Bergdahls 'really hurt' by outcry
Source: Idaho Statesman
Phil Proctor, now the pastor of Sterling Presbyterian Church in Sterling, Va., said Friday that Bob and Jani Bergdahl have been crushed by allegations that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl deserted and by his being labeled a traitor - not to mention an outpouring of anger directed at their family and their Idaho town.
"They have been really hurt," Proctor said, noting that they are trying to stay out of the picture for now.
Proctor said the Bergdahls were surprised by interviews they have seen with former platoon mates of their son. Some of the soldiers have told media outlets that they didn't support the exchange of five Taliban militants for his freedom.
"This very much hit them as a shock and I'm not sure anybody's got the full story," said Proctor, who is urging prayer and compassion for the family.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/06/07/3223233/bergdahls-really-hurt-by-outcry.html?sp=/99/1687/&ihp=1
Garion_55
(1,914 posts)but in the end if there is no proof he did, i hope he comes back and sues hannity, limbaugh, his platoonmates, fox and anyone else who slandered him and accused him of either desertion and aiding the enemy. i hope he takes all their houses.
they better be able to prove what they are accusing him of
wercal
(1,370 posts)Have the proof of life videos made over the years, Taliban release video, and Rose Garden announcement been enough to make Bergdahl a 'public figure'?
Garion_55
(1,914 posts)forget about the desertion thing.
if he did, lock his ass up. if he didnt, somthing should happen to the people who accused him publicly of it.
wercal
(1,370 posts)But over the years I have seen stories about such cases....and the bar for establishing that somebody is a public figure has become remarkably low.
unblock
(51,920 posts)i don't think getting captured and held hostage for 5 years counts as fame-seeking.
the father has gone on camera and made public statements, so i think he counts as a public figure.
i wouldn't think bergdahl himself would qualify at this point, though he likely will qualify as he is likely to make more public statements himself.
wercal
(1,370 posts)There is such a thing as an involuntary public figure....a term specifically referring to people accused (rightly or wrongly) of a crime.
Btw - I don't think we will be hearing anythng from Bowe Bergdahl for years. Nothing but downside.
Big_Mike
(509 posts)stated that he had walked out. The folks in his platoon said he walked out in that investigation. I don't know about deaths, but I saw a picture of a Sergeant First Class that was shot to doll rags but survived during the search for Bergdahl. Six members of his platoon have now come forward, despite Non-Disclosure Agreements to the press, stating that Bergdahl took off on his own, and that they had radio reports of him searching out Taliban forces.
At this moment, I will wait to see what the court-martial Convening Authority, the Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps decides to do. Frankly, I think he should go to trial to clear the air and determine what exactly happened. We won't know for a couple of months. We'll see then.
His parents are truly innocent here, and how can a town be blamed for this? Whatever happens to the young man, there is no blame that can accrue to his family or his hometown.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Taliban, according to the NYT. An intercept of villagers said there was a soldier looking for anyone who spoke English, but the looking-for-Taliban add-on came from one of his platoon-mates who said he heard that in the translation. The Pentagon has not established that anyone died searching for him, and said nothing of injuries, so I'd take any such reports with a little skepticism--because apparently after Bergdahl left, not only did scores of men die and get maimed because of him, but the IED's were more accurate, the attacks sneakier, the bees stung harder, the sunsets weren't as colorful, and so on. Until Bergdahl talks, everything is allegations and circumstantial evidence.
frylock
(34,825 posts)Troops were advised to BOLO while out on routine patrol.
Beacool
(30,243 posts)Once in CA and once in Afghanistan. He always came back. Could he be considered a deserter if he just wanted to take a walk to release steam? I don't know much about military rules.
CTyankee
(63,708 posts)If they are out there, and if they are as a DIRECT result of looking for Bergdahl, why isn't that picture on page 1 of every newspaper and media outlet in this country?
alfonso28
(10 posts)They stopped actively looking for him in July, and didn't get shot up until September.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)He should challenge those people
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)So he can recover.
