Questions about the reported abduction of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl; Update: Reports of desertion mounting
Scroll down for updates…evidence of desertion mounting…
My prayers are with the family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. soldier seen on the Taliban abduction video released this weekend. The Jawa Report has the full clip.
All Americans should hope and pray for his release from jihadi custody.
There’s one question I have, though, about strange details initially reported on the case — details which have been deleted from later wire dispatches. Read:
The circumstances of Bergdahl’s capture weren’t clear.
On July 2, two U.S. officials told the AP the soldier had “just walked off” his base with three Afghans after his shift. He had no body armor or weapon and they said they had no explanation for why he left. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
On July 6, the Taliban claimed on their Web site that five days earlier “a drunken American soldier had come out of his garrison” and was captured by mujahadeen.
In the video, Pfc. Bergdahl said he was lagging behind a patrol when he was captured.
Details of such incidents are routinely held very tightly by the military as it works to retrieve a missing or captured soldier without giving away any information to captors.
The question is: Which account is accurate?
The first account strongly suggests desertion, a la Wassef Ali Hassoun.
The second account might provide an explanation for why Pfc. Bergdahl had no armor or weapon on him when captured.
The third account is totally at odds with the other two.
Follow-up questions:
Were the AP’s sources mistaken?
Did the AP botch the reporting?
Or is the disturbing first account the right one? Knowing, as the AP pointed out, that “[d]etails of such incidents are routinely held very tightly by the military,” wouldn’t the two U.S. officials have been extremely careful in passing on such sensitive details to the media on July 2?
And what about the “three Afghans” that Pfc. Bergdahl reportedly “just walked off” with after his shift?
Who are they?
Did they have security clearances at the base?
Did any or all of them work as translators?
Are they still missing?
Did one of them serve as the English-speaking questioner on the Taliban video?
Is anyone else puzzled by the completely conflicting stories? Will the Associated Press explain them?
What’s going on?
***
More strangeness via the Oregonian blog:
Kim Harrison Dellacorva, who moved from Idaho last fall and lives in the Pearl District of Northwest Portland…is listed on military documents as Bergdahl’s godmother. She ran the extracurricular performing arts school in Ketchum that Bergdahl attended.
A military casualty assistance officer knocked on Dellacorva’s door June 30, after Bergdahl was reporting missing from his company’s outpost in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. At the time, nobody knew where he was or what happened to him. The military declined to release his name to the public, although his disappearance was an open secret in Hailey, the Idaho town near Ketchum where Bergdahl’s parents live in a remote canyon.
But over the weekend, his Taliban captors posted a 28-minute video that shows Bergdahl answering questions and eating.
Kim, Shane and Shane’s sister, Kayla Harrison, were relieved to see that Bergdahl is alive. But they say that parts of the video they have seen don’t sound like the Bowe they know.
“The only part that sounded like Bowe was when he said, ‘It’s very unnerving to be a prisoner,’” Kayla Harrison said.
A lot of the other stuff, about relatives and having a girlfriend back home he hoped to marry, sounded completely unnatural, the Harrisons say. Bergdahl doesn’t have a serious girlfriend, they say.
***
This is an indisputable truth:
“The Taliban are using the soldier for propaganda purposes,” said Navy Lt. Robert Carr, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Partial transcript of Bergdahl video:
“Please, please bring us home so that we can be back where we belong and not over here wasting our time and our lives and our precious life that we could be using back in our own country.”
“Please bring us home. It is America and the American people that have that power.”
***
Update: Lt. Col. Ralph Peters had tough words about Pfc. Bergdahl’s reported desertion yesterday and has a warning for the media:
Partial transcript:
PETERS: On that video, he is collaborating with the enemy. Under duress or not, that’s really not relevant. He’s making accusations about the behavior of the military in Afghanistan that are unfounded, saying there are no rules. He’s lying about how he was captured, saying he lagged behind a patrol.
