Taliban Threatened to Kill Sgt. Bergdahl if Prisoner Swap Deal Leaked

And Congress leaks like a sieve
World • Views: 27,319

An interesting new detail has emerged in the Sgt. Bergdahl story; the reason why the Obama administration had to act in relative secrecy to free Bergdahl: the Taliban threatened to kill him if the deal leaked.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has told senators it didn’t notify Congress about the pending swap of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban officials because the Taliban had threatened to kill him if the deal was made public before it happened. That’s according to three congressional officials who spoke to The Associated Press.

Given the history of leaks from Congress, and the completely deranged state of the Republican Party, keeping the deal as quiet as possible was the only sane course of action.

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385 comments
1 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 10:14:03am

To repeat myself from downstairs:

If anyone believes that Republicans would have kept quiet for 30 days about this swap, knowing they’d get reamed by their base for sitting on that info and allowing it to go through, then they’re an idiot. It would have leaked, the deal would likely have fell through, and in the best case scenario Bergdahl would have been kept alive a little longer as a bargaining chip.

2 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 10:15:27am

Y president Obaoma cave to Taliban and break law??!!!1

Media: Some people are asking why President Obama broke the Law and caved in to the Taliban’s demands to not leak information on the prisoner swap

3 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:16:38am

When a Congressional Intelligence committee has Michelle Bachmann sitting on it, yeah I can understand the reluctance to release that. Hell I wouldn’t release what the president had for lunch in front of Bachmann since she’d turn that into a “Look at me, I’m crusading against Obama” meme.

4 De Kolta Chair  Jun 5, 2014 10:18:58am

Teh Taliban wuz negotiating wit terrorists!!!1!

5 Mattand  Jun 5, 2014 10:19:13am
Given the history of leaks from Congress, and the completely deranged state of the Republican Party, keeping the deal as quiet as possible was the only sane course of action.

Think about that for a minute.

In order to get back an American soldier, the President had to factor in the fact that Republicans hate him so much, they’d risk the life of that POW to get at Obama.

If you vote Republican this fall in any election, there’s really something wrong with you.

6 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:20:40am

The “rage” and “anger” over the return of a captured US Serviceman who was a POW for 5 years is a new low in Right Wing madness. They are showing that they truly are drooling hyenas. The news services who hang this man and his family before the truth comes out should be ashamed to call themselves anything but hacks. I hold them in contempt and the entire Republican party because this is what they are. Sick sociopathic bastards who care only for themselves and their agenda; Screw America and Americans and blame Obama. Hero or Traitor? Fuck off.

7 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:21:03am

Bergdahl Walked Away Before, Military Report Says

The roughly 35-page report, completed two months after Sergeant Bergdahl left his unit, concludes that he most likely walked away of his own free will from his outpost in the darkness of night, and it criticized lax security practices and poor discipline within his unit. But it stops short of concluding that there is solid evidence that Sergeant Bergdahl intended to permanently desert.

Whether Sergeant Bergdahl was a deserter who never intended to come back, or simply slipped away for a short adventure amid an environment of lax security and discipline and then was captured is one of many unanswered questions about his disappearance.

8 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 10:21:44am

How anyone can believe that Republicans would have spent 30 days sitting on this info, knowing that by doing so they’d be seen as complicit in “negotiating with terrorists” and be totally unable to reap any political benefit from public disagreement with the deal, is beyond me. You truly have to be either an utter moron or so politically partisan that you were willing to gamble the life of this soldier on Republicans overcoming their very nature. But I repeat myself.

9 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 10:23:43am

re: #7 Kragar

Bergdahl Walked Away Before, Military Report Says

Like I was saying downstairs, Chambliss came out today with a statement saying he’d read the official report on Bergdahl’s disappearance and did not see the alleged note stating his intentions to defect to the Taliban, and that the statements on record from the guys in his unit do not match the ones that they’re giving to the press.

Can you say “Swift boat”?

10 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:24:33am

re: #9 Targetpractice

Like I was saying downstairs, Chambliss came out today with a statement saying he’d read the official report on Bergdahl’s disappearance and did not see the alleged note stating his intentions to defect to the Taliban, and that the statements on record from the guys in his unit do not match the ones that they’re giving to the press.

Can you say “Swift boat”?

Why are you giving in to a rage fueled witchhunt against the troops?

11 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:25:18am

re: #5 Mattand

Think about that for a minute.

In order to get back an American soldier, the President had to factor in the fact that Republicans hate him so much, they’d risk the life of that POW to get at Obama.

If you vote Republican this fall in any election, there’s really something wrong with you.

It’s a new low even for them. Of course, party above all else.

12 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 10:26:08am

Meanwhile…

I am disappoint.

13 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 10:26:20am

re: #10 Kragar

Why are you giving in to a rage fueled witchhunt against the troops?

Because I’m an evil bastard who gets off on hating the troops. Didn’t ya get the memo?

//

14 lawhawk  Jun 5, 2014 10:28:32am

re: #12 Charles Johnson

There are some folks who should not be cited to, no matter the point you’re trying to make. It lends legitimacy where none is earned or deserved.

Hoft’s one of those people who can’t be trusted to tell you the sky is blue.

15 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 10:28:39am

So much for “we need to be less partisan.”

16 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:28:42am

re: #13 Targetpractice

Because I’m an evil bastard who gets off on hating the troops. Didn’t ya get the memo?

//

Sorry, the memo was burned into ash by the flames of my burning hatred

17 Mattand  Jun 5, 2014 10:29:56am

Meanwhile, in Asshole Pundit Land:

Scarborough And Todd Get Into On-Air Shouting Match Over Bergdahl’s Dad

Another bone to chew one: Chuck Todd, not necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed, was the voice of reason on this one.

18 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 5, 2014 10:30:53am

re: #15 Charles Johnson

I don’t think the HUD guy, who is a veteran, should have to shut up. i kinda didn’t before I found out he was a veteran, and now I really don’t. He’s a vet, talking about POW issues. He did tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

19 darthstar  Jun 5, 2014 10:32:26am

Congress complains they weren’t told, and when Obama gives them a classified debriefing, they all race to CNN to see who can get on camera first and say, “Well, I can’t give the details because it’s classified, but we got to see a video that showed Bergdahl in captivity looking ill/looking healthy(depending on party affiliation of congresscritter).”

20 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 10:32:42am

Can you imagine trying to sell Afghanis on the idea of a permanent and functional representative democracy when your own legislative body has so fully and completely abrogated each and every one of its constitutional responsibilities?

21 darthstar  Jun 5, 2014 10:33:31am
22 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 10:33:37am

re: #18 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

I don’t think the HUD guy, who is a veteran, should have to shut up. i kinda didn’t before I found out he was a veteran, and now I really don’t. He’s a vet, talking about POW issues. He did tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I agree. He’s not just speculating blindly because he hates the troops — there’s evidence that discipline in that unit had collapsed, and that his fellow soldiers didn’t like Bergdahl because he was too sympathetic to Afghans.

It’s yet another case where the right wing goes hysterical and liberals back down. I’m getting sick of this.

23 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:34:03am

Everything I’ve read so far makes me think Bergdahl simply wanted to get away from a bunch of assholes in a shitty unit for a few hours and got taken prisoner during that time.

24 Mattand  Jun 5, 2014 10:34:05am
25 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 10:34:50am
26 klys  Jun 5, 2014 10:36:52am

re: #22 Charles Johnson

I agree. He’s not just speculating blindly because he hates the troops — there’s evidence that discipline in that unit had collapsed, and that his fellow soldiers didn’t like Bergdahl because he was too sympathetic to Afghans.

It’s yet another case where the right wing goes hysterical and liberals back down. I’m getting sick of this.

Also, the place where he posted the series of tweets - and if you read them all he’s saying that because there are multiple explanations that could fit the sequence of events, we should not take one as gospel and run with it - appears to be his personal twitter account.

But, you know, the fact that he works for HUD apparently means he should never post any kind of thought on any public issue ever.

27 makeitstop  Jun 5, 2014 10:37:07am

Tom Nichols apparently has a hard time owning up to mistakes.

28 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 10:37:25am

re: #24 Mattand

[Embedded content]

What an idiot. I’m pretty sure my dyed in the wool Democrat mother would have said some things that weren’t necessarily helpful to Nixon if I had been captured.

29 ObserverArt  Jun 5, 2014 10:37:33am

I was munching on a salad and sammich and composing this comment in the previous thread when a new one was started. So again…
——-
Can someone help me remember back a few years ago? I am trying to weigh the whole response to this Bergdahl story and the entire nation’s reaction (media, military, congress, citizens, etc.) to the days it became very clear to the same the whole Iraq war was a complete FUBAR?

Where were the Congressional hearings? Where was the press holding the President’s feet to the fire? Where was the kvetching by the citizens taking to the net to pound on every aspect?

Did I miss all that? I get the feeling you could add up the entire amount of furor over Bush’s misdeeds from the years 2003 until he left office and not equal this blowout over Bergdahl.

And that is not even weighing all the deaths of soldiers, contract workers, what it did to steel the people in the Middle East countries attitudes about America, the costs, etc., etc. and comparing it all to any fall out over this story.

I think that is one of the things that has knocked me back…the whole lack of perspective on it all. I guess I am getting outraged by the outrage.

30 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 10:37:55am

a snippet:

“We received a detailed classified notification from the Secretary of Defense that satisfies the many substantive certification requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
“Relative to the requirement that the notification be provided 30 days in advance of the transfer of detainees, the President put Congress on notice on Dec. 23, 2013, that he intended to exercise his powers as commander in chief, if necessary, ‘to act swiftly in conducting negotiations with foreign countries regarding the circumstances of detainee transfers.’

31 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:40:04am

“BERGDAHL IS A TRAITOROUS WEASEL! THE GUYS IN HIS UNIT SAID SO!”

“Actually, there is a lot more going on and even the initial investigations said they might bear some responsibility in what happened to Bergdahl.”

“HOW DARE YOU ATTACK THE TROOPS!”

32 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 10:40:47am

re: #12 Charles Johnson

What a bunch of clueless idiots.

33 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 10:41:10am

BTW, good evening, Lizards. Today I’m very concerned! Are you?

34 EPR-radar  Jun 5, 2014 10:41:51am

re: #5 Mattand

Think about that for a minute.

In order to get back an American soldier, the President had to factor in the fact that Republicans hate him so much, they’d risk the life of that POW to get at Obama.

If you vote Republican this fall in any election, there’s really something wrong with you.

This. The excuses are getting impossible to believe by now. People who vote GOP are chargeable with supporting the RWNJ agenda that has completely captured the party, and with blessing the various excesses of the RW noise machine by their actions (i.e. ‘voting GOP = consent’).

35 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 10:41:58am

re: #31 Kragar

“BERGDAHL IS A TRAITOROUS WEASEL! THE GUYS IN HIS UNIT SAID SO!”

“Actually, there is a lot more going on and even the initial investigations said they might bear some responsibility in what happened to Bergdahl.”

“HOW DARE YOU ATTACK THE TROOPS!”

It can’t be stated enough that facts simply do not matter to this crowd. Truth is irrelevant. So I’ll state it again.

Facts do not matter.

36 makeitstop  Jun 5, 2014 10:42:23am

re: #30 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

a snippet:

That would partially explain why Ric Grenell was so well prepared as far as getting the other platoon members in touch with the media. Obama pretty much told them that he’d act alone if he had to, and Bergdahl was the only POW that any oppo research team needed to concentrate on.

37 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 10:42:36am

What I would like to know is, if people don’t like the military, why do they join it? If they don’t like the discipline, their commanding officers, their NCOs, or anything much about what armies are created for—war and defense—then, why do they join? If they are against “certain” wars, like Iraq or Afghanistan, why do they join in the first place? After all, it’s a volunteer army these days, but you’re certainly not allowed to “do it your way”.

What kind of mindset do they have about all of it? In this particular case, we’re just going to have to see what Bergdahl himself says. No use in speculating without both official records and his own testimony.

“While much of the report is said to focus on disciplinary problems within his unit and a lack of accountability within its chain of command, the report is also said to portray Sergeant Bergdahl as a free-spirited young man who read martial-arts books, drank tea with Afghan soldiers from whom he tried to pick up Pashto phrases, and maintained a collection of throwing stars and knives, which it documents in detail.

“Its portrayal of him as a soldier is said to be positive, with quotes from both commanders and squadmates — apparently including some of the men now criticizing him — describing him as punctual, always in the correct uniform and asking good questions. It quotes colleagues as saying that he expressed some boredom and frustration that they were not “kicking down doors” more to go after insurgents who were destroying schools.

