Video: The Moment the Taliban Released Sgt. Bergdahl

And he doesn’t look well at all
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YouTube

What you see in the video: Bergdahl appears pale, gaunt and disoriented, blinking and rubbing his eyes as if he’s not used to the direct sunlight. As he walks to the helicopter, he looks very unsteady and a soldier has to help him along.

This is an edited version of the video; the full version is over 8 minutes long, but it’s mostly a lot of shots of Taliban standing around. Quick, punchy editing is not the Taliban’s strong suit.

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414 comments
1 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:08:10am

I am, above all, glad the Sgt. Bergdahl is on his way home. I wish him health, he and his family peace, and a bunch of defamation lawsuits against the disgusting behavior of the right wing media.

2 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:08:51am

THE VERY MOMENT THE WAR ON TERROR WAS LOST!!!!

3 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:08:52am

Seems to back up the White House’s assertion that it went ahead with the swap because it was concerned for his health and safety.

4 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:09:24am

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

5 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:09:56am

He looks like a man much older than his 28 years. Shame on the assholes doing all they can to make what will already be a tough return even tougher.

6 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:10:06am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

Why anybody pays attention to Morning Joke, I’ve no clue.

7 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:11:00am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

He obviously had no missing parts that we could see, and he wasn’t bleeding externally, so…. perfectly healthy.

8 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:11:50am

re: #6 Targetpractice

Why anybody pays attention to Morning Joke, I’ve no clue.

I’m an idiot. It was the first time I tuned in for nearly 4 months.

9 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:11:53am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

Well, after all, if Heart Surgeon Bill Frist could diagnose Terri Schiavo from a few seconds of video clip, why can’t a bunch of yahoos with no medical training diagnose Sgt. Bergdahl?
//

10 TedStriker  Jun 4, 2014 11:13:11am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

Did they pull Dr. Bill Frist (one of my former Senators) out of mothballs?

11 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:13:21am

12 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:14:50am

re: #10 TedStriker

Did they pull Dr. Bill Frist (one of my former Senators) out of mothballs?

They have Ben Carson now, they don’t need Frist, who was never really crazy enough for the current GOP - IIRC, by the time he left office, he was already considered a RINO.

13 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 11:15:49am

Poor guy; Bergdahl appears as though he is not used to natural light, which makes me wonder if he was kept in a windowless room.

And the fucking BBC, too, has to add that crap about (ETA) what his platoon mates are saying?

Meanwhile,

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel agrees to appear at House Armed Services Committee hearing on Bergdahl prisoner swap on June 11 - @ChadPergram
End of alert

I hope he gives them hell.

14 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:16:14am

re: #11 jaunte

[Embedded image]

Sad but so true. They don’t really have any real ideology at this point. Their whole “ideology” is a choose your own adventure book to Obama’s actions and the situation. If Obama was unable to rescue Bergdahl, you can guarantee that the same people who are demanding he be impeached over the rescue would be demanding he be impeached over the non-rescue.

15 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 11:16:35am

re: #11 jaunte

[Embedded image]

Must Tweet. I’ll go first. //

16 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:16:55am

re: #12 GeneJockey

They have Ben Carson now, they don’t need Frist, who was never really crazy enough for the current GOP - IIRC, by the time he left office, he was already considered a RINO.

Frist is too moderate. What a world, what a world.

17 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 4, 2014 11:17:25am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

This is one of the things that reminds me of the Schiavo case. Everyone willing to diagnose him from afar, to repeat second-hand eyewitness testimony as if it’s the gospel truth. People all ‘concerned’ about the way that he was captured.

If you send enough guys into war, you’re going to get some of them cracking up. We’ve sent a lot of guys to war. Even if he did go nuts and wander off, why on earth wouldn’t people immediately assume that was because of the stresses of being out in a combat zone? Instead, there seems to be this constant insinuation that he was a secret Taliban plant all along, just waiting for a chance to make a break for it and join the insurgents. An insinuation mainly being made by ex-squadmantes including one guy who has no problem linking to raving Islamaphobia.

I am a huge supporter of leniency for people who crack up in combat zones. Even for the guys who crack up and commit murders. I’m always more concerned about A) not sending guys to go to war for decades because war fucks with you on a deep level B) how the leadership didn’t catch the signs of someone going nuts.

18 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:18:10am

“You’ll Need to Relearn How to Be a Person”: A Letter to Bowe Bergdahl From a Fellow Former Hostage

“…More likely than not, you will give a press conference or interviews at some point. If you do, you will find that many want to shape your story for you, and this will be hard to navigate. You’ll also realize that, for most everyone else, your story hinges on a moment four years ago—did you, or did you not walk off the base?—as if that would explain everything. Embedded in the question will be a subtle suggestion that if you did, you might have deserved being held captive for four years with the Taliban. This question will be disappointing, though you will answer it so many times that your answer will become rote. For you, of course, the moment you were taken captive will feel like the distant past.

If I could say one thing to you, it would be this: Getting free is complicated. It is difficult. Sometimes unbearable. But this will pass. Just like you slowly adjusted to being a prisoner, you will slowly adjust to being free.”

20 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 11:20:52am

re: #17 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Any investigation of Bergdahl needs to also focus on the rest of his unit and their actions leading up to and after the incident.

21 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:20:56am

re: #16 HappyWarrior

Frist is too moderate. What a world, what a world.

Tell it to Thad Cochran.

22 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:22:35am

re: #20 Kragar

Any investigation of Bergdahl needs to also focus on the rest of his unit and their actions leading up to and after the incident.

Come now, Kragar. Never in the history of warfare has a soldier lied about what he was doing or why he was doing it.

////

23 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:23:24am
24 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 11:23:28am

Bergdahl looks like a man in his 40s. Almost five long years with no contact outside his captors’ influence will do that. Who knows what he went through? And these asshats over here dare to rake him over the coals because maybe they didn’t “like” him or his views? I’m wondering what Bergdahl could tell us about them?

It’s just damned infuriating.

25 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 11:24:39am

re: #22 Targetpractice

Come now, Kragar. Never in the history of warfare has a soldier lied about what he was doing or why he was doing it.

////

In the USMC, we have the buddy system drilled into from boot camp. You never go anywhere alone, or let a fellow Marine go off on his own. Either the Army is so lax they don’t have similar rules, or someone in his unit dropped the ball or didn’t care that Bergdahl was vulnerable.

26 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:24:48am

re: #20 Kragar

Any investigation of Bergdahl needs to also focus on the rest of his unit and their actions leading up to and after the incident.

You’re trying to swiftboat them!

////////

You can thank our resident concern troll for that bit of dreck this morning.

27 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:25:41am
28 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:07am

Allen West, Dec. 2013

“Then there is Army SGT Bowe Bergdahl still held by the Islamic terrorist Haqqani network, probably in Pakistan, in the same place where Osama Bin Laden was hiding. This past POW/MIA national day of recognition, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reiterated a pledge to secure the young Army NCO being held captive, but have there been any actions? Any time, attention, or even mention from the Commander-in-Chief? Nah, no camera highlights in it for him.”
allenbwest.com

Allen West, June 2014: Impeach!

“…the U.S. House of Representatives should file articles of impeachment against Barack Hussein Obama.”
allenbwest.com

29 b.d.  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:35am

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!

30 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:37am

re: #25 Kragar

In the USMC, we have the buddy system drilled into from boot camp. You never go anywhere alone, or let a fellow Marine go off on his own. Either the Army is so lax they don’t have similar rules, or someone in his unit dropped the ball or didn’t care that Bergdahl was vulnerable.

I remember the early reports that he was on the can when he was captured, so I’m left wondering if he had told his “buddies” he was going to pinch off a loaf, they decided that they didn’t give enough of a fuck to check up on him until awhile later, and when they realized he was gone decided he’d just “walked off.”

31 Ian G.  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:37am

Once again, I’m reminded how the macho keyboard warriors of the right are, when you dig a little, pants-pissing cowards. They need to be armed to the teeth, per the NRA, to protect themselves from scary minorities, or something. Well, as an extremely white person living in a majority-minority neighborhood, I can tell them that their fear of rampaging minorities is, uh, a bit overblown.

Now they’re pissing their pants over 5 Taliban assholes being handed over to Qatar? What exactly are these guys going to do to us? Are they even going to make it out of Qatar? Somehow, I’m not losing sleep over their next moves.

32 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:38am

re: #21 GeneJockey

Tell it to Thad Cochran.

Yeah, they’ve got a good chance of nominating an openly neo-confederate there. That, that is wow even for Mississippi.

33 Lidane  Jun 4, 2014 11:27:54am

re: #4 Dr. Matt

The Morning Joe crew was able to diagnosis Bergdahl via the video and concluded that he was good health. Hence, the POTUS was lying that the prisoner exchange needed to be expedited. I’m not exaggerating.

Someone remind me again how accurate Bill Frist’s diagnosis was once the autopsy report for Terri Schiavo was released. Oh right. She was blind and her brain was essentially liquid. She was deader than dead aside from whatever involuntary function she still had.

I’m sure Morning Joe’s diagnosis will be similarly accurate once the debriefing and medical exams are done.

34 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:28:01am

re: #27 Dr. Matt

Swiftboating Part II

Stay classy Mr. I Haven’t updated my website since Space Jam came out.

35 steve_davis  Jun 4, 2014 11:29:07am

“Quick, punchy editing is not the Taliban’s strong suit.”

Well, in fairness, they’re using John McCain’s 2008 team, so just be thankful there isn’t a green background in all their p.r. shots.

36 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 11:29:36am

I didn’t read the previous thread so pardon me if someone’s brought this up, but did anyone see Greenwald’s latest?

What Excuse Remains for Obama’s Failure to Close GITMO?

Considering the way the Republicans are reacting to this Greenwald’s position that Obama could just choose to release people seems a little disingenuous.

37 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 11:29:37am

re: #25 Kragar

In the USMC, we have the buddy system drilled into from boot camp. You never go anywhere alone, or let a fellow Marine go off on his own. Either the Army is so lax they don’t have similar rules, or someone in his unit dropped the ball or didn’t care that Bergdahl was vulnerable.

Just finished a long overdue reading of Sledge’s _With the Old Breed_. He made a great deal of how important esprit de corps was to his unit and how that helped them stand up to what were essentially unbearable conditions.

(The book is about the personal experiences of a marine during the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa during WW2. Considered one of the better first person narratives about the experience of war.)

38 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:30:01am

re: #35 steve_davis

“Quick, punchy editing is not the Taliban’s strong suit.”

Well, in fairness, they’re using John McCain’s 2008 team, so just be thankful there isn’t a green background in all their p.r. shots.

They would have hired Romney’s except they’re too busy working the platoonmates’ media circuit.

39 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 11:30:22am

re: #30 Targetpractice

I remember the early reports that he was on the can when he was captured, so I’m left wondering if he had told his “buddies” he was going to pinch off a loaf, they decided that they didn’t give enough of a fuck to check up on him until awhile later, and when they realized he was gone decided he’d just “walked off.”

“Shit! They got him! What do we do?”
“I never liked that little shit… HEY! We could say he deserted!”
“BRILLIANT!”

40 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 11:31:13am

re: #5 HappyWarrior

He looks like a man much older than his 28 years. Shame on the assholes doing all they can to make what will already be a tough return even tougher.

I showed before and after photos of Bergdahl to MrBWS over the weekend and he could barely believe they were the same person.

41 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:32:19am
42 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 11:32:19am

And there it is.

43 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:32:57am

re: #39 Kragar

“Shit! They got him! What do we do?”
“I never liked that little shit… HEY! We could say he deserted!”
“BRILLIANT!”

There has to be a special kind of hatred lurking to take advantage of the guy’s rescue to come out of the woodwork 5 years later - after you’ve been sitting at home with your family and he’s been held captive - and smear his character while he’s unable to respond.

Of course, these guys are also linking to Gatestone. So.

44 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:33:21am

re: #39 Kragar

“Shit! They got him! What do we do?”
“I never liked that little shit… HEY! We could say he deserted!”
“BRILLIANT!”

In their rush to dub him a deserter, it comes as no surprise to me that none of the wingnuts are asking why none of his “buddies” who “knew” he intended to desert did anything to stop him. The fuck kinda Mickey Mouse outfit are we running when a guy makes it clear he intends to desert and you don’t even file a report until after he’s gone?

45 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 11:34:38am

re: #37 Feline Fearless Leader

Just finished a long overdue reading of Sledge’s _With the Old Breed_. He made a great deal of how important esprit de corps was to his unit and how that helped them stand up to what were essentially unbearable conditions.

(The book is about the personal experiences of a marine during the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa during WW2. Considered one of the better first person narratives about the experience of war.)

Had a real shitbird in my squad when I was at Comm Btln. Couldn’t trust him for anything and I rode his ass every day to make sure he did his job. Later on, his mom got sick and we had to arrange emergency leave and I made sure he got all his stuff together to get ready. He asked me, “I thought you hated me. Why are you helping me out?”

“You’re a Marine and you’re in trouble, why wouldn’t I help you?”

He didn’t make a complete turn around, but he did start working a lot better when he got back.

46 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 11:34:44am

re: #31 Ian G.

I’m also an apparently white person living in a town where the majority of the population is African-American. …um … I’m not dead yet.

When I see how afraid some people can get when they see a lot of dark faces I have to laugh or otherwise I’d cry.

47 Ian G.  Jun 4, 2014 11:35:22am

re: #42 Gus

Unsurprising, honestly. Leaving a soldier behind to be held by terrorist assholes isn’t that much of a stretch when you realize these are the same mental amoebas who booed a gay soldier during the 2012 election campaign.

48 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:35:26am

re: #42 Gus

And there it is.

[Embedded content]

But Susan Rice said he served his country honorably so this is fair game.

49 b.d.  Jun 4, 2014 11:35:42am

re: #42 Gus

And there it is.

[Embedded content]

INPEACH OBAMA!!! GIVE ME MONEY!!!!!

50 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:36:34am

re: #47 Ian G.

