Thank God we have an expert who knows. I thought for a second that all we can do is speculate. Ever think about applying for a job in Washington? You know...being this much of an expert and all?

Anywho, it's very possible that the deserter was a traitor, and planned to join the enemy and reveal US secrets. Maybe that's why we needed him back so bad. And it's also possible that our government can easily track these 5 Taliban leaders, and know everything they do. Being on such close watch, it's possible they are not a threat to national security. Again, all we can do is speculate since we don't know. It's foolish to assume you know what goes on behind closed doors in Washington.

Thank God we have an expert who knows. I thought for a second that all we can do is speculate. Ever think about applying for a job in Washington? You know...being this much of an expert and all?

Anywho, it's very possible that the deserter was a traitor, and planned to join the enemy and reveal US secrets. Maybe that's why we needed him back so bad. And it's also possible that our government can easily track these 5 Taliban leaders, and know everything they do. Being on such close watch, it's possible they are not a threat to national security. Again, all we can do is speculate since we don't know. It's foolish to assume you know what goes on behind closed doors in Washington.

And Maybe Berggbahl is really James Bond and the 5 Taliban guys are double secret agents
And maybe just Maybe Obama is actually the Messiah and we shouldn't question anything he does

Or, we should trust our 5-star military generals who propose the idea.

Or, we should trust our 5-star military generals who propose the idea.

So I assume you are behind those closed doors. I am sure they said let's release 5 Taliban leaders so they can kill more of us.

Have you heard what the people who were there with him said?
Including the platoon leader?
In case you haven't they think he should spend the rest of his life in prison

Since when does Obama listen to anyone?

I'm not sure I understand. I agree that the deserter should be in prison too....he's most likely a traitor, which is probably why we needed him back.

Do we know for sure that the 5 Taliban leaders have the capbility to kill Americans?

Keep in mind that any President is briefed by his military generals and CIA officers about stories like Bergdahl. They make suggestions to the President and he approved or declines. Obviously we have no idea what is discussed behind closed doors, but I'm fairly certain this is the process. My point is that if our military generals propose the idea, I'd trust them.

I'm not sure I understand. I agree that the deserter should be in prison too....he's most likely a traitor, which is probably why we needed him back.

Do we know for sure that the 5 Taliban leaders have the capbility to kill Americans?

Keep in mind that any President is briefed by his military generals and CIA officers about stories like Bergdahl. They make suggestions to the President and he approved or declines. Obviously we have no idea what is discussed behind closed doors, but I'm fairly certain this is the process. My point is that if our military generals propose the idea, I'd trust them.

Have you had surgery to repair your back which has obviously been broken bending over backwards to defend Obama?

Have you had surgery to repair your back which has obviously been broken bending over backwards to defend Obama?

LOL, good one. I'm actually defending our 5-star military generals. I trust them. I don't know why you conservatives put the entire onus on the President, who probably only said yay or nay.

Only a fool can't see that you also bend over backwards trying to tear the man down any chance you can get. I guess that makes us equal in that regard.

[Edited on 3/27/2015 by BoytonBrother]

LOL, good one. I'm actually defending our 5-star military generals. I trust them. I don't know why you conservatives put the entire onus on the President

Exactly. After all, the President has no real responsibility (especially this one.)

Everybody needs to leave the President alone.

[Edited on 3/27/2015 by alloak41]

quote:
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LOL, good one. I'm actually defending our 5-star military generals. I trust them. I don't know why you conservatives put the entire onus on the President
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Exactly. After all, the President has no real responsibility (especially this one.)

Is that what I said? I admit he has ultimate approval. He approved it. It was his final decision. But all of you know that our generals advise the President, but you are too afraid to criticize our generals, so you just put 100% of it on the man you hate, instead of directing accountability in an accurate fashion.

Nor do you even address the possibility that Berghdal is a larger threat to national security than the Taliban leaders, since Berghdal has plenty of info about our military, so we had to get him back. No, lets not consider that one bit. Lets just automatically attack and assume we know everything. Great idea.

[Edited on 3/27/2015 by BoytonBrother]

quote:
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LOL, good one. I'm actually defending our 5-star military generals. I trust them. I don't know why you conservatives put the entire onus on the President
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Exactly. After all, the President has no real responsibility (especially this one.)