“The report is also said to contain no mention of any alleged intercepts of radio or cellphone traffic indicating that Sergeant Bergdahl was asking villagers if anyone spoke English and trying to get in touch with the Taliban, as two former squadmates told CNN this week in separate interviews that they remembered hearing about from a translator who received the report.” More

nytimes.com

38 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 5, 2014 10:42:51am

This isn’t some guy from the State Department giving his opinion. He’s a at HUD. HUD has zero input into our prisoner transfer policy. So why would his official capacity matter?

39 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 10:43:07am

Not to blow my own horn (OK, maybe I am) but I was completely right:

LGF Comment: Looks to Me Like the Obama Administration …

Looks to me like the Obama administration knew exactly what was going to happen after Bergdahl was freed, and tried to get it done as quickly as possible by letting as few people know in advance as they could.

Easier to ask forgiveness than permission. And if this is how the right wing crackpots act when a soldier is freed, imagine what they would have done if they had advance warning of the plan.

40 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:44:07am

With the war in Afghanistan winding down and a full withdrawal set for 2016, the U.S. might not have been able to legally hold the five detainees. Ken Gude of the Center For American Progress defends the decision, writing that “When put in the proper perspective, obtaining the release of the sole U.S. prisoner in Afghanistan is a masterstroke and worthy of congratulations,” because the detainees would been released anyway, and had Bergdahl still be in Taliban custody the U.S. would have had little to negotiate with.

41 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:44:16am

re: #39 Charles Johnson

Can’t trust American elected officials with the life of a POW. Think about that.

42 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:44:52am

re: #41 nines09

Can’t trust American elected officials with the life of a POW. Think about that.

That’s the GOP for you. Getting at Obama > lives.

43 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:45:20am

re: #41 nines09

Can’t trust American elected officials with the life of a POW. Think about that.

Hell, we can’t trust them to run a functioning government at this point

44 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:45:47am

Remember when even speaking critically of policy was “emboldening” the enemy. Well now we have actual Republican officials who think calling the president a traitor is policy.

45 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 10:45:56am

re: #41 nines09

Can’t trust American elected officials with the life of a POW. Think about that.

Including at least one notable “elder statesman” American elected official who was, himself, once a POW.

Think about that.

46 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:46:20am

re: #43 Kragar

Hell, we can’t trust them to run a functioning government at this point

I wouldn’t trust Boehner, Cantor, McConnell, and Cornryn to run a toilet seat.

47 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:46:28am
48 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:47:09am

re: #47 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Impeach Truman!

49 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 10:47:36am
In U.S. criminal law, necessity may be either a possible justification or an exculpation for breaking the law. Defendants seeking to rely on this defense argue that they should not be held liable for their actions as a crime because their conduct was necessary to prevent some greater harm and when that conduct is not excused under some other more specific provision of law such as self defense.
50 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:48:12am

re: #42 HappyWarrior

Well what would you expect from a political party who thinks sick people are worthless and do not deserve insurance? That women are less than men. And gays are evil? Oh and your voting rights are negotiable. What else could they do?

51 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 10:49:10am

re: #37 Justanotherhuman

“Its portrayal of him as a soldier is said to be positive, with quotes from both commanders and squadmates — apparently including some of the men now criticizing him — describing him as punctual, always in the correct uniform and asking good questions. It quotes colleagues as saying that he expressed some boredom and frustration that they were not “kicking down doors” more to go after insurgents who were destroying schools.

I was just thinking about that. It seems the opinion of his fellow soldiers changed after his capture, it doesn’t seem he was hated and bullied before that. It’s understandable that there was some resentment. His capture was a huge pain in everyone’s collective asses.

52 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:49:13am

re: #50 nines09

Well what would you expect from a political party who thinks sick people are worthless and do not deserve insurance? That women are less than men. And gays are evil? Oh and your voting rights are negotiable. What else could they do?

Don’t forget the party that boos openly gay service members and only can have one candidate condemn that who of course was about as popular with that crowd as Obama himself is.

53 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:49:19am

This just in…….Senator McCain wants to know who the fuck got him out and how did they did it and was it worth it.

54 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 10:49:47am

With their desperate rush to delete the old Bergdahl tweets and posts, the rwnjs remind me of the ministry of truth in Orwell’s 1984, or perhaps the US communist party in June 1941. One day the local commies were in front of the White House demonstrating against Churchill and Lend Lease. Then news arrived that Hitler had attacked his erstwhile ally, the Soviet Union. The next day the communists were back at the White House demanding Lend Lease for the Soviet Union and calling for the US to join the war.

55 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:01am

Republicans don’t seem to understand “chain of command”, either.

56 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:16am

re: #51 Killgore Trout

It’s understandable that there was some resentment. His capture was a huge pain in everyone’s collective asses.

I know. How dare he go and get himself captured like that!

Jerk.

57 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:27am

Wars end. People go home. Sorry if that offends people.

58 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:40am

re: #49 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

BTW, if the principle of necessity is applied here, this makes Greenwald’s point that Obama now “must” release the rest of Gitmo prisoners moot and void. (I think he should, but he is not forced by this action to do so.)

59 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:40am

re: #53 nines09

This just in…….Senator McCain wants to know who the fuck got him out and how did they do it and was it worth it.

After he brought Sarah Palin onto the National Stage, you really have to wonder.
///

60 allegro  Jun 5, 2014 10:50:55am

re: #20 Testy Toad T

Can you imagine trying to sell Afghanis on the idea of a permanent and functional representative democracy when your own legislative body has so fully and completely abrogated each and every one of its constitutional responsibilities?

Reminds me of the Robin Williams joke about drafting a constitution in Iraq after the Saddam overthrow: let’s just give them ours, we aren’t using it.

61 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:51:17am

re: #59 Kragar

After he brought Sarah Palin onto the National Stage, you really have to wonder.
///

Joe the Plumber too.

62 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 10:51:58am

re: #51 Killgore Trout

I was just thinking about that. It seems the opinion of his fellow soldiers changed after his capture, it doesn’t seem he was hated and bullied before that. It’s understandable that there was some resentment. His capture was a huge pain in everyone’s collective asses.

And do you consider for a second that perhaps the resentment and anger over the perception that he “deserted” may have colored years old memories, such that the men in his unit who may have had reservations or unspoken beefs with him are not taking it out on him in the press, knowing he can’t defend himself?

63 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:52:04am
64 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:53:03am

re: #63 Kragar

We want prayer in school. Just not that kind of prayer. By the way; Who is your God again?

65 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 10:53:14am

re: #22 Charles Johnson

I agree. He’s not just speculating blindly because he hates the troops — there’s evidence that discipline in that unit had collapsed, and that his fellow soldiers didn’t like Bergdahl because he was too sympathetic to Afghans.

It’s yet another case where the right wing goes hysterical and liberals back down. I’m getting sick of this.

Reading the rolling stones article by Hastings and the NY times article about the military report suggests there were many concerns about lax security and dysfunctional, if not non-existent leadership.

While much of the report is said to focus on disciplinary problems within his unit and a lack of accountability within its chain of command, the report is also said to portray Sergeant Bergdahl as a free-spirited young man who read martial-arts books, drank tea with Afghan soldiers from whom he tried to pick up Pashto phrases, and maintained a collection of throwing stars and knives, which it documents in detail.

Its portrayal of him as a soldier is said to be positive, with quotes from both commanders and squadmates — apparently including some of the men now criticizing him — describing him as punctual, always in the correct uniform and asking good questions. It quotes colleagues as saying that he expressed some boredom and frustration that they were not “kicking down doors” more to go after insurgents who were destroying schools.

The report is also said to contain no mention of any alleged intercepts of radio or cellphone traffic indicating that Sergeant Bergdahl was asking villagers if anyone spoke English and trying to get in touch with the Taliban, as two former squadmates told CNN this week in separate interviews that they remembered hearing about from a translator who received the report.

66 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:53:57am

re: #63 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Exactly and Fox knows this but they’re desperate to continue to spread the bs of Muslim= enemy. Can you imagine if we had did this with Lutherans during the world wars. But oh wait, easier to get away with this because Islam is a brown people religion. My mistake./

67 CriticalDragon1177  Jun 5, 2014 10:55:14am

Charles Johnson,

This is not surprising given the nature of what the Taliban is. Glad Bergdahl made it out alive through despite how irresponsible people in Congress my have been.

68 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 10:55:20am

re: #53 nines09

This just in…….Senator McCain wants to know who the fuck got him out and how did they do it and was it worth it.

I’m sorry McCain had to suffer through 5 yrs of captivity—nobody deserves that kind of treatment—but he fared better than most POWs. McCain would be in a mass grave somewhere in Vietnam if his daddy hadn’t been an admiral. The Viet Cong knew it and considered him a valuable asset.

69 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:55:48am

So yeah even if Bob Bergdahl is a Muslim, he’s not but say he was. What the hell does that have to with anything? The Taliban were going after other Muslims before they went after us. I had an Afghan friend who was Shi’a whose family faced persecution under them long before Joe Wingnut was conflating every Afghan with the Taliban and blaming all Muslims for 9/11.

70 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 10:56:13am

re: #56 Testy Toad T

I know. How dare he go and get himself captured like that!

Jerk.

They might have cut him more slack if he was captured while on a mission and following the rules. There are rumors that he was at least being reckless and stupid. His own actions may have resulted in his capture.

71 CriticalDragon1177  Jun 5, 2014 10:56:45am

Charles Johnson,

By the way way guys, speaking of Bergdahl and deranged wingnuts…

Bryan Fischer More Certian Than Ever Obama is a Secret Muslim, After Bergdahl Released.
littlegreenfootballs.com

72 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 10:58:09am

re: #64 nines09

We want prayer in school. Just not that kind of prayer. By the way; Who is your God again?

Youtube Video

73 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 10:58:26am

re: #68 Justanotherhuman

He came back. For him to question the way a POW was returned after calling for his return shows a disconnect from reality and a party affiliation that clouds his judgment. I have no respect for him at this point.

74 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 10:58:26am

re: #71 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

By the way way guys, speaking of Bergdahl and deranged wingnuts…

Bryan Fischer More Certian Than Ever Obama is a Secret Muslim, After Bergdahl Released.
littlegreenfootballs.com

So letting an American POW rot under Taliban capitivity would be proof to Bry that Obama wasn’t a Muslim? Tell me Bryan, why haven’t you tried out for the Olympics yet in Gymnastics because this is some fine gymnastics even for you, the guy who thinks giving the CMOH to servicemembers who save others “feminizes” the award.

75 A Mom Anon  Jun 5, 2014 10:59:14am

Slightly OT but is about a wingnut, so there’s that..(hee, it’s funny- to me at least)

So, I have talked about the super wingnuts that live next to me here before. I have been acquaintances with them over the years, not close or anything, The Son is about the same age as their two kids, but life took us in different places, etc.

Anyhoo I’m friends with the wife on Facebook and for the most part she keeps her wingnutty goodness to herself, especially since she got a big job promotion awhile ago. She gave me a bunch of plants awhile ago, has been really nice and had nice things to say about The Son, etc. A couple weeks ago her husband sent me a friend request, I waited a day or two and then went ahead and accepted it. Now HE is a full metal wingnut, big time. Which is where the rest of the family gets it from, IMO. He obviously doesn’t read anything that’s not considered conservative.

So, today he puts this thing up on Facebook, an OLD story from 2004 or 05 about Starbucks hating the troops and not sending them free stuff because they are anti war, etc. It literally took me less than 60 seconds to debunk that one, and I posted it in reply. About 10 minutes ago HIS MOM also posted and said he needs to do some homework instead of blindly posting everything he sees online (and this is a guy who uses The Blaze and The Daily Caller as his news sources, so, um yeah). And she’s not at all close to being a Democrat. So heh. However, so far he’s been unusually quiet about this whole Bergdahl thing, maybe because he has a nephew in the Air Force. Funny how when things hit a leeetle close to home how it changes perspective.

76 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:00:06am

re: #73 nines09

He came back. For him to question the way a POW was returned after calling for his return shows a disconnect from reality and a party affiliation that clouds his judgment. I have no respect for him at this point.

I lost respect for him the minute he continued to defend his selection of Palin even when it was obvious that Palin was a terrible pick. In fact, at this point I respect him less than Cruz. I know what to expect from types like Ted Cruz. They’re set in their ways. Guys like McCain OTOH who have shown they’re capable of thoughtfulness but turn demagogue at the push of a button out of twisted loyalty to party make me ill.

77 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 11:00:30am

re: #71 CriticalDragon1177

Right…..and Obama letting an American soldier remain the captive of the Taliban forever would have proved that Obama:
1.) Loves our troops
2.) Was a REAL Christian
3.) Was not weak
4.) Insert whatever here.

78 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 11:01:02am

re: #70 Killgore Trout

They might have cut him more slack if he was captured while on a mission and following the rules. There are rumors that he was at least being reckless and stupid. His own actions may have resulted in his capture.

This much may be true. That does not excuse lies about seeking out the Taliban and charges of treason.
If being reckless is a reason for court martial, then we wouldn’t have any soldiers.

