Alright, lets get some things straight here. Until the evidence is tried in a military court, and Bergdahl is tried in a military court; neither the evidence or what his fellow platoon mates say will mean much of anything. However, if we wanted to consider the evidence and the testimony of his fellow platoon mates, or his actions leading up to his alleged desertion, we need to focus on two things, his capture, and release:
June 27, 2009: Bergdahl sends a final e-mail to his parents, indicating that he was "ashamed to be an American."
June 30, 2009: Bergdahl is captured by Taliban insurgents after allegedly lagging behind in a patrol.
A few days later, according to Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, on the night and day of his capture, Bergdahl crawled away from the base, seeking talks with the Taliban. His (Buetow's) unit intercepted radio chatter indicating that he wished to do so. Bergdahl allegedly leaves a note behind that night indicating he wished to 'lead a new life.' Two days ago Nathan Bradley Bethea, a member of Bergdahl's battalion wrote an article in the Daily Beast that there had been no patrol on the night of his capture. A Pentagon investigation of Bergdahl's capture in 2010 reveals that he walked away from his unit. The US Military chooses not to exert any effort in pursuit.
Bowe Bergdahl 'Sought Taliban Talks': Former Team Leader - Business Insider
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/u...idaho-pow-vanished-angered-his-unit.html?_r=0
We Lost Soldiers in the Hunt for Bergdahl, a Guy Who Walked Off in the Dead of Night - The Daily Beast
U.S. concluded in 2010 that Bergdahl walked away
On May 31, 2014, after negotiations with the Taliban, Bergdahl is released in exchange for five high profile Taliban combatants. From then on, a firestorm begins to brew over how the Obama Administration procured his release. That afternoon, Obama holds a surprise press conference in the Rose Garden. Attending is Bowe's father, Robert and his mother. Most notably here is Robert, who has noticeably grown a long beard. In his statements he is heard speaking in the Pashto language. Three days earlier, he releases a tweet he later deletes:
Speculation now swirls that Robert is an Islamic sympathizer, further raising suspicions that Bowe not only deserted his unit, but may have been collaborating with the Taliban. According to Fox News, a source familiar with the DoD confirmed that there is a considerable file on Bergdahl, and that there had been mounting concerns that Bergdahl may committed treason.
Sources: Intelligence community investigated Bergdahl?s conduct | Fox News
Given what we know now, Bergdahl can be tried for desertion. The Pentagon has already investigated and concluded that he committed a violation of Article 85 of the UCMJ. Now, Obama is facing a bipartisan firestorm for allegedly breaking the law to release the 5 men in exchange for Bergdahl and this has all the makings of a scandal. But I must contend, this evidence is nothing but speculative until tried and tested in a court of law. I ask you to consider these facts before jumping to any conclusions, as I have so often been told over the past couple of days.
(Note to the Moderators: if this is deemed a similar thread to the other two, please feel free to merge them. Thank you.)