Unsurprising, honestly. Leaving a soldier behind to be held by terrorist assholes isn’t that much of a stretch when you realize these are the same mental amoebas who booed a gay soldier during the 2012 election campaign.

The same shit bags who also shout let him die. Yeah I am not the type that will refuse to talk to someone or think well of someone simply for being a Republican but OTOH I have a very low opinion of the Republican Party base and even lower one of the candidates that run on that hatred.

51 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 11:38:38am
52 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:39:56am

re: #51 Gus

[Embedded content]

But what does he know, he’s not a FNC contributor with an agenda to push.//

53 Ian G.  Jun 4, 2014 11:40:42am

re: #51 Gus

C’mon, there’s no place for rationality like that!

Let disgraced war criminal Allen West lead the lynching of Bergdahl!

//////////////////

54 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:40:55am

We have far too many rush to judgment types in this country. Types who I swear would do away with trial by jury if you gave them taht choice.

55 nines09  Jun 4, 2014 11:41:17am

Every single person who questions anything at all about how we (Obama, not the fucking GOP or Tea Party or any “Patriot” asswipe) got a captured soldier out of the custody of the Taliban needs to write their Senator or Congressman or Congesswoman and demand that THIS
wording be changed to “Unless we don’t like you or the person who got your Freedom or maybe we just might say fuck it, you ain’t worth it.

56 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2014 11:41:26am

Man, he looks terrible.
Idiots on tv saying he appears fine.
My ass.

57 Romantic Heretic  Jun 4, 2014 11:41:43am

re: #54 HappyWarrior

We have far too many rush to judgment types in this country. Types who I swear would do away with trial by jury if you gave them taht choice.

It’s easier than thinking.

58 Mike Lamb  Jun 4, 2014 11:41:51am

re: #51 Gus

[Embedded content]

No. Shoot first. Investigate later. Medals can be awarded posthumously doncha know…

59 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:42:16am

Seriously, this guy in your unit that you already don’t like because he’s not drinking beer and eating BBQ with you and the others is making noises about how he intends to desert, how he may even go and join the Taliban…and you don’t think that significant enough to inform anybody higher up the chain of command? You don’t keep a watch on him to stop him from trying to desert? Sounds to me like these fuckers came up with a cover story and then looked for the evidence to fit it.

60 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:42:33am

As a Vet, something seems fishy regarding those soldiers who are speaking out against Bergdahl. Yes, I never served in combat, but served with men who did. Nonetheless, coming out THIS quickly even before the guy is on American soil is highly, highly suspect. 1) Has it been confirmed these guys actually served directly with Bergdahl? 2) There HAS to be political and/or monetary motives behind this. I’m convinced that it’s only a matter for time before this is revealed as a complete sham.

61 Romantic Heretic  Jun 4, 2014 11:42:57am

re: #58 Mike Lamb

No. Shoot first. Investigate later. Medals can be awarded posthumously doncha know…

And grunts at that level are expendable anyway.

62 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:43:27am

From today’s Fox News rabble rouser email:

Benghazi 2.0!!!!

Look for these arguments to spill into Twitter in a few seconds.

63 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:43:29am

re: #59 Targetpractice

Seriously, this guy in your unit that you already don’t like because he’s not drinking beer and eating BBQ with you and the others is making noises about how he intends to desert, how he may even go and join the Taliban…and you don’t think that significant enough to inform anybody higher up the chain of command? You don’t keep a watch on him to stop him from trying to desert? Sounds to me like these fuckers came up with a cover story and then looked for the evidence to fit it.

Too much critical thinking. That’s just speculation. Only the words from the eyewitnesses matters.

///

64 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:43:48am

re: #57 Romantic Heretic

It’s easier than thinking.

Yep.

65 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 11:44:39am

My version.

66 Lidane  Jun 4, 2014 11:45:18am

re: #54 HappyWarrior

We have far too many rush to judgment types in this country. Types who I swear would do away with trial by jury if you gave them that choice.

Jury trials are for libruls. Real Muricans just need a gun.

67 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:45:25am

re: #62 jaunte

From today’s Fox News rabble rouser email:

[Embedded image]

Benghazi 2.0!!!!

Look for these arguments to spill into Twitter in a few seconds.

Gee Fox, not even trying to hide your agenda here. You know, it would be nice if Fox just were open about being a propaganda arm of the GOP and right wing agenda. But they hide like sissies behind “Fair and Balanced.” They really should offer their services to Putin. I’m sure Putin is jealous of the American right for having a network like Fox to spin everything their opponents do as bad.

68 Mike Lamb  Jun 4, 2014 11:45:32am

re: #62 jaunte

From today’s Fox News rabble rouser email:

[Embedded image]

Benghazi 2.0!!!!

Look for these arguments to spill into Twitter in a few seconds.

69 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:45:39am

re: #54 HappyWarrior

We have far too many rush to judgment types in this country. Types who I swear would do away with trial by jury if you gave them taht choice.

They never consider that it might one day be them, or someone they care about who ‘looks good for’ a crime. I’ve mentioned it before, but a wingnut once told me that even if some Death Row inmates didn’t commit the murders they were there for, they probably deserved to die anyway because the police wouldn’t have arrested them if they weren’t guilty of SOMETHING.

I really didn’t have anything to say to that. It’s Blackstone’s formulation turned on its head.

70 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 11:46:41am
71 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:46:49am

re: #69 GeneJockey

They never consider that it might one day be them, or someone they care about who ‘looks good for’ a crime. I’ve mentioned it before, but a wingnut once told me that even if some Death Row inmates didn’t commit the murders they were there for, they probably deserved to die anyway because the police wouldn’t have arrested them if they weren’t guilty of SOMETHING.

I really didn’t have anything to say to that. It’s Blackstone’s formulation turned on its head.

We’ve discussed this before but I think even more sane conservatives tend to lack empathy. Funny that coming from a HFA whose main thing is he has a struggle empathizing.

72 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:46:53am

The daily Townhall email should be along in a minute or two.

73 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 11:47:45am

re: #62 jaunte

From today’s Fox News rabble rouser email:

[Embedded image]

Benghazi 2.0!!!!

Look for these arguments to spill into Twitter in a few seconds.

You should spread a rumor that the guy wearing the scarf there is actually Obama in disguise to oversee the exchange.
/ ;P

74 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:47:48am

I wonder how the “good conservatives” would like it if Bowe was their son and he was the subject of a smear campaign simply because certain individuals and parties care more about hating on POTUS more than adding anything of real substance to the debate.

75 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 11:48:07am

re: #62 jaunte

From today’s Fox News rabble rouser email:

[Embedded image]

Benghazi 2.0!!!!

Look for these arguments to spill into Twitter in a few seconds.

Soldiers were probably told to keep quiet about Bergdahl’s kidnapping because you don’t put that shit all over FB and Twitter.

It sounds as though these guys didn’t like their superior officers taking control. There are always some things the command probably just don’t want getting out to the public before they can determine what course of action to take.

76 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 11:48:24am

re: #20 Kragar

Any investigation of Bergdahl needs to also focus on the rest of his unit and their actions leading up to and after the incident.

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

77 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 11:48:25am

re: #28 jaunte

allenbwest.com

What does ‘b’ stand for? //

78 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:48:30am

re: #71 HappyWarrior

We’ve discussed this before but I think even more sane conservatives tend to lack empathy. Funny that coming from a HFA whose main thing is he has a struggle empathizing.

Yes. Like Dick Cheney and marriage equality, or Megyn Kelly and family leave, they have to experience it DIRECTLY to be able to see it. They can’t put themselves in others shoes.

79 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:48:56am

re: #70 Gus

[Embedded content]

It’s even more fun to remember that the guy kicked off the fundraising off this had to retire in disgrace to avoid being court-martialed for war crimes. Crimes far worse than desertion.

80 nines09  Jun 4, 2014 11:49:06am

re: #74 HappyWarrior

I wonder how the “good conservatives” would like it if Bowe was their son and he was the subject of a smear campaign simply because certain individuals and parties care more about hating on POTUS more than adding anything of real substance to the debate.

That would take consideration and thought and actual compassion and intelligence. Too hard. Too complicated.

81 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:49:35am

re: #77 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Bernard.

82 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:49:44am

re: #79 Targetpractice

It’s even more fun to remember that the guy kicked off the fundraising off this had to retire in disgrace to avoid being court-martialed for war crimes. Crimes far worse than desertion.

Crimes that are a badge of honor to his chosen community.

83 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:49:46am

re: #76 funky chicken

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

Ummm, no, this isn’t because of the haterade.

It’s because there are some actual reasons why the action of the unit needs to be considered in the context of his disappearance.

You know, the same way the unit ended up getting looked at in Pat Tillman’s death.

84 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 11:50:23am

re: #76 funky chicken

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

That is in some question

nytimes.com

85 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:50:27am

re: #78 GeneJockey

Yes. Like Dick Cheney and marriage equality, or Megyn Kelly and family leave, they have to experience it DIRECTLY to be able to see it. They can’t put themselves in others shoes.

Right, and frankly that’s why I was much more impressed with Ted Olson’s work and pro-bono work at that on behalf of same sex marriage than Rob Portman who suddenly became pro gay marriage after he found out his son was gay. Good for you Rob for not being Alan Keyes but it would be nice to see conservatives try to put themselves in the shoes of others for once.

86 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:51:32am

re: #80 nines09

That would take consideration and thought and actual compassion and intelligence. Too hard. Too complicated.

Yeah I know, I am guilty of expecting my fellow human beings to act more like human beings at times.

87 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:51:33am
88 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:51:41am

re: #76 funky chicken

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

According to their own statements to the press, Bergdahl was engaged in actions and making statements that indicated he intended to desert from the Army and yet there was nothing done to stop him. That just does not pass the sniff test.

89 Romantic Heretic  Jun 4, 2014 11:52:06am

re: #69 GeneJockey

They never consider that it might one day be them, or someone they care about who ‘looks good for’ a crime. I’ve mentioned it before, but a wingnut once told me that even if some Death Row inmates didn’t commit the murders they were there for, they probably deserved to die anyway because the police wouldn’t have arrested them if they weren’t guilty of SOMETHING.

I really didn’t have anything to say to that. It’s Blackstone’s formulation turned on its head.

Several years ago a columnist in Toronto’s wing nut paper, The Sun, proposed that public floggings would be a good way to deal with crime.

I wrote them a letter saying that should such a thing occur I would plant a half kilo of heroin in the author’s house and inform the police of its presence.

For some reason they didn’t print that one.

90 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 11:52:30am
91 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:53:04am

re: #90 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

But it’s the President who’s made him the most hated soldier in history.

92 klys  Jun 4, 2014 11:53:29am

re: #91 Targetpractice

But it’s the President who’s made him the most hated soldier in history.

With talking points.

///

93 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 11:54:23am

re: #76 funky chicken

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

Please allow me to tell you to fuck right off. In any incident as serious as this, the Pentagon would be remiss in not investigating the unit the soldier was assigned to. We don’t know exactly happened out there and won’t until a real, in depth investigation of the whole unit has been done.

94 Romantic Heretic  Jun 4, 2014 11:55:25am

re: #90 Charles Johnson

They’re crackheads. Stoned out of their minds on hate.

95 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 11:56:31am

re: #90 Charles Johnson

They’ll keep writing articles until Bergdahl and the Taliban swap is connected with Hillary.

96 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 11:57:12am
97 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:57:46am

re: #91 Targetpractice

But it’s the President who’s made him the most hated soldier in history.

HE’S THE MOST POLARIZING PRESIDENT IN HISTORY (because we hate who he is, not because of anything he’s done)

98 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 11:57:48am

re: #75 Justanotherhuman

Soldiers were probably told to keep quiet about Bergdahl’s kidnapping because you don’t put that shit all over FB and Twitter.

It sounds as though these guys didn’t like their superior officers taking control. There are always some things the command probably just don’t want getting out to the public before they can determine what course of action to take.

No, these guys are a bunch of lowlife waste of humanity, wallowing in 15+ minutes of fame. The same kind of “patriots” (spit) who don’t think there was damned thing wrong with what happened at Abu Ghraib, or pissing on Taliban corpses, or “going rogue” by shooting up Afghan villagers, or cutting off body parts for trophies.
And they got to come home and live among us.
These guys are the wingnut heroes.

Let THAT sink in.

99 Lidane  Jun 4, 2014 11:58:04am
100 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 11:58:19am

re: #96 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Christ, are there even that many RW pundits?

101 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 11:58:42am

re: #76 funky chicken

Um, I disagree. Yeah soldiers get really pissed off when somebody deserts an important post, but they worked hard and lost lives trying to find him. Don’t go crazy and accuse his unit just because of right wing haterade.

I’ve never been in a combat zone. But I served with several sailors that AWOL (i.e., deserted their duty station) during the first Gulf War at a time that required exponentially more security and [armed] watches by all hands. We weren’t pissed. We wrote them off as dirtbags. Good riddance to trash. We didn’t want to rely on someone who didn’t want to be there.

102 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 11:59:31am

re: #89 Romantic Heretic

Several years ago a columnist in Toronto’s wing nut paper, The Sun, proposed that public floggings would be a good way to deal with crime.

I wrote them a letter saying that should such a thing occur I would plant a half kilo of heroin in the author’s house and inform the police of its presence.

For some reason they didn’t print that one.

I remember the waterboarding debate. Hannity offered that he’d go through with it to prove it wasn’t torture. Still hasn’t. Gee, I wonder why. I’m reminded of a line from one of my favorite novels, Revolutionary Road. An obviously mentally challenged (I assume schizophrenic) character has gone on a very angry rant) and one of the characters agrees with him, and her husband asks her how can she do that because the man is clearly insane because he lacks the ability to relate, the ability to relate to other people. That’s what I see with wingnuts. A refusal to relate to other people. They don’t care about cutting people off welfare, they don’t care about making college hard to afford, they don’t care about the consequences of rdeegulating environmental regulation because they do lack the inability ot relate.to their fellow man.