Is that what I said? I admit he has ultimate approval. He approved it. It was his final decision. But all of you know that our generals advise the President, but you are too afraid to criticize our generals, so you just put 100% of it on the man you hate, instead of directing accountability in an accurate fashion.

If any General recommended that deal they should be canned immediately. Releasing tactical masterminds back into the field?

If Bush didnt put them in GITMO, Obama wouldnt be in this mess. Its Bushs fault.

Nor do you even address the possibility that Berghdal is a larger threat to national security than the Taliban leaders, since Berghdal has plenty of info about our military, so we had to get him back. No, lets not consider that one bit. Lets just automatically attack and assume we know everything. Great idea.

[Edited on 3/27/2015 by BoytonBrother]

I don't think anybody's saying that we shouldn't try to get Bergdahl back, but is this the best deal we can make? Five high-level Taliban commanders? Seriously?

Just a side question, what was the cost in dollars and lives spent in the process of capturing these five commanders? The decision to release them is mind-boggling IMO.

Bergdal was the perfect patsy to use by Obama as he wants Guantanemo facility closed and needed to have an excuse to let them go . Who would argue that releasing 5 high level terrorists got back a decorated soldier and not a rat-fink deserter .

"Mind-boggling" is a fair way to describe it. As outsiders, we don't have classified information that they do, so just like you, I have no idea whether it was good or bad. But I trust our military generals. It must've come down to weighing who was the bigger threat to national security.....a traitor giving the enemy our secrets, or 5 Taliban officials that they might be able to contain after having them in captivity for so long. How on Earth would any of us here know which one is a larger threat? There are plenty of things to criticize Obama for, but this is a long stretch. This was a military operation, and Obama approved, IMO. I would trust my generals too if they determined that Bergdhal was the bigger threat.

And just to show that I'm don't "break my back" to defend Obama, the rose garden celebratory press conference was disgusting. Why would a President do that knowing in advance that he was a deserter and possible traitor? He was just trying to sell the move with deception. Typical politician. He could've sold it easily had he just framed it the way I did. But to position it as "saving a hero soldier" and celebrating his return....absolutely pathetic. Big mistake by Obama. However, I support the trade that him and our generals made. The PR surrounding it...not so much.

[Edited on 3/27/2015 by BoytonBrother]

There are plenty of things to criticize Obama for

Such as?

It must've come down to weighing who was the bigger threat to national security.....a traitor giving the enemy our secrets, or 5 Taliban officials that they might be able to contain after having them in captivity for so long.

Why would they need to be contained? That admission alone says they shouldn't have been released in the first place.

Don't let them go and they won't need to be contained!

quote:
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There are plenty of things to criticize Obama for
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Such as?

Obamacare rollout - deception, website.
Berghdal PR campaign was wrong
Over-promises
Mostly talk, not enough action, i.e. "hope and change"
Too polarizing, although not entirely his fault
No real boost to the economy that is actually felt, IMO
Was ready to go to war with Syria, I believe it was, after campaigning for less war.
Woud've liked to see him sell his ideas better, to gain wider support

I'm sure I can think of more.....

The point is, every deserves criticisms. He's just not the devil as the right makes him out to be.

quote:
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It must've come down to weighing who was the bigger threat to national security.....a traitor giving the enemy our secrets, or 5 Taliban officials that they might be able to contain after having them in captivity for so long.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why would they need to be contained? That admission alone says they shouldn't have been released in the first place.

Don't let them go and they won't need to be contained!

Not necessarily. How else to do we get Berghdal back? You have to give something up, to get something in return, at equal value....just like a sports trade.

It must've come down to weighing who was the bigger threat to national security.....a traitor giving the enemy our secrets, or 5 Taliban officials that they might be able to contain after having them in captivity for so long.

Why would they need to be contained? That admission alone says they shouldn't have been released in the first place.

Don't let them go and they won't need to be contained!

Taliban and Al-Qaeda leadres have been killed and replaced immediately. These 5 that were released are not going to be running anything anytime soon. In fact, I would not be surprised if the Taliban might wonder if they are double agents and not let them near anything important. as for the need to get Bergdahl back because he may reveal military secrets, he was there for 5 years. I believe that horse had left the barn some time ago.

quote:
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There are plenty of things to criticize Obama for
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Such as?

