Posted on 06/11/2014 6:23:23 AM PDT by don-o
Conaway (TX) is blistering CH. “You don’t trust Congress.”
conoway (R - TX)calling Hagel to account for not notifying congress and discussion about Hagel not trusting congress
Barber - D - AZ
Asks Hagel if we could have gotten a better deal (prefaced by leaving no one behind - vets who asked about the deal)
Hagel looks angry
Will give no specifics on why the Regime believes that the Five are not a danger to America. Just that they really, really believe it.
I find it interesting that the Democrats are all referring to the leave no man behind on this issue but were content when no effort was made to get to Benghazi to save our Ambassador and the other soldiers.
I find it interesting that the Democrats are all referring to the leave no man behind on this issue but were content when no effort was made to get to Benghazi to save our Ambassador and the other soldiers.
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absolutely - this should be the response when they use this talking point.
Lamborn - R - CO
Was there a peace treaty ?
Hagel: We couldn’t wait
Was this a deal with terrorists?
Hagel: president - prisoner exchange
Was the Afghan gov brought in on the decision?
Hagel: No
How is this NOT a deal with terrorists?
Hagel: Taliban was never designated as terrorist organization
Hagel: No question they are bad guys.
SHAZAM!
“Principle concern with BB is his health.”
Question arises, will he EVER be well enough?
Hagel refers to Afghanistan as 'the so-called war.'
One of the rules established at the beginning of the hearing was no questions about Bergdahl.
by Hank Johnson (now available in paperback)
Hagel enters and shakes hands.
No American flag on his lapel, unlike others in the room.
Makes sense because Hagel does not trust Congress.
But he does trust the Quataris. As he admits.
Like an FR dialogue, results questionable.
Let me see if I have this straight. We’re holding a hearing on whether or not the administration was justified in swapping the five Talibans for Bergdahl, but we can’t ask questions about Bergdahl. What idiot(s) agreed to that ground rule?
That’s like not being able to ask questions about guns in the Fast & Furious hearings.
Is that speculation or verifiable fact?
The chairman did suggest that discussion of Bergdahl at this hearing was beyond the scope. He's right - the hearing is to get information on the 30 day notification requirement that was ignored.
We do not want testimony specifically about Bergdahl at this point. The process has to work in proper order with him.
Hagel: I don’t know the relationship between the Taliban and Haqqanis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3xtacOOOI
Speaking of the Bergdahl exchange, Hagel declared “we complied with the law, and we did what we believed was in the best interests of our country, our military, and Sergeant Bergdahl.”
“The President has constitutional responsibilities and constitutional authorities to protect American citizens and members of our armed forces. That’s what he did,” Hagel said. “America does not leave its soldiers behind. We made the right decision, and we did it for the right reasons — to bring home one of our own people.”
“We could have done a better job of keeping you informed,” Hagel said, noting that only a few hours elapsed between making the final arrangements with the Taliban through the government of Qatar, which mediated the exchange deal.
“As the opportunity to obtain Sergeant Bergdahl’s release became clearer, we grew increasingly concerned that any delay, or any leaks, could derail the deal and further endanger” him, Hagel said.
“We were told by the Qataris that a leak, any leak, would end the negotiation for Bergdahl’s release. We also knew that he would be extremely vulnerable during any movement, and our military personnel conducting the handoff would be exposed to a possible ambush or other deadly scenarios in very dangerous territory,” he said.
“I value the Defense Department’s partnership with Congress and the trust we have developed over the years,” Hagel told the committee. “I know that trust has been broken.”
“Our entire intelligence community carefully analyzed every part of it and concluded that Sergeant Bergdahl’s health was poor and possibly declining. This gave us growing urgency to act,” he said.
Hagel also complained about the politicization of the Bergdahl exchange and said he was “offended and disappointed in how the Bergdahl family has been treated by some people” amid the controversy over the release.
“We didn’t negotiate with Haqqani,” Hagel said, adding that Bergdahl was moved around during his five years of captivity while conceding the terrorist network did hold him at times.
Hagel emphasized the negotiations for Bergdahl’s release were conducted through the Qatari government, which dealt with the Taliban.
“It was fully consistent with our long-standing policy not to offer concessions to hostage takers,” Hagel said. “The Taliban is our enemy, and we are engaged in an armed conflict with them.”
“We have acknowledged that some of these individuals could attempt to return to activities that are of concern. The President said so explicitly on his trip last week,” she said. “But we have confidence that we will be in a position to go after them if, in fact, they are engaging in activities that threaten our defenses.”
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/11/politics/bowe-bergdahl-release/
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White House: Yes, The Taliban Is a Terrorist Organization
June 4, 2014
By JOHN PARKINSON and LEE FERRAN
via Good Morning America
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