103 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 11:59:38am

re: #71 HappyWarrior

With some of these people it’s something other than a lack of empathy, perhaps a pleasure in inflicting punishment. It’s a little more complicated than pure sadism in that a sense of self-righteousness seems a necessary ingredient. That’s very different from difficulty in understanding other people’s feelings even when one is trying. These people seem to get something of a jolt from the idea of others being punished, even if the punishment is disproportionate. There’s no sense of gravity which would be there if they thought punishment was necessary but regrettable.

104 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 11:59:45am

re: #83 klys

Ummm, no, this isn’t because of the haterade.

It’s because there are some actual reasons why the action of the unit needs to be considered in the context of his disappearance.

You know, the same way the unit ended up getting looked at in Pat Tillman’s death.

To this day, Tillman’s “buddies” still talk about a phantom ambush, despite there being absolutely no evidence of any injuries besides the “accidental” three round burst of 5.56 NATO to the side of Pat’s head.

105 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:00:43pm

Annette Bosworth, wingnut doctor and Republican candidate for the Senate.

South Dakota attorney general files charges accusing defeated US Senate candidate Annette Bosworth of 6 counts of perjury and 6 counts of filing false documents related to election campaign laws - @AP
End of alert

106 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:00:59pm

re: #88 Targetpractice

According to their own statements to the press, Bergdahl was engaged in actions and making statements that indicated he intended to desert from the Army and yet there was nothing done to stop him. That just does not pass the sniff test.

Soldiers bitch about their work all the time. My husband is about to retire from the military, and if they had confined every person who said “fuck this shit, I’m leaving,” there wouldn’t be anybody left on post. I Just have no interest in joining the Issa brigade in full metal witch hunt mode.

107 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:01:04pm

re: #99 Lidane

While Cohen claimed to be “sicken[ed]” by the treatment of the Bergdahls, he has also written that “people with conventional views must repress a gag reflex” when considering interracial families.

Dick Cohen.

108 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:01:53pm

re: #98 Backwoods_Sleuth

No, these guys are a bunch of lowlife waste of humanity, wallowing in 15+ minutes of fame. The same kind of “patriots” (spit) who don’t think there was damned thing wrong with what happened at Abu Ghraib, or pissing on Taliban corpses, or “going rogue” by shooting up Afghan villagers, or cutting off body parts for trophies.
And they got to come home and live among us.
These guys are the wingnut heroes.

Let THAT sink in.

Um…I dont know if we should be calling any of these soldiers names like that. Sometimes the perception is different than reality, but some probably truly believe this…and we just don’t know yet.

109 b.d.  Jun 4, 2014 12:03:03pm

The country has gone insane

110 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:03:03pm

re: #106 funky chicken

Soldiers bitch about their work all the time. My husband is about to retire from the military, and if they had confined every person who said “fuck this shit, I’m leaving,” there wouldn’t be anybody left on post. I Just have no interest in joining the Issa brigade in full metal witch hunt mode.

You do understand that to actually have any idea of what happened, they are going to need to investigate the whole unit? If only to get a feel for the players involved, and everyone’s perspective?

This isn’t because they’re trying to be mean or do a witch hunt, it’s because it’s how investigations fucking work.

111 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:04:13pm

re: #108 blueraven

Um…I dont know if we should be calling any of these soldiers names like that. Sometimes the perception is different than reality, but some probably truly believe this…and we just don’t know yet.

This guy: littlegreenfootballs.com

112 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:05:08pm

re: #103 J A P

With some of these people it’s something other than a lack of empathy, perhaps a pleasure in inflicting punishment. It’s a little more complicated than pure sadism in that a sense of self-righteousness seems a necessary ingredient. That’s very different from difficulty in understanding other people’s feelings even when one is trying. These people seem to get something of a jolt from the idea of others being punished, even if the punishment is disproportionate. There’s no sense of gravity which would be there if they thought punishment was necessary but regrettable.

You’re right that there does seem to be a desire to punish with them but I air on the side of them lacking the ability to empathize and here’s why. As soon as one of their own is impacted by something that can be fixed by something they nominally would despise or be opposed to, they’re the first for it. My grandmother knows of a couple where the couple are good loyal Republicans and opposed to “big government” but were the first in line to get their daughter’s benefits for her mental illness. I have more understanding for people philosophically opposed to such programs than fuck you, I got mine types that I think are the embodiment of conservatism in our nation.

113 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:05:32pm

re: #109 b.d.

The country has gone insane

People who regularly break traffic laws, come in late to work, skip class, walk restaurant checks, ignore bills, or go bankrupt are incensed that a soldier was captured while AWOL.

114 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:05:37pm

re: #106 funky chicken

Soldiers bitch about their work all the time. My husband is about to retire from the military, and if they had confined every person who said “fuck this shit, I’m leaving,” there wouldn’t be anybody left on post. I Just have no interest in joining the Issa brigade in full metal witch hunt mode.

It’s a little more than fuck this job, if the reports are to be believed.
An investigation will, out of necessity, involve those around him.

115 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:05:43pm

re: #106 funky chicken

Soldiers bitch about their work all the time. My husband is about to retire from the military, and if they had confined every person who said “fuck this shit, I’m leaving,” there wouldn’t be anybody left on post. I Just have no interest in joining the Issa brigade in full metal witch hunt mode.

This isn’t a witch hunt, it’s an investigation that may well lead to a court-martial and jail time. This man’s guilt or innocence rests on, among other things, what his “buddies” have to say. So why shouldn’t their honesty be under scrutiny?

116 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:06:04pm

re: #93 Kragar

Please allow me to tell you to fuck right off. In any incident as serious as this, the Pentagon would be remiss in not investigating the unit the soldier was assigned to. We don’t know exactly happened out there and won’t until a real, in depth investigation of the whole unit has been done.

Hey, if living on rage and witch hunts floats your boat, fine with me. I’m sure plenty of sober investigation has already taken place. Like I said, my husband is about to retire from the military and spent lots of time in Afghanistan over the years. Just because a handful of disgruntled media whores are getting their wingnut 15 minutes doesn’t mean his unit misbehaved.

118 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:06:40pm

re: #116 funky chicken

Hey, if living on rage and witch hunts floats your boat, fine with me. I’m sure plenty of sober investigation has already taken place. Like I said, my husband is about to retire from the military and spent lots of time in Afghanistan over the years. Just because a handful of disgruntled media whores are getting their wingnut 15 minutes doesn’t mean his unit misbehaved.

Umm, Kragar served in the Marines. Just so you know.

119 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:06:46pm

re: #111 Backwoods_Sleuth

This guy: littlegreenfootballs.com

Yes, he seems nice!

But I don’t think we can hang them all with that.

120 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:07:57pm

re: #117 Dr. Matt

FLASHBACK: Limbaugh: For the First Time in My Life, I Am Ashamed of My Country

Funny Rush, you weren’t ashamed of your country when civil rights workers were being kidnapped and murdered but Obama does a policy you dislike and you has a sad. You’re even lamer than the pimples on your ass that got you out of Nam.

121 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:08:18pm

re: #119 blueraven

Yes, he seems nice!

But I don’t think we can hang them all with that.

But Bergdahl’s “buddies” are allowed to go full speed ahead and order the rope for him.

122 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:08:59pm

re: #110 klys

You do understand that to actually have any idea of what happened, they are going to need to investigate the whole unit? If only to get a feel for the players involved, and everyone’s perspective?

This isn’t because they’re trying to be mean or do a witch hunt, it’s because it’s how investigations fucking work.

And he disappeared 5 years ago. I’m just encouraging people to realize that those investigations already happened. A handful of douchebags are shaming themselves and their unit. That shouldn’t bring he’ll raining down on the rest of the guys who were there.

123 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:09:20pm
124 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 12:09:25pm

re: #116 funky chicken

Hey, if living on rage and witch hunts floats your boat, fine with me. I’m sure plenty of sober investigation has already taken place. Like I said, my husband is about to retire from the military and spent lots of time in Afghanistan over the years. Just because a handful of disgruntled media whores are getting their wingnut 15 minutes doesn’t mean his unit misbehaved.

Yes, suggesting the DOD will actually investigate the incident properly and assess the full situation equals “living on rage and witch hunts”. I see now. Thanks for pointing that out.

125 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:10:18pm

re: #122 funky chicken

And he disappeared 5 years ago. I’m just encouraging people to realize that those investigations already happened. A handful of douchebags are shaming themselves and their unit. That shouldn’t bring he’ll raining down on the rest of the guys who were there.

Oh, I see, that’s why the Army has said that there will be a complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

126 Randall Gross  Jun 4, 2014 12:10:44pm

Did you also notice the pat down to make sure he wasn’t wired with IED before he got on board? I’m glad that they are following good protocol.

127 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 4, 2014 12:10:46pm

Even before social media, the circumstances surrounding a soldier’s disappearance or capture were automatically classified or at least confidential until higher authority determined otherwise. Wingnuts are showing their ignorance (yet again) when they bellyache about Bergdahl’s unit being told to “keep quiet.”

128 b.d.  Jun 4, 2014 12:10:50pm

F*ck it, time to open up those FEMA camps Mr. President.

//

129 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 12:11:16pm

re: #125 klys

Oh, I see, that’s why the Army has said that there will be a complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Obviously the Army is just conducting a rage fueled witch hunt.
/

130 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:11:24pm

re: #123 jaunte

[Embedded content]

I’d love to hear the “diva’s” explanation to how he needed to come home in 2012 but became a traitor in the span of two years. Oh wait, Obama rescued him and not Mr. I protested in favor of the draft and then ate baguettes and wore cheap berets in France.

131 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:11:54pm

re: #129 Kragar

Obviously the Army is just conducting a rage fueled witch hunt.
/

I call dibs on the band name!

132 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 12:12:05pm

I’m not sure where this factors into anything, but according to the report that was in Rolling Stone a few years ago:

In what appears to be an unprecedented move, the Pentagon also scrambled to shut down any public discussion of Bowe. Members of Bowe’s brigade were required to sign nondisclosure agreements as part of their paperwork to leave Afghanistan. The agreement, according to Capt. Fancey, forbids them to discuss any “personnel recovery” efforts - an obvious reference to Bowe.

America’s Last Prisoner of War

Has anyone read anything that names people other than “witnesses”, the word used in the Times article? Were these witnesses in a position to have good knowledge of what went on? Are they the same people who signed the non-disclosure agreements?

133 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:13:02pm

Ugh. Hell. My iPad keeps sticking that hyphen in there. One of my husband’s tours was a year plus with the IG. Honestly, they know all kinds of information about this event. They brought him home, and everybody just needs to calm down.

134 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 12:13:20pm

re: #129 Kragar

Obviously the Army is just conducting a rage fueled witch hunt.
/

Sure it’s not a witch fueled rage hunt? I hear that witches are made out of wood.
//

135 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 12:13:31pm

re: #131 GeneJockey

I call dibs on the band name!

Thats fine, I’ve still got the rights to “Black Robed Shadow Cabal” any ways

136 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:13:45pm
137 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 12:14:48pm
138 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:14:54pm

re: #121 Backwoods_Sleuth

But Bergdahl’s “buddies” are allowed to go full speed ahead and order the rope for him.

I understand the anger and frustration.

But I would much rather reserve my name calling for the political operatives organizing this sleazy PR campaign. The soldiers are emotional, the slime-balls are taking advantage.

139 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:14:56pm

Regarding the NDAs - isn’t there usually some kind of ‘stick’ attached to them, as in “I agree not to say anything about this if YOU agree not to say anything about this”?

140 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:15:13pm

re: #136 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Can Bob Bergdahl do the same thing and turn Allen West into a mosque because that makes as much sense of him doing a magic formula and doing the same with the WH.

141 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:15:15pm

re: #134 Feline Fearless Leader

Sure it’s not a witch fueled rage hunt? I hear that witches are made out of wood.
//

It could be a duck…

142 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 12:15:50pm

re: #133 funky chicken

Ugh. Hell. My iPad keeps sticking that hyphen in there. One of my husband’s tours was a year plus with the IG. Honestly, they know all kinds of information about this event. They brought him home, and everybody just needs to calm down.

Well, um, they never had a single pip out of Bergdahl, seeing as he was stuck in a godforsaken cave on the other side of the world.

Not getting any information from the principle person in the case would seem to render the last investigation, good as it might have been under trying circumstances, rather incomplete.

143 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 12:16:03pm

re: #136 jaunte

Allen West: Bergdahl’s dad uttered a magic formula to turn the White House into a mosque.

I have it on good authority from several imams that the magic word is “Al-Shazam!!”

144 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:16:09pm

re: #140 HappyWarrior

Gateway Pundit is all over the story.

145 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:16:13pm

re: #133 funky chicken

Ugh. Hell. My iPad keeps sticking that hyphen in there. One of my husband’s tours was a year plus with the IG. Honestly, they know all kinds of information about this event. They brought him home, and everybody just needs to calm down.

“What does an Inspector General do? Inspect Generals? Or generally inspect?”
//

146 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 4, 2014 12:16:18pm

re: #136 jaunte

[Embedded content]

These anti-Muslim “Shahara-zod law when they get to 3%” nutcakes drive me into a hate filled rage, or at least a state of bemused contempt.

147 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:16:43pm

re: #127 Shiplord Kirel

Even before social media, the circumstances surrounding a soldier’s disappearance or capture were automatically classified or at least confidential until higher authority determined otherwise. Wingnuts are showing their ignorance (yet again) when they bellyache about Bergdahl’s unit being told to “keep quiet.”

And the information will (or should) remain classified. I am saddened to see commenters here who appear to want to serve as the howling right wing’s counterbalance.

148 Killgore Trout  Jun 4, 2014 12:17:06pm

re: #126 Randall Gross

Did you also notice the pat down to make sure he wasn’t wired with IED before he got on board? I’m glad that they are following good protocol.

Yeah. I think there was a hostage exchange a couple years ago where the released hostage exploded shortly after the exchange

149 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:17:06pm

I’m not really angry at the soldiers. I think it was pretty messed up that one of them tried to make an issue out of Bergdahl being more focused on learning Afghan and Arabic on Rosetta Stone than BBQ and beer. But my real rage is at the two faced Republican elected officials who wanted Obama to do everything possible to get this man free and Obama does that. And they still get mad. And some of them even accuse Bergdahl of being a traitor. That does anger me.