What a mess
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Its just a bunch of Tea Party soldiers trying to use this as a political issue. These nutjobs will stoop to anything.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)are fuckers in my book because we don't leave anyone behind. What the hell? What if it was them?
Response to Garion_55 (Reply #1)
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OKNancy
(41,832 posts)everyone knows he walked off, no one is disputing that. He had done it several times before and came back.
The unit was poorly disciplined and I suspect he was bullied for being different.
I suggest you read other sources.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Its all about political gain, screw soldiers and the veterans well heck the whole lot of Americans. Corporate media at their finest as well. Condemned the man and blast his father. GOPers sent their hateful trolls out to viciously attack his hometown. Hateful sobs.
The creed of not leaving anyone behind and bring them home means nada to the GOPers. And as to desertions - whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty.
NorthCarolina
(11,197 posts)I could care less if he walked off or not, it was an illegal war anyway. I'm just glad he's home.
cynzke
(1,254 posts)Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban and held prisoner for five years. Desertions are up 80% since the Iraq war. No one is in a position to judge these soldiers. The brutal conditions they face on a daily basis takes its toll and we are not mentally and physically designed to withstand these conditions. Each instance of desertion involve specific circumstances unique to that incident. Here is an interesting and honest article concerning Bergdahl and his surroundings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/us/us-soldier-bowe-bergdahl-case-highlights-a-unit-known-for-troubles.html?_r=0
former9thward
(31,684 posts)Troops in WW II had much worse conditions and they were there for the duration of the war. The desertion rate was minimal.
laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)exactly the same.
former9thward
(31,684 posts)But that fact is irrelevant to the post I replied to.
laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)if you think about it.
Clear enemy with a moral imperative to stop him (and stop the atrocities) with a clear end in sight vs some loose definition of 'terrorists' and endless war while committing atrocities. Yeah, can't think why it would be relevant to mental health of a force, it's a mystery to me.
treestar
(82,383 posts)I don't know how you could not get that.
former9thward
(31,684 posts)Look at the conditions the troops in WW II had to endure. Afghanistan is nothing like that and you are out in a year. The worst thing about Afghanistan was the constant dust. After I left there I was coughing up stuff for 6 months. But living conditions were fine.
treestar
(82,383 posts)roadside bombs, the constant noise, not being battle lines where you knew your side was in one place and the other was beyond that line - there is total confusion in Afghanistan.
former9thward
(31,684 posts)They were not as defined and easy as you think.
treestar
(82,383 posts)But have tried to turn it around on claiming I don't know as much as you do. If you do, you can surely explain in better detail than that.
former9thward
(31,684 posts)Noise? You think there was not noise in other wars? You think the battle lines were well defined in other wars? That there was no confusion? You think in other wars there were not mines everywhere?
treestar
(82,383 posts)That things are not a lot more complex and sophisticated?
The roadside bombs and suicide attacks don't seem characteristic of the Nazis.
former9thward
(31,684 posts)But whatever, we have gone as far as we can go.
alfonso28
(10 posts)Is it that today's soldiers are weaklings and cowards compared to The Greatest Generation?
former9thward
(31,684 posts)today's soldiers are weaklings and cowards. When you are able to do that I will answer your question.
alfonso28
(10 posts)Of course I can't cut and paste those words. The idea they convey sems to be what you are saying, by comparing WWII soldiers with those in recent wars such as Afghanistan.
So if that is not what you mean, what is your point? And why don't you just explain it? Is it because you can't?
former9thward
(31,684 posts)the poster I replied to said today's soldiers are physically and mentally unable to deal with wars like Afghanistan. That is utter nonsense. Are you going to defend that statement?
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)came home safely. Because what kind of psychos would shit all over their relief and joy?
Andy823
(11,495 posts)It's only the low life scum sucking morons that listen to hate radio, fox news and any republican member of congress who are using this whole mess simply as another made up BS scandal they think they can use to make president Obama look bad, and that's just sick!
