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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 1647 Views
I don't think it is that cut and dry - 03/06/2014 01:00:16 PM 977 Views
It is now cut and dry, he is a deserter..... - 03/06/2014 04:18:21 PM 963 Views
Bull. Shit. - 03/06/2014 04:46:08 PM 1116 Views
he has right to a trial - 03/06/2014 06:27:39 PM 912 Views
Well of course he does. I can't act as his judge, jury and executioner, either. - 03/06/2014 06:45:58 PM 1091 Views
I think he is guilty as hell - 03/06/2014 11:24:02 PM 996 Views
I don't think he should have rot there, either. - 04/06/2014 04:05:18 AM 909 Views
I agree with with all of that *NM* - 04/06/2014 12:59:45 PM 534 Views
glad to see you put your politics above your country, tom - 04/06/2014 07:32:55 PM 963 Views
You're full of shit, as usual. - 04/06/2014 07:45:43 PM 893 Views
and you are more brainwashed, as usual - 04/06/2014 07:56:29 PM 942 Views
Moondog = braindead partisan hack - 04/06/2014 08:52:28 PM 902 Views
You really are stupid, aren't you? - 05/06/2014 05:26:38 PM 878 Views
thank you for having the reasonable approach to this - 03/06/2014 07:56:49 PM 963 Views
Obama is a weak fool - 03/06/2014 04:04:58 PM 898 Views
They should impeach the fucking douchebag. - 03/06/2014 04:48:28 PM 890 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 916 Views
Yeah, I don't really picture you at all. - 05/06/2014 05:20:48 PM 888 Views
Haha awww who's a Grouchy Gus today? - 05/06/2014 06:24:25 PM 888 Views
Sounds like you do picture him. *NM* - 07/06/2014 08:38:42 PM 451 Views
"Terrorists" doesn't seem accurate. Enemy combatants, okay, but even that was limited. - 03/06/2014 05:56:15 PM 992 Views
Serious question....as Tom mentioned.....should Obama be impeached for this? - 03/06/2014 06:55:24 PM 873 Views
stupid answer: yes, impeach Obama at your earliest convenience *NM* - 03/06/2014 08:48:28 PM 577 Views
Funny that the military top brass agrees with it, then. - 03/06/2014 08:51:48 PM 960 Views
Sec. Gates was against it when he was Sec. of Defense, Panetta said hell no. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:07:49 AM 474 Views
Yup, most top military leadership was against this reckless move. *NM* - 04/06/2014 04:26:16 AM 475 Views
STATEMENT BY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL MARTIN E. DEMPSEY - 04/06/2014 07:36:43 PM 923 Views
These people will say what Obama orders them to say. *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:17:14 AM 463 Views
Statement by Secretary of the Army John McHugh - 04/06/2014 07:37:35 PM 1082 Views
lots of republicans were for Bergdahl's release before they were against it - 04/06/2014 07:42:45 PM 999 Views
you missed the one where they suggest trading high level captives for his return - 04/06/2014 09:37:22 PM 905 Views
Oh wait, that's because it doesn't exist... *NM* - 05/06/2014 06:18:11 AM 487 Views
you do know I was being sarcastic? - 05/06/2014 06:11:39 PM 1027 Views
Oh yes. I was just adding to the general tone. - 06/06/2014 03:01:11 PM 892 Views
so you must know all the details since you're secretly a top-level government official? - 05/06/2014 08:41:14 PM 930 Views
was this a reply to the correct comment? *NM* - 06/06/2014 05:45:16 PM 491 Views
no *NM* - 03/06/2014 11:19:09 PM 477 Views
Guerrillas or insurgents, actually. - 04/06/2014 01:47:26 AM 1103 Views
Does Bowe Bergdahl = Nicholas Brady? - 04/06/2014 04:30:02 AM 957 Views
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. - 04/06/2014 09:29:15 PM 905 Views
Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 06:21:59 AM 877 Views
Re: Absolutely not. - 05/06/2014 08:43:55 PM 891 Views
You seem to have missed the concept of "Justified" in there - 07/06/2014 11:36:25 PM 1116 Views
no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 09/06/2014 09:37:49 PM 906 Views
Re: no, i'm pretty sure i got it right - 10/06/2014 03:43:49 AM 1008 Views
a few facts you are neglecting - 11/06/2014 07:08:16 PM 796 Views
You may want to not paint everyone with the same brush there. - 11/06/2014 08:03:31 PM 893 Views
Thank you *NM* - 11/06/2014 11:01:58 PM 626 Views
I... don't really care, to be honest - 05/06/2014 03:17:25 PM 938 Views
I'm kinda undecided on this - 06/06/2014 03:32:16 AM 1007 Views

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