This is a travesty of justice. Bowe Bergdahl should be tried for treason. Instead, he is walking free with no consequences for his desertion, and none for his treason.
Former infantry officer Nathan Bradley Bethea, who served with Bergdahl in Afghanistan, wrote in the Daily Beast that Bergdahl was “a deserter, and soldiers from his own unit died trying to track him down.” Refuting reports that Bergdahl got separated from his unit while on patrol, Bethea declared: “Make no mistake: Bergdahl did not ‘lag behind on a patrol,’ as was cited in news reports at the time. There was no patrol that night. Bergdahl was relieved from guard duty, and instead of going to sleep, he fled the outpost on foot. He deserted. I’ve talked to members of Bergdahl’s platoon—including the last Americans to see him before his capture. I’ve reviewed the relevant documents. That’s what happened.”
Bethea’s account is in full accord with the Taliban’s 2010 claim that Bergdahl had converted to Islam and was teaching bomb-making to its jihadists. There is no reason to take anything that Taliban spokesmen say at face value, but secret documents revealed in June 2014 corroborate the claim. According to one of these documents, dated August 23, 2012, “conditions for Bergdahl have greatly relaxed since the time of the escape. Bergdahl has converted to Islam and now describes himself as a mujahid. Bergdahl enjoys a modicum of freedom, and engages in target practice with the local mujahedeen, firing AK47s. Bergdahl is even allowed to carry a loaded gun on occasion. Bergdahl plays soccer with his guards and bounds around the pitch like a mad man. He appears to be well and happy, and has a noticeable habit of laughing frequently and saying ‘Salaam’ repeatedly.”
Fox News reported in June 2014 that Bergdahl — “both in his final stretch of active duty in Afghanistan and then, too, during his time when he lived among the Taliban — has been thoroughly investigated by the U.S. intelligence community and is the subject of ‘a major classified file.’ In conveying as much, the Defense Department source confirmed to Fox News that many within the intelligence community harbor serious outstanding concerns not only that Bergdahl may have been a deserter but that he may have been an active collaborator with the enemy.”
Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, who served with Bergdahl and was present the night he disappeared, recounted that days after Bergdahl vanished from the U.S. base, there were reports that he was in a nearby village looking for someone who spoke English, so that he could establish communications with the Taliban. Soon afterward, Buetow recalled, “IEDs started going off directly under the trucks. They were getting perfect hits every time. Their ambushes were very calculated, very methodical.”
Bergdahl knew where the trucks would be going and when; said Buetow: “We were incredibly worried” that the Taliban’s “prisoner of war” was passing this information on to his captors in order to help them place their bombs most effectively.
Fox News also reported that according to “sources who had debriefed two former members of Bergdahl’s unit,” the deserter “left behind a note the night he left base in which he expressed disillusionment with the Army and being an American and suggested that he wanted to renounce his American citizenship and go find the Taliban.” According to Colonel David Hunt, Bergdahl even “called his unit the day after he deserted to tell his unit he deserted.”
Barack Obama must have known all or some of this, or should have known it, when he announced the exchange of five battle-hardened Taliban leaders for Bergdahl.
And now this.
“Bowe Bergdahl, the former hostage who pleaded guilty to desertion, avoids prison,” by Alex Horton, Washington Post, November 3, 2017:
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who in 2009 walked off a U.S. military outpost in eastern Afghanistan and spent the next five years in enemy captivity, was sentenced Friday to a dishonorable discharge from the Army but will avoid prison time.
Bergdahl, 31, pleaded guilty in October to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and had faced a maximum life sentence. He appeared shaken before the judge, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, read his sentence, clenching his jaw as he’d done throughout the proceedings.
It’s unclear how Nance arrived at his decision. The judge made no remarks after making the announcement and promptly left the courtroom.
Bergdahl’s case sparked ferocious debate over his actions and the controversial prisoner exchange that led to his release in 2014, challenging the military’s bedrock principle of never leaving a soldier behind. It was also overshadowed by President Trump’s accusation that Bergdahl is a traitor.