150 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 12:17:11pm

I was assuming that today might witness the gradual dialing back of the batshit insane lunacy of the past few days. I appear to have assumed incorrectly.

151 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 12:17:32pm

Smell the hypocrisy.

152 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:18:41pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Smell the hypocrisy.

[Embedded content]

Two faced assholes.

153 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:19:25pm

re: #145 GeneJockey

“What does an Inspector General do? Inspect Generals? Or generally inspect?”
//

Heh. Like I park in the “general officer” parking spots. Because my husband is, generally speaking, an officer.

154 Randall Gross  Jun 4, 2014 12:19:33pm

So enlighten me, who the heck is this Mexican prisoner they keep hyping?

155 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:19:41pm

re: #147 funky chicken

And the information will (or should) remain classified. I am saddened to see commenters here who appear to want to serve as the howling right wing’s counterbalance.

Who do you suggest do “counterbalance”?

The RWNJs are going to do their damnedest to politicize this for all they can get out of it, and smear Bergdahl, Kerry, Hagel, and anyone else who defends Pres Obama in this effort.

They won’t be happy until they think they have something with which to impeach Pres Obama—but this ain’t it.

156 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:19:51pm
157 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2014 12:19:54pm

re: #136 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Neat looking.

158 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:20:11pm

re: #147 funky chicken

And the information will (or should) remain classified. I am saddened to see commenters here who appear to want to serve as the howling right wing’s counterbalance.

Oh, good fucking lord.

All anyone here is saying is that the investigation should be complete. In fact, the Army has said it is going to do a complete investigation on this. That means the guys in the unit will be talked to.

In the meantime, some of his squad mates are in fact making very public asses out of themselves on national TV, some of what they are saying making very little sense in the grand context of things. Applying critical thinking to this is apparently, however, bad.

159 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:20:53pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Smell the hypocrisy.

[Embedded content]

Yes. So why on earth should anybody want to sound like that?

160 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:21:02pm

re: #116 funky chicken

Hey, if living on rage and witch hunts floats your boat, fine with me. I’m sure plenty of sober investigation has already taken place. Like I said, my husband is about to retire from the military and spent lots of time in Afghanistan over the years. Just because a handful of disgruntled media whores are getting their wingnut 15 minutes doesn’t mean his unit misbehaved.

I don’t think anyone wants a witch hunt, just a fair and thorough investigation. One in which the principle has a chance to talk.

161 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:22:10pm

re: #154 Randall Gross

Why Is a US Marine in a Mexican Jail? The Case of Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi
boston.com

162 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 12:22:17pm

re:
#151
Charles Johnson

C’mon, now. All these patriotic true Americans on Twitter had no idea about the Rolling Stone article that Obama covered up. //

163 Amory Blaine  Jun 4, 2014 12:22:50pm

God damn, and we got the midterm and 2016 coming up. I can’t imagine how depraved it is going to get.

164 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:22:54pm

They’ll turn on Tahmooresi if Obama gets him out. That much I can promise you.

165 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 12:23:07pm

re: #156 jaunte

Had to tweet that.

166 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:23:56pm

Townhall’s email talking points finally showed up.

167 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 12:24:02pm
168 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 12:24:33pm

re:
#156
jaunte

C’mon, that was before Obama got him released!

169 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2014 12:24:47pm

re: #43 klys

There has to be a special kind of hatred lurking to take advantage of the guy’s rescue to come out of the woodwork 5 years later - after you’ve been sitting at home with your family and he’s been held captive - and smear his character while he’s unable to respond.

Of course, these guys are also linking to Gatestone. So.

Don’t forget that in our post-9/11 world there are people who never recovered from the initial shock of the attacks and still carry an intense, unreasoning hatred of anything and anyone related to Islam/Muslims, up to and including culture & languages. Most of the ones that were here at LGF are gone now (though there’s still at least one that I’m aware of) but there are many, many others out there, as anyone familiar with the anti-Muslim hate blogs knows.

For those people, any non-Muslim who dares to be anything less than snarlingly contemptuous of The Enemy™ (all Muslims) is seen as an apologist, a traitor, a fool. Any sort of kindness or attempt to reach out & understand The Enemy™ is weakness. They don’t see us—any of us, myself included—as human. They don’t care if we’re profiled, or tortured, or denied our constitutional rights & protections, they just want us GONE so they can feel safe again. Some of those people were/are in the military (think West & Boykin for starters), no doubt among enlisted soldiers as well as officers.

Those people are fed even more fear & hatred by those individuals & organizations in the “Islamophobia industry” whose cynicism, lack of ethics, and opportunism permits them to toy with the potentially deadly fire of bigotry in order to achieve their political goals.

I don’t really like to talk about this shit because it depresses me, but I’m pointing it out because it’s very real—if Bergdahl didn’t understand that, then it could have caused him some serious problems.

Ugh. going back to work now. I don’t want to dwell on this shit.

170 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:24:57pm

re: #155 Justanotherhuman

Let them scream and make asses of themselves. Point out their stupidity. But don’t react by calling for massive investigations of Bergdahl’s unit or their conduct, or public tribunals, or whatever.

171 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:24:59pm

re: #150 Bulworth

I was assuming that today might witness the gradual dialing back of the batshit insane lunacy of the past few days. I appear to have assumed incorrectly.

Much like John Cole of Balloon Juice thought Obama’s election in 2008 signaled ‘Peak Wingnut’, you are far too optimistic.

Personally, I’m worried for Sgt Bergdahl, and for his family. These assholes are whipping up the ‘traitor’ frenzy to a froth, and the Bergdahls don’t have Secret Service protection. How much of a stretch is it to think that somebody will want to exact “punishment” on Sgt Bergdahl for the deaths of those allegedly killed searching for him?

172 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:25:32pm

re: #166 jaunte

[Embedded image]

Townhall’s email talking points finally showed up.

Suddenly they love DiFI? and where was their concern for the law when their dipshit hero Reagan did it far worse in Iran-Contra? Oh, I forgot, Ronnie could do whatever the hell he pleased because he was a white conservative Republican who made them feel better about being bigoted assholes and could actually win elections.

173 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:26:35pm

re: #171 GeneJockey

Much like John Cole of Balloon Juice thought Obama’s election in 2008 signaled ‘Peak Wingnut’, you are far too optimistic.

Personally, I’m worried for Sgt Bergdahl, and for his family. These assholes are whipping up the ‘traitor’ frenzy to a froth, and the Bergdahls don’t have Secret Service protection. How much of a stretch is it to think that somebody will want to exact “punishment” on Sgt Bergdahl for the deaths of those allegedly killed searching for him?

It’s not a stretch at all I’m afraid. Sad.

174 RealityBasedSteve  Jun 4, 2014 12:27:14pm

re: #135 Kragar

Thats fine, I’ve still got the rights to “Black Robed Shadow Cabal” any ways

Go ahead. my new band “Slap-Dicked Reprobates” is going to be packing them in at the Holiday Inn Express Lounge.

RBS

175 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 12:27:34pm
@MattBinder “Finder of dumb tweets: publicshaming.tumblr.com

hahaha. He’s awesome

176 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 12:27:45pm

re: #171 GeneJockey

How much of a stretch is it to think that somebody will want to exact “punishment” on Sgt Bergdahl for the deaths of those allegedly killed searching for him?

It’s not a stretch to think that someone will want to have that happen. Fortunately, the vast majority of the American far-right either doesn’t actually believe the shit they’re spewing, or they’re fucking cowards.

177 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:28:00pm

re: #166 jaunte

[Embedded image]

Townhall’s email talking points finally showed up.

Because here in America, we know how important it is to attack someone’s actions and motives when they have no opportunity to defend themselves.
////

178 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:28:26pm

re: #158 klys

Oh, good fucking lord.

All anyone here is saying is that the investigation should be complete. In fact, the Army has said it is going to do a complete investigation on this. That means the guys in the unit will be talked to.

In the meantime, some of his squad mates are in fact making very public asses out of themselves on national TV, some of what they are saying making very little sense in the grand context of things. Applying critical thinking to this is apparently, however, bad.

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

179 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:28:39pm

re: #170 funky chicken

Let them scream and make asses of themselves. Point out their stupidity. But don’t react by calling for massive investigations of Bergdahl’s unit or their conduct, or public tribunals, or whatever.

Who’s reacting? We’re expressing disbelief that the guys in his unit had no part in his disappearance, whether it was pushing him to desert or just negligence in paying attention to his whereabouts until he was reported missing. That’s something that any competent investigation is going to look into, the people around him at the time of his disappearance.

180 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 12:28:48pm

re: #177 GeneJockey

Because here in America, we know how important it is to attack someone’s actions and motives when they have no opportunity to defend themselves.
////

Dafuq’s a due process?

181 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:28:57pm

And hell yeah I am angry. These people get on Obama for not getting him released ASAP. Obama gets the guy released. And they’re calling the guy a traitor, they’re calling for Obama to be impeached over this, and they’re attacking the man’s father for having a frigging beard. Yeah, I’m angry because I’m sick and tired of these right wing shitheads who offer no alternatives to the programs facing our country but their own pathetic rage at their inability to accept that our Untied States of America has a president whose father was a dark-skinned Kenyan immigrant.

182 calochortus  Jun 4, 2014 12:29:40pm

re: #158 klys

Oh, good fucking lord.

All anyone here is saying is that the investigation should be complete. In fact, the Army has said it is going to do a complete investigation on this. That means the guys in the unit will be talked to.

In the meantime, some of his squad mates are in fact making very public asses out of themselves on national TV, some of what they are saying making very little sense in the grand context of things. Applying critical thinking to this is apparently, however, bad.

So, none of those people spoke out in the last 5 years because they signed non-disclosure agreements, but now they feel perfectly free to go on every news outlet to be interviewed? Am I missing something?

183 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:29:50pm

re: #170 funky chicken

Let them scream and make asses of themselves. Point out their stupidity. But don’t react by calling for massive investigations of Bergdahl’s unit or their conduct, or public tribunals, or whatever.

Who on this blog has done that?

The Army will conduct its investigation. People are simply saying allow the Army to do it, and accept their findings, not to jump to conclusions from those out there who would scorer political points by using others in his platoon. No one should be calling Bergdahl anything but a released POW at this point—he’s neither a traitor nor a hero, just a soldier who was captured and kept prisoner for almost 5 horrible years (as you can tell from his appearance).

184 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 12:29:59pm

re: #171 GeneJockey

Much like John Cole of Balloon Juice thought Obama’s election in 2008 signaled ‘Peak Wingnut’, you are far too optimistic.

Personally, I’m worried for Sgt Bergdahl, and for his family. These assholes are whipping up the ‘traitor’ frenzy to a froth, and the Bergdahls don’t have Secret Service protection. How much of a stretch is it to think that somebody will want to exact “punishment” on Sgt Bergdahl for the deaths of those allegedly killed searching for him?

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there some violent attempt against Sgt. Bergdahl directly or against his family.

These wingnuts are whipped up into an absolute frenzy.

185 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 12:30:34pm
186 EmmaAnne  Jun 4, 2014 12:30:38pm

re: #178 funky chicken

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

No. It was calling for a thorough investigation to find out what happened. I don’t understand why you are taking this as an attack on soldiers.

187 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:31:12pm

re: #178 funky chicken

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

Yeah, no, there’s nothing angry about Kragar’s post, which was the one you responded to initially. His post was actually saying something that, again, any competent investigator would look at: the guys in his unit, their relationship to him, and any actions on their part that might have contributed to his disappearance.

188 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:31:13pm

re: #178 funky chicken

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

The post you responded to was this:

re: #20 Kragar

Any investigation of Bergdahl needs to also focus on the rest of his unit and their actions leading up to and after the incident.

If you read anger into that, well. Umm. That’s on you. Because what Kragar is calling for reads *to me* like a call for a complete and full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, including what violations of military protocols there might have been, e.g.:

re: #25 Kragar

In the USMC, we have the buddy system drilled into from boot camp. You never go anywhere alone, or let a fellow Marine go off on his own. Either the Army is so lax they don’t have similar rules, or someone in his unit dropped the ball or didn’t care that Bergdahl was vulnerable.

Which, based on his experience in the military, is a reasonable perspective to take.

189 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 12:32:15pm

re: #185 lawhawk

From what, precisely, are we alleged to be presently diverting?

Honest question. ZOMGBENGHAZI? I can’t think of anything else.

190 klys  Jun 4, 2014 12:32:55pm

re: #186 EmmaAnne

No. It was calling for a thorough investigation to find out what happened. I don’t understand why you are taking this as an attack on soldiers.

Kragar generally makes it pretty unmistakable when he’s angry at things. It’s always fun to behold.

191 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 12:33:06pm

re: #189 Testy Toad T

From what, precisely, are we alleged to be presently diverting?

Honest question. ZOMGBENGHAZI? I can’t think of anything else.

Beghazi, the VA scandal, Teapot Dome, the Tammany Hall scandal, you name it.

//

192 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 12:33:21pm
193 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:33:38pm

re: #189 Testy Toad T

From what, precisely, are we alleged to be presently diverting?

Honest question. ZOMGBENGHAZI? I can’t think of anything else.

The VA scandal, which they’re sure was their ticket to big gains in November.

194 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:33:46pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Are we in Kafka’s novel?

195 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:34:05pm

re: #192 Gus

[Embedded content]

As I said, their ideology is a choose your own adventure book to Obama’s actions.

196 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 12:34:17pm

re: #185 lawhawk

Let the conspiracy theories flow

Early on Malkin was yearning for his release and was claiming he was kidnapped in the middle of the night.

197 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 12:34:27pm

re: #189 Testy Toad T

From what, precisely, are we alleged to be presently diverting?

Honest question. ZOMGBENGHAZI? I can’t think of anything else.

VA scandal (which under all the shrieking actually is a scandal - that has been going on for years even before Obama took office due to improper/inadequate funding and various VA facilities gaming their admissions figures and made worse due to sequester/budget cuts).

198 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:34:28pm

re: #194 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Are we in Kafka’s novel?

