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I woke to see Rear Adm. Greg Smith, the director of communications for Gen. McChrystal’s command in Afghanistan, released a statement about a disgusting event that I didn’t know occurred. I reprint it here to echo its sentiments:
“This is a horrible act which exploits a young Soldier, who was clearly compelled to read a prepared statement. It reflects nothing more than the violent, deceitful tactics of the Taliban insurgency. To release this video on Christmas Day is an affront to the deeply-concerned family and friends of Bowe Bergdahl, demonstrating contempt for religious traditions and the teachings of Islam. We will continue our search for Bowe Bergdahl as well as our efforts to ensure the security of the Afghan people and our coalition partners.”
I don’t have the serenity to be a Christian (nor the desire, more fundamentally) and so I applaud and marvel at my Christian friends who can retain their composure in the face of such provocations. Because my thoughts about this are as far from that as can be. I wish everyone a merry Christmas except Ralph Peters, and will respect this holiday by not saying anything else about the issue.
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Was the soldier tortured?
Was the soldier tortured more than our prisoners get tortured?
Very strange video. I think we can all agree that it’s him, but why is he wearing (women’s?) sunglasses? Looks like they took the patches off his uniform for tokens or something, too.
I was with one of the units who had to look for this guy after he willingly walked off his base, and they don’t have much sympathy for him. They actually hate the guy. He got more than a few people killed, and others wounded, while out looking for him. I’m far from Ralphie Peters on this one, but the guy compromised the safety of his fellow soldiers when he decided to go for a walk–if that’s what happened. I feel for his family and friends, but he was the one who walked out that gate, knowing what the consequences might be.
I can’t believe I just wrote that on Christmas.
Spencer: With all due respect, that special place in Hell is going to be pretty crowded with CIA executives… Its war, mate.
Exactly. Moral outrage? Come on.
What, what are you guys saying? That because we tortured people we shouldn’t be pissed off at Bergdahl’s captors? How does that work? I’m pissed off at both the torture that we’ve committed and the exploitation of Pfc. Bergdahl, and there’s no contradiction at all.
hmmm.. Saddam Hussein was killed on the Holy day of Eid.
Would you describe this as irony, hypocrisy, forgetfulness or chauvinism?
Dude, I was just asking. Did they? I don’t know.
But if I lived in Afghanistan and my intent was to make sure the US never, ever left, I’d probably advocate the taking of western POWs. Here in the US, there are places that still fly POW/MIA flags, which were mainly about Southeast Asia.