Bergdahl will lose all benefits, including medical care, afforded to military veterans and pay a fine of $1,000 a month for the next 10 months. His rank will be reduced to from sergeant to private.
Gen. Robert Abrams, who convened Bergdahl’s court-martial as commander of Army Forces Command, will review the sentence and could potentially reduce, but not increase, the punishment.
The sentence closes a major chapter in what’s become an eight-year odyssey. Bergdahl, the sole U.S. service member to be captured in Afghanistan, became a political lightning rod across two administrations. The episode drew in Trump and former President Barack Obama, who was roundly criticized for holding a Rose Garden ceremony to celebrate Bergdahl’s return even as details of the soldier’s voluntary abandonment had begun to circulate.
Trump said on the campaign trail Bergdahl was a “dirty, rotten traitor” who should be executed. Bergdahl’s sentencing hearing began Oct. 23 with a motion from Bergdahl’s attorneys to dismiss the case on grounds Trump improperly used his position as commander in chief to interfere in the process. Trump recently referred back to his inflammatory statements made during the presidential campaign. Nance denied the motion, though, saying he felt no pressure to deliver a harsh sentence.
Bergdahl walked away from his combat outpost just before midnight June 29, 2009, in what an Army investigation determined was an attempt to cause a crisis and draw attention to concerns that Bergdahl had about his leaders.
While Bergdahl and his lawyers have said it was a decision he later regretted, prosecutor Maj. Justin Oshana said Thursday that “it wasn’t a mistake, it was a crime.”…
Red says
The “Pussification of America”
Mark Tisch says
Exactly! I was just thinking that at the rate we’re going someone could assassinate the president and be set free. I’m still pissed about Obama trading the five terrorists for the piece of shit, now I’m enraged all over again. Damn him!
Gordon Miller says
The judge forgot the bouquet of roses.
Carolyne says
Speaking of roses, Obama would likely have had him to the Rose Garden as he did his stupid parents to honor him for his service “With honor and distinction.” I wonder if his idiot father has shaved yet.
President Trump is right. This is outrageous. Maybe we could trade Obama for someone.
RichardL says
An Obama colonel free an Obama deserter. The rot goes deep.
mortimer says
After reading some the points raised in the trial, I agree with the leniency due his mental illness and the fact that he was abused in captivity. The dishonorable discharge is a severe punishment. He expressed sincere remorse. He needs medical treatment. The captivity broke him.
gravenimage says
I’m sorry Mortimer–are you kidding?
Bergdahl *deserted to the Taliban*. He did not do questionable things *as a result* of his capture by the Taliban.
And where has he *ever* expressed sincere remorse? He was happy to be feted for his desertion and treason at the Obama White House.
gravenimage says
And far from expressing remorse, he has claimed that the bad old Americans have treated him worse than the Taliban–showing where his loyalties *still* lie.
Wellington says
Seconded, gravenimage. Sometimes, you know, I wonder about mortimer. Most times I don’t but, yes, sometimes I do, for instance his assertion, stated many times, that Muslims need to be deprogrammed. WTF!
Carolyne says
This man deserted to the enemy and joined them. I suggest that Mortimer read the article again. He joined the Taliban, he was allowed to carry arms and play soccer with them, he assisted them with bomb-making lessons, and he converted to Islam. What more would he have to do to deserve prison that he didn’t do?
I’m surprised, Mortimer. You are usually so reasonable.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Wellington and Carolyne.
Troybeam says
MORTIMER: bone up on Islam, Bergdahl left the base he was not taken captive, as for mental issues, well that’s used a lot by Islam to get sympathy from the courts.
Should have been tried for desertion and treason, firing squad would have worked or life in prison, solitary confinement.
See Below:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-execution-of-pvt-slovik
On this day, Pvt. Eddie Slovik becomes the first American soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion-and the only one who suffered such a fate during World War II.