I’m afraid so and this one makes The Trial look like Oliver Twist.

199 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:34:48pm

And another tornado warning just popped up east of Cincinnati.
Fun times!

200 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:35:01pm

re: #189 Testy Toad T

From what, precisely, are we alleged to be presently diverting?

Honest question. ZOMGBENGHAZI? I can’t think of anything else.

WHATEVER IT IS, IT MUST BE PRETTY BAD!!!!

201 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 12:35:13pm
202 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:35:27pm

re: #198 HappyWarrior

I’m afraid so and this one makes The Trial look like Oliver Twist.

Either that, or we’re in one of Peter Jackson’s earlier flicks.

203 calochortus  Jun 4, 2014 12:35:35pm

Maybe we’ll get lucky and some new outrage will drive this whole thing off the front page, Bergdahl will get a few months to try to get back to normal, there will be an appropriate investigation and we’ll all find out what happened.

204 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:35:59pm

trator!

205 Amory Blaine  Jun 4, 2014 12:36:06pm

The dudes not even home yet. They could have been tactful with their hate and kept their “scandal” brewing on low, injecting innuendo and float balloons all over. Throwing up all their hate at once has to shock the less wingnutty republicans left, I would think.

206 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:36:29pm

re: #197 lawhawk

VA scandal (which under all the shrieking actually is a scandal - that has been going on for years even before Obama took office due to improper/inadequate funding and various VA facilities gaming their admissions figures and made worse due to sequester/budget cuts).

Remember Walter Reed and the huge scandal about it? en.wikipedia.org

They will try to pin that on Pres Obama next.

207 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:36:45pm

re: #204 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

trator!

That must be what they serve at tratorias.

208 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:36:49pm

re: #164 HappyWarrior

They’ll turn on Tahmooresi if Obama gets him out. That much I can promise you.

Well he does have a funny name. Sounds kinda Ay-rab. Seriously, they probably will, and they will look like assholes yet again.

John Stewart’s video was great. Bergdahl looks like hell and it is good that we brought him home. The nuts want him to be tried for treason or whatever, but that ain’t gonna happen. Everybody just needs to calm down.

209 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 12:37:02pm

re: #194 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Are we in Kafka’s novel?

Maybe not a novel, but possibly still Kafka since I suspect a bunch of these nuts *have* transformed into giant insects of some sort.
///

210 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:37:07pm

In any case. This is just going to continue. The rage at Obama will be directed to Hillary Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, or whoever the next Democratic president is. Like Carter, Obama will still be despised even as he grays and his time in the WH becomes far removed and hell they will be hating on him long after he passes away. It’s never going end unless the Republican Party implodes on itself and a legitimately sane center-right party rises from the ashes.

211 urbanmeemaw  Jun 4, 2014 12:37:26pm

re: #171 GeneJockey

Much like John Cole of Balloon Juice thought Obama’s election in 2008 signaled ‘Peak Wingnut’, you are far too optimistic.

Personally, I’m worried for Sgt Bergdahl, and for his family. These assholes are whipping up the ‘traitor’ frenzy to a froth, and the Bergdahls don’t have Secret Service protection. How much of a stretch is it to think that somebody will want to exact “punishment” on Sgt Bergdahl for the deaths of those allegedly killed searching for him?

The program “Here and Now” on NPR had 2 excellent segments covering the story. The first featured an interview with a reporter (don’t remember his name) who served in the military and whose brother died in combat. He minced no words in decrying in how this situation has been politicized and used the word “disgusted” (don’t hear that level of honesty very often). The interviewer even cited a New York Times article that investigated how many soldiers died trying to free Bergdahl and mentioned that a PR flack had orchestrated interviews with the soldiers in Bergdahl’s outfit. I was shocked, quite frankly, the the reporting was so straightforward.

The second segment, which speaks to your point about violence, featured interviews with people who live in Haley, idaho, who had planned a welcome home celebration. A shopkeeper who was on the planning committee said that based on the virulence and hatred townspeople have experienced (via Facebook, telephone calls, etc) she feared violence.

Here’s a link to the web site with information on how to access the broadcast. The podcast may not be available yet:

hereandnow.wbur.org

212 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 12:37:56pm

re: #178 funky chicken

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

Obviously you’ve never seen me angry

213 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 12:38:35pm

The guy hasn’t even reached US soil yet and the right-wing has labeled him a: traitor, deserter, terrorist, and a sympathizer. Lovely.

214 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:38:48pm

re: #208 funky chicken

Well he does have a funny name. Sounds kinda Ay-rab. Seriously, they probably will, and they will look like assholes yet again.

John Stewart’s video was great. Bergdahl looks like hell and it is good that we brought him home. The nuts want him to be tried for treason or whatever, but that ain’t gonna happen. Everybody just needs to calm down.

It’s Iranian. And the wingnuts just love Iran. Oliver North. Iran/Contra. And guns first, of course.

215 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 12:38:49pm
216 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:38:50pm

I peaked in on my old stomping grounds at the Bowsite. There’s a thread on Bergdahl. The first two posts welcome him back.

By the third, the Wingnut Talking Points start filtering in.

By they 10th post, they’re ready to hang him.

217 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:38:59pm

re: #207 GeneJockey

That must be what they serve at tratorias.

Delivered through the trator beams.

218 RealityBasedSteve  Jun 4, 2014 12:39:24pm

re: #209 Feline Fearless Leader

Maybe not a novel, but possibly still Kafka since I suspect a bunch of these nuts *have* transformed into giant insects of some sort.
///

Yes… they are nothing but Giant Cockroaches wearing WingNut Skin-Suits.

RBS

219 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:39:59pm

re: #215 Gus

Lemme guess. She’s prolly not a veteran and not 23. Certainly not a lady.

220 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:40:00pm

re: #215 Gus

[Embedded content]

Jeez at least the other ones had more than a year between them. This one? Not even a month. How utterly pathetic.

221 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 12:40:08pm
222 wrenchwench  Jun 4, 2014 12:40:53pm

re: #207 GeneJockey

That must be what they serve at tratorias.

He’s a desserter at the tratoria.

223 makeitstop  Jun 4, 2014 12:41:24pm

re: #205 Amory Blaine

The dudes not even home yet. They could have been tactful with their hate and kept their “scandal” brewing on low, injecting innuendo and float balloons all over. Throwing up all their hate at once has to shock the less wingnutty republicans left, I would think.

If there are any less wingnutty Republicans left, they’re not saying a word.

The rest of them are feasting on all of this, thanks to Ric Grinell’s little media tour he set up for Swift Boat Vets II.

I’m not usually given to conspiracy theories, but all of this vitriol against Bergdahl just seems a little too lined up in advance. It’s almost as though the whole outrage tour was in place by the time Bergdahl’s release was announced.

Did someone in the administration let it slip, or does the Obama administration have a wingnut mole?

224 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:42:17pm

re: #221 Gus

[Embedded content]

Hopefully they all work at offices that block Twitter.

225 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:42:43pm

re: #214 Justanotherhuman

It’s Iranian. And the wingnuts just love Iran. Oliver North. Iran/Contra. And guns first, of course.

Hahahahah it’s Persian. I didn’t know that. So yeah, they will wind up the outrage machine again. Good for them, but I am unwilling to ride that ride any more.

226 dog philosopher  Jun 4, 2014 12:42:48pm

re: #208 funky chicken

Well he does have a funny name. Sounds kinda Ay-rab.

is it persian?

227 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:43:03pm

re: #223 makeitstop

If there are any less wingnutty Republicans left, they’re not saying a word.

The rest of them are feasting on all of this, thanks to Ric Grinell’s little media tour he set up for Swift Boat Vets II.

I’m not usually given to conspiracy theories, but all of this vitriol against Bergdahl just seems a little too lined up in advance. It’s almost as though the whole outrage tour was in place by the time Bergdahl’s release was announced.

Did someone in the administration let it slip, or does the Obama administration have a wingnut mole?

I think they’re always prepared to rage against Obama regardless. Doubt it’s a mole. Perhaps a leakage is a possibility.

228 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:43:11pm

Somebody write a limerick about a trattoria in Pretoria.

229 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 12:43:19pm

Fascinating:

That’s the excuse they’re going with - that people didn’t understand the nature of Bergdahl’s capture by the Taliban, so we now have to accept the 180 and treating him like a traitor.

Except, that it doesn’t pass the smell test.

The circumstances of Bergdahl’s capture weren’t clear.

On July 2, two U.S. officials told the AP the soldier had “just walked off” his base with three Afghans after his shift. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

On July 6, the Taliban claimed on their Web site that five days earlier a “drunken American soldier had come out of his garrison” and was captured by mujahedeen.

Details of such incidents are routinely held very tightly by the military as it works to retrieve a missing or captured soldier without giving away any information to captors.

Afghans in contact with the Taliban told the AP that the soldier was held by a Taliban group led by a commander called Maulvi Sangin. They said the fighters decided to move him north into Taliban-controlled areas of Ghazni province.

The Afghans spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of arrest or reprisal. It was impossible to independently confirm their information.

Walked off base. Which leaves the possibility of desertion open, though the report also claims that the Taliban had captured a guy who was drunk.

Now, given what we seem to know about how his other unit members treated him for not drinking, is it possible that they pressured him into drinking, and that after that incident, he did go off base? That’ll all be part of the investigation to be sure, but the early reports didn’t gloss over the possibility that he deserted.

230 A Mom Anon  Jun 4, 2014 12:43:21pm

re: #223 makeitstop

Or it could just be they had this lined up because they knew the war was winding down, so the duckies were lined up and ready to go as soon as needed.

231 blueraven  Jun 4, 2014 12:43:41pm

re: #208 funky chicken

Well he does have a funny name. Sounds kinda Ay-rab. Seriously, they probably will, and they will look like assholes yet again.

John Stewart’s video was great. Bergdahl looks like hell and it is good that we brought him home. The nuts want him to be tried for treason or whatever, but that ain’t gonna happen. Everybody just needs to calm down.

And that would include not claiming that he is directly responsible for getting 6 soldiers killed, when that has not been established at all.

232 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:44:26pm

re: #212 Kragar

Obviously you’ve never seen me angry

“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” /bruce banner

233 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:45:02pm

re: #222 wrenchwench

He’s a desserter at the tratoria.

Aw, geez…

234 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 12:45:08pm

re: #222 wrenchwench

He’s a desserter at the tratoria.

Fear the sharia tiramisu.

235 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 12:45:46pm

re: #226 dog philosopher

is it persian?

Yeah, Persian. And now I feel like a Persian rug. : )

236 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:46:23pm

re: #234 Feline Fearless Leader

Bismillet scones.

237 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 12:47:19pm

re: #221 Gus

238 wrenchwench  Jun 4, 2014 12:47:50pm

re: #221 Gus


Scrubbing tweets:

239 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:47:58pm

re: #212 Kragar

Obviously you’ve never seen me angry

Our very own Jim Wright, but more succinct.

240 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:48:13pm

re: #236 jaunte

Bismillet scones.

I think I’ll need the Pepto Bismillah.

241 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 12:48:16pm

re:
#229
Lawhawk

Well, new information has come to light. Obama got him released. That’s new information. That’s all that was needed to “change their minds”.

242 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 12:48:21pm

re: #169 CuriousLurker

Don’t forget that in our post-9/11 world there are people who never recovered from the initial shock of the attacks….

I’ve always been under the impression that they were plain old opportunists playing on others’ xenophobia.

I had quite a few friends and acquaintances who worked downtown and in other nearby areas at the time of the attacks. It’s only good-luck that I didn’t know anyone who died myself. One friend was out of work for months due to smoke inhalation. Another went into a massive depression. Another person I know lost several childhood friends because he knew a lot of firefighters. Many of them never recovered in some ways, however none of them fixate on Muslims.

243 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 12:48:46pm

That’s the last dollar I ever spend in Hailey, Idaho!!!

244 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:15pm

re: #243 jaunte

That’s the last dollar I ever spend in Hailey, Idaho!!!

Now let me find it on a map…

245 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:27pm

re: #229 lawhawk

Fascinating:

[Embedded content]

That’s the excuse they’re going with - that people didn’t understand the nature of Bergdahl’s capture by the Taliban, so we now have to accept the 180 and treating him like a traitor.

Except, that it doesn’t pass the smell test.

Walked off base. Which leaves the possibility of desertion open, though the report also claims that the Taliban had captured a guy who was drunk.

Now, given what we seem to know about how his other unit members treated him for not drinking, is it possible that they pressured him into drinking, and that after that incident, he did go off base? That’ll all be part of the investigation to be sure, but the early reports didn’t gloss over the possibility that he deserted.

Hell, that’s something to consider. They all decided to get drunk and, tired of his being “different,” forced him to drink to “fit in.” He stumbled off, a few sheets to the wind, and by the time anybody’s sobered up enough to realize he’s missing, he’s already been caught. So as they sober up quickly, they put together the story that he just left without telling anybody where he was going and probably deserted.

246 A Mom Anon  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:29pm

re: #239 Backwoods_Sleuth

I just started following Jim on Facebook. He’s awesome. Don’t know why it never occurred to me before, I’ve been reading his blog for years.

247 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:29pm

re: #229 lawhawk

I’ll call their bullshit, because some conservatives back in 2009 were writing about his possible desertion…..and yet still wanted him returned.

michellemalkin.com

mypetjawa.mu.nu

248 Amory Blaine  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:40pm

re: #223 makeitstop

They were talking about Bergdahls possible release months ago so they had time to prepare, and the quick support of his detractors has me suspicious.

249 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2014 12:49:57pm

re: #236 jaunte

Bismillet scones.

Are those the muslim equivalent of Jesus pancakes?

250 Mattand  Jun 4, 2014 12:50:00pm

re: #133 funky chicken

Ugh. Hell. My iPad keeps sticking that hyphen in there. One of my husband’s tours was a year plus with the IG. Honestly, they know all kinds of information about this event. They brought him home, and everybody just needs to calm down.

Yeah, you might want to address this to the braintrust at Fox News, breitbart.com, Drudge, et. al, rather than here.