Julie, I’ll tell you, any 11 Bravo infantryman will tell you, that’s not how it works. In a war zone, any soldier is aware of where all his buddies are. If it’s a night patrol, you’re sure of where the guy in front of you and behind you is. So we know this private is a liar. We’re not sure if he’s a deserter. But the media needs to hit the pause button and NOT portray this guy as a hero…
***
Received from a USARPAC soldier this morning:
“Please don’t list my name– I am here in Afghanistan– I know the story and the accounts that he was drunk or that he was lagging behind on patrol are not true– this soldier planned this move for a long time. He walked off the post with a day’s supply of water and had written down before that he wanted to live in the mountains. He has violated the Code of Conduct in his 28 minute speech and he is an e[m]barrassment to everyone who has worn the uniform. He made it to two towns and was asking for water when the locals turned him over to the Taliban. That is really all I can say– since we are still looking for this soldier.”
And from P.J. Tobia:
I’ve been reporting for over a week (along with the AP and WaPo) that Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, the US soldier who’s gone missing in eastern Afghanistan, walked off the base on his own accord.
Now, somebody close to the people searching for Bergdahl has repeated this assertion saying that the soldier left “a note behind that said he was going to the mountains to find himself. He took a journal and 4 or 5 knives with him.” My source tells me that Bergdahl arrived at a village and asked if anybody spoke English. That’s when he was captured.
My source tells me that there is no doubt Bergdahl deserted, which in a time of war is punishable by a court martial at the least, or even execution.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
December 25, 2011 03:26 AM by Michelle Malkin
75 CommentsJoe Biden: The Taliban Per Se is Not Our Enemy
December 19, 2011 04:06 PM by Doug Powers
105 Comments
CNN: 31 Americans, Including 22 SEALs, Killed in Afghanistan
August 6, 2011 03:35 PM by Doug Powers
52 CommentsZogby International: Most Arab Countries View US Less Favorably Than at End of Bush Administration
July 13, 2011 04:08 PM by Doug Powers
99 Comments
Harry Reid & Lindsey Graham: Afghanistan Riots Might Be Due to Too Many Freedoms in the US… or Something
April 3, 2011 03:49 PM by Doug Powers
169 CommentsTroops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan Get a Little Surprise at Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport
August 11, 2010 10:20 PM by Doug Powers
91 Comments
Taliban executes Christian medical team in Afghanistan; 6 American doctors among those murdered
August 8, 2010 10:31 AM by Michelle Malkin
202 CommentsDoes a US Marine in Afghanistan Really Have a Sarah Palin Tattoo on His Butt? You Bet’cha!
May 30, 2010 03:55 PM by Doug Powers
30 Comments
Categories: Afghanistan
Sister Toldjah
» Video: A president of the People, and for the PeopleJustOneMinute
» Oatmeal LaterPundit & Pundette
» Oh my: Santorum sweepsAmSpecBlog
» Thoughts on the Santorum SweepHot Air
» Video: The Obama 2012 fashion show!Riehl World View
» Santorum Kicked The Mitt Out Of Romney
I’m not going to join in the speculation since we can’t get a straight answer about what has happened yet.
First thing to focus on is getting him back.
Everything else can wait until he is out of harm’s way.
Well, with Obama in the White House, we can all be sure that he will be given his rights, he will have an attorney, be given a fair trial with a jury of his peers, maybe sent to some recreational type prison in the Bahamas where he can eat ice cream on the beach and frolic in the waves. After all, we all know that the Taliban and other Islamic thugs ALWAYS play by the rules and ALWAYS treat their prisoners with respect, kindness, courtesy and what-not. We know he will not have to EVER worry about torture, execution, beheading or anything else. Lord knows they would NEVER use something as heinous and terrible as water boarding or any other means to illicit information from him.
Just look at the video. We can all rest assures knowing that none of what was there was fake or staged. After all, it is the US that is the REAL evil, not those poor, misunderstood, peaceful, peace-loving Muslims in the Taliban.
Thank you President Obama. I know you are doing everything in your power, using the full weight of the office which you hold to get this soldier back, leaving no scenario off the table. We know that you are truly a great man, and the Hope and Change you have promised us will once again come through, saving this soldier as soon as possible.
Now, if you will all please excuse me, I need to go throw up and take a shower, not necessarily in that order.
I am also positive he has been given a Bible, a preacher, and is being fed a diet that meets his religious and racial requirements.
Me neither. We all know the MSM will distort, report false information, and edit, in order to promote their political views. They will spend hours reporting this, rather than spending a minute on some soldier earning the DSC or Silver Star.