79 A Mom Anon  Jun 5, 2014 11:01:59am

re: #78 blueraven

Especially soldiers in their late teens and early 20’s….

80 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:03:10am

re: #79 A Mom Anon

Especially soldiers in their late teens and early 20’s….

Who were by their own admission doing under-aged drinking. I don’t fault them for that but at the same time, even if Bowe Bergdahl is guilty of some irresponsibility, he’s far from the only one in that unit to be guilty of that.

81 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:03:33am

re: #76 HappyWarrior

I lost respect for him the minute he continued to defend his selection of Palin even when it was obvious that Palin was a terrible pick. In fact, at this point I respect him less than Cruz. I know what to expect from types like Ted Cruz. They’re set in their ways. Guys like McCain OTOH who have shown they’re capable of thoughtfulness but turn demagogue at the push of a button out of twisted loyalty to party make me ill.

Senator McCain is no more or less a human being. He is neither a hero nor a villain from his service. From a political standpoint his judgment and reasoning is flawed and fluid to the point of not being there. He is unable to see past his party regardless of the damage they do to his America he fought for.

82 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:03:35am

re: #62 Targetpractice

And do you consider for a second that perhaps the resentment and anger over the perception that he “deserted” may have colored years old memories, such that the men in his unit who may have had reservations or unspoken beefs with him are not taking it out on him in the press, knowing he can’t defend himself?

More basically: eyewitness testimony is shitty to start with, because preconceived notions filter perception. Time further stretches the truth, because as you rehearse a recollection, you clean up the narrative more and more. It doesn’t help that an insular group collectively rehearsing a memory will smooth out conflicting details.

And frankly, there’s a whole ‘nother level of filtering occurring when you’re prepped for media by someone like Richard Grenell…who’s teaching you to be on-message, not genuine.

Lots of room to be skeptical before you get potential animus.

83 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 11:03:39am

re: #70 Killgore Trout

They might have cut him more slack if he was captured while on a mission and following the rules. There are rumors that he was at least being reckless and stupid. His own actions may have resulted in his capture.

We sent him there, we bring him back.

The end.

84 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:04:02am

re: #81 nines09

Senator McCain is no more or less a human being. He is neither a hero nor a villain from his service. From a political standpoint his judgment and reasoning is flawed and fluid to the point of not being there. He is unable to see past his party regardless of the damage they do to his America he fought for.

Right.

85 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Jun 5, 2014 11:04:56am

re: #70 Killgore Trout

They might have cut him more slack if he was captured while on a mission and following the rules. There are rumors that he was at least being reckless and stupid. His own actions may have resulted in his capture.

He may have been ‘following the rules’, to the extent anyone there was. There are reports recklessness had become endemic. That’s a leadership problem.

It’s also a completely moot point as to whether they should be letting GOP spindoctors shove them on TV to trash-talk a guy who just spent five years in Taliban custody.

86 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:05:34am

I’d have more understanding for some of the guys in his unit if they weren’t being consulted by a GOP hack for their statements to the media which as pointed out seem to contradict their official ones. It’s one thing to be frustrated. It’s another to let yourself be coached up by someone with a blatant agenda with this story.

87 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 11:05:49am

OK, so now on Drudge’s above the fold left hand corner is:

EU TRIES NEGATIVEINTEREST RATES ON DEPOSITS…
Historic Measures…

No soldier outrage stories, the overnight polling numbers must have not have turned out well for this poutrage.

88 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 11:06:27am

This is not going to end well. The right wing is clinically insane and spoiling for a fight. They have demonstrated that their rabble of a militia can take over at least a small area and enforce their crackpot ideas at gunpoint. The Bundy Ranch episode was a crucial watershed, marking the transition from fantasy to reality for the crazed advocates of insurrection and violence.

I know how many of you feel about guns, but it may be time to reconsider. I think we can still count on the law and the military to handle any insurrection, but not everywhere at every time. For one thing, rwnj cranks control some local law enforcement agencies, especially sheriffs. Other officials are so beholden to crackpots and fundies that they will probably react softly or slowly in response to an insurrection.
Whatever the Perry-site state where I live does, If some meth crazed militia kooks or fundy loons come up my driveway with their ARs they are going to get it back in spades.
It could happen, we are that far through the looking glass.

89 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:06:30am

re: #74 HappyWarrior

So letting an American POW rot under Taliban capitivity would be proof to Bry that Obama wasn’t a Muslim? Tell me Bryan, why haven’t you tried out for the Olympics yet in Gymnastics because this is some fine gymnastics even for you, the guy who thinks giving the CMOH to servicemembers who save others “feminizes” the award.

If you think Obama is a secret Muslim, turn to page 83.

Or page 95.

Or page 104.

90 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:06:31am

re: #87 b.d.

OK, so now on Drudge’s above the fold left hand corner is:

No soldier outrage stories, the overnight polling numbers must have not have turned out well for this poutrage.

He’ll find anotehr outrage tomorrow. The siren must go on.

91 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:06:40am

re: #82 The Ghost of a Flea

More basically: eyewitness testimony is shitty to start with, because preconceived notions filter perception. Time further stretches the truth, because as you rehearse a recollection, you clean up the narrative more and more. It doesn’t help that an insular group collectively rehearsing a memory will smooth out conflicting details.

And frankly, there’s a whole ‘nother level of filtering occurring when you’re prepped for media by someone like Richard Grenell…who’s teaching you to be on-message, not genuine.

Lots of room to be skeptical before you get potential animus.

Exactly, it’s why we generally frown upon criminal cases that are mostly eyewitness or even “earwitness” testimony, because the mind is easily fooled and tends to fill in the blanks to suit a narrative. These guys have had five years of dealing with the shit they experienced over there to put together in their minds this narrative about how Bowe was a bad soldier, was always so “friendly” with the locals, and convince themselves that the only reason he’d walk away was to join the Taliban. They’ve turned him into a convenient receptacle for all their anger and hatred over the things that happened over there.

92 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 11:07:05am

A part of me wants Bergdahl to win the lottery, then build a new identity for himself before setting forth on an elaborate plot pitting his detractors against the Taliban in a grand scheme which takes them both down.

93 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:07:50am

re: #89 The Ghost of a Flea

If you think Obama is a secret Muslim, turn to page 83.

Or page 95.

Or page 104.

Are there any scenarios where Obama is eating and enjoying hummus because I think I may be a secret Muslim myself with this awesome fig butter, avocado, and hummus mix I just made.

94 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:08:29am

re: #93 HappyWarrior

Are there any scenarios where Obama is eating and enjoying hummus because I think I may be a secret Muslim myself with this awesome fig butter, avocado, and hummus mix I just made.

Use bagel chips and all is well.

95 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:09:14am

Reid: Bergdahl’s health irrelevant to trade

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday pushed back against doubts that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl may not have been as ill as the administration claimed, calling the speculation irrelevant.

96 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:09:25am

re: #93 HappyWarrior

Are there any scenarios where Obama is eating and enjoying hummus because I think I may be a secret Muslim myself with this awesome fig butter, avocado, and hummus mix I just made.

One of the best things about Planet Kenya in 2046…

…other than the single-payer health care…

…is the hummus Jesus makes for the iftar.

97 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:09:45am

re: #94 nines09

Use bagel chips and all is well.

Agh we just ran out. Have some wheat chips though. There’s some honey in here too. Been eating nothing but avocado sandwiches for lunch the past few days since I gorged out on pork at the BBQ on Sunday.

98 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:10:17am

Really, the NYT report clears up to me a lot of the doubt surrounding that first investigation. It really does sound like they looked at what they had on hand, took down testimony from the guys in his unit who hadn’t yet gotten around to blame Bowe for every death in Afghanistan, and decided there just wasn’t enough there to make any sort of conclusion besides a soldier had gone AWOL.

99 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:10:20am

re: #96 The Ghost of a Flea

One of the best things about Planet Kenya in 2046…

…other than the single-payer health care…

…is the hummus Jesus makes for the iftar.

I think Hagel was on to something joining Friends of Hummus then.

100 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:11:02am

re: #83 Kragar

We sent him there, we bring him back.

The end.

I won’t disagree with that, there weren’t any reasonably alternatives to the prisoner swap.

101 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:11:28am

re: #97 HappyWarrior

Toasted anything works. Pretzels. Apples. Pears. Fingers.

102 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:12:10am

re: #101 nines09

Toasted anything works. Pretzels. Apples. Pears. Fingers.

Good deal. I like pretzels but only with beer and I am alas out of beer.

103 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 11:12:14am

re: #98 Targetpractice

Really, the NYT report clears up to me a lot of the doubt surrounding that first investigation. It really does sound like they looked at what they had on hand, took down testimony from the guys in his unit who hadn’t yet gotten around to blame Bowe for every death in Afghanistan, and decided there just wasn’t enough there to make any sort of conclusion besides a soldier had gone AWOL.

I could see a charge of UA for leaving the base, but not desertion

104 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 11:12:28am
105 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:13:10am

Check this out:

littlegreenfootballs.com

Raving libertarian loon registers two accounts, posts a Page, then pretends to be backing himself up.

And then he came back and tried to register again using TOR.

106 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 11:13:53am

re: #33 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

BTW, good evening, Lizards. Today I’m very concerned! Are you?

I think that all good, right thinking people in this country are sick
and tired of being told that all good, right thinking people in this
country are fed up with being told that all good, right thinking people
in this country are fed up with being sick and tired. I’m certainly
not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am.

(Hat tip to Monty Python)

107 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 11:14:06am

re: #95 Killgore Trout

Reid: Bergdahl’s health irrelevant to trade

grasping at straws as the RW narrative is falling apart.
typical.

108 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:14:21am

re: #102 HappyWarrior

Try the big pretzel rods with salt with your Hummus/Hommus.. It’s a hit.

109 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:14:27am

re: #104 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

Should have worn them baggy like a rapper then they’d respect him like a G, right Erick?

110 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:14:47am

re: #108 nines09

Try the big pretzel rods with salt with your Hummus/Hommus.. It’s a hit.

Good deal. Will definitely do.

111 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:14:49am

re: #99 HappyWarrior

I think Hagel was on to something joining Friends of Hummus then.

It is the most socialable of the legume pastes.

112 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:17:03am

re: #105 Charles Johnson

Check this out:

littlegreenfootballs.com

Raving libertarian loon registers two accounts, posts a Page, then pretends to be backing himself up.

And then he came back and tried to register again using TOR.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I’m a schizophrenic*
And so am I

*Yes, yes, I know.

113 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:18:23am

re: #103 Kragar

I could see a charge of UA for leaving the base, but not desertion

So could I. I’m beginning to doubt this will end in a court-martial unless there’s some piece of evidence that we’ve not yet seen that would definitively prove he intended to desert. Guy’s been in enemy custody for five years, what would be the point of court-martialing him for UA? They’ll probably cashier him out and be done with it, no point locking him up for a few months or couple years.

114 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:18:29am

re: #105 Charles Johnson

Check this out:

littlegreenfootballs.com

Raving libertarian loon registers two accounts, posts a Page, then pretends to be backing himself up.

And then he came back and tried to register again using TOR.

So he was a sock?

Ha!

115 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:18:49am

re: #110 HappyWarrior

Check this out.

116 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:19:20am

What’s with the weird wingnut obsession with Obama’s jeans. Palin talks about the mom jeans a lot too I notice. Just silly. I guess he’s not a real manly man like their pal Vlad who needs a traq gun with five times the power to take down a tiger to pose with.

117 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:19:33am

re: #114 The Ghost of a Flea

So he was a sock?

Ha!

The most obvious sock since George Michael.

Ba-dum, tish etc.

118 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:22:03am

WTF?

119 EPR-radar  Jun 5, 2014 11:22:41am

re: #105 Charles Johnson

Check this out:

littlegreenfootballs.com

Raving libertarian loon registers two accounts, posts a Page, then pretends to be backing himself up.

And then he came back and tried to register again using TOR.

Clearly this is a person with great confidence that libertarianism will succeed in the marketplace of ideas.

He probably gets bonus liber-points for sock-puppeting because a corrupt market with dishonest actors is the only market libertarians will accept.

120 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 11:22:41am
121 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:08am

re: #120 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Bergdahl Scandal? Really Erick. I hope you do better in divinity school than you do at political analysis because your political analysis sucks.

122 Varek Raith  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:19am

re: #120 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Do they even read what they write?

123 nines09  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:27am

re: #120 Kragar

Not only swimming in the shallow end of the gene pool, but repeatedly hitting his head on the bottom. I heard the doctor slapped his mom.

124 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:32am

re: #118 Charles Johnson

WTF?

[Embedded content]

ODS: The Edinburgh Chapter.

125 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:53am

re: #122 Varek Raith

Do they even read what they write?

Too busy drinking ragehol to focus.

