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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 1364 Views
I don't think it is that cut and dry - 03/06/2014 01:00:16 PM 696 Views
It is now cut and dry, he is a deserter..... - 03/06/2014 04:18:21 PM 688 Views
Bull. Shit. - 03/06/2014 04:46:08 PM 798 Views
he has right to a trial - 03/06/2014 06:27:39 PM 655 Views
Well of course he does. I can't act as his judge, jury and executioner, either. - 03/06/2014 06:45:58 PM 796 Views
I think he is guilty as hell - 03/06/2014 11:24:02 PM 730 Views
I don't think he should have rot there, either. - 04/06/2014 04:05:18 AM 638 Views
I agree with with all of that *NM* - 04/06/2014 12:59:45 PM 387 Views
glad to see you put your politics above your country, tom - 04/06/2014 07:32:55 PM 685 Views
You're full of shit, as usual. - 04/06/2014 07:45:43 PM 644 Views
and you are more brainwashed, as usual - 04/06/2014 07:56:29 PM 656 Views
Moondog = braindead partisan hack - 04/06/2014 08:52:28 PM 601 Views
You really are stupid, aren't you? - 05/06/2014 05:26:38 PM 595 Views
thank you for having the reasonable approach to this - 03/06/2014 07:56:49 PM 662 Views
Obama is a weak fool - 03/06/2014 04:04:58 PM 627 Views
They should impeach the fucking douchebag. - 03/06/2014 04:48:28 PM 621 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 647 Views
Yeah, I don't really picture you at all. - 05/06/2014 05:20:48 PM 607 Views
Haha awww who's a Grouchy Gus today? - 05/06/2014 06:24:25 PM 606 Views
Sounds like you do picture him. *NM* - 07/06/2014 08:38:42 PM 314 Views
"Terrorists" doesn't seem accurate. Enemy combatants, okay, but even that was limited. - 03/06/2014 05:56:15 PM 691 Views
Serious question....as Tom mentioned.....should Obama be impeached for this? - 03/06/2014 06:55:24 PM 621 Views
stupid answer: yes, impeach Obama at your earliest convenience *NM* - 03/06/2014 08:48:28 PM 451 Views
Funny that the military top brass agrees with it, then. - 03/06/2014 08:51:48 PM 668 Views
Sec. Gates was against it when he was Sec. of Defense, Panetta said hell no. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:07:49 AM 336 Views
Yup, most top military leadership was against this reckless move. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:26:16 AM 348 Views
STATEMENT BY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL MARTIN E. DEMPSEY - 04/06/2014 07:36:43 PM 647 Views
These people will say what Obama orders them to say. *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:17:14 AM 319 Views
Statement by Secretary of the Army John McHugh - 04/06/2014 07:37:35 PM 749 Views
lots of republicans were for Bergdahl's release before they were against it - 04/06/2014 07:42:45 PM 685 Views
you missed the one where they suggest trading high level captives for his return - 04/06/2014 09:37:22 PM 617 Views
Oh wait, that's because it doesn't exist... *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:18:11 AM 349 Views
you do know I was being sarcastic? - 05/06/2014 06:11:39 PM 745 Views
Oh yes. I was just adding to the general tone. - 06/06/2014 03:01:11 PM 620 Views
so you must know all the details since you're secretly a top-level government official? - 05/06/2014 08:41:14 PM 643 Views
was this a reply to the correct comment? *NM* - 06/06/2014 05:45:16 PM 360 Views
no *NM* - 03/06/2014 11:19:09 PM 344 Views
Guerrillas or insurgents, actually. - 04/06/2014 01:47:26 AM 800 Views
Does Bowe Bergdahl = Nicholas Brady? - 04/06/2014 04:30:02 AM 658 Views
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. - 04/06/2014 09:29:15 PM 610 Views
Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 06:21:59 AM 589 Views
Re: Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 08:43:55 PM 607 Views
You seem to have missed the concept of "Justified" in there - 07/06/2014 11:36:25 PM 729 Views
no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 09/06/2014 09:37:49 PM 611 Views
Re: no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 10/06/2014 03:43:49 AM 629 Views
a few facts you are neglecting - 11/06/2014 07:08:16 PM 558 Views
You may want to not paint everyone with the same brush there. - 11/06/2014 08:03:31 PM 616 Views
Thank you *NM* - 11/06/2014 11:01:58 PM 419 Views
I... don't really care, to be honest - 05/06/2014 03:17:25 PM 661 Views
I'm kinda undecided on this - 06/06/2014 03:32:16 AM 671 Views

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