Michael Casmer says
and a Catholic too.
Custos Custodum says
Look at the photograph above. Beardless Bowe Bergdahl endured several years of bacha bazi abuse at the hands of his Afghan hosts who Bowe as their little beau.
Treason or no, Bowe/beau is unlikely to be in a fit mental state to stand trial now.
Custos Custodum says
BTW – what is the meaning of the hooked index finger shown by Bowe’s Pashtun master in the picture? He is clearly trying to signal something to initiates.
PsychoBob says
BS.
Screeminmeeme says
Obama’s sentiments. Bergdahl should be sentenced to death. Period.
Hari Singh says
This verdict is indicative that the government does not take the war in Afghanistan seriously and that it does not care about the deaths of America’s soldiers in it’s undeclared wars.
This verdict dishonors the soldiers oath.
Bergdahl left his post and sought out the enemy to surrender.
I suppose in a few years time Bergdahl will have his discharge upgraded to a “General Discharge” or complain of service connected disabilities and it will all be made right.
Shmoovie says
Yep– PTSD from having been taken from his soccer buddies and returned to this terrible country which has mistreated him so.
Bowe El-Bergdahl should rot in a deep dark solitary cell, growing out a flimsy flea-infested beard like his pop’s. Instead he will find a nearby mosque, bang his head on the floor 5x daily and live free.
Linde Barrera says
Wow! This is a disgusting, unfair, unjust and immoral sentence. I am very disappointed and sad that a bad guy won. And 2 US Army men, Clint Lorance and Derrick Miller are in a US prison for defending their men and themselves in Afghanistan. How very immoral and wrong this is as well. ??
gravenimage says
Thanks for citing those cases, Linde–miscarriages of justice. Here’s more information:
https://www.unitedpatriots.org/current-case-1lt-clint-lorance
https://www.unitedpatriots.org/current-case-sgt-derrick-miller
Rob says
Bowe Bergdahl should be dead by sunrise tomorrow.
Custos Custodum says
On the contrary, we should wish Bowe the “bacha bazi” Beau a long life as an example to others.
He will probably be in therapy for the rest of his life, with occasional appearances in criminal courts for drug offenses.
StacyGirl says
Speculation and lies. Soldiers like el-Bergdahl knew the enemy and he chose to join them. In the aftermath he declared to prefer his “captors” to his countrymen. No one is buying your sappy sympathy, except Obama’s and the freed jihadi generals, fool.
Custos Custodum says
Read again.
Voytek Gagalka says
Once upon the time military tribunals were frequently than not more stiff in judgments and issuing tougher sentences than civilian courts. But now, apparently, they are populated with the same type of leftists’ utilitarians as well. What was that? A court of final appeal? Prosecution does not appeal this idiotic verdict coming from some lefty “judge” (perhaps also Mohammedan)?
Linda Weber says
Absolutely horrible. There is no justice given this violater who broke all the rules & put his fellow soldiers at extreme risk & ultimate damage. What a set up for ongoing chaos. It’s like putting the entire military at risk when nobody has to do anything that they are told, that nobody follows chain of command but just do whatever sings to you and let everybody around you get hurt in the process. This judge is obviously not an American who appreciates the principles we’ve bled and died for. He’s just committed treason himself and violated rules he’s suppose to be under. What a picture of disgust and immorality. Words cannot describe how bad this very uninsightful decision is.
Allan White says
You are f*****g kidding me. Insane.
HarveyMushman says
Obama will be celebrating tonight…..
Georg says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdGe0uP7W-c
mortimer says
Bergedahl should get 5 to 10 in jail.
mortimer says
Bergedahl is very ill and the judge took that into account. He is no hero. The US is a compassionate country.
gravenimage says
If by “very ill” you mean he deserted to the enemy and gave them secrets endangering the lives of his fellow soldiers, then you are right.