126 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:24:56am

re: #117 iossarian

Oh greeting internet person I have never interacted with.

Your bald, citation-less assertions have the ring of profound truth. The scales have been lifted from my eyes regarding the obscure branch of indigenous rights terminology, FCIP.

I’m so fully enlightened I shall now develop my own arguments, that coincidentally sounds exactly like your other writing on Newsvine. This shows that we have achieved perfect communciation! Quantum truth, directly into my brain from yours! We are sympatico.

127 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:25:59am

re: #126 The Ghost of a Flea

Oh greeting internet person I have never interacted with.

Your bald, citation-less assertions have the ring of profound truth. The scales have been lifted from my eyes regarding the obscure branch of indigenous rights terminology, FCIP.

I’m so fully enlightened I shall now develop my own arguments, that coincidentally sounds exactly like you other writing on Newsvine. This shows that we have achieved perfect communciation! Quantum truth, directly into my brain from yours! We are sympatico.

I find your ideas interesting and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

128 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 11:27:23am
129 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:27:55am
130 Jayleia  Jun 5, 2014 11:28:06am

re: #105 Charles Johnson

They act like you don’t know what you’re doing on the internetz…

131 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 11:28:10am

So to review this week:

There was an American soldier being held as a POW in Afghanistan. Petitions had been circulating for years for Obama to “do something”. Many conservative pundits critical of Obama for not doing anything. Obama arranges to get him out. Soldier’s family very happy after five years of waiting and pushing the government to do all it could to release their son. Soldier is released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners being held in Gitmo. A small legion of wingnut “patriots” loses its collective shit. Accuses soldier of being a deserter and traitor and spews vile at his family, especially his father for growing a beard and learning Arabic. Force soldier’s town to cancel a rally planned in the returned soldier’s behalf. Media decides the prisoner-swap is a “controversy”, spends whole week airing wingnut complaints, and “asking questions” about whether it was worth it to get the American home.

132 jaunte  Jun 5, 2014 11:29:13am
Bergdahl scandal proves Obama will negotiate with hostage takers

We’ll just have to kill a few people to prove we should be taken seriously.

133 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:29:46am

re: #131 Bulworth

So to review this week:

There was an American soldier being held as a POW in Afghanistan. Petitions had been circulating for years for Obama to “do something”. Many conservative pundits critical of Obama for not doing anything. Obama arranges to get him out. Soldier’s family very happy after five years of waiting and pushing the government to do all it could to release their son. Soldier is released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners being held in Gitmo. A small legion of wingnut “patriots” loses its collective shit. Accuses soldier of being a deserter and traitor and spews vile at his family, especially his father for growing a beard and learning Arabic. Force soldier’s town to cancel a rally planned in the returned soldier’s behalf. Media decides the prisoner-swap is a “controversy”, spends whole week airing wingnut complaints, and “asking questions” about whether it was worth it to get the American home.

And in a week, everybody will be on to the next “scandal.”

134 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:29:48am

re: #132 jaunte

We’ll just have to kill a few people to prove we should be taken seriously.

Need to grow their beards out too if they want Fox to take them seriously and maybe convert to Islam.

135 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:29:53am

re: #131 Bulworth

So to review this week:

There was an American soldier being held as a POW in Afghanistan. Petitions had been circulating for years for Obama to “do something”. Many conservative pundits critical of Obama for not doing anything. Obama arranges to get him out. Soldier’s family very happy after five years of waiting and pushing the government to do all it could to release their son. Soldier is released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners being held in Gitmo. A small legion of wingnut “patriots” loses its collective shit. Accuses soldier of being a deserter and traitor and spews vile at his family, especially his father for growing a beard and learning Arabic. Force soldier’s town to cancel a rally planned in the returned soldier’s behalf. Media decides the prisoner-swap is a “controversy”, spends whole week airing wingnut complaints, and “asking questions” about whether it was worth it to get the American home.

When you put it like that, it sounds fucking stupid.

136 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 11:29:56am

re: #131 Bulworth

So to review this week:

There was an American soldier being held as a POW in Afghanistan. Petitions had been circulating for years for Obama to “do something”. Many conservative pundits critical of Obama for not doing anything. Obama arranges to get him out. Soldier’s family very happy after five years of waiting and pushing the government to do all it could to release their son. Soldier is released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners being held in Gitmo. A small legion of wingnut “patriots” loses its collective shit. Accuses soldier of being a deserter and traitor and spews vile at his family, especially his father for growing a beard and learning Arabic. Force soldier’s town to cancel a rally planned in the returned soldier’s behalf. Media decides the prisoner-swap is a “controversy”, spends whole week airing wingnut complaints, and “asking questions” about whether it was worth it to get the American home.

Can you make that a limerick though?

137 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:30:57am
138 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:32:31am

Cycle is never going to end. Obama will be out of office within a few years. Hate will follow him out of this life. And hatred will be transferred whether that person’s name is Hillary R. Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, or whoever succeeds Obama as the standard bearer of the Democratic Party.

139 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 11:32:50am
140 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:33:26am

Do they have one of those who should I root for quiz like thingies in regards to the WC? Want to “adopt” a team since I’m going to be three weeks in soccer crazy Europe during the WC in the summer.

141 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:33:56am

re: #139 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Wait, where’s Rand Paul to filibuster her nomination until Obamacare is repealed!

142 Rightwingconspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:34:36am

Okay I did not believe the headline. It was Drudge.

Anyway how is this going to work out?

bbc.com

ECB imposes negative interest rate
The European Central Bank has introduced a raft of measures aimed at stimulating the eurozone economy, including negative interest rates and cheap long-term loans to banks.

It cut its deposit rate for banks from zero to -0.1%, to encourage banks to lend to businesses rather than hold on to money.

The ECB also cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.15% from 0.25%.

143 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 11:34:38am

Is Greenwald naive or just plain stupid?

144 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:35:19am

re: #143 Justanotherhuman

Is Greenwald naive or just plain stupid?

[Embedded content]

No, more like this plain self-righteous.

145 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:35:34am

His parents apparently knew something. It’s not for nothing that they named him Ew Erickson.

146 jaunte  Jun 5, 2014 11:36:39am

re: #143 Justanotherhuman

Is Greenwald naive or just plain stupid?

[Embedded content]

He’s Captain Nemo:

“I am not what is called a civilized man, Professor. I have done with society for reasons that seem good to me. Therefore, I do not obey its laws.”

147 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:36:52am

re: #140 HappyWarrior

Do they have one of those who should I root for quiz like thingies in regards to the WC? Want to “adopt” a team since I’m going to be three weeks in soccer crazy Europe during the WC in the summer.

Do you have rooting interests in major US sports (college or pro)? If so I can take a stab at it.

148 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 11:37:45am

re: #131 Bulworth

So to review this week:

There was an American soldier being held as a POW in Afghanistan. Petitions had been circulating for years for Obama to “do something”. Many conservative pundits critical of Obama for not doing anything. Obama arranges to get him out. Soldier’s family very happy after five years of waiting and pushing the government to do all it could to release their son. Soldier is released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners being held in Gitmo. A small legion of wingnut “patriots” loses its collective shit. Accuses soldier of being a deserter and traitor and spews vile at his family, especially his father for growing a beard and learning Arabic. Force soldier’s town to cancel a rally planned in the returned soldier’s behalf. Media decides the prisoner-swap is a “controversy”, spends whole week airing wingnut complaints, and “asking questions” about whether it was worth it to get the American home.

I think the only legitimate grounds the opposition has any space to stand on are the following:
1) Not getting notification - this does not go far since:

a) Obama already had the signing statement in place saying that as CinC he considered that requirement non-binding.

b) The Taliban did not want the deal publicized until it was done, and would possibly scuttle it if leaked. Congress has shown itself previously unable to *not* leak, and arguably the Taliban had nixed an earlier exchange for this very reason.

2) Who we exchanged for Bergdahl - which is also pretty weak:

a) Previous administrations had exchanged/released more from Gitmo.

b) Many of these same men would have been released in a year in any case under the winding down deal in place.

c) We were not going to hold them indefinitely.

The other reasons cited are spurious, irrelevant, and generally hypocritical and hyperbolic grandstanding.

149 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:38:01am

re: #147 iossarian

Do you have rooting interests in major US sports (college or pro)? If so I can take a stab at it.

Sure, have at me since I’m a wild card.
MLB: Baltimore Orioles
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers
NBA: Washington Wizards
College basketball: George Mason

150 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:38:08am

Aaaaaah! It’s alive! littlegreenfootballs.com

151 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 11:39:31am

re: #150 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Aaaaaah! It’s alive! littlegreenfootballs.com

And logged right the hell out after that.

152 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:39:42am

re: #148 Feline Fearless Leader

In short, it’s the same as every other “scandal” over the last six years.

153 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:40:46am

Stilted libertarian-speak. Ugh.

154 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 11:41:28am

re: #146 jaunte

He’s Captain Nemo:

There were two things I enjoyed about 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Naseeruddin Shah as Captain Nemo (no offense to James Mason)

The design of the Nautilus.

155 ObserverArt  Jun 5, 2014 11:41:49am

re: #66 HappyWarrior

Exactly and Fox knows this but they’re desperate to continue to spread the bs of Muslim= enemy. Can you imagine if we had did this with Lutherans during the world wars. But oh wait, easier to get away with this because Islam is a brown people religion. My mistake./

Easier to get away with because we have a bunch of morons that eat that crap up like it was in the bible.

We have a huge problem in this country. We have too many people that are just plain willfully ignorant and admittedly too lazy to want to do anything about it.

Pass them the ‘chips, and pop open a Meeler Lite, They got them some hatin’ to do.

156 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:41:51am

157 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:42:34am

I have a hard time interpreting twitter conversations sometimes. can anyone translate this for me?

158 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:43:14am

re: #155 ObserverArt

Easier to get away with because we have a bunch of morons that eat that crap up like it was in the bible.

We have a huge problem in this country. We have too many people that are just plain willfully ignorant and admittedly too lazy to want to do anything about it.

Pass them the ‘chips, and pop open a Meeler Lite, They got them some hatin’ to do.

We need to improve education but oh wait our pals the Republicans are opposed to improving that too because you know public education= indoctrination but homeschools and private schools telling kids that fundamentalism is the only way is just fine.

159 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 11:43:53am
160 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:44:27am

So Schindler has some inside info about the Bergdahl case?

161 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 11:45:17am

re: #118 Charles Johnson

WTF?

[Embedded content]

Is that supposed to be snark?
fail, if so.

re: #157 Killgore Trout

I have a hard time interpreting twitter conversations sometimes. can anyone translate this for me?

[Embedded content]

It says you are a troll

162 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 11:45:34am

re: #17 Mattand

Meanwhile, in Asshole Pundit Land:

Scarborough And Todd Get Into On-Air Shouting Match Over Bergdahl’s Dad

Another bone to chew one: Chuck Todd, not necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed, was the voice of reason on this one.

That was my opinion as well. I never figure Chuck Todd to be the one calling out bullshit…but he did this time. Good for him!

163 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:08am

re: #159 wrenchwench

Nice: artodyssey1.blogspot.com

164 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:14am

re: #157 Killgore Trout

I have a hard time interpreting twitter conversations sometimes. can anyone translate this for me?

[Embedded content]

I’ll take stab. Neil I think is paraphrasing a Lincoln quote that is basically saying that essentially If you know something to be true or if you don’t, but if you do but are not providing evidence you are fouling up. Agh, that’s why I don’t do Twitter. I’m too much about getting every word down don’t like being limited by character limits but that’s another story of course.

165 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:16am

re: #150 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Aaaaaah! It’s alive! littlegreenfootballs.com

He’ll probably try again. They always do.

166 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:28am

re: #144 HappyWarrior

No, more like this plain self-righteous.

You may be right—see what commenter Ted Fickes says here. twitter.com

It’s a fucking religion!

167 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:29am

re: #143 Justanotherhuman

Is Greenwald naive or just plain stupid?

[Embedded content]

The media circus has moved away from Glenn for the time being and he can’t stand it.

168 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 11:46:59am

re: #156 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

[Embedded image]

Thanks.

Now I have the Mothra song in my head.

169 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:47:03am
170 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 11:47:04am

re: #160 Killgore Trout

So Schindler has some inside info about the Bergdahl case?

Doesn’t everyone?

pathetic.

171 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:47:31am

re: #166 Justanotherhuman

You may be right—see what commenter Ted Fickes says here. twitter.com

It’s a fucking religion!

Right, like FNC, I don’t see GG himself as an ignorant or stupid man but rather one who knows he can peddle self-righteous bs to the masses who will eat it up.

172 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:47:50am

re: #165 Charles Johnson

He’ll probably try again. They always do.

I definitely loved it how he tried to deny that the first two guys were the same troll and to claim that he is their good acquaintance… all the while writing in the same demented style.

