by Jack
Allegedly, 5 years ago Sgt. Bowie Bergdahl slipped away from his base in Afghanistan, determined to make his way into the mountains and live off the land to avoid his army service. His escapade (allegedly) ended very quickly when he walked into an Afghan village looking for water. The Taliban were alerted and immediately pounced on him. He has been held as a captive ever since. We’ve heard from Bergdahl several times during his captivity through videos made by the Taliban, seeking to exploit their captive.
The media today was not talking very much about how Bergdahl came to be in Taliban custody. Almost since the first day he turned up missing the Army has put a tight lid on it’s investigation. But, in the earliest part of his disappearance from the Army details from several sources leaked out and it did not look good for Bergdahl.
Those early accounts painted a picture of a troubled soldier, a loner, a strange misfit, that deserted his fellow soldiers in a combat zone. Since the first version of his alleged desertion went public several other versions have come out. One version was from Bergdahl. It came in the form of a video made by his Taliban captors. He claimed that he was on patrol and became separated from his unit and was captured. There’s nothing to substantiate this story, however earlier sources claimed Bergdahl left behind a note in his barracks saying he was deserting. He allegedly changed into civilian clothing, took only a knife with him and walked off base dressed like on of the local civilian workers.
“In the past week, detailed negotiations culminated in an agreement for a Taliban delegation to bring Sergeant Bergdahl across the border to Afghanistan, where he would be retrieved by American Special Operations troops.
Mr. Obama called the emir of Qatar on Tuesday, and they gave each other assurances about the proposed transfers, an administration official said Saturday.
Sergeant Bergdahl was handed over about 7 p.m. local time without incident with the Special Operations troops spending only a few minutes on the ground, said American officials, who did not disclose the swap’s location in Afghanistan. Taliban officials, though, said the exchange was carried out in Khost Province.”
Obama violates the law and releases dangerous terrorists from Guantanamo to trade for Bergdahl: “Among other complications, there was a potential legal obstacle: Congress has imposed statutory restrictions on the transfer of detainees from Guantánamo Bay. The statutes say the secretary of defense must determine that a transfer is in the interest of national security, that steps have been taken to substantially mitigate a future threat by a released detainee, and that the secretary notify Congress 30 days before any transfer of his determination.
In this case, the secretary, Chuck Hagel, acknowledged in a statement that he did not notify Congress ahead of time. When Mr. Obama signed a bill containing the latest version of the transfer restrictions into law, he issued a signing statement claiming that he could lawfully override them under his executive powers.
“The executive branch must have the flexibility, among other things, to act swiftly in conducting negotiations with foreign countries regarding the circumstances of detainee transfers,” he wrote in the signing statement, adding that if the restrictions “operate in a manner that violates constitutional separation of powers principles, my administration will implement them in a manner that avoids the constitutional conflict.”
Bergdahl is in US custody, but he has a lot of questions to answer before he is re-united with his family. In fact, he could be facing a Courts Marshal by the look of it. “President Obama personally called the soldier’s parents on Saturday, shortly after Sergeant Bergdahl was transferred to the American military; the Bergdahl family was in Washington after a visit here for Memorial Day, officials said.
Later on Saturday in the White House Rose Garden, Mr. Obama, flanked by Bob and Jani Bergdahl, the sergeant’s parents, said, “Right now, our top priority is making sure that Bowe gets the care and support that he needs, and that he can be reunited with his family as soon as possible.”
The Bergdahls, who have waged a tireless campaign for their son’s release, have sometimes criticized the Obama administration for lack of action. But at the impromptu Rose Garden appearance and in a statement released earlier in the day, they praised the American and Qatari governments for their help. “We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our only son,” they said in the statement. “Today, we are ecstatic!”
Hey Jack, Bob here…or Crazy Bob as Chris calls me 🙂
(One of your crazy radicals 🙂 )
All yer years on the force you ever see a guy like this?
from http://www.coasttocoastam.com
tonight’s show
1am – 5am ET
10pm – 2am PT
Edward Edwards, Serial Killer
Sat 05-31
Dave Schrader (email) welcomes retired police detective from Great Falls, Montana, John A. Cameron, who’ll recount the case of the most notorious serial killer you’ve never heard of– Edward Wayne Edwards, who killed scores of people of all ages over a sixty-six-year period and was never caught (for murder).
Thanks Crazy Bob!
Damn, Crazy Bob, great radio! And to think I have hated Coast To Coast for decades.
This link below is to the most recent article I read.
Why all this hurry up urgency from the Obama group (Congress, I don’t need no stinking Congress, I have a pen and Phone!) other than maneuver this as a way to release prisoners, for nothing more than political hoity-toity. It would be nice to see the same sudden urgency applied to Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi in Mexico or the woman and American Children in a Sudan stink-hole of a prison
And daresay we are right by holding them, how many more people will die due to the release of these 5?
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/bowe-bergdahl-released/hagel-congress-kept-dark-swap-because-bergdahls-life-danger-n119551?ocid=msnhp&pos=2
Harold I don’t know how many more will die because of their release, but I know that people will die and it’s Obama’s fault. He knew what Bergdahl did and what he thought of the Army and America before he deserted (allegedly) I think they are kindred spirits and so he went all out for him.
The Obama administration motto: Let no deserter be left behind.
Trading five terrorists for one deserter. Do we really need a president so willing to be extorted? The message has been sent. The terrorists win.
Pie…great motto. Obama and Bergdahl seem to have a lot in common when it comes to how they feel about America and our military.