251 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 12:50:28pm

re: #232 GeneJockey

“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” /bruce banner

“After all, I am a ticking time bomb of fury.”

Youtube Video

252 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:51:26pm

re: #229 lawhawk

“drunken American soldier had come out of his garrison”
Read more at littlegreenfootballs.com

But but BUT he refused to drink teh beers or eat teh BBQ!

253 Mattand  Jun 4, 2014 12:51:51pm

re: #237 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Jesus, is this really happening? Conservatives are actually deleting pro-Bergdahl “Bring him home now” tweets?

If so, my hats off to conservative America for yet again finding a new low to sink to.

254 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:03pm

re: #223 makeitstop

If there are any less wingnutty Republicans left, they’re not saying a word.

The rest of them are feasting on all of this, thanks to Ric Grinell’s little media tour he set up for Swift Boat Vets II.

I’m not usually given to conspiracy theories, but all of this vitriol against Bergdahl just seems a little too lined up in advance. It’s almost as though the whole outrage tour was in place by the time Bergdahl’s release was announced.

Did someone in the administration let it slip, or does the Obama administration have a wingnut mole?

My guess is that they have worked it for a couple of years. When you have the Koch money in your pockets yo can pursue all kinds of crap that may never be used. They probably already have a dossier prepared on the poor bastard in Mexico too.

There was an AF officer who spent some time in a Canadian prison for trying to bring his personal arsenal with him when he accepted an assignment there. I was kinda surprised the gun nuts didn’t champion his cause, but then again Canadian prison doesn’t elicit the same response, and there was zero chance that the guy made an innocent mistake.

255 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:06pm

re: #252 Backwoods_Sleuth

But but BUT he refused to drink teh beers or eat teh BBQ!

Obviously he was an Islam.

256 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:10pm

There once was a guy in Pretoria
Who ran a lil’ cozy trattoria,
‘Cept he left out one letter.
Oh he should have known better -
Wingnuts ate him alive in Pretoria.

257 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:30pm

re: #223 makeitstop

I’m not usually given to conspiracy theories, but all of this vitriol against Bergdahl just seems a little too lined up in advance. It’s almost as though the whole outrage tour was in place by the time Bergdahl’s release was announced.

Did someone in the administration let it slip, or does the Obama administration have a wingnut mole?

Let me fetch my tinfoil hat, but I wouldn’t be stupendously surprised if the administration leaked this in a few choice directions because they knew that this would be the result.

No one is better at explaining why a Republican candidate is unfit for office than a Republican candidate.

258 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:36pm

I don’t fucking believe what I’m seeing on CNN right now.

Shut the damned thing off. This is sick.

259 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:52:47pm

Hell, his being drunk would also explain how he showed up in a local village, spouting nonsense and looking like he was stoned. When you’re drunk, especially if you’ve never drank before, you do some pretty weird shit. Might have blacked out and didn’t realize what was going on until he woke to find a bunch of angry looking guys with AK-47s smacking him around.

260 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:53:13pm

re: #244 GeneJockey

Now let me find it on a map…

Hailey or Idaho?

261 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:53:13pm

re: #258 Charles Johnson

What’s there, for us lucky ones without the access to CNN?

262 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 12:53:16pm

re: #258 Charles Johnson

I don’t fucking believe what I’m seeing on CNN right now.

Shut the damned thing off. This is sick.

Tapper?

263 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 12:53:17pm

re: #248 Amory Blaine

They were talking about Bergdahls possible release months ago so they had time to prepare, and the quick support of his detractors has me suspicious.

RWNJ outrage is boilerplate. They just have to use ‘universal replace’ to put in the new target.

264 makeitstop  Jun 4, 2014 12:54:57pm

re: #246 A Mom Anon

I just started following Jim on Facebook. He’s awesome. Don’t know why it never occurred to me before, I’ve been reading his blog for years.

I started following him on FB yesterday. It’s like getting little bite-sized pieces of his blog output. I’m really enjoying seeing his posts.

265 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 12:55:24pm

re: #246 A Mom Anon

I just started following Jim on Facebook. He’s awesome. Don’t know why it never occurred to me before, I’ve been reading his blog for years.

heh:
Stonekettle FB post yesterday

266 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 12:56:09pm

re: #258 Charles Johnson

I don’t fucking believe what I’m seeing on CNN right now.

Shut the damned thing off. This is sick.

Well, this is the same network that aired innumerable insane bullshit theories 24/7 regarding Flight MH370.

267 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:57:02pm

re: #266 Dr Lizardo

Well, this is the same network that airs innumerable insane bullshit theories 24/7 regarding Flight MH370.

Quoted for inaccuracy. They were still yabbing about it when CNN was on at the bar the other day.

268 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 12:57:10pm

re: #250 Mattand

Yeah, you might want to address this to the braintrust at Fox News, breitbart.com, Drudge, et. al, rather than here.

Um, no, they are making absolute fools of themselves. I’m happy every time their masks slip. In this case they seem to have dropped the masks on the floor and stomped on them.

269 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 12:57:11pm

If wingnuts are now claiming “new information” in regards to their now deciding to spew hatred at Bergdahl and his family, maybe they should think about taking a little more time to digest all the information on the matter, wait for a military trial, if there is one, you know stuff like that, so they don’t make the same mistakes again.

270 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 12:57:24pm

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

271 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2014 12:57:37pm

re: #258 Charles Johnson

re: #266 Dr Lizardo

I dare ask….what is CNN doing now?

272 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 12:58:13pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

Yeah yeah, and Frist told us that Terri totally was aware of her surroundings.

Good fucking lord.

273 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 12:58:29pm

If the experience of the 2004 elections has taught us anything, it is that yes, some of your former military comrades will lie about you because of politics.

274 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:58:51pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

Yay pseudo-psychology.

275 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 12:59:30pm

re: #274 HappyWarrior

Yay pseudo-psychology.

Schiavo telemedicine.

276 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:59:35pm

re: #273 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

If the experience of the 2004 elections has taught us anything, it is that yes, some of your former military comrades will lie about you because of politics.

That was some of the most evil shit I ever saw. It’s a big part of why I haven’t worked on a presidential campaign since then and most of my campaign work has been limited to local candidates who I’ve actually met and interacted with.

277 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 12:59:53pm

re: #267 HappyWarrior

Quoted for inaccuracy. They were still yabbing about it when CNN was on at the bar the other day.

Still?! Damn.

I’m glad for Czech news, especially the stuff on channel 1 and 2, which is quite objective in its reporting.

I try to avoid TV Nova; imagine FNC combined with CNN and boobs. They peddle various anti-Gypsy stories with breathless enthusiasm.

Youtube Video

278 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 12:59:54pm

re: #275 Decatur Deb

Schiavo telemedicine.

It’s offered at the same medical campus.

279 Amory Blaine  Jun 4, 2014 1:00:18pm

Does anyone know when Capitol Media Partners first approached them? Paperwork linking the PR firm with the other service members would be useful if this was an ambush.

280 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 1:00:19pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

He couldn’t possibly be blinking because he’s in a fucking desert in the middle of Afghanistan where helos just kicked up a shitload of dust.

281 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:00:19pm

re: #277 Dr Lizardo

Still?! Damn.

I’m glad for Czech news, especially the stuff on channel 1 and 2, which is quite objective in its reporting.

I try to avoid TV Nova; imagine FNC combined with CNN and boobs. They peddle various anti-Gypsy stories with breathless enthusiasm.

[Embedded content]

Video

Yeah I kid you not. They were talking about it. Because you know there’s nothing else going on.

282 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:00:33pm

re: #278 HappyWarrior

It’s offered at the same medical campus.

Under Professor Frist?

283 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 4, 2014 1:01:07pm

Republicans Frantically Scrub Their Praise Of Bowe Bergdahl

This is gross and ridiculous.

They’re not changing their opinion on the basis of new information, they’re rewriting their history.

I can’t even touch the “traitor” stuff.

284 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:01:12pm

re: #282 Decatur Deb

Under Professor Frist?

I think this was Professor Ablow’s class.

285 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 1:01:21pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

They might have gone with phrenology. It was in the same ballpark for accuracy.

This is about character assassination and nothing more.

286 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:01:39pm

re: #275 Decatur Deb

Schiavo telemedicine.

I didn’t come from no monkey science.

287 calochortus  Jun 4, 2014 1:01:42pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

He’s been blinking like that for 5 years? Ever since he walked off his post?
/

288 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:09pm

re: #283 The Ghost of a Flea

Republicans Frantically Scrub Their Praise Of Bowe Bergdahl

This is gross and ridiculous.

They’re not changing their opinion on the basis of new information, they’re rewriting their history.

I can’t even touch the “traitor” stuff.

Stalin would be proud. Too bad for them unlike in Stalin’s time, we can clearly point out the revisionism.

289 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:30pm

re: #284 HappyWarrior

I think this was Professor Ablow’s class.

Ah. Haywood Ablowme. Shortened his name at Ellis Island.

290 allegro  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:40pm

re: #182 calochortus

So, none of those people spoke out in the last 5 years because they signed non-disclosure agreements, but now they feel perfectly free to go on every news outlet to be interviewed? Am I missing something?

I $uspect it could be becau$e there i$ a new motivation involved.

291 GlutenFreeJesus  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:43pm

It’s a shame Bergdahl didn’t just snap and massacre a bunch of innocent villagers. ///

That would surely get him all the right wing support he’d need. And then some. (No sarcasm tags for this statement, because it’s absolutely true.)

These people disgust me to no end.

292 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:45pm

The Earth is 6,000 years old!

293 Testy Toad T  Jun 4, 2014 1:02:58pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

Well, I for one know that NOTHING makes me more nervous than a piece of dust being in my eye. Like, what if it gets infected or something?

////////////

294 Single-handed sailor  Jun 4, 2014 1:03:10pm

Bergdahlzi!

295 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:03:24pm

re: #289 Decatur Deb

Ah. Haywood Ablowme. Shortened his name at Ellis Island.

Yeah too ethnic sounding.

296 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 4, 2014 1:03:31pm

re: #280 Kragar

He couldn’t possibly be blinking because he’s in a fucking desert in the middle of Afghanistan where helos just kicked up a shitload of dust.

And maybe not being too used to daylight. Or had a bag over his head.

But no it shows the TALIBAN INSIDE!

297 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 1:03:33pm

re: #281 HappyWarrior

Yeah I kid you not. They were talking about it. Because you know there’s nothing else going on.

[CNN]IT WAS BIGFOOT AND THE GRAY ALIEN MUSLIMS FROM ZETA RETICULI THAT HIJACKED THE PLANE THROUGH A WORMHOLE INTO THE NINTH DIMENSION![/CNN]

298 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 1:03:49pm

re: #189 Testy Toad T

Zombieghazi? There are Zombies and the president doesn’t want us the know? The CDC preparedness page wasn’t a joke?

299 klys  Jun 4, 2014 1:04:03pm

re: #294 Single-handed sailor

Bergdahlzi!

Except here the problem is apparently that we did get this American out.

300 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 4, 2014 1:04:16pm

re: #288 HappyWarrior

Stalin would have loved Photoshop.

301 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:04:37pm

It’s times like these that I envy ex-pats. Not that I don’t love my country but man there’s a lot of disgusting shit going on that’s going to make me glad to take a vacation later this month.

302 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 1:04:38pm
303 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:01pm

re: #242 J A P

I’ve always been under the impression that they were plain old opportunists playing on others’ xenophobia.

I had quite a few friends and acquaintances who worked downtown and in other nearby areas at the time of the attacks. It’s only good-luck that I didn’t know anyone who died myself. One friend was out of work for months due to smoke inhalation. Another went into a massive depression. Another person I know lost several childhood friends because he knew a lot of firefighters. Many of them never recovered in some ways, however none of them fixate on Muslims.

There are regular people, perhaps some who already had bigoted tendencies, who have this hatred as well as others (the “professional” opportunists who feed it).

I had moved from Brooklyn to Jersey City when the attacks happened, and had I not been laid off seven months prior, I would’ve been in the PATH station at the WTC when the first plane hit. I think most New Yorkers have moved past it as they tend to rebound quickly, and in any event they’re accustomed to being around all sorts of different religions & cultures. Still, as a woman who’s identifiably Muslim because of her hijab, I can assure you that there are also “regular” people in NYC who hate us—not too many, but they’re out there.

I think it’s an entirely different story in other, less cosmopolitan, parts of the country. As I’ve mentioned before, I was born & raised in South Central Texas and spent my first half dozen years or so as a Muslim there. There were always problems. Weekly, sometimes more frequently. And this was before 9/11, so I can only imagine what it was like after.

304 funky chicken  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:19pm

re: #259 Targetpractice

Hell, his being drunk would also explain how he showed up in a local village, spouting nonsense and looking like he was stoned. When you’re drunk, especially if you’ve never drank before, you do some pretty weird shit. Might have blacked out and didn’t realize what was going on until he woke to find a bunch of angry looking guys with AK-47s smacking him around.

Lots of kids are coming home from there with heroin problems. It is an awful, awful place to serve. I’ve been saying we need to be out of there since like 2004. Lots of the old flouncers called me names and said I should go fuck off back then too. Did he get stoned/ high/drunk and get lost? Did he crack and desert his post? Did he succumb to a honey trap? Who cares? The Army almost certainly knows, and it’s classified. And it’s none of my business, and it’s none of Matt Drudge’s business, and it’s none of the fools in the mecia’s business. I hate the “OUTRAGE” crap. So I will just log off now because I have upset some people here today.

305 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:20pm

re: #292 Gus

The Earth is 6,000 years old!

Heretic! It’s 5826 years old!

306 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:30pm
307 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:35pm

re: #300 The Ghost of a Flea

Stalin would have loved Photoshop.

Stalin would have been a majority shareholder :). Can you imagine though? Crude photoshops of the Old Bolsheviks with Hitler?

308 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:36pm

re: #300 The Ghost of a Flea

Stalin would have loved Photoshop.

Stalin pioneered Photoshop.

309 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:50pm

re: #300 The Ghost of a Flea

Stalin would have loved Photoshop.

