Desertion? Treason? Sure, but prosecuting him properly for such charges is so…right wing.
“Attorney says officer urges no jail for Bergdahl,” Associated Press, October 11, 2015:
AUSTIN, Texas — An Army officer is recommending that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl face a lower-level court martial and be spared the possibility of jail time for leaving his post in Afghanistan, his lawyer said Saturday.
Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban after leaving his post on June 30, 2009, and held until last year, when he was exchanged for five Taliban commanders. His commanding officers in Afghanistan say a 45-day search for Bergdahl put soldiers in danger.
Military prosecutors charged Bergdahl in March with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, a charge that could carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
But defense attorney Eugene Fidell said Lt. Col. Mark Visger has recommended that Bergdahl’s case be referred to a special court martial, which is a misdemeanor-level forum. It limits the maximum punishment to reduction in rank, a bad-conduct discharge and a term of up to a year in prison.
Fidell also said that Visger recommended that there be no prison time or punitive discharge against Bergdahl. In light of Visger’s recommendations, the defense is asking that the case be disposed of non-judicially, rather than by any court martial.
Visger presided over last month’s Article 32 hearing in Texas that reviewed evidence against Bergdahl. Visger submitted a report with his recommendation on Monday, but the Army hadn’t said what Visger recommended.
Gen. Robert Abrams, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, will ultimately decide whether the case should be referred to a court-martial. No timeline has been given for a decision from Abrams.
The Obama administration’s prisoner swap was sharply criticized by many Republicans and some Democrats, who said it was politically motivated and counter to the U.S. policy against negotiating with terrorists.
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Thursday that Bergdahl should have been executed for leaving his post in Afghanistan and called him a “no-good traitor,” which he also said in August….
Timothius says
Like a child abuser or child rapist in prison. Somebody will take care of bergdahl. After all he left his post, several soldiers were killed looking his sorry ass. Then they give him back. This, ladies and gentlemen is a bum!
Lia Wissing says
Has Mr Visger at some time converted to islam?
Alice says
Looks like it.
Dr. Divinity says
I don’t know what is motivating this so called. “Officer”but he needs more schooling on the UCMJ.
Timothius says
Agreed!
Jay Boo says
Obama Side by Side and center stage.
Was agent “Bird Dog” Bergdahl a secret under cover agent sent in by the Obama regime to sniff out the unsuspecting Taliban Quail with a diabolically Obamaresque ‘clever’ plan to seduce the “enemy” with groveling respect shown toward the Muslim religion all the while Bergdahl was siphoning tidbits of intelligence as the unsuspecting Taliban was scratching his underbelly to show their approval?
Unfortunately, Bergdahl seemed to like having his belly scratch by his new masters so much that his own father had to remind him that he might incriminate himself if he still “remembered” how to speak the English language to which Obama BY HIS SIDE nodded in approval as if to say “that makes perfect sense”.
All the while, children plead for their hostage Christian father to be freed from an MUSLIM Iranian prison while Obama has no comment.
Dear President Obama:
Please help bring our daddy home children plead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvAH3-wXyE0
What no invite to the White House?
Obama,
Have you no shame at all?
Kathy Brown, Esq. says
Shame? That does not compute. For Zero.
Obama thinks that the USA is so bad, that everything else-including ISIS-would be better.
I hope at least Fox takes up this disgraceful story. Bergdahl looked like he was the butt-buddy of that savage who saw him off. I’m surprised they didn’t do a lip-lock as he was being picked up by our [honorable] military. Who risked their lives to get that POS.
Can’t wait to hear the comments of the families of the dead soldiers.
Roy C says
Any rational person who’s been paying attention to Barak Hussein Obama for the last 6 1/2 years shouldn’t be at all surprised by this recommendation from the Army. The fix has been in from the get-go folks. Since I expect nothing positive from this president my real disappointment here is with the Army high command. The truth about Bergdahl’s desertion was known within a few weeks but after that disgraceful white house news conference with his parents this outcome was set in stone. Kathy – I expect this will indeed be covered this week on Fox but the rest of the media will as always rally around the Messiah and spin it as a wonderful outcome.