Off Topic
It is a lovely Sunday. Check out the beautiful soap bar pickup 1950’s era Les Paul in this rendition of “Sleep Walk” —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5uDooGp_dw&feature=youtu.be
Bergdahl’s father in a Tweet, since removed, says he’s working to close Gitmo.
http://allenbwest.com/2014/06/bergdahls-fathers-deleted-tweet-smoking-gun/
This whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test. Negotiating with terrorist. Exchanging one low-level possible deserter for five mid to high-level terrorist is not an even exchange.
Bergdahl’s release was highly covered at the annual Rolling Thunder Ride to The Wall over the Memorial Day weekend. His parents were there for the event and were still there to stand with Obama in the Rose Garden a week later.
This was a political stunt. Hearing Obama say, “We don’t leave our men behind,” was an attempt to off-set the four who died and the 30 who survived in Benghazi and the thousands of Vets left to die and suffer while on wait list.
His “Icy” reception by the West Point cadets and the tens of thousands attendees for Obama and his commencement speech had to motivate his handlers to do something to make him look good. And with the Bergdahl’s release demand coverage during the Memorial Day rally in DC it was the perfect opportunity to give Obama the news coverage he needed.
So, we got one, they got five. Sorta like five nickels for one quarter? Hardly.
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2014/05/good-breaking-news-sergeant-bergdahl-has-been-freed.html
And, by negotiating with terrorists, our Incompetent-in-Chief has placed a target on the backs of each and every American overseas.
And it’s only a matter of time ’till the Gitmo boys are out terrorizing the Afghanis again or plotting another attack on anyone other than a muslim
Smooth move, Mr. Prez . . . . . . .
J. Soden, you are soooooo right. Obama has damaged national security and place us all at greater risk by cutting a sweet deal for the Taliban with these killers. We owed Bergdahl nothing, he chose his own fate.
Very interesting show.
Speaking of serial killers the DemoNcrats are killing the economcy. Last quarter the economy contracted.
This sums it up
http://http://rense.com/1.imagesH/20140530_obamanomics_0.jpg
oops…
http://rense.com/1.imagesH/20140530_obamanomics_0.jpg
And Obammie’s shill unexpectedly resigns…why Chris, why? Maybe his conscience got the best of him??? Nah, he’s a DemoNcrat.
Obama’s spokesman Jay Carney unexpectedly resigns
Looks like we’re stuck with obammiecare forever….thsnks, good for nothing Republicans…
GOP candidates show signs of retreat on full Obamacare repeal as midterms approach
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-candidates-show-signs-of-retreat-on-full-obamacare-repeal-as-midterms-approach/2014/05/30/3c175b30-e5ab-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html
Catching Up On Benghazi —
Belated but still timely must view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yymb61kORfk
Re #7 Peggy : There is no question in my mind. He deserted his post and endangered his fellow soldiers.
May Allah embrace them —
It is a lovely Sunday. Check out the beautiful soap bar pickup 1950′s era Les Paul in this rendition of “Sleep Walk”
Nice.
It is a lovely Sunday. Check out the beautiful soap bar pickup 1950′s era Les Paul in this rendition of “Sleep Walk”
How did you find this, Pie?
I bet even a liberal like Chris would like this, but I could be wrong.
Crazy Pie Guevara at #17…they look terrible don’t they? The abuse must have been horrendous!
Knowing that the people are against it;
knowing that Congress will not agree;
The Big Zero will use the EPA to impose a heavy burden on everyone.
Such a stupid idea will takeaway the advantage the US now has = cheap energy.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-epa-rule-20140601-story.html#page=1
Tell me The Devil Incarnate is not trying to kill the USA as we know it.
Because I would hate to think what He could try if he wasn’t trying now.
Re: #19 Crazy Bob : “How did you find this, Pie?”
A very good friend, knowing that I am a aficionado of 1950’s era Gibson guitars and slide guitar playing, sent it to me in an email.
Check this out —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb0A2RLE32U
and this —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwfqsjimRM
and this (not slide, but beautiful none the less) —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vyu7jAnwZs
By the way, Chris is an idiot. Quintessential liberal putz. Take anything he posts with a grain of salt.
A timely review.
Well heck, as long as we’re hijacking threads, Leo Kottke has always been one of my favorites…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF3kbVp23kk
Here he is in his younger days (late 70’s)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEWH2Sc39FI
Another good one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlyunWX6Y9s
Re #23 Tina : Thanks for the reality check. I love Bill.
Re #24 RHT447 : Great stuff! Hijack anytime.
Re #28 Crazy Bob : Oh yeah. Thanks!
Re #9 J. Soden : Soden always hits the mark.
SUNDAY HIJACK! I think we should make this a regular Post Scripts commenter feature. See y’all next Sunday —
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pcgZZvM_Vw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ixAfJ1LuI
Re #34 Post Scripts :In my 20’s I was shot by a low life criminal scum bag (whom I had never known or met before and who evidently mistook me for one of his enemies) which completely paralyzed my left arm. Before then I had seriously studied and played flamenca and classical guitar for nearly ten years.
For my entire adult life I have suffered from severe peripheral neuropathy in my left arm (which I regained some limited use of after nerve surgery). It is a pain that no drug can alleviate. We all have our crosses to bear. Sometimes I tire of the constant pain and sleep is my only relief.
Nevertheless, I still am enthusiastic over gifted players. Here is another —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Attgt8xMgYo
Julian Bream —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rzzKztnenQ
Segovia —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf00PYvWWvI
Nuevo Flamenca —
Paco De Lucia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGfx_e4Dhk8
Paco Pena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnyM6D4LxbY
Armik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njUUWoJ6Rm8&list=ALNb4maWNoT6Rm7Lj85Oj2aXeoqMZPz97c