Just what happened we do not know I guess–but the whole story did seem odd to me; “[d]etails of such incidents are routinely held very tightly by the military,” can be true IF you do not have dozens of soldiers already knowing what happened-no matter how hard you try to plug a leak it will not happen.
Strange is “the soldier had “just walked off” his base with three Afghans after his shift”. That has to be something different than stated–I just can not imagine a military “base” in a combat zone that a man COULD walk off without his gear–perhaps things are different now. So yes our prayers are with the family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl but IF we ever we get him back he has some explaining to do.
There were such incidents in the Korean War and the Viet Nam War–desertions and collaboration. There are still men in Viet Nam and Korea who choose to change sides for one reason or another. There were men who got captured walking around where they had no business being-it happens.
There has been something not right about this story from the git-go! First off, they are taught in basic that no one goes anywhere without their battle buddy! And leaving base without a weapon or body armor? Just does not compute!
BTW, what’s with the fact that he is growing a beard, but his hair is shorn?
Sounds to me like Taliban and our own MSM are trying to make a story to push an agenda. This is Obama’s war now, you know.
They can’t do anything to endanger him, he is alive right now. They authorities and family, will say and do what they need to get him released. It appears he is doing the same thing. I think everyone should wait till he is released and back home to wonder…his life is at stake, and no one wants to antagonize his captors. I think that is why all the information is not jiving. The rest is just Taliban propaganda.
My observation as well. And too, hair doesn’t just grow along the jawline. The whole matter leaves me very suspicious.
This is a strange one.
Whatever the circumstances, I hope he does not meet with a terrible end.
Its an islamic thing.
Listen, as a pow this guy will say anything and nothing he says can be taken at face value. He is NOT collaborating with the enemy unless he says that stuff after his release. Personaly I will consider anything he says to be forced, from torture untill he his back in the USA.
I really hope that PFC Burgdahl didn’t attempt to desert, and I hope that he didn’t get drunk and make an ass of himself (sadly, it happens), but I have a real problem with this lagging behind the patrol story. To be perfectly honest, none of the three stories make this guy sound particularly bright, so I hope they’re all wrong.
Not enough data on which to base any conclusions, but…
this deal has been a back-of-neck hair-raiser from the git. Something ain’t right…
rag, I agree, something isn’t right, but I am not going down the “he is collaborating with the enemy” road yet.
If his reported interest in conversion to islam and collaboration with the enemy are real, we will be able to tell if he is EVER released.
As the media rush to fill airtime, a false data base grows. Whatever happened will be overshadowed by the baseless speculation of a lot of ignorant fools with an anti-war agenda.
Two words, one name: Richard Jewell.
If you want to save this soldier’s life then get low key about it ASAP. We make him too valuable the price to get him back will be too high. Act indifferent and they will kill him.
It is a delicate balance. ABC’s coverage of this was thoroughly unprofessional. The Pentagon should call them up and give them an earful. REALLY STUPID!
Yes, I wonder if Obama sees the irony in the fact that if all our captured soldiers had to worry about was waterboarding, cold rooms and bugs, we’d never have to worry about their safety. But given the enemies history, the concerns include
beheading
burning alive
beaten to death with rocks
and other touchy-feely islamo-fascist “guest” activities.
Correct. The stories do not add up.
I was in the infantry for 7 years. You don’t just “lag” behind on routine patrol unnoticed very easily. If so – why wasn’t the entire squad or platoon or even company searching for the missing solidier immediately after the patrol was completed?
Right now I do not believe this kid’s story.
If these words actually came from Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, he should be left to rot with his Taliban hosts, or face the consequences of treason.
perhaps his three Afgan friends got him drunk then took him for a “walk” to clear his head
The Taliban are going to claim the soldier was on patrol to make them look good, but you are right. On a patrol the trail is usually a good soldier who prevents anyone from “lagging.”
You see the PFC on camera, but you don’t know what’s off camera or what he’s been subjected too. I saw tougher than nails officers who had been through survival school, like John McCain, broken by their captors. It’s depressing to see.
I agree with the first post; Cameron’s at 5:08 a.m. Let’s get him the h@11 outta there and then worry about everything else.
