda bonanza for the Taliban and for that matter for all of America's enemies, including Al Qeada.
This is what we DO know and on the face of it, it doesn't look good for PFC Bergdahl, .... and if later on it turns out that this young soldier did defect to the enemy then it is an act of treason. If he didn't defect, he still has a lot of questions to answer!
Every soldier understands their solemn oath and what it means if they violate that oath, especially in a time of war (declared or not..it doesn't matter, combat is combat). I am sure PFC Bergdahl was smart enough to know all this too and it makes me wonder all the more how he came to be in such a predicament?
So, this is what we know - you can fill in the blanks if you want, I won't. However, in consideration of what we DO know, it is reasonable to say now is not the time to empower the Taliban by wringing our hands over PCF Bergdahl and sounding off about how much we want Bowe back home. I say this for his sake. News about him lessens the chances that they would ever let him go. Only when his value is diminished will the Taliban even consider his release. Right now, he is incredibly valuable to them and the more you want him back the more value he has to the enemy, it's that simple.
Maybe some day if he has been very helpful and does all the right things the Taliban might release him alive, but not before America has paid a heavy price. You have to understand that right now PCF Bergdahl is aiding and abetting the enemy (that is a fact be it willingly or otherwise)... PLEASE don't you do the same!
If you support our troops, and if you want to support PCF Bergdahl and get him released, then keep it out of the media and deny the enemy is propaganda value.
We should always leave the door open for PCF Bergdahl and assume nothing about his guilt or his capture except what we know for sure.
we should pray for him, for God to sort it out and keep him close.
I will wait until I know more before I will go so far to say that I know he went AWOL.
I know this...he is an American citizen who, as you say, volunteered for service and then deployed willingly to a war zone. I think that is all most of us "know" at this point, and until I know more as a result of verified confirmed reports (which the military is not going to release for a long time), I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
I do not like what wa ssaid in the interview...but he is in the total control of what we know are viscious and heartless enemies who will do whatever they can do to him to make the most of their propogada.
I pray for this young man, because he is a young man and he is in mortal danger and harms way. I also pray for his loved ones to be comforted and strengthened for what lies ahead.
Just curious... all of these statements where you say “we know”... do you really know? Are you privy to the military investigation regarding this incident?
Yeah, I hadn’t heard he “walked off the base unarmed”.
Need links to reputable sources stating he “defected”.
I’m reserving judgement one way or another. The news that a soldier walked off base without his gun hit first. Then the news that he had been “captured”. The order and how he got off base smells to me, but I’ll wait and see what the story ends up being.
I’m from Bowe’s home State and the local radio talk shows here, that also serve his home town, are filled with callers saying we should support him and such. Not one that I heard entertained the possibility that he was deserter, or worse.
If he *thought* he was sneaking off for a poker game, or a hooka party or whatever with the natives or something like that I’ll probably give him the benefit of the stupidity doubt ...
But if it turns out he was purposefully leaving his post not to come back far as I’m concerned the Taliban can have him and we get him on the field of battle, ala John Walker Lindh, or we go in and capture him and try him as a criminal under USMCJ.
That said the Lt Col that was on Fox should have kept his mouth shut. What he said was for his office, not for public consumption.
Just to add to the story....Maybe 0buma is behind it..”Let’s show that the Islamic Taliban can be “kind” to it’s prisoners....You up for the job soldier?”
Ok but who is David Tsang ???
temporary insanity
Trying to keep an open mind on all of this... from what is reported, I cannot disagree with you. I recall early on, also reading that he might have been “upset” or questions about his mood/attitude/stability? It does not seem to be a situation of he went outside the fence for a cigarette and some Taliban just happened by at that moment the captured him. I think there is more to the story. That said, prayers for his safety and strength for his family.
Manic depression...
Michelle Malkin had this collection of information — exactly what happened, none of us knows
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/07/20/questions-about-the-reported-abduction-of-pfc-bowe-bergdahl/
So he’s a nut case or the gov has put him up to this...maybe.
I agree with you...no one knows how he ended up in the enemy’s hands.
I do not put it past this administration to set forth lies to their complacent media lemmings so that when the horrible news does dome forward, that he has been found dead...that the administration can sweep the truth under the rug and let the lies reign across our country as truth.
A la Clinton, burned churches, downed airplanes, bombed buildings and other liberal lies that the media happily reported.
Prayers to this young man, to his family and for the community that grieves for him as well.
Conversion to Islam?
Can’t help with such a link because as far as I know nobody is saying he defected. If you read that into my story, then you should re-read it. I never said that.
My point is simple All of the stories are from unconfirmed sources, they are hearsay at this point, and many of them conflict. Nothing official has been released and I will not say that I know he is AWOL until there is something much more difinitive than these "alleged" and "unconfirmed" reports.
Until that time, I will give him the benefit of the doubt...I will presume he is innocent of wrong doing and base that on his volunteering to join the sefvice and go in harms way.
It was not too long ago, when a bunch of Congressmen, and even the JAGS in our own military were claiming terrible things about soldiers in Haditha. Many of us gave those soldiers the benefit of the doubt, and stuck with them, despite the horrific charges made against them. Thos e charges ultimately proved to be false.
That sword cust both ways and I will give this young man the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
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