The right is showing just how hateful they really are, and this whole line of BS they are spewing only proves just how little they care about the soldiers they sent to fight a needless war that Bush lied us into.
Union Scribe
(7,099 posts)Cha
(295,525 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)At the end of the day the hate isn't about Bergdahl or his family.
It's all comes back to that black guy in the White House.
GOPers just hate the fact that he exists and he's President.
Cha
(295,525 posts)MH1
(17,536 posts)it was OBAMA who was responsible for getting their son home.
What kind of psychos? Despicable vile gutter slime weasel cretins .... I could go on .... I am seething at the inhumanity of the asswipes who are attacking the family and the town.
SunSeeker
(51,295 posts)Some DUers have been rather busy shitting on Bergdahl threads.
elehhhhna
(32,076 posts)inserted their agenda-revealing narrative of hate.
jimlup
(7,968 posts)very deeply sick and hurtful. I think it is an interesting question to ask how people could get this way. So cruel and thoughtless...
ramapo
(4,584 posts)Can't be beat once it gets cranked up
Efilroft Sul
(3,571 posts)Meet Richard Grenell, Fox News contributor and lead smear agent out to get Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. Stop on by his Facebook page and remind him that real Americans don't leave our troops behind:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Grenell/351035070264
More on Grenell and his misdeeds:
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/06/03/fox-news-contributor-behind-pr-campaign-for-sol/199565
And over on Kos, a great compilation on the facts of the matter:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/05/1304556/-The-GOP-is-Heading-for-a-World-iof-Hurt-on-Bergdahl-here-s-why?fb_action_ids=10201165364894711&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
Hell is too good of a place for the likes of Grenell and those who are out to get the Bergdahl family.
Big_Mike
(509 posts)I don't check either. I've referred in other posts to the information as presented in the Rolling Stone article. You guys are right, I should wait until all the info is in.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)The probably think "Liberal" is anti-American.
Pennie109
(128 posts)I feel so bad for Bergahl's parents. They've waited years to get their son back and to see him and themselves smeared in the press in the worst way. No one deserves this treatment. It's disgusting.
goldent
(1,582 posts)MH1
(17,536 posts)At least not the kind that lead to smearing innocent people like the parents and the town?
As for the soldier, judgment should be left to the military and UCMJ. That's what it's there for.
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)gives some Dems cover to be against him...
Blanks
(4,835 posts)I have to wonder if the 'minds' behind the republican hate machine aren't doing a little research to see just how far they can get people to go against things that they supposedly stand firmly for.
This is an example of denying someone due process - to leave Bergdahl there would be to deny him the opportunity to face his accusers. The tea party types go on and on about how Obama is destroying the constitution - meanwhile they line up to scream about denying a soldier his right to due process (5th and 14th amendments).
This is very much specifically against something that they generically claim to be for.
This makes me believe that these people can be convinced to do anything - it's kind of scary.
MH1
(17,536 posts)Maybe someone from DU should call 'em up and 'splain it to them??
(of course it's about Obama ... how does that make it hurt the targets any less, if even if they get that?)
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)to try to discredit the president, even if it destroys a soldier and his family. It is shameful.
lumpy
(13,704 posts)And that has been their prime operation all along to the detriment of this country. People like the Bergdahls are just one more of the victims affected by the GOP's treasonous and poisonous objective.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)iamthebandfanman
(8,127 posts)to behold...
i see people on other sites screaming "HES NOT A HERO!" but was he ever called one?
btw, people keep seeming to forget that he was around the 'KILL TEAM" that murdered countless men, women, AND CHILDREN.
one of which he witnessed first hand.. the platoon would throw out candy to children and then RUN THEM OVER with their stryker vehicles.
this guys seriously mentally disturbed.. and it was what he saw while over there that caused it.
id be pretty fucking anti what i was doing too if i witnessed someone on 'my team' crushing a small child with a multi ton vehicle FOR FUN.
frylock
(34,825 posts)Who is calling him a hero, and why? It's the same shit wherein common-sense gun laws equate to confiscation of all guns.
cynzke
(1,254 posts)His fellow soldiers vigorously deny these accusations. They are pretty serious. Are these soldiers worried about what Bergdahl might reveal now that he has been released? Makes me wonder.