The whole thing is odd, and I agree with the colonel that what he is doing is collaboration…but since the US media has been covering such situations as if they weren’t Americans to begin with (since the Vietnam War), it doesn’t surprise me.
Obama really doesn’t care..he just “knows” America is a bad place, and his fascist friends like Chavez are just “sweetness and light”.
Only if he is doing it willingly. Anyone here would confess that thier mother was satan with the correct “encouragement”.
Who knows what has been done to this guy??? How many times would you have to be annaly raped with a baseball bat before you made the same tape???
And he is doing it willingly, then shot him the second the trial is finished.
The three Afghans worry me the most, not this soldier in what he has said or should be saying. So, I’m reserving comments on him because I don’t know.
Does the military have any rules of your behavior if you’re captured now?
This story has smelled funny since it first broke.
This is wierd. The soldier is clean, looks rested and looks like he shaved or was shaven with care. His facial hair is trimmed neatly with a clean shave under the nose and around the mouth. He is wearing local clothes that are clean. It seems usually prisoners of war when we see them are unshaven, dirty and in the clothing they were captured in. I can’t imagine that the Taliban would go out of their way to make him comfortable, but you are all right, there should be no speculation so I won’t. The only thing I can say is the appearance is wierd.
Watch the video. He never stands up or moves his legs. He never moves from the exact spot he was placed. When he speaks he always looks away from the questioner and back to the same spot by the camera. Not quite exactly into the camera.
This “confession” was forced.
The Code of Conduct. You must memorize it in Basic Training.
Yes. It is called the code of conduct. It says you must resist making statments like this but not to the point of death. If he was tortured, then he has nothing to worry about legaly. If he gave this “confession willingly, then it is treason.
Thanks for the answers about the “Code of Conduct.” Does anyone know if Obama has changed this code like he did questioning of man-made disasters (aka terrorists)?
What if this soldier’s life isn’t being threatened, but someone’s off camera? Would his confession still be considered treason?
I looked worse than that after SERE at Warner Springs those many years ago. Of course, my ex-wife never thought much of the way I looked. Anyway, until we know, or objectively think we know,I can only wish him well.
The video can provide a lot of information and allows the prisoner to communicate as well.
I think it was James Stockdale, when forced to make a propaganda video used his eyes to blink out the words “T O R T U R E” in Morse Code while he was reading his “confession.” The intell folks realized upon analysis why he was blinkng in an odd way during the whole video.
OBTW, when the North Vietnamese realized what Stockdale had done they beat the stuffing out of him. So if they spot this soldier as having done something similar, the military will say nothing to protect him.
Without speculating about the individual case, there has been a disturbing trend, probably originating in the State Department, in which American soldiers are forced to work in close quarters with Iraqi “soldiers” and Afghan “soldiers” and US soldiers have lost their lives because of it. There are frequent times when the Iraqi or Afghan “soliders” are really Islamic extremists or ripe for a bribe and yet American soldiers are forced to pretend that we are all one big happy family working for the same cause. And safety is sacrificed for political correctness. US soldiers should not be forced to go on confidential assignments with nonAmerican “soldiers” who may well be Muslim extremists underneath their American provided uniform. In Israel, the same thing happened back in 2000. Israeli soldiers were forced to go on “joint patrols” with “soldiers” of the Palestine Authority. There was one famous incident in which the PA “soldier” turned his American provided rifle on the Israeli soldiers and killed one. But how many American soldiers have to die to make the State Department striped pants boys happy?
IMHO, they are trying to make him look like one of them, so he would be harder to find, if being moved from A to B.
Smart move on their part.
It is still forced.
It also covers the entire body from neck and elbows down. They could have used a power drill on his kneecaps and we would never see it.
In fact I never saw his feet through the entire video.
In the Islamic fundamentalist/male-centric Pashtun culture, young boys and men legitimately serve to fulfill male needs, as members of the “defiling” female gender socially function only as child-bearing wombs.
The Pashtun warriors’ fireside camp circles are traditionally hallmarked by beautiful young men with lustrous eyes daubed in kohl and gracefully donned in swirling skirts for dancing entertainment.
Given his personal history, I would hazard that Pfc. Bergdahl was lured away from base on a nocturnal journey of “cultural exploration” by his three Afghan soldier pals.