173 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 11:48:21am

re: #167 b.d.

The media circus has moved away from Glenn for the time being and he can’t stand it.

Yes, the thought did occur. : )

174 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:48:28am

Also though what the hell is the obsession with smearing Bergdahl’s parents, his father especially? Would they be doing this if he were clean shaved with a crew cut? Somehow I doubt it.

175 Decatur Deb  Jun 5, 2014 11:48:42am

re: #88 Shiplord Kirel

This is not going to end well. The right wing is clinically insane and spoiling for a fight. They have demonstrated that their rabble of a militia can take over at least a small area and enforce their crackpot ideas at gunpoint. The Bundy Ranch episode was a crucial watershed, marking the transition from fantasy to reality for the crazed advocates of insurrection and violence.

I know how many of you feel about guns, but it may be time to reconsider. I think we can still count on the law and the military to handle any insurrection, but not everywhere at every time. For one thing, rwnj cranks control some local law enforcement agencies, especially sheriffs. Other officials are so beholden to crackpots and fundies that they will probably react softly or slowly in response to an insurrection.
Whatever the Perry-site state where I live does, If some meth crazed militia kooks or fundy loons come up my driveway with their ARs they are going to get it back in spades.
It could happen, we are that far through the looking glass.

Which is precisely why I wish the Democrats would STFU about guns until they live a few decades in Klan Kountry.

176 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 11:48:46am

re: #164 HappyWarrior

I’ll take stab. Neil I think is paraphrasing a Lincoln quote that is basically saying that essentially If you know something to be true or if you don’t, but if you do but are not providing evidence you are fouling up. Agh, that’s why I don’t do Twitter. I’m too much about getting every word down don’t like being limited by character limits but that’s another story of course.

Ah thanks. I was mostly stumped by the abbreviation of “paraphrase”. Makes more sense now.

177 gwangung  Jun 5, 2014 11:49:02am

re: #174 HappyWarrior

Also though what the hell is the obsession with smearing Bergdahl’s parents, his father especially? Would they be doing this if he were clean shaved with a crew cut?

Absolutely.

That’s how they roll.

178 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:49:07am

And here we go…

179 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 11:49:32am

re: #174 HappyWarrior

Also though what the hell is the obsession with smearing Bergdahl’s parents, his father especially? Would they be doing this if he were clean shaved with a crew cut? Somehow I doubt it.

—-

The term Fair Game is used to describe policies and practices carried out by the Church of Scientology towards people and groups it perceives as its enemies. Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the policy in the 1950s, in response to criticism both from within and outside his organization.[1][2] Individuals or groups who are “Fair Game” are judged to be a threat to the Church and, according to the policy, can be punished and harassed using any and all means possible.

180 A Mom Anon  Jun 5, 2014 11:49:49am

re: #133 Targetpractice

The thing is, they won’t go on to the next scandal. The next scandal (rolls eyes like a teenager…) will just get added to their smoldering pile. They are going to hammer on this until there’s not a thing left to hammer. Even if the guys badmouthing him on TV end up being total liars and are covering up something truly awful, it won’t matter. Sgt Bergdahl and his family are already filthy rotten Muslim terrorist sympathizers who sent secret terror messages at the White House and want to be part of the Taliban. It’s going to fuck with their lives for awhile, even if it’s totally wrong and based on bullshit because these fucking assholes can never ever admit they’ve done anything awful ever. Doesn’t matter who gets hurt, they get PAID and then they convince the people who listen to them that they, and only they are truly enlightened, that only they know the real truth.

THAT right there is the hardest thing for me to forgive. Politics is one thing, but scaring people and convincing them that anything that could even be remotely called “liberal” in any sense of the word has to be evil and must be destroyed. It’s poisoned families, friendships and communities and some of these people are so fucking deranged now I’m not sure they will ever back up and just THINK for a minute. Let alone STFU and calm down.

181 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:49:49am

re: #177 gwangung

Absolutely.

That’s how they roll.

Harder to call the clean shaved guy with the crew cut a secret Muslim though. They really are that shameless though, I agree.

182 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 11:50:26am

re: #173 Justanotherhuman

Yes, the thought did occur. : )

Glenn is God and Snowden is the Son he forsakes for money and fame.

183 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 11:50:26am

re: #168 Dr Lizardo

Thanks.

Now I have the Mothra song in my head.

So you have an ear caterpillar rather than an ear worm?
:)

184 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:50:50am

re: #179 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

—-

I honestly had no idea that concept had its origins in Scientology. Interesting.

185 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:51:08am

re: #149 HappyWarrior

Sure, have at me since I’m a wild card.
MLB: Baltimore Orioles
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers
NBA: Washington Wizards
College basketball: George Mason

The Steelers I’m most familiar with. Good in the 70s, good again now/recently. Blue collar work ethic, tend to espouse a non-flashy style of play, solid, well-organized etc.

Your teams also suggest Europe rather than South America to me.

Germany?

186 jaunte  Jun 5, 2014 11:51:19am

Massive Investigation Uncovers White Supremacist Criminal Network in Oregon

The Oregon suspects variously are affiliated with at least five known street and prison white supremacist gangs - European Kindred (EK); Rude Crude Brood; All Ona Bitch (AOB); Fat Bitch Killers (FBK) and Insane Peckerwood Syndicate (IPS), authorities say.

Others arrested, investigators say, are associates of the Gypsy Jokers outlaw motorcycle gang whose members were believed to be involved in firearms and drug trafficking with the white supremacist gangs.

187 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 11:51:37am

Speaking of Glennwald, I can’t wait to see the eyes of the world focused like a laser on Brazil… but not his part.

Even odds he tries to fire up a Snowjob media SNAFU just out of petulance, right?

188 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 11:51:42am

re: #178 Charles Johnson

And here we go…

[Embedded content]

Eh?

189 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 11:52:37am

re: #181 HappyWarrior

Harder to call the clean shaved guy with the crew cut a secret Muslim though. They really are that shameless though, I agree.

You forgot to add “white” to that sentence.
/ (sorta)

190 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 11:53:07am

re: #183 Feline Fearless Leader

So you have an ear caterpillar rather than an ear worm?
:)

Yep.

I saw that poster, immediately saw the twins, and BOOM! the song popped into my head, even though it’s been 30+ years since I’ve seen the film.

191 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 11:54:29am

re: #172 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

I definitely loved it how he tried to deny that the first two guys were the same troll and to claim that he is their good acquaintance… all the while writing in the same demented style.

I liked that there was proof that we are indeed Lizard Nation because free speech!!11!!

192 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 11:54:38am

If the Westboro crowd shows up, I hope the Secret Service takes care of them pronto.

First Lady Michelle Obama to deliver remarks at private memorial service for Maya Angelou at Wake Forest University in North Carolina on Saturday - @WhiteHouse
End of alert

193 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:55:22am

re: #185 iossarian

The Steelers I’m most familiar with. Good in the 70s, good again now/recently. Blue collar work ethic, tend to espouse a non-flashy style of play, solid, well-organized etc.

Your teams also suggest Europe rather than South America to me.

Germany?

Sounds good. Thanks. That actually does fit the O’s somewhat too. They were great in the 70’s and have seen a resurgence recently. Plus on another plus note, Germany is the only country in the Cup that I have familial ties to outside the US obviously but it’s boring to root for the US heh.

194 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 11:55:52am

re: #178 Charles Johnson

And here we go…

[Embedded content]

Chambliss might try actually showing up for briefings to help alleviate that clueless problem he has.

195 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 11:57:02am

I notice that both Colbert and Stewart are pretty much steering clear of the Bergdahl story.

196 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:57:19am

re: #194 Backwoods_Sleuth

Chambliss might try actually showing up for briefings to help alleviate that clueless problem he has.

But that would mean he wouldn’t get to whine on Fox about how Obama’s not doing enough and we can’t have that.

197 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 11:57:24am

re: #181 HappyWarrior

Harder to call the clean shaved guy with the crew cut a secret Muslim though. They really are that shameless though, I agree.

All secret Muslims are simultaneously high skilled secret agents but incapable of passing up Inspector-Clouseau slapstick bad-disguise antics.

198 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 11:58:10am

re: #196 HappyWarrior

But that would mean he wouldn’t get to whine on Fox about how Obama’s not doing enough and we can’t have that.

Especially since the big whiners tend to do their public whining WHILE the briefings are being held.

199 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 11:58:23am

re: #193 HappyWarrior

Sounds good. Thanks. That actually does fit the O’s somewhat too. They were great in the 70’s and have seen a resurgence recently. Plus on another plus note, Germany is the only country in the Cup that I have familial ties to outside the US obviously but it’s boring to root for the US heh.

The added bonus in rooting for Germany (and I say this as someone who for various reasons is not a natural Germany fan) is that they’re good to watch at the moment. They were never just a boring, system-based machine (as some would claim) but they do play a fun attacking style at the moment, as opposed to, e.g., Spain who I find extremely dull to watch.

200 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 11:59:32am

re: #199 iossarian

The added bonus in rooting for Germany (and I say this as someone who for various reasons is not a natural Germany fan) is that they’re good to watch at the moment. They were never just a boring, system-based machine (as some would claim) but they do play a fun attacking style at the moment, as opposed to, e.g., Spain who I find extremely dull to watch.

Sound like my Steelers. I always do enjoy aggressive defense and hard nosed offense.

201 A Mom Anon  Jun 5, 2014 11:59:44am

re: #192 Justanotherhuman

They’ve quite often said they’ll show up at a funeral or event and then be absent when it looks like they might encounter some issue of some sort. Like when the guitar player for Slayer, Jeff Hanneman died, they crowed about how they’d be there. LOL. I would have almost paid money to see them face down a bunch of metal heads (most of whom wouldn’t hurt a fly, but look kinda scary. I know, I’m married to one and gave birth to another one, lol) with Harleys and spiked leather jackets and tattoos.

Westboro is a bunch of chickenshits who pick on people they think they can bully, until they find out they can’t. Then they fold like a cheap lawn chair.

202 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 12:00:32pm

re: #163 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Nice: artodyssey1.blogspot.com

Looks like a person who wants to go somewhere.

203 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 12:00:35pm

LGF gets a link in this article at the New Republic:

204 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 12:00:42pm

re: #200 HappyWarrior

Sound like my Steelers. I always do enjoy aggressive defense and hard nosed offense.

Enjoy the World Cup! My productivity is sure to take a nosedive for the duration.

205 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:02:06pm

re: #204 iossarian

Enjoy the World Cup! My productivity is sure to take a nosedive for the duration.

Thanks. and thanks for the help.

206 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:03:05pm

And the usual sadsacks tweet their usual snappy comments in reply

207 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:03:12pm

This is a horrible thing to happen to an American soldier: Held prisoner by savages for five years, then threatened, vilified and forced into hiding by other savages once released.

208 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 12:03:26pm

re: #197 The Ghost of a Flea

“Faiz, I know I’ve spent twenty years insinuating myself into the Congressional cafeteria so I can feed them Halal turkey before feeding them non Halal poisonous turkey, but who could resist a good pratfall while inexplicably wearing a fez?”

209 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 12:03:43pm

I like how I’m expected to believe that the GOP would have sat on the info about the impending prisoner swap for 30 days, when those bastards gave the President shit for “spiking the football” after OBL was killed.

210 iossarian  Jun 5, 2014 12:04:08pm

Have a great weekend everyone! Off to do some family celebrating of various graduations and other coming-of-ages.

211 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:04:21pm

re: #207 Shiplord Kirel

This is a horrible thing to happen to an American soldier: Held prisoner by savages for five years, then threatened, vilified and forced into hiding by other savages once released.

It saddens me honestly. Angry sure but sad more so.

212 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 12:04:38pm

re: #195 Charles Johnson

I notice that both Colbert and Stewart are pretty much steering clear of the Bergdahl story.

Colbert did that “Enjoy Freedom” bit the other day. But beyond that is it really worth commenting on. It’s sort of self-satirical in its hysteria.

213 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:08:46pm

Some sad but less than amazing news here:

Moncton shooting suspect’s online profile offered clues to his troubled state

A Facebook page under Bourque’s name, which appears to belong to the suspected shooter, is replete with references to guns, including photos of a heavily-armed hunting enthusiast, and is filled with anti-establishment messages and posts mentioning a distrust and even hatred of police.

Several posts bemoan the “militarization” of police forces, paint authorities as self-serving masochists and demand looser gun laws. The last post to the profile was made just hours before Bourque is said to have launched a violent attack against Moncton police forces, and contains lyrics from Megadeth’s song ‘Hook in Mouth’.

215 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:10:12pm

The Mounties will get their man. They will make a good faith effort to take him alive, but if he resists, well, they are not pacifists.

216 lawhawk  Jun 5, 2014 12:10:44pm

More unhinged comments from GOP political leaders- this from NYS State Senator Greg Ball, who’s the chair of the state’s Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee: Is Obama the enemy within.

