Military Justice for Bergdahl

Cpl Jeff N. - Apparently not for all to see as the U.S. Army determined the preliminary investigation "inconclusive", though I am sure you can draw and characterize any conclusion with the benefit of hindsight. As I said before, the preliminary investigation did not produce any evidence of misconduct, so I don't believe your assessment and characterization of the preliminary investigation is based on the preponderance of evidence contained in the investigation.
It still doesn't explain how you can claim to have firsthand knowledge of what Obama knew and when he knew it, especially giving the official position of the U.S. Army, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and actions of the Ohio State Legislature, and numerous people in congress working for Bergdahl's return. And given the content of the preliminary investigation regarding Bergdahl's service prior to him walking away from his post, there is nothing in there that indicates he did not serve with distinction and honor up to that point. At that point in time, why would the president NOT characterize his service in that way, especially when he was recently released from captivity, and, at the time, there was nothing to indicate otherwise. You can characterize the findings of the preliminary investigation however you wish, but that was not the official position of the U.S. Army or the U.S. Government as a whole at the time.

Also - something you should know or consider.. Why would the NAVY Criminal INvestigative Service even be involved? I did some further checking, and there IS NOT 2009 NCIS investigation or report, and that is according to NCIS's PAO - "“There are no records of NCIS conducting an investigation of the type being reported,” said Ed Buice, NCIS public affairs officer. “There is no NCIS report.”" - So it appears you have been duped.

MSgt Steve Sweeney - I know what was reported in many news outlets. I don't write the stories but I do read them and multi source them. I thought it odd that NCIS would be involved but perhaps they had assets in the area.

So, do you believe an investigation was not done when he deserted? Do you not believe his platoon mates, and leaders were not interviewed. To a man, they have all said they told investigators that he deserted. He walked away from his post without permission. Many of the activities documented indicate he had determined to leave. He ended up with the Taliban and has not plead guilty to what we all knew he did.

The Army, after the initial investigation would have had all of this information. He was the only American service member held by the enemy you somehow think the entire intelligence apparatus of the country had no idea what happened. They either didn't interview or refused to accept the story from those on the ground and ignored the obvious conclusion.

When Obama decided he wanted to swap for Bergdahl do you think do one offered any of the background information about the investigation? Do you think they thought he had acted appropriately and this was all a big misunderstanding? Almost everyone knew he deserted and if Obama didn't know that he chose not to know that.

I also suspect he made it clear to his commanders he was going to do this and the narrative was going to be that he served with distinction and honor although anyone paying attention knew that was not true. Steve you can choose to accept the preposterous "distinction and honor" story from Obama. I know better. He cannot piss down my back and tell me it is raining and get me to believe it.

Cpl Jeff N. - Wait a minute... It doesn't bother you, even for a second, that the primary source you are citing, and all those "conservative" media outlets were citing with the express purpose of pre-judging a U.S. servicemember in the hands of the enemy, specifically for partisan political purposes, was entirely fabricated? That it doesn't even exist!? Someone may be pissing down your back, but it may not be who you think it is... but maybe since you like hearing it, it doesn't bother you that what they are saying is completely made up. Entirely bogus... and that is what formed the basis of your opinion - given that you didn't know Bergdahl personally (I am assuming), you formed your perception based on what these people were telling you.

Bergdahl got his day in court and will get what he deserves, but still... How the public perception was shaped matters... Was he an otherwise good, and possibly a little eccentric, but disillusioned soldier who did something stupid, or was he calculating traitor to his country. The perception matters.

I tell you, it really bothered me... and I don't generally get too wrapped around the axle about political arguments... but the fact that certain "news" outlets could cite an investigation that doesn't exist, and put it in the heads of good people like you who will turn around and cite it as gospel... So I sent an e-mail off to the NCIS PAO department to ascertain the truth of the matter, specifically with regard to if the report existed or not. Not sure if they will respond, but I will continue to dig and let you know what I find out... if you are even interested in knowing if people are lying to you and completely fabricating information and attributing it to credible sources (like the NCIS). Maybe you don't care if it fits your narrative.

BTW, there was a preliminary U.S. Army investigation. The results were "inconclusive" as I noted before.

Cpl Jeff N. - As I mentioned, I contacted the NCIS PAO directly to ascertain the truth of the matter, and I received a response, surprisingly, from Mr. Ed Buice himself - the gentleman quoted in the Newsweek story. Here is what he said:
"Mr. Sweeney

That story was a while ago, of course... I don't recall where the reporter was from--it could have been Newsweek that first asked, and then the others followed--but I remember asking our staff to search our records and they could find nothing of the type the reporter was describing.
I know NCIS personnel in the region kept up with the Bergdahl incident, but we did not open a case on it. It is logical that we would not have unless there was a clear Department of the Navy nexus.

Thanks,
Ed Buice"

So someone was pissing down your back, but it wasn't Obama. And those multiple (many) news outlets you are talking about were all referencing the same non-existent report - almost as if they were coordinating their falsehoods... for the purpose of pre-judging an American servicemember in the court of public opinion because they didn't like Obama.

And yet I doubt you will let the fact they so openly deceived you, and many others, bother you that much .... I could be wrong on that point.