Meh, he was its inventor, basically.

310 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 1:05:59pm

re: #302 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

“Next”? Shit, I’ve been hearing it since this morning.

311 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:07:05pm

re: #306 jaunte

[Embedded content]

What’s Charlie saying now? I’d like to see just one instance of a conservative who was upset that Obama wasn’t doing enough in their eyes to get Bergdahl free now praising Obama for getting it done and welcoming Bowe home. Or am I asking too much of our conservative friends?

312 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 1:07:06pm
313 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:07:18pm

re: #302 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

314 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 1:07:44pm

re: #296 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

And maybe not being too used to daylight. Or had a bag over his head.

But no it shows the TALIBAN INSIDE!

“Man, I think I got something in my eye.”
“TRAITOR!”

315 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 1:07:55pm

re: #311 HappyWarrior

316 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:08:03pm

re: #312 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Fucking lame sauce. Really stick to music Charlie and Obama will stick to running a country.

317 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:08:04pm

re: #309 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Meh, he was its inventor, basically.

Fototschop.

318 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:08:48pm

re: #315 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Knew it.

319 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 1:08:58pm

Military logs show Bowe Bergdahl was in Taliban hands less than 9 hours after he was reported missing from his outpost in Afghanistan - @NBCNews
Read more on nbcnews.com

320 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:09:24pm

re: #317 Decatur Deb

Fototschop.

Uot?

321 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 1:10:13pm

re:
#315
jaunte

Hey now, Charlie’s been doing some thinking….

322 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 4, 2014 1:10:17pm

re: #308 Dr Lizardo

re: #309 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Ironically, old Soviet re-touchers did a way better job than current wingnut photoshops.

Ever see the birther one where the ‘shopped Obama out of a photo sitting between his grandparents, but left one of his legs? Amateur hour.

Edit: added a link to The Comissar Vanishes, which is where I read about Stalinist photo editing. Really cool book.

323 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:10:56pm

re: #322 The Ghost of a Flea

Ironically, old Soviet re-touchers did a way better job than current wingnut photoshops.

Ever see the birther one where the ‘shopped Obama out of a photo sitting between his grandparents, but left one of his legs? Amateur hour.

Training, training. They had lots of work.

324 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 1:11:07pm

re: #314 Kragar

“Man, I think I got something in my eye.”
“TRAITOR!”

That’s “TRATOR!!11!!”

325 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:11:34pm

re: #322 The Ghost of a Flea

Ironically, old Soviet re-touchers did a way better job than current wingnut photoshops.

Ever see the birther one where the ‘shopped Obama out of a photo sitting between his grandparents, but left one of his legs? Amateur hour.

Yeah, I did.

326 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:11:50pm

re: #324 Backwoods_Sleuth

That’s “TRATOR!!11!!”

The troll from Ernest Scared Stupid?

327 Targetpractice  Jun 4, 2014 1:12:02pm

I need a break from this. BBL

328 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:13:07pm

You know whose opinion I want on Bergdahl. Joe the Plumber’s.

329 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:13:11pm

re: #327 Targetpractice

I need a break from this. BBL

Go to Orly’s blog. She’s deconstructing Operation American Spring.

330 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 1:14:15pm
331 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:14:18pm

re: #329 Decatur Deb

Go to Orly’s blog. She’s deconstructing Operation American Spring.

That’s Orly Taitz Esq. for you.

332 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:14:25pm

re: #328 HappyWarrior

You know whose opinion I want on Bergdahl. Joe the Plumber’s.

He saw a Bergdhal movie once, but it was broken—all black and white.

333 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:15:03pm
334 ObserverArt  Jun 4, 2014 1:15:05pm

This story is rapidly becoming one of the most peculiar moments I can remember in my lifetime. Nothing involved feels right to me. I get the feeling that my biggest fear is now confirmed. Our media is all about the story now, not a fact. How could they be. We’ve had four solid days now of hyperbolic reporting almost 24/7 and yet no one has fact one.

So, we have reporting on innuendo, speculation, rumor and fabrication. And it is enough to fill up channel after channel, site after site to with millions of words that have really no basis as far as credible, supported backed-up facts.

I should have known it had already arrived. The new standard has been set. Everything changed with Malaysian Airlines MH370 went down in the sea. And a news channel went all in on…NO FACTS. And they went 24/7. And their ratings went up. Think about that. No Facts, and their ratings went up. Some say they are still doing reports on the same story. It happened in March, almost a full three months ago. Still no facts.

Sadly the media must have learned the lesson. Just run with it. Pump it up. Add as many experts babbling speculation as you can. Interview as many humans that will accept a camera and mic in their faces. Report something and then read the reports back after it makes the rounds and make the report true, because others are reporting it. Pure entertainment. A little over indulgence, lots of drama, characters to hate, whats not to like by your average (or below?) American.

That’s it. You don’t need real stories with real facts. You need the lowest of the low coverage. You need slime. Slime everyone, America loves a good take-down.

I should have seen it coming.

Problem now is, what do I do to wean myself from my previous expectations? I enjoyed knowing what was going on in the world, in this country, in my state, city…on my street. But no longer can I trust what I am being told is anything that has any basis in reality.

I am really saddened by this. As a news junkie and current events addict, I now have no way to get my fix.

Is it time to go cold turkey?

And to go to this point a bit more…if I were to buy into all the ‘news’ I’ve heard today, then almost everyone on this blog is wrong. Everything that we think is going on is being portrayed as not going on as we see it. I’m not kidding. That is not a condemnation of any one of you. It is just an illustration of how confused I am right now. More confused about one single event than ever before.

Sorry for the long-winded post. I needed to get it out, and it seems I can only say it here on this lonely island called Little Green Footballs. We are an island in this ‘big’ story. That is for sure.

Thanks Charles, Thanks Contributors. I like this island. I hope the seas don’t rise and flood us all.

335 klys  Jun 4, 2014 1:15:07pm

re: #330 Charles Johnson

This is one of the most depressing things I have heard today, and that says something.

Fuck this evil, and fuck the people who propagate it, and fuck someone who tells me I need to calm down over this.

336 De Kolta Chair  Jun 4, 2014 1:17:38pm

Today’s topic on npr’s The Takeway:

“Criticism Mounts Against Freed POW Sgt. Bergdahl

“In the few short days since Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was released from captivity in Afghanistan, criticism has begun to mount, both in Washington and within military ranks, over the prisoner exchange. Some service members who fought in Afghanistan have come out to say Bergdahl was no hero, but a deserter who left his base in the middle of the night, a decision that ultimately resulted in his capture. Nathan Bradley Bethea was served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2014, and participated in the initial attempts to retrieve Sergeant Bergdahl. According to Bethea, there are lots of questions left to be answered in this story. Takeaway Washington Correspondent Todd Zwillich delivers the Congressional reaction to news of the prisoner swap that secured Sgt. Bergdahl’s release.”

I didn’t bother to listen. In this apartment, laundry comes before country.

337 klys  Jun 4, 2014 1:17:47pm

re: #334 ObserverArt

You have to use the same tools as before. Critical thinking. Watching for confirmation bias. Being aware of the sources involved. Applying the 24-hour rule.

And sometimes, knowing when to step away from a story for a while and come back later when there’s more information.

338 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:18:26pm

re: #336 De Kolta Chair

Hallo, Chair. This is Alice. Alice, this is Chair.

:)

339 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:18:44pm

Moonbats drive me nuts but man, wingnuts are freaking evil people.

340 calochortus  Jun 4, 2014 1:18:54pm

Well, I too need to get away from all this for a while.
BBL

341 Stanley Sea  Jun 4, 2014 1:19:31pm

re: #330 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

So sad. So sad.

342 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 1:19:44pm

re:
#330
Charles Johnson

Well, the Fox crew and NRO now have something they can be proud of.

343 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 1:20:06pm

re: #339 Gus

Clowns on the left, jokers to the right…

Youtube Video

344 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 1:20:45pm

re: #337 klys

You have to use the same tools as before. Critical thinking. Watching for confirmation bias. Being aware of the sources involved. Applying the 24-hour rule.

And sometimes, knowing when to step away from a story for a while and come back later when there’s more information.

Great advice. : )

345 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:21:31pm

So they canceled after this? reuters.com

346 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 1:21:55pm

re:
#340

I know the feeling…

347 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:22:15pm
348 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 1:22:16pm

Ten years ago I was an ass, and I was taken in by the Switftboat campaign - not as much as most right wing bloggers, but even though I had qualms I went along with the crowd, like the ass I was.

I’m not proud of that, and I regret it, but I sure as hell learned something from it — do not trust massive right wing smear campaigns. Ever. It’s the classic political mind-fuck, and there’s always more to the story than the fear-mongers want you to know.

349 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 1:22:31pm

I think I’ll do a load of laundry, too. But then I have time in between wash and dry…

Where are the cooler, rational heads in the news “industry” these days? Are there any left? Surely…somewhere.

350 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:22:54pm

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

351 klys  Jun 4, 2014 1:23:36pm

re: #350 Gus

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

But, but, but, both sides have their nuts and therefore both sides are the same!!!

///

352 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 4, 2014 1:23:46pm

re: #350 Gus

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

Also elected by the Republican party. And put in charge of science committees.

353 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 1:24:56pm

re: #350 Gus

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

Palin-applauded.
Joe the Plumber-approved.
Nugent-endorsed.

354 dog philosopher  Jun 4, 2014 1:25:16pm

im imagining that there will be a “my son is no deserter” speech from the parents in due time

355 goddamnedfrank  Jun 4, 2014 1:25:27pm

re: #178 funky chicken

Yes they are making public asses of themselves. The initial post I replied to was angrily calling for a huge investigation of his unit. Why? Because of a few idiots?

You are lying. Kragar simply stated that the investigation needs to also focus on the unit. That’s not a call for a “huge investigation” of the unit, that’s stating that the units conduct shouldn’t be ignored or assumed to be a settled issue. Also, repeatedly cite your husband’s past posts in defense of your ridiculous assertions about which areas of investigation have already been done and are therefore moot doesn’t make for a very compelling argument.

356 Khal Wimpo  Jun 4, 2014 1:25:53pm

re: #269 Bulworth

Yeah, but actually waiting for facts before starting in on speculation doesn’t get you either ratings points or pageviews. We’re kinda doing the same thing here, actually. It’s hard not to speculate (see: the comments on whether Bergdahl was pressured into drinking and then wandered off, dazed).

The kid did 5 years being starved & mistreated in Taliban hands. Now he’s red meat for the yammering base, who are trying to hang the deaths of any soldier who was KIA around the time he disappeared around his neck. I do hope the Army command staff steps in and smacks the GOP on the knuckles and tells them to STFU over this. That’s about the only thing that will get them to put their dogs back on the leash.

357 Bubblehead II  Jun 4, 2014 1:25:56pm

re: #333 Gus

[Embedded content]

Not seeing anything about a cancellation in any of the wood river online news or at the Hailey, Idaho Chamber of Commerce web page.

358 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 1:26:35pm

re: #351 klys

But, but, but, both sides have their nuts and therefore both sides are the same!!!

///

potato

359 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:27:35pm

re: #357 Bubblehead II

Not seeing anything about a cancellation in any of the wood river online news or at the Hailey, Idaho Chamber of Commerce web page.

Might be just an update lag.

360 Floral Giraffe  Jun 4, 2014 1:27:38pm

re: #23 Dr. Matt

[Embedded content]

Fucking Drudge.

361 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2014 1:27:40pm

re: #356 Khal Wimpo

It’s true, we’re speculating here - but what I’m seeing on pretty much every cable news channel is a trial by media, and Bergdahl has been convicted already.

362 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2014 1:27:49pm

re: #170 funky chicken

Let them scream and make asses of themselves. Point out their stupidity. But don’t react by calling for massive investigations of Bergdahl’s unit or their conduct, or public tribunals, or whatever.

Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.

363 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:27:52pm

re: #358 Backwoods_Sleuth

potato

Yeah, but. Cynthia McKinney!!11ty

364 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:28:31pm

re: #357 Bubblehead II

Not seeing anything about a cancellation in any of the wood river online news or at the Hailey, Idaho Chamber of Commerce web page.

That’s very pretty country. Hope the locals hold firm.

365 dog philosopher  Jun 4, 2014 1:28:41pm

also, i haven’t yet seen whether the bergdahl flap cuts any ice with the general public

366 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:28:54pm

re: #361 Charles Johnson

It’s true, we’re speculating here - but what I’m seeing on pretty much every cable news channel is a trial by media, and Bergdahl has been convicted already.

Without the possibility to face his accusers…

367 EPR-radar  Jun 4, 2014 1:29:24pm

re: #356 Khal Wimpo

Yeah, but actually waiting for facts before starting in on speculation doesn’t get you either ratings points or pageviews. We’re kinda doing the same thing here, actually. It’s hard not to speculate (see: the comments on whether Bergdahl was pressured into drinking and then wandered off, dazed).

The kid did 5 years being starved & mistreated in Taliban hands. Now he’s red meat for the yammering base, who are trying to hang the deaths of any soldier who was KIA around the time he disappeared around his neck. I do hope the Army command staff steps in and smacks the GOP on the knuckles and tells them to STFU over this. That’s about the only thing that will get them to put their dogs back on the leash.

I would very much like to see a blistering press release from the Pentagon along these lines, starting with “Have you no decency” and working up from there. A requote from Stonekettle Station with a QFT would do nicely.

This whole right wing circus is absolutely despicable.

368 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2014 1:29:55pm

re: #212 Kragar

Obviously you’ve never seen me angry

You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

369 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 1:31:05pm

re: #303 CuriousLurker

I hope you don’t think I doubted what you said about the anti-Muslim feelings and behavior. I don’t. It was just how much of that could be chalked up to not having recovered from the shock of the 9/11 attacks.

370 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2014 1:31:29pm
371 jaunte  Jun 4, 2014 1:32:28pm

re: #366 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Without the possibility to face his accusers…

If Bergdahl doesn’t float he was not a trator.