Obamacare rollout - deception, website.
Berghdal PR campaign was wrong
Over-promises
Mostly talk, not enough action, i.e. "hope and change"
Too polarizing, although not entirely his fault
No real boost to the economy that is actually felt, IMO
Was ready to go to war with Syria, I believe it was, after campaigning for less war.
Woud've liked to see him sell his ideas better, to gain wider support

I'm sure I can think of more.....

The point is, every deserves criticisms. He's just not the devil as the right makes him out to be.

Agreed he certainly could have done better and is not a savior by any means but he is not the antichrist some on this forum paint him to be.

Considering the Sh*t sandwich the Bush administration handed him and the blatant obstructionism the GOP has practiced against him I think he did a decent job all things considered.

And Presidential scholars seem to agree as he is rated in the #15-20 range in several of the rankings I have read on line.

I'm not sure I understand. I agree that the deserter should be in prison too....he's most likely a traitor, which is probably why we needed him back.

Do we know for sure that the 5 Taliban leaders have the capbility to kill Americans?

Keep in mind that any President is briefed by his military generals and CIA officers about stories like Bergdahl. They make suggestions to the President and he approved or declines. Obviously we have no idea what is discussed behind closed doors, but I'm fairly certain this is the process. My point is that if our military generals propose the idea, I'd trust them.

There are no Taliban who desire to attack America or Americans. Mullah Omar has said it over and over again, their fight is limited to the sovereign borders of their own native country, Afghanistan. There were no Afghans on any planes in US airspace on 9/11/01, nor was their retaliation in the US or any other country by Afghans even though we decimated their country. All they do is defend their lands and themselves when we shoot at them or bomb them. That's it. Bowe Berghdahl was a barista at Starbacks before going into the army, and when he was with the Taliban, he served green tea over there. He was not a traitor, he just did not want to continue fighting in a war that was not what they were told it was when he went over. He did not like going into villages killing un-armed people, and they were unarmed. That is the first thing the Taliban did when they assumed power, they unarmed the cilvilians. Those who agreed to join them were given guns later on.

If Bush didnt put them in GITMO, Obama wouldnt be in this mess. Its Bushs fault.

It's Bush Sr.'s fault for starting it with Saddam, for no real reason other than they knew they could not attack any other countries if Saddam remained in power. He was strong and so was his military, and he would not have put up with any wars around the border of his country.

If Bush didnt put them in GITMO, Obama wouldnt be in this mess. Its Bushs fault.

It's Bush Sr.'s fault for starting it with Saddam, for no real reason other than they knew they could not attack any other countries if Saddam remained in power. He was strong and so was his military, and he would not have put up with any wars around the border of his country.

horses**t. We wiped the floor with his "military" twice and had him boxed in and totally contained. He was not dictating anything outside the boundaries of his country.. Found him hiding in a hole and let his people hang him.

Wait a minute, why am I responding to this? I'm sorry for interrupting gina. Please continue.

If Bush didnt put them in GITMO, Obama wouldnt be in this mess. Its Bushs fault.

It's Bush Sr.'s fault for starting it with Saddam, for no real reason other than they knew they could not attack any other countries if Saddam remained in power. He was strong and so was his military, and he would not have put up with any wars around the border of his country.

horses**t. We wiped the floor with his "military" twice and had him boxed in and totally contained. He was not dictating anything outside the boundaries of his country.. Found him hiding in a hole and let his people hang him.

Wait a minute, why am I responding to this? I'm sorry for interrupting gina. Please continue.

Right and we had no exit plan when G Dubya invaded Iraq using fear and lies to get support from Congress after 9/11. As a result the entire region was destabilized and is deteriorating fast resulting in the death of thousands of innocents and jeopardizing the free worlds oil supply.

At least George Senior had the common sense to stop the military once the objective of removing Iraq from Kuwait was accomplished.

Looks like the other Arabs states are finally realizing they had better react militarily to the Yemen coup before they are next.

Somewhere in Jannah Bin Laden is chillin with his 72 virgins and smiling as he accomplished exactly what he wanted as he sucked us into two useless wars which resulted in destabilizing the region.