Were is the compassion for the soldiers who died trying to get him back? Where is the compassion for their loved ones?
Custos Custodum says
Bowe the Beau will have regretted his desertion within about 7 seconds of putting himself at the disposal of ex-starved Pashtuns.
Bowe’s is a case of stupidity, pride and human weakness, probably not helped by his unorthodox upbringing.
The real traitors are people like Susan Rice – the Obama regime’s designated liar – and others who – long after the facts were known – went on television to intone lies about how Bowe the Beau served with honor and distinction. Ultimate responsibility, of course, rests with Barry Obama himself and those who controlled Obama.
Georg says
Would have to agree with graven that he directly caused our Best Americans’ misery and death. With that said, I’m an able-bodied male who was until recently of fighting age and never quite made it to the front lines… There is an at least small part of me that feels unqualified to call for death, HOWEVER: to say he served with “distinction” is offensive and an objective lie; that would mean his service was unusually praiseworthy. There is obviously no way he falls in the upper 1:100, let alone upper 1:2 of defenders of our nation (obv he turned into an offender), so the only noteworthy aspect of his military career is how imperiled he left people dedicated to his well-being (they’re called American veterans). He seemed to be dopey, and want for propaganda — however thin. He heeded the siren call of 21st century American liberalism and became a “conscientious objector” in the way one man’s terrorist is another’s “freedom fighter”.
It is the Obama Admin. and their cohorts who deny America its moral right to self-defense (never mind American exceptionalism) who brought all the events subsequent to his desertion into being. However despicable Bergdahl is, it was Rice who thought of the proceedings as “joyous”.
Bergdahl “missed birthdays” (due to his own treasonous behavior). Meanwhile, a selfless American who went looking for the traitor was shot in the fucking head. He’s now effectively incapacitated and his wife has, by her own words, gone from “wife” to “caretaker”. But rest assured, Bergdahl will not miss another family member’s birthday — as five released, battle-hardened, Koran-loving terrorists bear evidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6L6E1GqqPc
gravenimage says
Georg, if Bergdahl had just wanted to be a “conscientious objector”, he never had to join the service in the first place–this is an all volunteer army.
Moreover, even if he changed his mind in Afghanistan, he could have notified his commanding officer, and he would have been sent back to the States at the earliest opportunity–and probably given a general discharge.
Instead, he *defected to the enemy* and gave them secrets, including teaching the Taliban bomb making.
larry says
Bowe and Obama, both, should be hung in a public square, and left to rot.
mortimer says
Bowe Bergdahl may have made a secret deal with the prosecution that we are unaware of. His actions were clearly treasonous and a gross dereliction of duty.
However, notable senior politicians at the highest level in the US are still uncharged and unprosecuted. They should be locked up for treason.
Custos Custodum says
Exactly. Bowe is merely a pawn. Others bear much heavier responsibility.
Carolyne says
I don’t think we base criminal activity and its consequences by comparing the activity with other, absolutely dissimilar acts. I agree that there are senior US politicians who need to be investigated and if there is evidence, tried and convicted But it is apples and oranges.
Naildriver says
This was anticipated owing to the president’s personal declarations that Bergdahl is guilty and ought to be shot — since the president is the most influential and and powerful government authority, and commander in chief. It opened the fair trial ‘argument’ for military bureaucrats such as they are, and have their options. And, that also might be the plea of the latest truck killer’s trial too, where he sits in prison instead of a death chamber, or might actually see parole in the future.
Yes, it is sad this guy walks, but he’s likely to be vilified in many of his future encounters.
The terrible thing is the massive number of people supportive of Bergdahl and our enemy, Islam.
Custos Custodum says
Trump knows very well what he is doing.
Presumably, a deal was already in the bag when Trump made his pronouncements.
Making use of a “teachable moment” is not necessarily a bad thing for a CiC, even if it does screw up a prosecution. (Which probably did NOT happen here.)