372 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 1:33:01pm

re: #349 Justanotherhuman

I think I’ll do a load of laundry, too. But then I have time in between wash and dry…

Where are the cooler, rational heads in the news “industry” these days? Are there any left? Surely…somewhere.

Funny you mention that about laundry.

Not long ago, I encountered a young American lass who had just rented an apartment not far from me. She had a washing machine in her apartment, but as is typical here, no dryer. She asked, “Where do I dry my clothes?”

I replied, “Ah, the Czechs are super-advanced. Here, the locals use a combo of solar, off-the-grid energy and wind power.”

It took her a minute to figure out I meant you hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline on the balcony.

:D

373 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2014 1:34:07pm

re: #332 Decatur Deb

He saw a Bergdhal movie once, but it was broken—all black and white.

On a roll today.

374 RealityBasedSteve  Jun 4, 2014 1:34:09pm

re: #331 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

That’s Orly Taitz Esq. for you.

Go in to court with a traffic ticket, she’ll get you life without parole.

RBS

375 darthstar  Jun 4, 2014 1:35:13pm
376 Mattand  Jun 4, 2014 1:35:40pm

re: #270 Charles Johnson

I shut if off because I couldn’t watch any more, but they had an ex-SEAL on “analyzing” Bergdahl’s appearance in this video, and saying the blinking indicated he was very nervous because he walked off his post and didn’t know what to expect.

I just. Can’t. Even.

At this point, I’m fully expecting CNN to go 24/7 conservative news like Fox. 2 years, max.

377 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:35:45pm

re: #371 jaunte

If Bergdahl doesn’t float he was not a trator.

[Embedded image]

Nah, better send for a duck.

378 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2014 1:35:48pm

re: #373 HappyWarrior

On a roll today.

On Dilaudid today.

379 b.d.  Jun 4, 2014 1:36:39pm

Richard Jewel in an Army uniform.

380 De Kolta Chair  Jun 4, 2014 1:37:17pm

re: #378 Decatur Deb

re: #378 Decatur Deb

On Dilaudid today.

CNN: The Drugstore Cowboy of News.

381 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 1:37:18pm

re: #350 Gus

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

FTFY

382 Ding-an-sich Wannabe  Jun 4, 2014 1:37:31pm

re: #378 Decatur Deb

On Dilaudid today.

I’ll have what you’re having. //

383 goddamnedfrank  Jun 4, 2014 1:38:00pm

re: #369 J A P

I hope you don’t think I doubted what you said about the anti-Muslim feelings and behavior. I don’t. It was just how much of that could be chalked up to not having recovered from the shock of the 9/11 attacks.

The thing is though that the geographic map of “bigotry resulting from” the 9/11 attacks wasn’t focused on the actually 9/11 attacks. It wasn’t centered on the cities who’s populations actually went through them, where one would expect such shock to be most prominent. Instead the map looks like pretty much every other map of bigotry in the US, a disproportionately Southern and rural phenomenon.

By and large the attacks just provided an excuse for people who already felt that way.

384 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 1:38:31pm
385 dog philosopher  Jun 4, 2014 1:38:56pm

re: #235 Justanotherhuman

Yeah, Persian. And now I feel like a Persian rug. : )

cheap suit serenaders perform “on a persian rug”

386 A Mom Anon  Jun 4, 2014 1:38:57pm

re: #350 Gus

Not only that, but I don’t ever remember Democrats having their own James O’Keefe type of crap or PR people actively seeking out veterans to destroy the character of another vet.

Maybe I have those rose colored liberal goggles on, but I just don’t see that shit happening on our side of the political spectrum. There’s not the money or the machine behind it either.

387 Bulworth  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:00pm

re:
#384
Kragar

Confirmed. FACT.

388 Khal Wimpo  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:15pm

re: #361 Charles Johnson

It’s true, we’re speculating here - but what I’m seeing on pretty much every cable news channel is a trial by media, and Bergdahl has been convicted already.

Yeah, that part is seriously non-cool. It’s going to be difficult to un-ring the bells, after all the cable channels give airtime to anyone willing to call Bergdahl a traitor. Which is why it’s going to take someone in a uniform standing at a podium, going through point-by-point and addressing the wilder charges laid against Bergdahl, dismissing them, and then denouncing the wingnuts who recklessly screeched them.

Unfortunately, by the time this happens, the whole episode may have gone down the Memory Hole and all that will have stuck in the national consciousness is that a traitor was rewarded by the scary man in the White House, who conspired to let 5 trained Taliban killers go.

389 RealityBasedSteve  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:36pm

Well, I’m going to go home. My new wetsuit came in, so I’m going to try it on for fit. The place I bought it from is really good about exchanges if it doesn’t fit right, but are closed for Shavuot until Friday. (and then closed again on Saturday), but it should be good.

RBS

390 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:36pm

re: #381 GeneJockey

FTFY

Oops. Thanks for the correction.

391 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:38pm

re: #378 Decatur Deb

On Dilaudid today.

Someone with reason to know told me that Dilaudid actually works for kidney stones. I can tell you from personal experience that Vicodin don’t do shit, no matter how many of them Greg House chomped down.

Dry.

Several times per episode.

Ever try to swallow a bunch of pills dry? Doesn’t work very well.

392 darthstar  Jun 4, 2014 1:39:43pm
393 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2014 1:40:45pm

re: #384 Kragar

29% recidivism rate?

That’s lower than the rate for adult offenders in the US, where on average 40% are back in the system within 3 years.

According to the survey results, 45.4
percent of people released from prison in 1999 and 43.3 percent of those sent home in 2004 were reincarcerated within three years, either for committing a new crime or for violating conditions governing their release. While differences in survey methods complicate direct comparisons of national recidivism rates over time, a comparison of the states included in both the Pew/ASCA and BJS studies reveals that recidivism rates have been largely stable. When excluding California, whose size skews the national picture, recidivism rates between 1994
and 2007 have consistently remained around 40 percent.

394 Bubblehead II  Jun 4, 2014 1:40:52pm

re: #359 Gus

Might be just an update lag.

Could be. But I am not seeing anything in the local news either.

Just E-Mailed the City Admin for clarification. Will post if/when I get a reply.

395 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 1:40:57pm

re: #383 goddamnedfrank

The thing is though that the geographic map of “bigotry resulting from” the 9/11 attacks wasn’t focused on the actually 9/11 attacks. It wasn’t centered on the cities who’s populations actually went through them, where one would expect such shock to be most prominent. Instead the map looks like pretty much every other map of bigotry in the US, a disproportionately Southern and rural phenomenon.

By and large the attacks just provided an excuse for people who already felt that way.

Largely. Also the same people who don’t consider NYC to be part of ‘Real America’.

396 goddamnedfrank  Jun 4, 2014 1:41:02pm
397 dog philosopher  Jun 4, 2014 1:41:33pm

re: #350 Gus

Moonbats: not supported by the Democratic party.

Wingnuts: supported by the Republican party.

today’s democratic party: to the right of eisenhower

today’s republican party: to the right of pinochet

398 Kragar  Jun 4, 2014 1:42:43pm

re: #393 lawhawk

re: #396 goddamnedfrank

Don’t bother Bryan with facts.

399 Bubblehead II  Jun 4, 2014 1:44:37pm

re: #364 Decatur Deb

That’s very pretty country. Hope the locals hold firm.

Kind of partial to it myself. Unfortunately, fire season has already started.

Fire Breaks Out In Forest Near Stanley

Stanley, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KSVT-TV ) - A fire in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Stanley has burned 60 acres of mainly sagebrush. The fire was reported Tuesday June 3 at 3pm about 10 miles south of Stanley, according to Julie Thomas with the forest service. At last check there are two helicopters, five engines and two hotshot crews battling the blaze.

Hopefully they got a jump on it and will have it contained shortly.

400 Gus  Jun 4, 2014 1:46:05pm
401 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 1:46:32pm

Completely OT, but I have just learned that the two new chains for my chainsaw have been delivered, and now I’ll have no excuse not to cut down all the trees and shit I told Mrs. J I couldn’t do with my chainsaw all dull.

Thank you and fuck you, amazon.com!
///

402 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2014 1:46:58pm

re: #372 Dr Lizardo

Funny you mention that about laundry.

Not long ago, I encountered a young American lass who had just rented an apartment not far from me. She had a washing machine in her apartment, but as is typical here, no dryer. She asked, “Where do I dry my clothes?”

I replied, “Ah, the Czechs are super-advanced. Here, the locals use a combo of solar, off-the-grid energy and wind power.”

It took her a minute to figure out I meant you hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline on the balcony.

:D

Yeah, wish I had something to hang a line to and from. But my balcony is open with no posts or roof, so I use the dryers. Alas. Well, I do put the bath mats and throw rugs with rubber backing over the railings, so there’s that. We always hung our clothes on the line 50+ yrs ago. And had to iron them, too. My first washing machine was a wringer-washer type. A few years later, I had a nice top loader and a gas dryer, bought from my employer, the local gas co. With 2 kids, it was hard to keep up otherwise working FT. : )

403 The War TARDIS  Jun 4, 2014 1:47:52pm

re: #361 Charles Johnson

I hope his parents are finding some good lawyers. Because I want to see a defamation lawsuit out of this.

404 GeneJockey  Jun 4, 2014 1:47:58pm

re: #400 Gus

[Embedded content]

Any means necessary, except, you know, the ACTUAL means that were ACTUALLY necessary.

Fuckstick. Bergdahl is nothing to him but a cudgel to beat on Obama with, one way or the other. Or both.

405 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2014 1:49:00pm

re: #369 J A P

I hope you don’t think I doubted what you said about the anti-Muslim feelings and behavior. I don’t. It was just how much of that could be chalked up to not having recovered from the shock of the 9/11 attacks.

I hear you. It’s just that 9/11 seemed to flip a switch in some people. Some went off the deep end and then came back (as many here can attest to), due what I can only assume is their innate decency plus a certain strength of character. Others who were weaker remained broken. No matter how strong & fearsome they may think their hatred makes them, it’s a sign of weakness. That’s not to say that their hatred cannot be dangerous because it most certainly can, but it doesn’t come from a place of courage or strength.

At least that’s how it seems to me—I can’t think of any other reason for their hatefulness unless they were bigots all along and 9/11 simply gave them a reason to let their freak flags fly (which I’m sure is the case for at least some).

406 ObserverArt  Jun 4, 2014 1:52:18pm

re: #308 Dr Lizardo

Stalin pioneered Photoshop.

Heh. I was told many years ago it came from stuff the CIA had developed to use all the different types of images our spy planes were returning. They had computers and software that took the different images and joined them all together and that is how they got all the details. A little infrared, a little magnetic, a little classic silver based film, some newly developed digital. And with all that they could generate images with stunning detail.

Don’t know how true it is, but it came from a guy that was a whiz with photoshop before most people even knew there was such a program. He worked here in Columbus as a graphics prepress shop that made film and plates for printers. He ran their scanners and did touch-up work. He was in the Navy and worked at the Naval building in Virginia and with the Pentagon in the 8’0s.

407 Bubblehead II  Jun 4, 2014 1:53:38pm

re: #394 Bubblehead II

Could be. But I am not seeing anything in the local news either.

Just E-Mailed the City Admin for clarification. Will post if/when I get a reply.

Got the reply. It’s canceled.

408 Dr Lizardo  Jun 4, 2014 1:55:46pm

re: #402 Justanotherhuman

You can get this; a retractable wall-to-wall mount 5-line clothesline.

urbanclotheslines.com

409 Ian G.  Jun 4, 2014 1:56:32pm

re: #361 Charles Johnson

It’s true, we’re speculating here - but what I’m seeing on pretty much every cable news channel is a trial by media, and Bergdahl has been convicted already.

Well, unfortunately, he wouldn’t be the first one convicted by idiotic cable news talking heads. See Jewel, Richard. Or the 2006 Duke lacrosse team.

410 A Mom Anon  Jun 4, 2014 1:57:56pm

re: #407 Bubblehead II

So the assholes win again. Damn it. I hope they’re pleased with themselves, the smug pricks.

Sigh. Well, hopefully once this is all sorted out maybe the town can pull something together anyway.

411 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 1:59:46pm

re: #334 ObserverArt

I came to that very realization about five or so years ago. There was a French/Colombian woman who was campaigning for the presidency of Colombia who had been kidnapped. I was watching MSNBC during the day and they had the footage of her being rescued. As best as I can recall with my fuzzy memory, it was some of the first footage of her release and all we saw were a group of people and a plane on a tarmac. The voice of a news person, I want to say it was Mika Brzesinski but I’m not sure because there was only a voice, started babbling. The only way I could describe it would be “emoting.” There was no information whatsoever. She seemed to be confused as to who this woman was; she seemed to not know she was Colombian. The narrator just said things like, “She’s so relieved and happy to be home.” That, I suppose, was my watershed moment. I said to myself, this is barely news. It’s just speculation. Why doesn’t this woman shut up.

Yes, this is disappointing for a news junkie. I have mostly abandoned tv as a news source. I still read the paper, both online and as hard copy, mainly the New York Times.

412 J A P  Jun 4, 2014 2:12:05pm

re: #348 Charles Johnson

About five or six years ago, I used to read Glenn Greenwald regularly and when I first heard I Wikileaks I was a big fan. Assange wasn’t a name I knew yet, although I did buy into some of the hero worship for a little while when he first started getting media attention.

I wish I could understand how the disenchantment happened so I could spread it around to other people.

413 RinaX  Jun 4, 2014 2:15:40pm

re: #334 ObserverArt

Not for nothing, but this has been true for a long time. This may be the event that forced you to realize it, but the media has been lost for years, and it’s not coming back.

414 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 4, 2014 2:29:48pm

re: #339 Gus

Moonbats drive me nuts but man, wingnuts are freaking evil people.

Moonbat violence vs. wingnut violence.

Moonbat: Chubby bearded guy and friends get drunk rather than high, launch insurrection, try to heave molotov cocktails at police.
Result: 3 moonbats under arrest in burn ward, one car torched.

Wingnut: Gets drunk, hears about creeping shariah, grabs assault rifle.
Result: 23 dead at local mosque, shooter killed by SWAT team.


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