This is the same Greg Ball who thought it appropriate to torture the Boston bombers if necessary.

217 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 12:11:54pm

The wingnuts have lost their minds.

218 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:11:54pm
219 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:11:57pm

re: #216 lawhawk

More unhinged comments from GOP political leaders- this from NYS State Senator Greg Ball, who’s the chair of the state’s Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee: Is Obama the enemy within.

[Embedded content]

This is the same Greg Ball who thought it appropriate to torture the Boston bombers if necessary.

Yes, Greg, enemies within work to get POWs released. That makes total sense.

220 ObserverArt  Jun 5, 2014 12:13:37pm

re: #167 b.d.

The media circus has moved away from Glenn for the time being and he can’t stand it.

Yes. He is pissed because a bunch of soldier stuff is getting in the way of all his glory and work to push his book.

And let’s not forget. Those very soldiers may also be in further danger due to some of Glenn’s and Eddies’ work. And in that light, another reason Obama can trust no one with any info…so go it alone with your advisers.

Another quick point. The critics can say what they want, but in my opinion Obama continues to show he does not dither and when a decision needs a critically timed response he pulls the trigger. And they say he is weak. Ha!

221 Varek Raith  Jun 5, 2014 12:13:45pm

‘Deeply serious’ CNN segment likens Bergdahl to ‘Homeland’ TV terrorist Nick Brody

CNN on Thursday devoted an entire segment to comparing recently-released prisoner of war Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl to a fictional soldier-turned-terrorist character from the television show Homeland.

CNN host John Berman explained on Thursday that he was “uncomfortable” comparing Bergdahl to Nicholas Brody, the fictional Homeland soldier who was celebrated as a war hero, but eventually killed the vice president of the United States after being turned into a terrorist by al Qaeda.

What.

222 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 12:14:19pm

Now he’s being accused of racism

223 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:15:39pm

re: #221 Varek Raith

‘Deeply serious’ CNN segment likens Bergdahl to ‘Homeland’ TV terrorist Nick Brody

What.

I knew that would happen. What part of fiction don’t these assholes understand? Now if you excuse me, I have a party on East Egg hosted by some mysterious guy named Gatsby to attend.

224 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 12:15:43pm

re: #218 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Obviously that can’t be true, Fox was just talking yesterday about how healthy he looked on the video and how his blinking was a sign that he was scared of being taken back to the US to stand trial for desertion and treason.

225 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:16:15pm
226 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 12:16:51pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Now he’s being accused of racism

[Embedded content]

Outrage?

227 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 12:17:10pm

re: #226 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Outrage?

Much.

228 dog philosopher  Jun 5, 2014 12:17:55pm

bergdahl is off of the top of the foxnews front page today, back to va scandal

no signs of turmoil in gallup daily presnit ratings

229 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 12:18:00pm

re: #221 Varek Raith

‘Deeply serious’ CNN segment likens Bergdahl to ‘Homeland’ TV terrorist Nick Brody

What.

230 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 12:18:20pm

re: #218 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Also, news bits like this are pretty much the argument why the White House could not tell Congress about the swap in light of the threat to kill Bergdahl if there were any leaks.

231 lawhawk  Jun 5, 2014 12:18:20pm

re: #137 Charles Johnson

That has the makings of a disaster film. Is that stands being supported by scaffolding on the top level? Crowds do weird things - if people start bouncing crazy, who knows what’ll happen to that structure. Part of the structure has get to be given the certificate of occupancy, and FIFA hasn’t seen the facility tested under near full-capacity as they normally require.

And this is supposed to be the warmup to the Olympics in 2 years? What a mess.

That’s not cutting it close. That’s stunning incompetence and worse.

232 ObserverArt  Jun 5, 2014 12:18:45pm

re: #195 Charles Johnson

I notice that both Colbert and Stewart are pretty much steering clear of the Bergdahl story.

But after the stuff clears and many of our suspicions come as correct, then both of them will be unloading big time. It’s too crazy right now to strike early.

233 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 12:21:12pm

re: #5 Mattand

If you vote Republican this fall in any election, there’s really something wrong with you.

Oh, but the Republicans are a responsible party, don’tcha know:

234 JustMark  Jun 5, 2014 12:21:52pm

re: #129 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

So, admitting they acted like terrorists?

235 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:22:13pm

Really if Obama were the diabolical secret Taliban that idiots like Ball and Fischer fap fantasize to. Don’t you think he would have offered conditions much more generous than getting five Taliban free in exchange for Bergdahl. What scares RWNJs about Obama is that he’s a much more efficient CoC than Bush was or McCain or Romney would be because he’s much more thoughtful than they were about his decisions.

236 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:22:21pm

re: #217 b.d.

The wingnuts have lost their minds.

That’s it in a nutcase, er, nutshell. Demonic GOP strategists like Roger Ailes and Karl Rove have worked and striven for decades to meld all the insane, ignorant, bigoted, conspiracy obsessed, psycho-sexual gun humpers, free lance losers, and soul-dead greed-meisters in America into a single, reliable, cohesive voting bloc. With moonbattish dudebros as the final element, they have finally succeeded in assembling this hell spawned movement and launched it on the path to God knows what.

237 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:23:18pm

re: #233 Lidane

Oh, but the Republicans are a responsible party, don’tcha know:

[Embedded content]

They’re still beating that ACORN horse? That’s actually kind of sad. And there we go again with them wanting to repeal the direct election of senators, I remember when Keyes said that ten years ago, it was radical for a GOP politician to say that, now it’s becoming a mainstream position.

238 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 12:24:26pm

re: #236 Shiplord Kirel

Ha! We have successfully pre-wired the republican party, now we’re just awaiting the signal.

//

239 Targetpractice  Jun 5, 2014 12:24:42pm

Okay, I need a break, else I’m gonna end up hitting someone. BBIAB

240 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 12:28:44pm

re: #237 HappyWarrior

They’re still beating that ACORN horse? That’s actually kind of sad. And there we go again with them wanting to repeal the direct election of senators, I remember when Keyes said that ten years ago, it was radical for a GOP politician to say that, now it’s becoming a mainstream position.

Oh, they go further. Not only do they want to repeal the direct election of Senators, they want to nullify federal gun laws, cure teh ghey, dismantle the Fed, the TSA, and the Departments of Energy and Education, and they are openly anti-vax.

Fun times all around. Someone tell me again how the GOP are the party of adults.

241 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 12:28:50pm

re: #231 lawhawk

That has the makings of a disaster film. Is that stands being supported by scaffolding on the top level? Crowds do weird things - if people start bouncing crazy, who knows what’ll happen to that structure. Part of the structure has get to be given the certificate of occupancy, and FIFA hasn’t seen the facility tested under near full-capacity as they normally require.

And this is supposed to be the warmup to the Olympics in 2 years? What a mess.

That’s not cutting it close. That’s stunning incompetence and worse.

Worse, what if they start rioting? You couldn’t pay me to be there.

242 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:29:24pm

re: #239 Targetpractice

Okay, I need a break, else I’m gonna end up hitting someone. BBIAB

Been there, done that in real life.
I can totally understand why Bergdahl might have occasionally just “stepped away” for a while.

243 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 12:29:46pm

re: #231 lawhawk

re: #241 Justanotherhuman

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

244 Varek Raith  Jun 5, 2014 12:30:27pm

ACORN?
For reals??

245 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:30:30pm

re: #240 Lidane

Oh, they go further. Not only do they want to repeal the direct election of Senators, they want to nullify federal gun laws, cure teh ghey, dismantle the Fed, the TSA, and the Departments of Energy and Education, and they are openly anti-vax.

Fun times all around. Someone tell me again how the GOP are the party of adults.

Well they are the party of adults. Adults who haven’t left the 19th century.

246 dog philosopher  Jun 5, 2014 12:30:31pm

Researchers have found evidence of the world that crashed into the Earth billions of years ago to form the Moon.

Analysis of lunar rock brought back by Apollo astronauts shows traces of the “planet” called Theia.

The researchers claim that their discovery confirms the theory that the Moon was created by just such a cataclysmic collision.

The accepted theory since the 1980s is that the Moon arose as a result of a collision between the Earth and Theia 4.5bn years ago.

Theia was named after a goddess in Greek mythology who was said to be the mother Selene the goddess of the Moon. It is thought to have disintegrated on impact with the resulting debris mingling with that from the Earth and coalescing into the Moon.

It is the simplest explanation, and fits in well with computer simulations. The main drawback with the theory is that no one had found any evidence of Theia in lunar rock samples.

Earlier analyses had shown Moon rock to have originated entirely from the Earth whereas computer simulations had shown that the Moon ought to have been mostly derived from Theia

247 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:30:52pm

yikes!

248 Varek Raith  Jun 5, 2014 12:31:04pm

re: #243 Dr Lizardo

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Yeah…

249 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:31:14pm

re: #244 Varek Raith

ACORN?
For reals??

Everyone needs a boogeyman that they look for when they go to sleep at night. I look for clowns. These guys look for ACORN employees trying to make life easier for poor urban residents.

250 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 12:31:41pm

Daily Show on Bergdahl

A Magnificent, Complicated, Clouded, Controversial Story

251 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 12:32:29pm
252 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 12:33:07pm

re: #250 Kragar

Is it any good?

253 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 12:34:35pm

re: #243 Dr Lizardo

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

FIFA has also been in the news lately about corruption within the org.

254 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 12:34:46pm

re: #252 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Is it any good?

Meh

255 EPR-radar  Jun 5, 2014 12:35:49pm

re: #209 Targetpractice

I like how I’m expected to believe that the GOP would have sat on the info about the impending prisoner swap for 30 days, when those bastards gave the President shit for “spiking the football” after OBL was killed.

Hell, by now I’m convinced that had the OBL raid leaked to Congress before it was a done deal, at least one Congressional GOPer would have blown the op to deny Obama a ‘victory’.

256 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 12:35:55pm

re: #250 Kragar

Daily Show on Bergdahl

A Magnificent, Complicated, Clouded, Controversial Story

Well, there you go then.

257 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 12:36:28pm

re: #221 Varek Raith

‘Deeply serious’ CNN segment likens Bergdahl to ‘Homeland’ TV terrorist Nick Brody

What.

This is the “war as entertainment” bullshit that Susanne Collins satirized in the Hunger Games. Bread and fucking circuses (hence the name of the Capital is Panem…bread in Latin)

258 S'latch  Jun 5, 2014 12:36:56pm

Has the American Taliban threatened to kill him yet now that he is coming home?

259 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 12:37:51pm

re: #258 S’latch

Has the American Taliban threatened to kill him yet now that he is coming home?

Yes. His hometown has already cancelled the homecoming rally over fears of violence.

260 Dr Lizardo  Jun 5, 2014 12:38:06pm

re: #253 Justanotherhuman

FIFA has also been in the news lately about corruption within the org.

Yep, I’ve seen that…..regarding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

261 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 12:38:29pm

Remember this post about Declan McCullagh’s blatantly distorted and false report that the NSA “admitted” listening to US phone calls?

littlegreenfootballs.com

He just tweeted this, without a hint of self-awareness:

262 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 12:38:31pm

re: #256 Charles Johnson

Well, there you go then.

263 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 12:39:00pm

re: #258 S’latch

Has the American Taliban threatened to kill him yet now that he is coming home?

Many have called for his hanging

264 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:39:39pm

re: #255 EPR-radar

Hell, by now I’m convinced that had the OBL raid leaked to Congress before it was a done deal, at least one Congressional GOPer would have blown the op to deny Obama a ‘victory’.

I’m certain of that judging by their actual reaction to the OBL raid. Some of them couldn’t even muster up the courage to offer fake congratulations to Obama which in a way is gratifying since it shows you where they stand in the grand scheme of things but also shows you if you’re the administration that these fuckers will do anything to deny Obama positive publicity and if an American POW dies in the process, so be it, they denied Obummer a good boost and that’s the only thing that matters.

265 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 12:39:58pm

re: #262 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Olly was merely disappointed that we didn’t send some TOW’s and Hawk SAM’s to Ukraine as part of the bargain.

266 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 12:40:09pm

re: #232 ObserverArt

But after the stuff clears and many of our suspicions come as correct, then both of them will be unloading big time. It’s too crazy right now to strike early.

Not to mention as more nuts fire their mouths off the segments start to write themselves. In the interim they get lots of time to collect the video snippets of the same people demanding that Obama bring Bergdahl home now!

267 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:40:47pm

re: #262 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Oliver North, like Allan West after him is another asshole who instead of spending his days thanking his good fortune he’s not a prisoner spends it doing all he can to smear POTUS and anything POTUS does.

268 Justanotherhuman  Jun 5, 2014 12:40:53pm
269 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:41:00pm

Fictional conversation in Vietnam, If only we’d had the chance.

Colonel: Okay, what happened to this doofus private?

Sergeant: Well, sir, it seems he sneaked out last night, walked down to the ville and ended up at the Dragon Lady’s House of Pleasure. The VC grabbed him there, stark naked. Left his uniform and everything.”

Colonel: What about his weapon?

Sergeant: He didn’t take one.

Colonel: What a dumbshit. Do we know where he is?

Sergeant: No, but Charlie sent word they’ll trade him for that NVA captain we grabbed yesterday.

Colonel: Good, standard POW exchange. Set up the exchange, notify Saigon and division and take a clean uniform so he’ll look decent when he gets back.

Lieutenant: Uh, sir, shouldn’t we just leave him since he was, you know, AWOL and doing immoral stuff and all?

Colonel: ARE YOU FUCKING NUTS? GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE BEFORE i DECIDE TO TRADE YOU FOR HIM!

270 Jack Burton  Jun 5, 2014 12:41:30pm

OK, the raving wingnut brigade on my FB friends list is making the claim that Bergdahl was debriefed and then he hopped on a plane back to Afghanistan.

Teh Tally-ban actually got 6 terrorists out of thsi deal!1111!1ONE11ty

I *know* this is bullshit, but has anyone heard this crap. Anyone know what wingnut kook started this?

271 HappyWarrior  Jun 5, 2014 12:42:13pm

Here we have Oliver North to discuss how the Bergdahl trade is worse than Iran-Contra. When we return, we’ll play some clips form the archives of H.R Haldeman declaring Whitewater to be worse than Watergate.

272 Decatur Deb  Jun 5, 2014 12:42:50pm

re: #270 Jack Burton

OK, the raving wingnut brigade on my FB friends list is making the claim that Bergdahl was debriefed and then he hopped on a plane back to Afghanistan.

Teh Tally-ban actually got 6 terrorists out of thsi deal!1111!1ONE11ty

I *know* this is bullshit, but has anyone heard this crap. Anyone know what wingnut kook started this?

Common refrain on Freep since Day 1.

273 EPR-radar  Jun 5, 2014 12:44:11pm

re: #264 HappyWarrior

I’m certain of that judging by their actual reaction to the OBL raid. Some of them couldn’t even muster up the courage to offer fake congratulations to Obama which in a way is gratifying since it shows you where they stand in the grand scheme of things but also shows you if you’re the administration that these fuckers will do anything to deny Obama positive publicity and if an American POW dies in the process, so be it, they denied Obummer a good boost and that’s the only thing that matters.

Truly a sad commentary on the GOP when speculation about 100% literal treason by GOP Congressional representatives is so very plausible.

274 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 12:44:46pm

re:
#270
Jack Burton

Confirmed. FACT.

275 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 12:44:52pm

re: #263 blueraven

Many have called for his hanging

Honest to God…I think he will have to go into some form of witness protection regardless of the outcome of the investigation into his absence (the more I read, the more it looks like mental illness. He had apparently left the post before and returned, which makes it hard or impossible to prove desertion. Statements from the Afghan villagers who saw him indicate he seemed dazed or ill. That just leaves you with AWOL and non judicial punishment. Also, he had tried to escape from the Taliban twice…so you can forget about going after him for collusion with the enemy since he upheld his duty to try and escape.)

276 Decatur Deb  Jun 5, 2014 12:45:54pm

re: #273 EPR-radar

Truly a sad commentary on the GOP when speculation about 100% literal treason by GOP Congressional representatives is so very plausible.

It would be irresponsible not to speculate.

277 makeitstop  Jun 5, 2014 12:49:22pm

re: #276 Decatur Deb

It would be irresponsible not to speculate.

We’re just asking questions here!

(Hey, it works for them…)

278 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 12:51:37pm
279 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 12:52:14pm
280 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 12:53:15pm

re: #240 Lidane

Oh, they go further. Not only do they want to repeal the direct election of Senators, they want to nullify federal gun laws, cure teh ghey, dismantle the Fed, the TSA, and the Departments of Energy and Education, and they are openly anti-vax.

Fun times all around. Someone tell me again how the GOP are the party of adults.

Sidehug ergonomics research!
Arabic numerals are Shariah numerals!
Stop-and-pelvic-exam!
No Child Left Without Fracking Fluid!
A squid in every thermostat!

281 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 12:54:59pm
282 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 12:55:19pm

Btw, in the old days officers and even NCOs really could arrange prisoner exchanges in the field on their own authority. It was rare in Vietnam, but it did happen when our guys had a commissar or senior officer the enemy wanted back badly enough. ANY American would have traded ANY NVA, including a field marshal or Ho Chi Minh himself, for any other American, regardless of rank or record.

283 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 12:55:23pm

Hello.

284 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 12:57:19pm

re: #283 Gus

Hello.

Hi.

285 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 12:57:41pm

If Bergdahl was killed by the Taliban the RWNJs would declare him a hero/patriot and blame Obama.

286 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 12:58:30pm

re: #283 Gus

Hello.

Yo.

287 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 12:58:32pm

re: #279 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

As a colonial era re-enactor…I love seeing stuff like this.

But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

288 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 12:59:26pm

re: #286 Charles Johnson

Yo.

Saw the Jim Hoft derp. O.o

289 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 12:59:57pm

RT!

290 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:00:41pm

There would be #Bergdahl Twibbons! Congressional hearings! IOW. S.O.S.

291 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 1:01:55pm

Dim Jim is just warming up for this evening’s derptacular spewing of venomous sludge from his gaping maw of ignorance.

292 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 1:02:54pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Now he’s being accused of racism

Am I missing something? Where is the accusation of racism?

293 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:04:28pm

re: #292 blueraven

You would have to search on twitter for it I guess. (Outrage!)

294 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 1:05:33pm

re: #293 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

You would have to search on twitter for it I guess. (Outrage!)

I did!

cant find it. I am outraged!

295 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:06:22pm

re: #294 blueraven

I did!

cant find it. I am outraged!

Accusations of racism on twitter, who could’ve thunk! Well, I never!

296 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:06:51pm

Wouldn’t surprise me if something’s change and the RWNJs redeclare him a hero/patriot.

297 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:07:44pm
298 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:07:53pm

re: #278 Kragar

[Embedded content]

So, the point of the twitter account “You Fecking Idiot” is to take humorous tweets, pretend that they are serious, …, profit?

299 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:08:25pm
300 Tigger2  Jun 5, 2014 1:08:45pm

re: #162 Aunty Entity Dragon

That was my opinion as well. I never figure Chuck Todd to be the one calling out bullshit…but he did this time. Good for him!

I’m really amassed to see Joe use that one wingnut argument that the troops had to go search for Bergdahl and it put his fellow solders in jeopardy of losing their lives, But Joe thinks it’s OK to support a party that wants to take healthcare away from millions of Americans that would put a hell of a lot more Americans in jeopardy of losing their lives.

301 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:09:10pm
302 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 1:09:34pm

re: #288 Gus

Saw the Jim Hoft derp. O.o

I know. And then they actually tried to defend it. smh

303 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:09:57pm
304 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 1:09:58pm
305 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 1:10:06pm

re: #298 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

So, the point of the twitter account “You Fecking Idiot” is to take humorous tweets, pretend that they are serious, …, profit?

Hodor.

306 Aunty Entity Dragon  Jun 5, 2014 1:10:29pm

‘Geniuses’ like Jim Dehoft were alive and kicking in the Renaissance.

Puritan ‘Zeal of the Land Busybody” from the play “Bartholomew Faire”:


Us. Down with Dagon, down with Dagon: ‘tis I,
will no longer endure your Profanations.
Lan. What mean you, Sir?
Bus. I will remove Dagon there, I say, that Idol, that
heathenish Idol, that remains (as I may say) a Beam, a
very Beam, not a Beam of the Sun, nor a Beam of the
Moon, nor a Beam of a Ballance, neither a House-
Beam, nor a Weavers Beam, but a Beam in the Eye, in
the Eye of the Brethren; a very great Beam, an exceed-
ing great Beam; such as are your Stage-players, Rimers,
and Morrise-dancers, who have walked hand in hand, in
contempt of the Brethren, and the Cause; and been born
out by Instruments of no mean Countenance.
Lan. Sir, I present nothing but what is licens’d by
Authority.
Bus. Thou art all License, even Licentiousness it self,
Shimei!
Lan. I have the Master of the Revell’s hand for’t, Sir.
Bus. The Master of Rebells hand, thou hast Satan’s!
hold thy peace, thy scurrility, shut up thy Mouth, thy
Profession is damnable, and in pleading for it, thou dost
plead for Baal. I have long opened my Mouth wide,
and gaped, I have gaped as the Oyster for the Tide, after
thy destruction: but cannot compass it by sute or dis-
pute; so that I look for a Bickering, ere long, and then
a Battel.

307 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:11:03pm

re: #305 The Ghost of a Flea

Hodor.

Sorry, that flew right past me, since I don’t watch GoT… ;)

308 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:11:20pm

re: #302 Charles Johnson

I know. And then they actually tried to defend it. smh

Finally unfollowed “R.” Got tired of the subtweeting sideshow.

309 William of Orange  Jun 5, 2014 1:11:40pm

So….

How was your day?

Had to work in Paris, it happens…. Nice vertical panorama shot taken with my phone.

310 lawhawk  Jun 5, 2014 1:12:07pm

re: #283 Gus

‘sup?

311 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 1:12:08pm
312 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:12:19pm

re: #309 William of Orange

Is the weather good? I’ll be there in a coupla days.

313 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:13:13pm

re: #311 Charles Johnson

Rather: “Why bowl no fud?”

314 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:13:21pm

re: #310 lawhawk

‘sup?

Nada. Just doing errands. Looking at the fauxtrage about Bergdahl continuing.

315 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 1:13:59pm
316 b.d.  Jun 5, 2014 1:14:23pm

re: #309 William of Orange

WORK IN PARIS?!?!? NOBODY DOES THAT!!1!!

Great shot, I’m envious.

317 Charles Johnson  Jun 5, 2014 1:16:09pm
318 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:16:12pm

Unfortunately, there appears to be a lot of derp associated with the anti-Greenwald/Snowden camp. Yes, it’s true.

319 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:16:47pm

re: #303 Gus

[Embedded content]

So basically the rumors about the breakdown of discipline seem to be true. Bergdahl may be to blame, but so are quite a lot of other folks.

320 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:17:28pm

re: #318 Gus

There’s lots of derp in every camp (no, not MBF, there are still different amounts…).

321 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:18:50pm

re: #319 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

So basically the rumors about the breakdown of discipline seem to be true. Bergdahl may be to blame, but so are quite a lot of other folks.

2n LT was replaced by some Sgt. Watched him last night being interviewed by Tapper. He’s a kid. I mean, seriously. And this happened 5 years ago. Think about it. His Sgt. sounds like some kid now imagine him 5 years ago? Yeah, breakdown in discipline including the desperation of stop-loss and the Army being the Army.

322 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 1:19:25pm

re: #318 Gus

Unfortunately, there appears to be a lot of derp associated with the anti-Greenwald/Snowden camp. Yes, it’s true.

The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend?

323 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:20:07pm

re: #318 Gus

The solution is not to become a “camp”… Tho it’s hard to resist ;)

324 Bear  Jun 5, 2014 1:20:36pm

re: #317 Charles Johnson

It is good to see things as this in between all the gloom and doom. Thanks

325 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 1:20:51pm

re: #319 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

So basically the rumors about the breakdown of discipline seem to be true. Bergdahl may be to blame, but so are quite a lot of other folks.

Blame might be too strong a description. I’d say at fault definitely. Ultimately, it would be his unit and leadership who bear the responsibility, especially now that we know how lax their standards were.

326 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:20:52pm

re: #322 blueraven

The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend?

Yep. Got one that links to Gatestone. At least once. Some of the atheists have a lot of Muslim derangement.

327 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 1:21:35pm
328 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 1:22:08pm

re: #317 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

You’ve got to be kidding me.

329 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:22:57pm

re: #328 wrenchwench

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Such active 10 kg of tasty meat, right?////

330 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 1:23:04pm

re: #317 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

yep, baby goats are quite the bundle of unrestrained insanity.

331 bratwurst  Jun 5, 2014 1:23:27pm
332 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 1:23:55pm

re:
#331
bratwurst

Winning

333 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 1:24:07pm

re: #326 Gus

Yep. Got one that links to Gatestone. At least once. Some of the atheists have a lot of Muslim derangement.

No seriously: all religions are awful, but Islam is especially awful.

That’s my totally rational and reasonable conclusions.

Now read these Pam Gellar links.

334 wrenchwench  Jun 5, 2014 1:25:21pm

re: #333 The Ghost of a Flea

No seriously: all religions are awful, but Islam is especially awful.

That’s my totally rational and reasonable conclusions.

Now read these Pam Gellar links.

I read some Sam Harris yesterday. Won’t do that again.

335 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 1:26:00pm

As a veteran, I can’t really explain how strongly I feel about this:

Even if Bergdahl were a deserter and a worthless soldier, which I don’t believe for an instant, I would still move heaven and earth to get him back. He is one of us. His shortcomings, if any, are ours to judge. We cannot leave him to the enemy. To suggest that we should, that the commander-in-chief should, is heinous, beyond the pale. We just don’t do it and that is not negotiable.

336 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 1:27:24pm

re: #303 Gus

[Embedded content]

I don’t think the wikileaks cables mention the note either. I think the story originated with NYT

Sometime after midnight on June 30, 2009, Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl left behind a note in his tent saying he had become disillusioned with the Army, did not support the American mission in Afghanistan and was leaving to start a new life. He slipped off the remote military outpost in Paktika Province on the border with Pakistan and took with him a soft backpack, water, knives, a notebook and writing materials, but left behind his body armor and weapons — startling, given the hostile environment around his outpost.

That account, provided by a former senior military officer briefed on the investigation into the private’s disappearance, is part of a more complicated picture emerging of the capture of a soldier whose five years as a Taliban prisoner influenced high-level diplomatic negotiations, brought in foreign governments, and ended with him whisked away on a helicopter by American commandos.

337 Stanley Sea  Jun 5, 2014 1:27:52pm

re: #328 wrenchwench

You’ve got to be kidding me.

A little Billy Bully.

338 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 1:28:18pm

One of my favorite goat videos (less than a minute in length)…and the dog is like, oh, whatever…

Youtube Video

339 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:28:48pm
340 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:29:36pm

re: #339 Gus

[Embedded content]

No, that’s a Christian conservative beard. It’s important not to confuse the two.

341 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 1:30:01pm

re:
#327

Where has GG been reading about Americans’ sympathy for an American POW? Haven’t seen any of that, just a whole bunch of bile about his being a deserter and traitor, etc.

/

342 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 1:30:14pm

re: #340 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

No, that’s a Christian conservative beard. It’s important not to confuse the two.

Right and proper Judeo-Christian (sic) Moses Godbeard.

343 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:30:16pm

re: #340 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

No, that’s a Christian conservative beard. It’s important not to confuse the two.

Oops. Forgot. :D //

344 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:31:19pm

re: #342 Testy Toad T

Right and proper Judeo-Christian (sic) Moses Godbeard.

Like unto ye olden Tymes.

345 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 1:31:19pm

re: #340 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

No, that’s a Christian conservative beard. It’s important not to confuse the two.

Which is the one with the built-in duck call?
/

346 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 1:31:20pm

Fuck off, Newt.

347 Testy Toad T  Jun 5, 2014 1:32:30pm

My national security doesn’t feel particularly threatened by a returned American prisoner of war, nor does it feel particularly threatened by a crowd of loathsome Nigerian clowns, but you keep bein’ you, Newt.

348 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:33:05pm

re: #346 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuck off, Newt.

[Embedded content]

349 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 1:33:31pm

re: #327 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Greenwald can console himself that if he is captured by Brazilian anarchists, I will have more sympathy for Taliban prisoners than I do for him.

350 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 5, 2014 1:34:01pm

re: #348 Gus

[Embedded content]

I’m surprised he didn’t include the 4th b: “Barack”.

351 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 1:35:06pm

re:
#346

WTFITS?

352 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 1:35:10pm

re: #335 Shiplord Kirel

GOP logic: We leave no man behind!*

* = unless he’s a librul, or gay, or a scary Muslim, or an Obama voter, or his story is inconvenient

353 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:35:10pm

re: #346 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuck off, Newt.

[Embedded content]

And 999 is your economic plan or smth.

354 piratedan  Jun 5, 2014 1:35:32pm

re: #132 jaunte

well they already have been doing that, no smoking gun, just a trail of breadcrumbs from denying food to kids (SNAP cutbacks) refusing to fund for embassy security, cutting back on programs for weather warning systems, etc etc etc… not as sexy as holding a smoking pistol blowing away some hippie Democrat, but some pleasures are better savored in the privacy of some hotel room with a hooker while you run for re-election on a family values platform.

355 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 1:36:07pm

Jake Trapper: On allegations that insurgent chatter said Bergdahl was seeking the Taliban

The Army war logs leaked to WikiLeaks records a similar report though without the very significant Taliban detail.

“UPDATE: 1012z GUARDRAIL REPORTS PICKED UP LLVI TRAFFIC AT GRID VB 6597 3366 THAT STATES (UIM INDICATES THAT AN AMERICAN SOLDIER IS TALKING AND IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH. INDICATES AMERICAN SOLDIER HAS CAMERA),” the log states.

When asked about the discrepancy, Buetow says that the WikiLeak transmission is simply incomplete.

“I heard it with my own ears,” he said.

The war logs are not 100% comprehensive, and two on-the-record sources are not insignificant, though the omission of the Taliban detail has some in the U.S. government wondering about reliability of the soldiers’ memories, five years after the fact.

356 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 5, 2014 1:37:06pm

re: #346 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuck off, Newt.

[Embedded content]

WTF is this zombie on about? Does anyone know? Boko Haram? I guess the Islamophobe mob will have them running wild in the forests of Georgia before long. “Don’t go out, kids, the Boko might get you and make you do that Shakira law dance.”

357 Jack Burton  Jun 5, 2014 1:37:24pm

re: #339 Gus

[Embedded content]

I’d call that a hipster/works-in-a-coffee-shop beard.

358 klys  Jun 5, 2014 1:38:57pm

359 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:39:21pm

re: #355 Killgore Trout

Jake Trapper: On allegations that insurgent chatter said Bergdahl was seeking the Taliban

Unless there is some more corroborating evidence, the logs simply serve to discredit this part of his testimony. I’m not saying he is lying, BTW. False memories are a fact of life.

360 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:39:32pm

re: #355 Killgore Trout

Jake Trapper: On allegations that insurgent chatter said Bergdahl was seeking the Taliban

“I heard it with my own ears…”

That’s called hearsay.

361 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 1:39:43pm

re:
#358

And what do you want, human?

362 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:40:03pm

re: #360 Gus

“I heard it with my own ears…”

That’s called hearsay.

Exactly.

363 klys  Jun 5, 2014 1:40:12pm

re: #360 Gus

“I heard it with my own ears…”

That’s called hearsay.

I’m OUTRAGED at the fact that the media keep selling this OUTRAGE let me link ALL THE ARTICLES showing OUTRAGE to you NOW.

Potato.

364 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:40:33pm
365 Bulworth  Jun 5, 2014 1:40:51pm

Yeah, not sure how the Boko Haram is supposed to have endangered American national security.

366 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:41:13pm

I’ve dealt with too many conflicting historical testimonies to simply accept such details on a say-so of one person.

367 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 1:41:28pm

Pentagon deal to free more hostages with Bergdahl nixed

The deal to free Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban detainees held by the U.S. military nixed a Department of Defense effort to include other U.S. citizens held by the Taliban and its allies, according to a top congressional aide.

The Department of Defense was putting together a plan to include Caitlan Coleman of York , Pa., her baby who was born in captivity and her Canadian husband, Joshua Boyle, in a deal to free Bergdahl, said Joe Kasper, chief of staff to Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

Among Americans held captive is Warren Weinstein, a contractor from Rockville, Md., who was abducted in 2011 in Pakistan and is detained by al-Qaeda militants aligned with the Taliban.

368 Lidane  Jun 5, 2014 1:41:30pm

You know, I always thought the idea that we don’t leave a man behind was sacrosanct. It’s something obvious that’s not even up for debate. If we as a nation want men and women to wear our uniform and to put their lives on the line for us, we have a moral obligation to bring them home no matter what they do in war. We owe them that much.

If that person is a traitor, or a deserter, or a rapist, or a murderer, or a thief, or whatever, it doesn’t matter. They’re still ours. They’re wearing that uniform. We bring them home first, and if there’s something substantial to charge them with, we do that here in our system. We don’t leave them to die at the hands of their captors. Period.

WTF Republicans? Seriously. The implication on the right that we should have left Bergdahl to die is offensive and ghoulish.

369 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 1:41:39pm

re: #360 Gus

“I heard it with my own ears…”

That’s called hearsay.

Not in Wikileaks. Not in Military report.

370 klys  Jun 5, 2014 1:42:31pm

re: #366 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

I’ve dealt with too many conflicting historical testimonies to simply accept such details on a say-so of one person.

That’s because you employ critical thinking skills. Which seem to be sadly lacking for so many people.

371 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 1:42:38pm

re: #359 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Unless there is some more corroborating evidence, the logs simply serve to discredit this part of his testimony. I’m not saying he is lying, BTW. False memories are a fact of life.

It’s also possible he was also the source of the NYT story about the note. It could just be one anonymous source talking to various news agencies.

372 missliberties  Jun 5, 2014 1:42:39pm

What pisses me off is the way the majority of media so uncritically lapped up this story like sugar water.

I swear, if it wasn’t for LGF and Bob Cesca I would be bald from pulling my hair out at all the idiocy.

I am so f*cking glad the President stated at an international press conference that he makes No Apologies for was done. Bringing our soldiers home has no conditions.

The Taliban Five are old Afghan Govt Guys. They fought against the Soviets as surrogates for the US in the Soviet/Afghan War. Now that they are released they are old men out of the loop. Their old pals and cronies are mostly gone now. They are being watched. So will everybody in DC please stop with the faux hysteria! War is messy. Ending wars is even messier.

373 The Ghost of a Flea  Jun 5, 2014 1:43:05pm

Differentiating a Freedom Beard (TM) from a Taliban beard requires a spectroscope, a gospel choir, two ounces of liquid barium, a copy of Left Behind, and access to Teotihuacan’s Sun Temple.

374 Kragar  Jun 5, 2014 1:43:41pm

re: #348 Gus

[Embedded content]

Fun Fact: “The 3 B’s of defeat” is how Newt describes his wives when he’s complaining about women to his friends

375 Killgore Trout  Jun 5, 2014 1:44:01pm

re: #365 Bulworth

Yeah, not sure how the Boko Haram is supposed to have endangered American national security.

I think it’s a technical requirement to add them to the official list of terrorist organizations.

376 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:45:40pm

Going up.

377 blueraven  Jun 5, 2014 1:45:45pm

re: #360 Gus

“I heard it with my own ears…”

That’s called hearsay.

Also, it should be, heard it with my own ears…”through a translator”.

378 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Jun 5, 2014 1:46:20pm

re: #377 blueraven

Also, it should be, heard it with my own ears…”through a translator”.

“And then I interpreted it.”

379 Gus  Jun 5, 2014 1:46:24pm

re: #377 blueraven

Also, it should be, heard it with my own ears…”through a translator”.

Another good point.

380 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 5, 2014 1:46:55pm

re: #373 The Ghost of a Flea

Differentiating a Freedom Beard (TM) from a Taliban beard requires a spectroscope, a gospel choir, two ounces of liquid barium, a copy of Left Behind, and access to Teotihuacan’s Sun Temple.

I thought you’d just rub it with bacon grease and see if it withered.
//

381 Eventual Carrion  Jun 5, 2014 2:02:07pm

re: #346 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuck off, Newt.

[Embedded content]

WTF does Boko Haram have to do with our national security.

382 William of Orange  Jun 5, 2014 2:08:39pm

re: #312 Ding-an-sich Wannabe

Is the weather good? I’ll be there in a coupla days.

The weather was dreadful all the day I took the picture. It rained constantly, even when we were strolling along the tower and the Trocadero museum. But after a while the clouds broke and the sun got some room to shine. And it kept improving until the sky was almost empty. This was the third day in a row that the weather improved after a less favorable weather.

(to be perfectly honest, that picture was of yesterday but I could not upload it somehow. I’m already home in the Netherlands after driving 900 kms.)

If you go there and you have a smartphone, get the subway app! It’s a great tool to explore the city!
ratp.fr

re: #316 b.d.

WORK IN PARIS?!?!? NOBODY DOES THAT!!1!!

Great shot, I’m envious.

That actually what I did. Some ground surveying for a new apartment building along the river Seine. We just finished. And yes, work. That’s why they hire the Dutch. :)

This was taken on Monday.

Bit of a shame the Arc is under restoration and the scaffolding on top ruins the picture.

383 Floral Giraffe  Jun 5, 2014 2:13:10pm

re: #83 Kragar

We sent him there, we bring him back.

The end.

Quoted for truth!

384 Decatur Deb  Jun 5, 2014 3:05:22pm

re: #346 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuck off, Newt.

[Embedded content]

“Bugger off” starts with a ‘B’, too.

385 Rocky-in-Connecticut  Jun 5, 2014 3:20:19pm

re: #120 Kragar

so… in other words…

when it comes to hostages, according to right wing nutcases, Obama is just like Reagan.


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