Interesting thread.
After reviewing the posts I see nobody defending Obama’s Foreign Policy.

It is hard to defend a complete failure but you’d think the liberals here would at least try.
All I see are the liberals, unable to defend Obama’s Foreign Policy catastrophe, going to their default response; bashing President Bush.
Pathetic.

Even democrats in both the Senate and The House are calling for increasing the Defense Department’s budget as they can clearly see that Al-Qaeda and ISIS growing both in influence, size and brutality.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the two strongest Sunni Muslim countries are taking action as they see Obama’s negotiations with the Shiite State of Iran will produce nothing more than another delay and more relaxing of sanctions while Iran will continue to develop nuclear weapon.
When Iran gets the bomb, how long do you think it will be before Saudi Arabia and Egypt do also?

Yemen, touted by Obama just a few months ago as “a shining example of my administration’s foreign policy and pursuit of terrorism is now being taken over by Islamic Extremist Terrorists. Our Embassy and Special Forces have bugged out.

Boko Haram has officially aligned with ISIS and is now training together in Eastern Africa.

German Chancellor Merkel detests Obama and Putin slaps Obama around like a punk on the playground.

Obama has trashed our relationship with our most important partner in The Middle East, Israel and even tried to oust its leader Benjamin Netanyahu by directly interfering in Israel’s elections and losing that effort Obama throws a temper tantrum.

Can the liberals here offer any Obama Foreign Policy accomplishment?
Offer any defense of his long list of failures?

Anything?

Interesting thread.
After reviewing the posts I see nobody defending Obama’s Foreign Policy.

It is hard to defend a complete failure but you’d think the liberals here would at least try.
All I see are the liberals, unable to defend Obama’s Foreign Policy catastrophe, going to their default response; bashing President Bush.
Pathetic.

Even democrats in both the Senate and The House are calling for increasing the Defense Department’s budget as they can clearly see that Al-Qaeda and ISIS growing both in influence, size and brutality.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the two strongest Sunni Muslim countries are taking action as they see Obama’s negotiations with the Shiite State of Iran will produce nothing more than another delay and more relaxing of sanctions while Iran will continue to develop nuclear weapon.
When Iran gets the bomb, how long do you think it will be before Saudi Arabia and Egypt do also?

Yemen, touted by Obama just a few months ago as “a shining example of my administration’s foreign policy and pursuit of terrorism is now being taken over by Islamic Extremist Terrorists. Our Embassy and Special Forces have bugged out.

Boko Haram has officially aligned with ISIS and is now training together in Eastern Africa.

German Chancellor Merkel detests Obama and Putin slaps Obama around like a punk on the playground.

Obama has trashed our relationship with our most important partner in The Middle East, Israel and even tried to oust its leader Benjamin Netanyahu by directly interfering in Israel’s elections and losing that effort Obama throws a temper tantrum.

Can the liberals here offer any Obama Foreign Policy accomplishment?
Offer any defense of his long list of failures?

Anything?

Yes, he ended two wars that a Republican president started.

If Bush didnt put them in GITMO, Obama wouldnt be in this mess. Its Bushs fault.

It's Bush Sr.'s fault for starting it with Saddam, for no real reason other than they knew they could not attack any other countries if Saddam remained in power. He was strong and so was his military, and he would not have put up with any wars around the border of his country.

horses**t. We wiped the floor with his "military" twice and had him boxed in and totally contained. He was not dictating anything outside the boundaries of his country.. Found him hiding in a hole and let his people hang him.

Wait a minute, why am I responding to this? I'm sorry for interrupting gina. Please continue.

Right and we had no exit plan when G Dubya invaded Iraq using fear and lies to get support from Congress after 9/11. As a result the entire region was destabilized and is deteriorating fast resulting in the death of thousands of innocents and jeopardizing the free worlds oil supply.

At least George Senior had the common sense to stop the military once the objective of removing Iraq from Kuwait was accomplished.

Looks like the other Arabs states are finally realizing they had better react militarily to the Yemen coup before they are next.

Somewhere in Jannah Bin Laden is chillin with his 72 virgins and smiling as he accomplished exactly what he wanted as he sucked us into two useless wars which resulted in destabilizing the region.

Don't disagree with any of this, I was questioning gina's assertion that Saddam was in control of our foreign policy.