Whether they enticed him away from the safety of his base in innocent amity or with malice aforethought, his folly led him straight into the arms of the Taliban via opportunistic capture or outright sale.
I’d suggest that at least initially, his apparent “collaboration” stems from personal shame at the cause and circumstances of his capture rather than coercion from the Taliban.
It is no wonder the military is po-facedly mum about the entire disastrously “no-win” situation.
Why would anyone put their family through something like this needlessly?
What does thios guy mean by “he is collaborating with the enemy”??? If he is being held by these savage butchers, I dont care what he is saying about the US. He is under duress of being slaughtered, beheaded etc. The characterization of this soldier as a liar, and a collaborator doesnt sit well with me at all, esepcially at this early time, when nobody knows what the hell happened.
This is getting uglier by the minute.
Doesn’t matter. He’s one of ours and we don’t leave anyone behind.
The first post of the day had it right. We get him home and sort things out later.
Wow…increasingly bizarre.
Damn it. I hope our men can get him out of there. Don’t believe this propaganda.
If the account of the e-mail is true, I think we could have a young man that has some mental problems. Anyone who thinks he is going to go to the mountains in a foreign country with hostile locals to “find himself” is very delusional. I think there is no way to tell if he is collaborating or not, there is no telling what is going through his mind right now. There is a great possibility that he needs some serious anti-dementia drugs. I hope the military finds him quickly and that he is alive and well. Only then can anyone sort these things out and get him the help he may need.
I’m not going to engage in harsh judgments. However, I would think there should be a means by which a soldier aware of troubles besetting him can go to his CO and obtain help and counseling without any disciplinary side effects, same as sick call. Publicizing such means might prevent these kind of incidents in the future and help maintain high morale through the knowledge that the unit is there for each member desiring to faithfully carry out his duties.
If the latest rumors are true then this guy deserves all he gets.
nbarry, there is. If he had sought help, he would have gotten it. The problem is, if this guy is delusional, then he is schizophrenic. Shcizophrenics think everyone else is crazy and they are perfectly sane and acting normally. 23 years old is typical starting age for males. If he is having episodes and just came down with it, then he is probably going in and out of the episode, only causing more confusion on his part. If this is the case, this story is very sad.
nbarry, those systems exist and were briefed to every soldier in the army, army reserve and guard early this year.
IF TRUE: This guy packed up a days food and water, 5 knives and went to the mountians (called the hindu killers for a reason)of Afgansitan in the middle of a war to “find himself”.
This would indicate his is massively, mindblowing stupid on a level that has few equals in the entire history of hummankind, OR, he is mentaly ill.
A little off topic, but what really pisses me off the most is…we should have defeated the taliban years ago when we had their leader in our sights and let him get away!!! Seriously, they were pretty much through, and we let their leader get away to re-group. Afghanistan and Pakistan are sewers and the taliban is killing more and more of our soldiers. Just in the last couple days we lost 5 Minnesotans (local boys). July was the highest casualty rate in Afghanisatan since the war began.
I just re-read my post and see I misspelled Afghanistan. I like my spelling better and am not going to correct it!
Interesting how some think he may be going crazy. That would explain him talking about things that don’t make sense (getting engaged to his girlfriend).
On another level – where is the outrage from the left who have been screaming about the rights of the Gitmo detainees?
Also, I hope that Obama or Hillary does not do anything foolish to get this American back…..which could pave the way for more kidnappings.
I’m with you. Even if the worst is true and he is a deserter that’s for us to punish, not a pack of medieval thugs.
The fact that he is telling lies about things that the family can verify tells me he may be doing it on purpose to let them know he is saying things against his will. I think he needs to be given the benefit of the doubt until more proof is forthcoming.
Just because he is a deserter, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get him back or that he wasn’t tortured. We should by all means do everything possiable to get this idiot back.Its bad however that good soldiers may die getting this one back.
The Obama Administration has already opened this can of worms for our soldiers.
I do pray for this American soldier. The Taliban should be very afraid of what is coming their way.
He can always get in touch with Alan Keyes if he is ever released and claim to be a loony Birther.
Also, if any of this turns out not to be true…people printing it are pretty much sh**heads.
