U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will face a military court on charges of desertion and endangering

[lucas80]

Two separate issues here.

1. Should we have swapped prisoners.

2. What should happen to the deserter.

First point is very tough. I think I would have agreed to the swap. Even though it was the suspicion that he deserted I think we have to do the disciplining on our own. There was a belief Bergdahl was going to be executed, and my reaction was even deserters should be brought back home. It separates us from terror groups. We have laws.
Second point, a lengthy stay in prison should be his fate.

 

[theiacowtipper]

Two separate issues here.

1. Should we have swapped prisoners.

2. What should happen to the deserter.

Reference point #2, he hasn't been convicted of anything. This is exactly why the death penalty should be abandoned in this country. Too many people blindly believe what they read in newspapers and rush to judge. He has already been convicted in most people's eyes.

 

[Hawk in SEC Country]

Interesting in that the decision went against the recommendation of the investigating officer. The delusional thoughts of INXS83 aside, that simply doesn't happen very often. You can make the case against the trade all you want, but it was still the right thing to do. You don't leave prisoners of war imprisoned by the other side. History tells you that you that we exchange prisoners.

It is also clear that this young man will never be able to get a fair trial. Look at the statements from the Republican presidential contenders, as well as the leaders of the Republican caucus. It is clear they want him thrown in jail. It is equally clear that the convening authority of the court heard this message, and went against the recommendation of the investigating officers, calling a general court.

He will get an absolutely fair trial. He's facing a courts-martial, and will be tried by a military judge and a jury of his enlisted peers. No officers will be allowed on the jury. He is facing UCMJ violations, and they have stiff penalties. There will be no news coverage inside the court room. And NO ONE from the outside.....especially no opinions of any presidential contenders will make it into he proceedings, nor will they have any influence on what happens. Period. The Military will take care of this as they should. And we should live with the results......as should Bergdahl and his family.

Don't forget....the Army has radio intercepts from the Taliban where locals were calling out the local Taliban that there was an American soldier ASKING where he could find a Taliban leader. Not to mention the emails he sent back and forth with his father.
He is ALSO the ONLY US military member to be taken captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan and returned alive. Everyone else was tortured and had their throat turned into a Pez dispenser, or shot and killed on site.

The Army has enough evidence to declare him a deserter, political correctness be damned. And if he is found guilty, it will make this administration look extremely stupid for giving him a hero's welcome at the White House.

 

[theiacowtipper]

He will get an absolutely fair trial. He's facing a courts-martial, and will be tried by a military judge and a jury of his enlisted peers. No officers will be allowed on the jury. He is facing UCMJ violations, and they have stiff penalties. There will be no news coverage inside the court room. And NO ONE from the outside.....especially no opinions of any presidential contenders will make it into he proceedings, nor will they have any influence on what happens. Period. The Military will take care of this as they should. And we should live with the results......as should Bergdahl and his family.

Don't forget....the Army has radio intercepts from the Taliban where locals were calling out the local Taliban that there was an American soldier ASKING where he could find a Taliban leader. Not to mention the emails he sent back and forth with his father.
He is ALSO the ONLY US military member to be taken captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan and returned alive. Everyone else was tortured and had their throat turned into a Pez dispenser, or shot and killed on site.

The Army has enough evidence to declare him a deserter, political correctness be damned. And if he is found guilty, it will make this administration look extremely stupid for giving him a hero's welcome at the White House.

I've never been subject to a court martial perhaps you have, but every reference I've seen says that, if the accused is enlisted, they may request that enlisted members sit on the court. However, it maxes out at 1/3 of the total court. There will be officers on the court. If you think political pressures won't act the members, you are naive.

 

[Hawk in SEC Country]

I've never been subject to a court martial perhaps you have, but every reference I've seen says that, if the accused is enlisted, they may request that enlisted members sit on the court. However, it maxes out at 1/3 of the total court. There will be officers on the court. If you think political pressures won't act the members, you are naive.

I've never been subjected to a court martial. I served honorably and kept my nose clean. However, I have sat in on several Court Martial proceedings as a military police officer who was transporting the person being subjected to the courts martial.
The only political pressure will come from the White House. Political "candidates" will have zero access to the proceedings, or to the Jury. the military takes these proceedings extremely serious.

You're right...there will be officers on the court. I was incorrect in my statement. However, court martial proceedings will never be tainted by the media circus...and thank god for that.

I have a lot more faith in our UCMJ court system, than I do the civilian system.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Two separate issues here.

1. Should we have swapped prisoners.

2. What should happen to the deserter.

NO
Hang the maggot

 

[Hawk in SEC Country]

I've never been subjected to a court martial. I served honorably and kept my nose clean. However, I have sat in on several Court Martial proceedings as a military police officer who was transporting the person being subjected to the courts martial.
The only political pressure will come from the White House. Political "candidates" will have zero access to the proceedings, or to the Jury. the military takes these proceedings extremely serious.

You're right...there will be officers on the court. I was incorrect in my statement. However, court martial proceedings will never be tainted by the media circus...and thank god for that.

I have a lot more faith in our UCMJ court system, than I do the civilian system.