Lenny Thetruth says
The people in charge, are kissing the butt of the president. The Army is his. If he wanted this man punished, he would be. But, some ass kisser thinks he can garner brownie points with BHO, so he is trying to dismiss serious charges. Obama has also shrunk the Army, and tied it’s hands. Our military is having budget cuts it can not come back from. The days of America as a superpower are almost over, killed by a president who has his own agenda.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Obama,
Have you no shame at all?
He would feel shame only if he’d done the best thing for the nation and propped up kleptocratic dictators all over Dar al-Islam. The one that interests me in all of this is Bergdahl’s father, who appeared overjoyed in the Rose Garden, apparently as much for the recognition got for the glories of Islam as for getting his son back.
Dan says
I MAY be wrong here but…
I’m pretty sure Jay Boo was being big time sarcastic here.
madmemere says
Oh, I agree to “no jail time”- -treason calls for execution, nothing less.
Mo says
@ madmemere
“Oh, I agree to “no jail time”- -treason calls for execution, nothing less.”
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Alice says
Excellent!
Annie Oakley says
I really can’t see the Bergdahl case as being disposed of by non-judicial punishment (an Article 15). A couple of male soldiers in my overseas unit thought they’d gotten off light by accepting non-judicial punishment for the rape of a female soldier prior to my arrival at the unit. They were wrong.
After our unit moved out of Iraq and into Kuwait to return to the US, these 2 men were arrested and imprisoned to await a conventional courts martial due to the seriousness of the charges. I don’t know what the outcome was but since the men had already admitted guilt when accepting the non-judicial punishment, I’m sure it went against them. A US Senator or 2 got involved on the rape victim’s behalf, and I think the outcry from Capitol Hill would be much louder regarding Bergdahl getting off with just non-judicial punishment for his crimes.
Timothius says
The acceptance of an article 15 is not a plea of guilty. It is merely that the soldiers accept his or her commander’s jurisdiction over the offending matter. Normally everything has to go through a article 32 investigation. The article 15 removed the investigation, and the stigma of courts martial.
Now, with all that in mind. Anyone who commits the crime of rape is, or will be punishable by courts martial. This is not double jeopardy because the article 15 is nonjudicial punishment. Those guys are going to jail.
mortimer says
There can be no doubt that a deserter who collaborates is deserving of the maximum penalty…so what the heck is going on here?
Bergahl deserves a life sentence unless he was on a secret intelligence mission…which cannot be ruled out…though it seems unlikely.
underbed cat says
Hmmmm. The military might be following the “diversity” program, again, it must be against sharia law for a muslim to imprison a muslim, no other choice than to follow sharia and let him get either no sentence or small sentence. As far as the lives lost, well, they may have been infidels. Fair right? Beside it gave leverage to release the terrorists. So if this is the case we must have a muslim general or he has been given top down orders, just a guess or opinion.
Tricky stuff.
Bukkdem Jizheads says
“it must be against sharia law for a muslim to imprison a muslim,”
Wish Robert would clear this up! I think a maybe a pasha can’t discipline a soldier. The pasha doesn’t lead or witness battles… he just divides the spoils. Is this why KSM has not been prosecuted, and Obama is desperate to get civil courts to handle Gitmo prisoners?
Linde Barrera says
Old Chinese saying: “The fish stinks from the head down.” And so does this case, starting with President Obama. I hope this Bergdahl piece of crap gets the maximum punishment allowed. And if he was working as a counter spy, why wouldn’t that have been brought out in the open by now?
Joseph says
Linde Barrera, Are you sure you don’t want to say the fish rots from the head down?
But yes I had the same thought before I saw your post, Obama has his hands in this up to his elbows. If he was a counter spy then why send out men to search for this POS. Brave men got killed here who THOUGHT they were searching for a brother in arms. Bergdahl should also be charged with murder for he set in motion these tragic events. He knew people would come searching for him when he left
Other than that Linde I hope you are doing well.
Linde Barrera says
Hello dear Joseph. Thank you for your acknowledgement of 12:54 am today, Columbus Day. As to that Chinese saying I posted, I am quoting the Chinese gentleman who said it to me exactly that way. But I like “rots” better than “stinks”, so I will use your word from now on! I am so disappointed in my President, Barack Obama, for even thinking of exchanging this creepy Bergdahl character with any Taliban commander. And again, if Bergdahl was on a special secret mission, the details would not have to be publicized, but why wouldn’t the White House just state those words:”Bergdahl was sent on secret mission.” Just baffling. As to myself, I am liking retirement more than I thought, but I miss my students, even the ones who misbehaved on occasion! Thank you for asking, Joseph. I hope you are doing grrrreat and living life to the max. Take care, God bless you and yours.
Angemon says
Desertion? More like, defection.
Jack Holan says
Lt Col Visger, while you’re at it why don’t you present him with a medal for valor. He gleaned how the enemy operates, valuable information. Did you get a long distance call prior to making this grandiose decision? After all he has already met the President, he can’t do a repeat on that one. The 5 Commanding Cut throats are probably back in the field with their men by now.
I have a novel idea. Even though it doesn’t follow the Military Criminal Code but I think everything I said about Bergdahl should take place. Now your future because I don’t even know how you can look at yourself in the mirror each morning, should spend the rest of your life behind bars in Lawrence KS serving what should have been Bergdahls sentence. As far as Berdahl, I have a feeling things will sort themselves out.
Jay Boo says
Sidenote:
Why is the man standing next to him wearing –A Dress — A Veil — A Hijab ???
gravenimage says
Army officer urges no jail for Bergdahl
………………………
Yes–why should deliberately deserting in order to join the enemy–and sharing information that could have (and perhaps did) lead to the deaths of Americans and coalition personnel be taken seriously? sarc/off
Not to mention, of course, the six soldiers who gave their lives searching for this vile creep.
Dave C says
Newsflash: if he gets a non-judicial punishment, as described, he will probably still be able to get VA benefits for disability for conditions such as PTSD This would include opportunity to get a monthly check for as much as $3600, courtesy of the tax payers. He could also try to get POW benefits through th VA. Bad stuff.
Bukkdem Jizheads says
We’ll probably have to pay for his sex-change operation.
Benedict says
What has the US Armed been reduced to? Soldiers unfit to don the uniform. How did wimps get into the Armed forces. Some serious flaw somewhere which needs to be corrected or the US armed forces will be in big trouble.
BC says
The one who should be in jail is the traitorous Obama who released several jihadi terrorists to get this one sorry
‘soldier’ back. Said terrorists have mostly gone back to fighting the USA and its allies. Jail Obama
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Most all our complaints have to do with politicians, news entertainers, teachers, religious leaders and such. When our military takes a trip down Dhimmi Highway, that something else altogether.
kikorikid says
The “Military” has been under attack for several years.
Obama has carried out a quiet “Stalinist-Purge” of the
“General-Corps” and as been working his way down the ranks.
“Field-Grade” has taken a hit. “Company-Grade” Officers and NCO’s
are next. Probably thru the use of “Political-Officers” in the “Ranks”.
That is the “Plan” or something like it. It will not work in the US Military.
Egypt has it’s “Loyal Officers”, America has the “Citizen-Soldier”.
cookiebaker says
It is obvious Emperor Zero put in a call find the guy not guilty.He cannot “lose face” over the blatant stupidity of the lead from behind”strategy”.Especially the release of five bad guys, from Gitmo for nothing in exchange?What country was he placating, Iran perhaps, head of terror global inc.?
I would not be surprised to see him get a medal, the disgrace to the country know as a Bergdahl, the Donald is right on this one!
Joseph says
I think this POS should get jail time too.
In a 2.5′ X 6.0′ cell buried 6 feet under.
Kathy Brown, Esq. says
Yes, he should be executed.
Also: Every lawyer chooses whom they will represent. I am of the school of thought that one’s work is an exercise of their morality. Thus I would not represent this POS, knowing that his fellows all consider him a deserter.
Joseph says
Kathy Brown, Esq
Had to smile on the comment that you would not represent him. I know this for a fact after I got chastised for making a blanket statement about lawyers.
Hope all is well with you KBE and thanks for the smile, they are getting farther apart these days. If Islam has it’s way they will be non-existent.
Kathy Brown, Esq. says
Thank you, and I am very well, hoping you are the same. You are quite right: Particularly on SIOA, it is true that smiles here are somewhat rare.
As to those of us who practice as I noted: There are more of us than you might imagine.
Jerry says
I recommend that both Bergdahl and his Commander in Chief be charged with and prosecuted for treason.