Foolishness in all respects.
I heard it said on the news this a.m. that the Taliban won’t hurt him anyway. No, really. That’s what the idiot said.
You might also recall the story behind this photo, Flyman.
If any of the rumors are true, the young man is in a heap of trouble. I’d listen to military people that can smell a rat in their outfit quicker than a coon dog though.
As long as we’re kicking cans around the campfire in the dark, think how the Taliban could use this for PR, if they were smart. Suddenly, they’d be the benevolent ones, this young man has found himself in combat for a cause he no longer supports, or he’s seen the light and converted. Heck, talks might resume, and we’d rebuild their mudhuts or something? Win-win. If they execute him (shades of Danny Pearl)the world will be forced to say bad things about them. More men will die trying to extract him.
I pray he’s returned to his family and not found to have been compromised.
I meant to add:
Thinking that our pretender in D.C. is going to go to extraordinary measures to retrieve this young man – remember the captain held by the Somali pirates? How many calls did it take from our military to the W.H. to get permission to engage?
With a marxist/mohammedan in the Whitehouse it does not look promising.
Many years before 9/11 I knew we would get bit in the butt dealing with these pagans; if we are there it is a problem, if they are here it is a problem, buying oil from them is a problem. And having a marxist/mohammedan in the Whitehouse is a bigger problem yet.
God be with Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl and his family-but as we saw in Lebanon these things seldom end well-these pagans kill for the sheer joy of it-a screaming man bring joy to their evil little minds. Maybe the next jihadist attack will hit the Capitol and Whitehouse and we can start over–
just as long as it is mohammedans, preferably from Kenya and Indonesia.
Walked away into Taliban territory wearing his camos? Walked into a Taliban town and said hi? Doubtful.
Who said they saw him leave with 3 Afghans? Lemme see, guard on duty sees army soldier leaving base with 3 Afghans, but no body armor or gun? Doubtful.
Drinking? Liquor is hard to come by in Afghanistan even on the bases and more so on forward bases. Doubtful.
Lagged behind? Hey where did Pfc Bowe go to? I dunno. Doubtful.
I wish to convert to Islam. Probable but how did he leave the base?
Wow, just wow! Aren’t you disgusted and ashamed, ashamed of the Republican conservative smear machine? Watch it go to work on an American soldier captured by the enemy. Suddenly not only is it his fault, but he’s a deserter and should be shot.
* John McCain also made videos for the enemy & he’s a war hero.
* If the guy were trying to help the enemy, he could have said much more than that he misses his family.
Aren’t you ashamed of your inability to think rationally?
lgm – “If the guy were trying to help the enemy, he could have said much more than that he misses his family”
Oh, pray tell, how? Please give us chapter and verse of how a prisoner says what he wants or hopes.
I guess the Taliban doesn’t have any ability to edit what is broadcast to the world?
“John McCain also made videos”
Please lgm – share with us your war record and how you dealt with solidary confinement for months on end, beatings that broke every bone in your limbs, and how it has made you into the person you are today.
Your rhetoric is getting very old.
Anything is possible. However, I continue to pray for this young man and his family.
I agree….and disagree strongly with the mouthy Colonel sitting in his comfy chair.
Saying things are weird or don’t seem right is one thing, but concluding he is a collaborator or treasonous at this stage makes it no better than what Murtha did.
Oh, Com’n, 24KLady, If there’s anyone who has expert-level experience in giving aid and comfort to America’s enemies it’s lgm (or any Dem, for that matter)!
A base in a warzone is more designed to keep people out than to keep people in, T-Bone.
Isn’t it cute how LGM finally has some concern for a soldier?
Huh…
I would have thought that good journalism would mandate that differing viewpoints should be reported. You know…minds kept open to information in an arena where the story remains fluid, murky, and fraught with very different scenarios…
How is reportage a “smear machine”?
Hmmmmmm…..????
Well? Tell us your read on Mr. McCain’s service to our country, lgm. C’mon, be brave…from behind the anonymity of your keyboard.
And what evidence have we that he has not said much more?
Or said nothing more?
Huh? lgm has had his personal information and picture linked to (and mocked) dozens of times on this site. If you don’t know who lgm is in real life, or at least how to find out who he is, you are not paying attention.