DinahMoeHum
(21,704 posts). . .should be taken with a big-ass grain of salt.
Apparently, they never much liked him to begin with.
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/06/five-quick-things-know-about-bowe-bergdahl
joanbarnes
(1,715 posts)calimary
(80,521 posts)Apologies if it's already been posted.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/05/1304556/-The-GOP-is-Heading-for-a-World-iof-Hurt-on-Bergdahl-here-s-why?detail=email#
The author brings up some very good points. Including the absence of evidence, so far, to support what Bowe Bergdahl's swift-boating "brothers" are saying. Come to think of it, if republi-CON operatives like john bolton are behind this, then whatever accusations those folks are making NEED to be taken with a grain of salt the size of the moon.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)GusBob
(7,285 posts)Sick to my stomach. The hatred
Cha
(295,525 posts)Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)I just can't believe some people's cruelty.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Hekate
(89,976 posts)....is spewing its filth again, and only to discredit the Black Man in the White House. They don't care who the hell gets hurt, run over, or killed.
I know there are some at DU who have gotten caught up in the controversy, mostly in good faith I'm sure. But over the years I feel like I've worn my typing fingers out saying Consider The Source, and Who Does It Serve.
Bottom line for me: Americans bring their soldiers home. When we stop doing that and start leaving them behind in enemy hands, how dare we ever ask anyone to serve in any branch of the armed forces? How dare we?
Military service is not a popularity contest, nor is the decision to bring someone home. Christ on a Trailer Hitch, what have we become?
The trash talk started almost before Bergdahl was admitted to the hospital at Landstuhl, and was in full cry within a couple of days. There's been no trial, nothing of the sort, just a most obvious attempt to once again undermine an action taken by President Obama. (For reference, see how the capture and death of bin Ladin has been reframed as an heroic act undertaken by SEAL Team 6 apparently on their own initiative without direction by their CIC.)
If there is anything at all to the stories, let it play out in a military courtroom. Until then, everyone else needs to chill.
busterbrown
(8,515 posts)Defending Republicans against Racism!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025052332
riverwalker
(8,694 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Boomerproud
(7,874 posts)The posters that get to core of it are correct-it's not about Bowe Bergdahl, his family, the Taliban or anything else-it's about Obama.
NealK
(1,777 posts)What happened to Innocent until proven guilty? And that asshole McCaine have a shady history as a POW but is considered a hero?
barbtries
(28,689 posts)jeez i'm hurt for them. the hatred of obama knows no boundaries - not of decency, truth, american values, none of it. i am so disgusted by the right and the media right now.
i wonder if there is an avenue for expressing our support for this family.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)Maybe letters to the editor of their local paper.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)There seem to be the usual faux-Patriots whipping their 3 x 5 made-in-China American flags around and calling Bowe and Bob everything but human.
MH1
(17,536 posts)I posted this thread on Wednesday and it didn't get much attention but a couple links were given by Riverwalker -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025048329
Twitter: Robert Bergdahl
@bobbergdahl
Father of US Army SGT Bowe Bergdahl Prisoner of War - Afghanistan Since 2009
Hailey Idaho · bringboweback.com
http://bringboweback.com/
http://supportbowe.org/
At the second link, look in the right sidebar for "Community in support of ..." section.
i went and posted on a fb page. they need to know that as loud as the media may be, it does not represent all of america or even speak to all of america.
it is a despicable travesty. all because they hate the president and can never throw their support behind one fucking thing that he does as president.
