Justice and Bowe Bergdahl
On Thursday, the US Army released its sentence on Bowe Bergdahl. He received a dishonorable discharge and a token fine of $10,000, but no prison time.
I don't know exactly how I feel about this. On one hand, he did dessert his post and many people risked their lives looking for him. In order to get his freedom, the US gave up 5 Taliban detainees in exchange.
On the other hand, he was captured by the Taliban and held and tortured for 5 years. When he was released in 2014, the allegations of desertion quickly surfaced and he has been held at Fort Bragg for the last three years. One could argue that he has suffered enough.
One of the reasons that I don't know how to feel is because I've just read about it. This decision was almost four years in the making. There were many witnesses, reports, evaluations, opinions, facts, and arguments. I am confident all parties were earnest in their representations. I am also confident that the Military Judge reviewed his decision carefully prior to the sentencing. I also know these situations are rarely black and white. One of the most compelling piece of evidence that I read was that Mr. Bergdahl should never have been accepted to the Army given his multiple mental health issues. Any way, you look at it, he will be a victim for his entire life and never lead a normal life.
Although I don't know how I feel, I can tell you that I am fairly confident that I have read more on the subject than President Trump. President Trump reacted quickly and, of course, on twitter. He called the sentence a total disgrace and a joke.
I don't know how the dedicated men and women in the military that worked diligently on this matter can continue under a Commander in Chief who refers to them as a disgrace and a joke. I can't think of a greater disrespect.
In other news, Trump's twitter account was shut down for 11 minutes. It turns out it was a twitter employee and it was his last day of work. He is subject to several criminal charges. Anyone know of a place where we can donate money for his defense?
I don't know exactly how I feel about this. On one hand, he did dessert his post and many people risked their lives looking for him. In order to get his freedom, the US gave up 5 Taliban detainees in exchange.
On the other hand, he was captured by the Taliban and held and tortured for 5 years. When he was released in 2014, the allegations of desertion quickly surfaced and he has been held at Fort Bragg for the last three years. One could argue that he has suffered enough.
One of the reasons that I don't know how to feel is because I've just read about it. This decision was almost four years in the making. There were many witnesses, reports, evaluations, opinions, facts, and arguments. I am confident all parties were earnest in their representations. I am also confident that the Military Judge reviewed his decision carefully prior to the sentencing. I also know these situations are rarely black and white. One of the most compelling piece of evidence that I read was that Mr. Bergdahl should never have been accepted to the Army given his multiple mental health issues. Any way, you look at it, he will be a victim for his entire life and never lead a normal life.
Although I don't know how I feel, I can tell you that I am fairly confident that I have read more on the subject than President Trump. President Trump reacted quickly and, of course, on twitter. He called the sentence a total disgrace and a joke.
I don't know how the dedicated men and women in the military that worked diligently on this matter can continue under a Commander in Chief who refers to them as a disgrace and a joke. I can't think of a greater disrespect.
In other news, Trump's twitter account was shut down for 11 minutes. It turns out it was a twitter employee and it was his last day of work. He is subject to several criminal charges. Anyone know of a place where we can donate money for his defense?
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