Meanwhile, I notice your new website, starvethebeast.net, does not list your name or any personal identifying information anywhere. Which is fine. Probably concerned about potential negative consequences personally and professionally from your radical stance.
But don’t be so crass and hypocritical as to criticize others for hiding behind the veil of anonymity when you yourself do not seem to walk the walk.
lgm said:
Back so soon from your Chukchi Sea swim?
lgm: everyone here has said that we need to get him back then go from there. My view is that if the facts turn out that he deserted like is suggested, he is very stupid or mentaly ill.
You see the word “IF”??? Do you know what it means???
lgm,
I think that this post probably is the best example I can find of a bigotted comment.
Were there people on this thread advocating what you claim? In a way, yes. However, the majority of us have written or implied no such thing. If you read my posts on this thread, you certainly will see none of that.
Taking one bad example and blindly applying it to an entire group of people is bigotry, which you just did.
One black is lazy and another steals, so all blacks are just lazy no good thieves. One Jewish merchant overcharges, so all Jews are greedy.
lgm, rest assured I will respond to you directly based on your words and yours alone, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with you. Just because some Kos Kid or another poster on this thread writes something stupid, I will not apply their comments to you. I expect the same courtesy and respect from you.
I have no time for bigots; black, white, left, right, etc. There is no place for them in this country.
Yep. That would be me. Not paying attention. I know this will make very little sense to you, but I never thought to try to discover lgm’s identity.
I’m funny that way.
Nope, not true. This kind of thing can’t be done anonymously. My name is clearly tied to the movement. Whatever consequences ensue, I crossed that Rubicon some time ago.
One reason you won’t find my name published on the site is because it isn’t about me.
It makes perfect sense to me. But to accuse him of hiding behind anonymity is wrong. He used to link his handle to his personal webpage. Until, I suspect, he started getting harassed by people here. But to this day, folks will still link to it when they want to take cheap shots at him. Few posters have been more open with their real identity.
Where?
And I was supposed to know this by osmosis? One thing that TENDS to be true about the internet generally is that people are uncommonly nasty because they are anonymous. I would have no way of knowing there was a specific exception in lgm.
Use the response page on the web site. Don’t worry, I won’t dragoon you into the movement.
My apologies. Maybe I assumed you have been around here longer than you have.
Hah. That’s alright. I don’t really care about your real name. You will always be Rags to me
Awww… (Cyber-hug)
Can’t peak for whom you’re addressing there; but as for me, it’s not that I don’t pay attention – I just don’t care, Chappy!
However, I must note the terms “real life” and “lgm” in the same sentence seem somewhat contradictory.
All you guys are pretty funny. Either never having served in the military, and/or a combat situation. I know, I know, everyone is presumed innocent, blah, blah, blah. The facts given are clearly actions of a deserter. The only question remaining is how much effort should go into extracting the deserter? Should a braver soldier be killed trying to extract him?
The liberals hanging out here were likely appalled at the LtCol suggesting the Taliban should take care of him for us, and save us the legal fees to slap his hands. As far as I’m concerned, he has earned whatever fate he has coming.
I would hazard a guess that even some extremely conservative folks would differ with you, stacman. They may prefer that the UCMJ handle this rather than some behead-crazy psysco-Islamist lunatics, believing that Americans should be held to the American rules and standards of justice rather than kowtowing to the demands of insane sharia.
Under ordinary circumstances I might agree with you purplepeep, but these aren’t normal circumstances. This guy voluntarily walked away from the “American rules and standards of justice” to join the islamic lunatics who would prefer to behead him for a thrill. I can’t be compelled to feel sorry for this kid, nor would I order another soldier to risk life and limb to extract his sorry a$$ out of there. The motto of “no man left behind” ended when he left.
If the guy walked away from his post, deserted his fellow soldiers, he should be tried and shot.
Every single time LGM squeaks everybody drops any real discusion and spends the rest of the time discussing LGM’s looney postings. DON’T FEED THE TROLLS has been the #1 internet rule for years. Trolls are not so-called because they offer rational opposing points of view; the troll’s strategy is simply to END rational discussion of an issue by having their idiotic post become the new topic. It’s an need for attention thing. Let’s not play, folks!