In relation to Bowe Bergdahl, Obama has said many times since the swap “We don’t leave men and women in uniform behind”, or something to that tune. He even doubled down by adding “We don’t condition that.†Of course, the issue isn’t Bergdahl, but a failure to notify Congress and, #1, trading 5 high ranking Taliban members for him. But, what of another man in uniform?
(The Hill) The White House rejected comparisons Monday between Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, freed earlier this month by the Taliban, and a U.S. Marine currently being held by the authorities in Mexico.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he thought it was necessary to “draw a distinction” between Bergdahl, who went missing years ago in Afghanistan, and Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who accidentally crossed into Mexico on March 31 while in possession of loaded firearms.
“Sergeant Bergdahl was being held by the Taliban, who is engaged in an armed conflict with the United States and coalition forces,” Earnest said. “And so what was conducted to free Sergeant Bergdahl was a prisoner exchange. And this is something that has been part of winding down armed conflicts for centuries.”
Republicans have criticized Obama for working to engineer the release of Bergdahl while Tahmooressi remains imprisoned.
“It’s ironic that we can deal with the Taliban and get an American soldier released, but we can’t get a Marine across the border released,†Rep. Ted Poe. (R-Texas) told 1080-KRLD in Dallas.
And, of course, we get
Earnest said Obama was “certainly concerned” about Tahmooressi’s fate, but referred questions about diplomatic efforts to free him — and the administration’s confidence in the Mexican judicial system — to the Defense and State departments.
The Typical Obama Administration Deflection, “check with That Department”. But, hey, Obama was “certainly concerned”. Of course, Team Obama apparently doesn’t think they can use Tahmooressi for political gain. The fact that this could earn Team Obama some nice brownie points has missed their minds.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
The fact of the matter is that the US is not very good at getting their men back. Korea is a good example of a number of men left behind.
Sgt. Bergdahl was a POW.
Tahmooressi was arrested in Mexico breaking their laws. That he is also a Marine reservist is irrelevant to his case. He was not on a mission.
That you don’t understand this is pathetic.
Jeff,
I don’t understand, why don’t you explain the difference. I have a considerable amount of military knowledge with numerous relatives in the service. They have no use for Bergdahl, especially with his actions resulting in the deaths of soldiers. The man should be face justice (of course Obama should as well). But one thing that can easily be said is that he did not service with honor.
First, he was not a POW. POW is a term used to indicate soldiers of a defined state military holding enemy soldiers so that they may not fight on the battlefield. And are afforded decent and fair treatment. POW’s are also released AFTER wars are over. Not during.
J, as you consider Bergdahl a POW, do you also consider the people we have in Guantanamo POWs as well? Might explain your affection for radical islam.
And, this was not a regular prisoner exchange as we’ve never had a “regular prisoner exchange” before during a war. And, we’ve never ever condoned supporting our enemies, aiding terrorists, and re-supplying the enemy’s ranks with their top generals.
But, this does confirm that Obama is trying to “wind down” this war on terror. His actions have give parts of Iraq back over to al-Queda. Afghanistan was never really freed from Taliban’s control and al-Queda has now moved in. Corruption still runs rampant there. And now Pakistan is roiling with growing al-Queda terror.
“winding down”? not so much.
Same as exchanging Eddie Slovik for the top Nazi brass before the Bulge.
Yeah, am betting Eisenhower wouldn’t even think of doing that. Tried, convicted and executed for desertion.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-execution-of-eddie-slovik-is-authorized
Never heard of him before. But reads almost exactly like Bergdahl.
“That you don’t understand this is pathetic.”
Bergdahl was NOT a POW,
HE JOINED THE TALIBAN…His own father is a jihadi radical!
But you are such a profound imbecile that this is beyond your understanding…MORON!