StacyGirl says
Trumps fault? Deep swamp conspiracy. Your imagination is boundless. While the CIC can pardon, he can’t condemn.
Carolyne says
The fix was in when Obama traded the terrorists for Bergdahl. He was never slated to go to prison. It has nothing to do with President Trump except to make him angry as are the majority of his constituency.
ByGeorge says
I wouldn’t lose a lot of sleep over this. Bergdahl will spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder waiting for the retribution that will surely come. He will probably do himself in first to avoid the rush.
StacyGirl says
He will spend the rest of his life comfortably. The book deals and interviews are just beginning and he is a free man. Anyone who thinks a dishonorable discharge is a problem for Bergdahl is wrong.
Custos Custodum says
Bowe will not have much fun. He is clearly profoundly damaged, and probably constrained by a comprehensive deal that deprived him of benefits and the chance to make money from his notoriety.
Also, having served to help the Progressives rub the noses of “conservatives” in the dirt, Bergdahl will now be unceremoniously discarded by his erstwhile friends as a useless embarrassment.
gravenimage says
The idea that Americans regularly murder people is just calumny.
RichardL says
He was a Ranger once. He knows how special operators feel about him. He also knows about their ability to kill without getting caught. I agree: he is afraid like hell.
Rob O’Neill was very cool when asked on Fox about Bergdahl. I am pretty sure he already has heard talk within the community about righting a terrible wrong.
gravenimage says
The idea that Army Rangers go around assassinating people in America is more calumny.
David M says
Another cowardly judicial disgrace. Just as disgraceful as our Liberal government’s rewarding terrorist OMAR KHADR $10.5 MILLION of hard earned tax payer dollars. Seemingly treason is something that has been lost to these left wing ideologues. The world is upside down !
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Bowe Bergdahl should be tried for treason.
Spencer is right about this. But to do that would open a pandora’s box of what motivated him to commit treason. I still get nauseated remembering Bergdahl’s dad with the stupid pony tail and Prez Barack Hussein intoning as-salamu alaykum in the White House Rose Garden. Ugh.
Custos Custodum says
Barry loved every second of this little spectacle, and no doubt relives it frequently on video.
Georg says
Oh yea. His toes were curling with glee. The sickest instance I’ve seen come from any president. His wife’s strident racism doesn’t even compare.
gravenimage says
Deserter Bowe Bergdahl gets dishonorable discharge but no prison time
……………………..
*Really*? A soldier can get a dishonorable discharge for selling weed to the guys in his platoon.
Is deserting to the enemy, giving them secrets, and causing the deaths of several soldiers really no worse?
Insanity.
Adrian says
Treason…
Bergdahl deserts his post, goes over to enemy – gets cleared
Meanwhile Lefties try to pin “treason” on a President valiantly trying to serve America…
Crazy, no?
Wellington says
Good men died for this piece of excrement. The best he should have gotten is life imprisonment. Most suitably and appropriately death, not by a firing squad, this would still honor him too much, but rather from hanging.
I am stunned by this sentence. It makes for a travesty of justice. It also serves as an indictment of our times.
gravenimage says
All grimly true, Wellington.
eduardo odraude says
Prager U sues YouTube for discriminating against conservative videos:
http://thefederalist.com/2017/11/01/prageru-sues-youtube-discriminating-conservative-videos/
Bodega says
I look forward to the denouement of Bergi Baby. Hope he does step foot in this area.
Wellington says
And let us not forget that both one Barack Obama and one Susan Rice praised this piece of shit and traded five incarcerated Islamic terrorists for him, although good men looking for this deserter died.
Quite the legacy here respecting Obama and Rice, as though even more “legacy” of these two very harmful, but powerful, people were needed. Loathe them both, along with Bergdahl.
Yes, an unholy trinity here to be sure. Indubitably. The three of them deserve to be tied together in the minds of those who think clearly———-forever like as a reminder of what the combination of stupidity and treason can result in for the fate of free and powerful polities.
