Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Obama Did Not Pardon Bergdahl
American Thinker ^ | January 28, 2017 | Jonathan F. Keiler

Posted on 01/28/2017 6:58:58 AM PST by Kaslin

Before he left office Barack Obama commuted more federal sentences than any other president in history, most famously that of former Army Private Bradley Manning, who divulged hundreds of thousands of classified documents and seriously damaged national security. Drug offenders were also high on Obama’s list. Notably absent was Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, whom Obama ransomed for several notorious Taliban terrorists, and Obama’s National Security Advisor proclaimed an American hero. Why did Manning get the nod and not Bergdahl?

Obama was far more personally invested in Bergdahl’s case, feting his parents in the Rose Garden upon the soldier’s release from Taliban captivity, and practically groping his mom, which even made liberal columnist Richard Cohen a bit queasy. But in deciphering Obama’s inaction on Bergdahl one first has to adopt the ex-president’s mindset, which might be summarized as “what’s in it for me?”

Obama had little to gain personally from intervening in Bergdahl’s case in his final days in office, despite the high cost we paid to recover the alleged deserter from Taliban captivity, and his own aide’s glowing words about Bergdahl, which surely reflected Obama’s own view at the time.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: barackhussein0bama; bergdahl; bho44; legacy; obama; pardons; worstpresidentever
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last
To: Bubba_Leroy

The Army is to blame for Manning. Just how did he get his clearance? Young, immature, and a poof!


21 posted on 01/28/2017 7:35:41 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Bubba_Leroy
Interesting. So he was after money?

The gay/transgender lobby and supporters are rich beyond belief (contrary to what they claim). So you might be right.

22 posted on 01/28/2017 7:38:34 AM PST by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

Yup. Ultimately.

I wonder if he had connections within the Army. Maybe a family member, friend, etc.


23 posted on 01/28/2017 7:40:36 AM PST by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: dhs12345

——Maybe Obama realized after the fact that Bergdahl was indeed a traitor and cost American lives.——

If ever a comment needed a sarcasm tag at the end, this is it...

After eight years of Obama I don’t understand how one can even consider that thought....

If anything Obama considers him a hero....you don’t trade five ruthless evil terrorist for one worthless POS....who should have lined up for a firing squad.


24 posted on 01/28/2017 7:41:46 AM PST by Popman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

Obama’s military spending cuts combined with Obama’s overall contempt for the U.S. military made it necessary for the Army to scrape the bottom of the barrel for recruits.

Please understand that I believe that the majority of young people choosing military service are among the best and brightest America has, but getting and keeping quality recruits is difficult when the Commander in Chief takes every opportunity to demonstrate his contempt for the U.S. military and to make life difficult for our soldiers.


25 posted on 01/28/2017 7:42:29 AM PST by Bubba_Leroy (The Obamanation has ended!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Not enough payola.


26 posted on 01/28/2017 7:48:24 AM PST by tiki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Exactly, Manning was pardoned because he/she is a mentally ill tranny-it makes no difference what he did. It’s the sexually confused mentally ill that 0 identifies with. Moochelle looks like a tranny and 0 is gay imo. Bergdahl is equally as mentally ill but never put the panties on.(but maybe in Afghanistan) The whole BB episode with the rose garden fondling, 25 million, 5 senior commanders, and untold other issues is mind boggling.


27 posted on 01/28/2017 7:49:34 AM PST by TnTnTn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

No the voters who elected Zero twice. (Any modern Rat would do the same!) are to blame. You put a left wing loon (which means any Rat!) in a position of responsibility meaning one that sets policy these thing will happen. They are constitutionally bound to happen! The Army or any part of the FEDGOV executive can only execute policy. Yeah yeah the Brass can resign. Some do, most hunker down and try to weather the storm thinking in four years sanity returns. It didn’t it lasted eight. Besides the American people seem to be very accepting of this ‘non-dangerous (maybe?) sociopathy’. The military is a reflection of society, society accepts the formerly unacceptable then so will the military. Facts don’t matter any more.


28 posted on 01/28/2017 7:57:35 AM PST by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: dhs12345

To rake in the really big Clinton-level bucks, Obama has to try and convince the left-wing billionaires, foundations, and foreign governments that he can help them retake power in the U.S.

That is how the Clintons kept the money rolling in during the Bush years. Even so, the Clintons did not rake in the really big bucks peddling influence until Hillary became Secretary of State and “President in Waiting” and had influence to sell.

Now the Clinton influence peddling business has crashed and they will be competing with the Obamas for the far left-wing scraps.


29 posted on 01/28/2017 7:58:47 AM PST by Bubba_Leroy (The Obamanation has ended!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“... feting his parents in the Rose Garden ...”

From the way he had the misses wrapped around him and separated from her husband, it looked like a bit more than ‘feting’ ...


30 posted on 01/28/2017 8:00:35 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Popman

I think that he was motivated solely by what people will think of him in the future and what will be written in history books of the future.

He probably thinks that he is responsible for gays being allowed to be married. This is just another “feather” in his cap — freeing a transgender man from jail. Gayness and transgenderism trumps all including putting his own party in a bind.

BTW, I am NOT at all justifying what Obama did. Just trying to analyze why he did it.


31 posted on 01/28/2017 8:01:23 AM PST by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: bigbob; Kaslin; CharlesOConnell; Pilgrim's Progress; dhs12345; Cen-Tejas

FTA: Obama has signaled in every way that his second act in public life will be as an unabashed man of the left

... or woman of the left. I think he might go in for the trans surgery himself. Especially if he is not getting enough media attention. Because for 0vomit everything is about me. Look at me! I, I, I, me, me, me.

Cen-Tejas, I read your post after typing the above. If I’m wrong, your post is my second guess. Or he might do both.


32 posted on 01/28/2017 8:01:55 AM PST by generally ( Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Bubba_Leroy
Oh ya, no doubt. The Clinton machine is dying and soon to be dead although I wonder if it can be resurrected with the mantra of a “Hillary: a woman scorned.” Only time will tell and, of course, if Hillary will be alive long enough. Her health is not very good.

Anyway, Obama has mentioned that he will remain active whatever that means. So, as you suggest, Obama will probably carry on.

33 posted on 01/28/2017 8:09:43 AM PST by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Bergdahl is both White and straight? That seems the most logical reason...


34 posted on 01/28/2017 8:11:13 AM PST by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dhs12345
Wow, this country is indeed screwed up.
Was. The times they are a changing.
35 posted on 01/28/2017 8:12:28 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: skimbell

You got that right


36 posted on 01/28/2017 8:13:38 AM PST by Kaslin ( Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: dhs12345

Left-wing rage and nostalgia are always good for a few million, but keeping the Clintons and Obamas living in the manner in which they are accustomed (and deserve, dammit) requires that they have actual influence to sell.


37 posted on 01/28/2017 8:15:13 AM PST by Bubba_Leroy (The Obamanation has ended!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Also as a male he has a prostate and women don’t


38 posted on 01/28/2017 8:17:25 AM PST by Kaslin ( Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: oh8eleven

Agreed. There is real “hope and change” coming.


39 posted on 01/28/2017 8:21:34 AM PST by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Who cares about either of those filthy muslims.

I am just HAPPY that it didn’t pardon Hillary.


40 posted on 01/28/2017 8:22:52 AM PST by Cowgirl of Justice
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson