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"Terrorists" doesn't seem accurate. Enemy combatants, okay, but even that was limited. Legolas Send a noteboard - 03/06/2014 05:56:15 PM

If there's anyone who has a right to be furious, it's the Afghans, since the main accusations against the five (or some of the five, rather) are that they bore responsibility for massacres perpetrated against Afghans prior to or during 2001. I'm not sure just how furious they actually are, though; for at least one of the five, Karzai has been calling for his release for years. And the Afghan press seems to have mixed reactions. If the Afghan government really was sidelined and they're not just saying that, they have every reason to be ticked off, but I'm not sure where all this American fury about the exchange is coming from.

The reaction of the soldiers in his platoon is a different story, of course, I certainly understand their resentment about him being welcomed as a hero if he was really a deserter who put their lives at risks during the searches for him. But that isn't really a sufficient reason for the government to not negotiate for his release.

Edit: I should add that I don't disagree with RT that this wasn't exactly good negotiating, giving up five high-profile leaders of the enemy in return for one insignificant soldier who was a deserter at that. I have no problem with the five being released, as such, but I do think a more substantial quid pro quo could and probably should have been obtained for that. But, again, it's mainly the Afghans who are affected by that, since the Americans are basically out of Afghanistan now anyway. And definitely will be by the time Qatar lets the five return home.

This message last edited by Legolas on 03/06/2014 at 06:02:41 PM
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Obama negotiates with terrorists, gains the release of a US deserter and possible traitor. - 03/06/2014 04:44:35 AM 1546 Views
I don't think it is that cut and dry - 03/06/2014 01:00:16 PM 877 Views
It is now cut and dry, he is a deserter..... - 03/06/2014 04:18:21 PM 880 Views
Bull. Shit. - 03/06/2014 04:46:08 PM 1009 Views
he has right to a trial - 03/06/2014 06:27:39 PM 835 Views
Well of course he does. I can't act as his judge, jury and executioner, either. - 03/06/2014 06:45:58 PM 1000 Views
I think he is guilty as hell - 03/06/2014 11:24:02 PM 915 Views
I don't think he should have rot there, either. - 04/06/2014 04:05:18 AM 818 Views
I agree with with all of that *NM* - 04/06/2014 12:59:45 PM 481 Views
glad to see you put your politics above your country, tom - 04/06/2014 07:32:55 PM 874 Views
You're full of shit, as usual. - 04/06/2014 07:45:43 PM 810 Views
and you are more brainwashed, as usual - 04/06/2014 07:56:29 PM 857 Views
Moondog = braindead partisan hack - 04/06/2014 08:52:28 PM 800 Views
You really are stupid, aren't you? - 05/06/2014 05:26:38 PM 785 Views
thank you for having the reasonable approach to this - 03/06/2014 07:56:49 PM 859 Views
Obama is a weak fool - 03/06/2014 04:04:58 PM 810 Views
They should impeach the fucking douchebag. - 03/06/2014 04:48:28 PM 810 Views
I'm picturing you ranting to a half-empty bar as you wave a glass around, and it's amusing - 05/06/2014 03:52:15 PM 829 Views
Yeah, I don't really picture you at all. - 05/06/2014 05:20:48 PM 800 Views
Haha awww who's a Grouchy Gus today? - 05/06/2014 06:24:25 PM 798 Views
Sounds like you do picture him. *NM* - 07/06/2014 08:38:42 PM 399 Views
"Terrorists" doesn't seem accurate. Enemy combatants, okay, but even that was limited. - 03/06/2014 05:56:15 PM 894 Views
Serious question....as Tom mentioned.....should Obama be impeached for this? - 03/06/2014 06:55:24 PM 782 Views
stupid answer: yes, impeach Obama at your earliest convenience *NM* - 03/06/2014 08:48:28 PM 537 Views
Funny that the military top brass agrees with it, then. - 03/06/2014 08:51:48 PM 868 Views
Sec. Gates was against it when he was Sec. of Defense, Panetta said hell no. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:07:49 AM 427 Views
Yup, most top military leadership was against this reckless move. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:26:16 AM 428 Views
STATEMENT BY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL MARTIN E. DEMPSEY - 04/06/2014 07:36:43 PM 833 Views
These people will say what Obama orders them to say. *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:17:14 AM 410 Views
Statement by Secretary of the Army John McHugh - 04/06/2014 07:37:35 PM 973 Views
lots of republicans were for Bergdahl's release before they were against it - 04/06/2014 07:42:45 PM 899 Views
you missed the one where they suggest trading high level captives for his return - 04/06/2014 09:37:22 PM 823 Views
Oh wait, that's because it doesn't exist... *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:18:11 AM 437 Views
you do know I was being sarcastic? - 05/06/2014 06:11:39 PM 939 Views
Oh yes. I was just adding to the general tone. - 06/06/2014 03:01:11 PM 804 Views
so you must know all the details since you're secretly a top-level government official? - 05/06/2014 08:41:14 PM 829 Views
was this a reply to the correct comment? *NM* - 06/06/2014 05:45:16 PM 442 Views
no *NM* - 03/06/2014 11:19:09 PM 432 Views
Guerrillas or insurgents, actually. - 04/06/2014 01:47:26 AM 1017 Views
Does Bowe Bergdahl = Nicholas Brady? - 04/06/2014 04:30:02 AM 859 Views
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. - 04/06/2014 09:29:15 PM 807 Views
Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 06:21:59 AM 786 Views
Re: Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 08:43:55 PM 799 Views
You seem to have missed the concept of "Justified" in there - 07/06/2014 11:36:25 PM 1008 Views
no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 09/06/2014 09:37:49 PM 806 Views
Re: no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 10/06/2014 03:43:49 AM 914 Views
a few facts you are neglecting - 11/06/2014 07:08:16 PM 716 Views
You may want to not paint everyone with the same brush there. - 11/06/2014 08:03:31 PM 797 Views
Thank you *NM* - 11/06/2014 11:01:58 PM 579 Views
I... don't really care, to be honest - 05/06/2014 03:17:25 PM 844 Views
I'm kinda undecided on this - 06/06/2014 03:32:16 AM 908 Views

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