Custos Custodum says
While Barry and Susan Rice remain free, it would be a disgrace to keep Bergdahl imprisoned.
Of course, it is true that Bergdahl knowingly submitted to military justice which is generally harsher, but the crimes of Barry and Susan Rice are orders of magnitude larger.
StacyGirl says
Submitted to military justice? Exactly what were his options? How is it a disgrace to imprison a deserter? Given the praise lavished by Obama and Rice, it sounds like it was an opportuny for King Hussein to repatriate his jihadi pals. Bergdahl was not innocent and trashed his country. Send him back to Afghanistan if he wants freedom.
Custos Custodum says
Bergdahl like all military personnel submitted to military justice by the act of signing up.
His conduct was despicable and led to the deaths of others more worthy than him, but I find it quite unseemly for civilians like you and me to call for draconian military punishments from which we as civilians are immune. Desertion is not even an offense that applies to civilians.
Bev says
This decision just pisses me off beyond comprehension. Bergdahl should’ve received the death penalty. He should not have received a dishonorable discharge, he should’ve received a Bad Conduct Discharge. He better watch his six.
Keys says
I wondered when all this began what role/influence the deserter/traitor’s father played in this travesty. When I first saw his dad with Obama, I thought geeez his dad might be a muslim with that beard; maybe he has been telling his son how bad the US is, etc.
I wondered if he did these traitorous, militarily unforgivable actions to please his father.
In one report I heard the military judge took in to consideration that Bowe Bergdahl had been abused as a child. What type of abuse and who abused him ? How could that make him betray his fellow soldiers and country ?
from a internet search:
“According to Morgan [forensic psychiatrist and professor for the defense Dr. Charles Morgan, who specializes in working with prisoners of war and examined Bergdahl in 2016] Bergdahl’s PSTD stemmed from his abusive childhood home life that included corporal punishment.”
Undaunted says
This case was at least in some fashion investigated by Army CID. As a former CID Special Agent, I remember a time when a fellow agent and friend submitted a Crime Prevention Survey on the Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio of San Francisco, which reported that the child care staff there was rife with male homosexuals. My friend, Steve, told me that higher command edited his report before final submission to DOD and deleted his observations that having juvenile males in the care of male homosexuals could be a crime conducive condition. This was in the late 80’s.
No surprise at all that they let Bo walk.
John Forbes says
THIS IS A TERRIBLE SIGN ! DESERTER REWARDED ????
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ??? THIS GUY SHOULD BE IN BAGRAM AIR BASE READY TO GO TO CUBA ! NOT LOOSE !!
Linda Goudsmit says
Judge Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance worried about President Trump’s comments regarding Bergdahl??? SERIOUSLY? What about Obama lauding Bergdahl as a hero when the officers who actually served WITH Bergdahl testified that he was a deserter! The only consistency here is that Obama’s anti-American presidency resulted in rewards for anti-American behavior during his term and continues in his anti-American post-presidency. Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance has disgraced the last bastion of patriotism – military justice.
James Stamulis says
Nance is as big a traitor as Bergdahl is.
Politicianphobia says
He can have tea with Jane Fonda.
Thomas Kimball says
Trump needs to flush the toilet! If he could do nothing more than get the obama supporters out of the military ,the FBI and any other government agency obama corrupted his presidency should be considered successful !
Lawrence Abernathy says
BERGDAHL AND NANCE: Two more names that will live in Traitorous Infamy along with:
Judas Iscariot
Benedict Arnold
Jane Fonda
Aldrich Ames
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
I have two children in the United States Marine Corps. Both are Pilots. Both are Patriots. and Both are
livid and incensed as I am at this injustice. I cannot even imagine how I would feel or what I might do if my daughter or my son were one of those 6 (SIX) who died trying to find the deserter traitor Bergdahl.
gravenimage says
Thank you for your children’s service, Lawrence. There are still patriotic Americans–Bergdahl is a slap in the face to every one of them.