MH1
(17,536 posts)I am starting to be REALLY upset by this. Not only for the Bergdahls - that's awful enough - but the knowledge that I share my country with such evil, despicable people as would attack parents and complete strangers at a time like this ... and that approximately 50% of those that bother to vote in the fall, will be siding with this evil. We are in real danger that our country will be governed (again) by people who think like these cretins ... and we will all suffer the consequences.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)need to chill out, sit down, put their feet up, pop open a non-alcoholic beverage and watch "Forest Gump" again.
DallasNE
(7,390 posts)They have no shame. McCarthyism is back big time. Yes, John McCain, that includes you!
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)DIE! Let him DIE! Let him DIE!"
Disgusting, and vulgar. Zero human empathy. That's today's extreme, whacked-out Republican Party.
6000eliot
(5,643 posts)Never give these bastards an inch, ever, and if they ever gain the WH again, make their lives a living hell.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)it sound like they are trying to deflect their problems on Bergdahl.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)Conservatives and Repubs celebrated when they first heard news of Bergdahl's release.
We all saw that on twitter etc.
But then BOOM!
It was like someone flicked a switch and they all flipped round and attacked the Bergdahls.
greymattermom
(5,750 posts)This happens all the time and is so creepy. How can that many people have the same opinion and use the same talking points all the time, even switch opinions at the same minute? Do they have some sort of implant that gets the word of the day broadcast from someone? Who is the evil wizard? Do they do it for money? There used to be conservatives who spoke for themselves and tried to make coherent arguments, like William F. Buckley. Now, they all seem like evil robots to me.
truthisfreedom
(23,108 posts)ask questions later. it's a pattern they always exhibit.
lobodons
(1,290 posts)olegramps
(8,200 posts)MH1
(17,536 posts)I think we should not lose sight of the fact that there are real people who are being attacked and are in pain.
(Yeah, kind of like the real people we bombed the shit out of in Afghanistan and Iraq ... or the real people who were lost on 9/11 ... perhaps Bowe's biggest mistake was youthful idealism that he was going to Afghanistan to "help the Afghan people".)
olegramps
(8,200 posts)It wouldn't matter if Obama had chosen to not make the swap and as a consequence Bergdahl died then the Republicans would have blamed him for his death for not using every avenue to free him. It is just another political football for the Republicans to use against the president.
CanonRay
(14,013 posts)when there are political points to be made.
nilesobek
(1,423 posts)and other Idaho GOP leaders not jumping on the dog pile. Does Otter know already that this swiftboating is bogus? I'm so angry about this right now it would be wise of me not to comment further.
Thank you for doing a difficult and great thing President Obama.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)There are still too many unknowns for me to weigh in on the specifics of how this prisoner exchange occurred. Im not going to speculate on anything beyond what I know and what I know is that after almost five years, a young man from Idaho no longer is in enemy hands.
There are processes in place within the military and in Congress for whatever happens next. Those processes need to run their course.
http://theketchumkeystone.org/2014/06/04/gov-otter-issues-another-statement-on-bergdahl-release/
IkeRepublican
(406 posts)He does not look like the kind of guy somebody should f**k with.
Beacool
(30,243 posts)They did what any parent of a POW would have done to get their child back. The right and the media have now placed this couple in danger of some nut job who may go after them.
Disgraceful!!!
Response to IDemo (Original post)
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El Shaman
(583 posts)RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)My heart goes out to the Bergdahl's but I hope to hell the first thing he does is burn his GOP registration card.
marshall
(6,661 posts)That has got to be horrible for them, after all they've done. But at least they know he is out of immediate danger.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)new situation now--and there's no telling what he believes or how he may have been psychologically damaged by his captors. The Bergdahls can probably understand that, as anxious as they are to see him.
marshall
(6,661 posts)I don't know about military law, but is the military in a sense your next of kin, trumping parental or spousal relationships?
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)as an assigned advocate to oversee his reintegration, possibly a legal advocate too. Not sure if the military is able to treat him without his OR his family's consent--though Uncle Sam still owns his butt, and service members certainly don't get to say no to things like physicals and vaccinations.
Justitia
(9,316 posts)...yeah, not so much