The Troops are coning home for the Holidays

[henryclay]

MOST of the troops will be home for the Holidays.

But one in particular won't be. Taliban forces captured Idaho born Sgt. Bowie Bergdahlm of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment while he was on patrol in Afghanistan in June, 2009.

Over the course of the last two and a half years, the Taliban has posted multiple videos, including one released just this month, showing Bergdahl alive. News reports surfaced just days ago that Bergdahl, having gained the trust of his captors, even attempted an escape. According to reports, Bergdahl evaded his jailers for three days before being captured once again.

Perhaps most disturbing is that even as this story hit "some" of our American airways, Commander In Chief Barack Obama has had NO COMMENT on the story. No assurances to the family that their son would be returned, no guarantees to American Soldiers that we will never leave a man behind.

Nothing.

Silence.

Instead, Obama has made a big deal over his "Home for the Holidays" campaign to wind down Middle East operations.

This display of indolence toward our youngest and bravest is just one more reason we need a new president.

[Deleted]

I pray they are doing something to free him. I can't imagine what his poor family has been feeling.

[Tennesseer]

Henryclay-I am sure when President Obama has some news he will call you first before he holds a press conference. In the mean time who knows what is going on behind the scene. You don't nor do I. Few thought we would ever find and then capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. But the U.S. did.


This American soldier came home but not the way his family had hoped:

8 soldiers charged in death of fellow serviceman

(CNN) -- Eight U.S. soldiers have been charged in connection with the October death of a fellow soldier in Afghanistan, the Army said Wednesday.

Pvt. Danny Chen, 19, was found dead in a guard tower, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Chen's family says that until they see the autopsy results themselves, they cannot confirm or deny it was suicide.

The eight officers and enlisted servicemen face various charges, including dereliction of duty, making false statements, maltreatment and involuntary manslaughter, the Army said in a statement.

The Army did not specify what alleged acts by the soldiers resulted in the charges, which were filed Wednesday.

But in correspondence with his family before his death, Chen complained of harassment by his fellow soldiers.

At a candlelight vigil for Chen held in Manhattan last week, his brother, Banny Chen, read from a letter the soldier had sent to his family.

"They ask if I'm from China a few times a day. They also called out my name, 'Chen,' in a goat-like voice sometimes for no reason. No idea how it started, but it's just best to ignore it."

The Chen family told The New York Times in October that officials said that Chen had suffered physical abuse and ethnic slurs by superiors, including an incident in which he was dragged out of bed and across the floor for failing to turn off a water heater after showering.

In its announcement, the Army makes no mention of the harassment allegations, but states, "As the legal process continues, further information will be published as it becomes available."

The charges stem from "conduct that occurred in the time leading up to (Chen's) death," an Army official familiar with details of the investigation told CNN. He declined to be identified because the military criminal investigation remains ongoing.

www.cnn.com/2011/12/21/justice/soldiers-charged/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

[henryclay]

You are "sure" of too much, Tenneesseer. I don't spend my time wondering or waiting for a call from Obama about his up-coming news conferences. And if he did, my response would be for him to try it without a teleprompter.

As for the 8 people charged in the loss of Private Chen, I have every confidence in the military justice system, , , ,as long as they leave the civilian prosecutors out. There are plenty of military lawyers to get the job done, and have it done right without having political wannabee civilian lawyers making a circus out of any more cases. The Haditha case and Lt. Pantano's 10 year test of integrity was enough.

The 8 are all innocent for the time being. If they are found not to be innocent of the charges against them, there will be plenty of opportunity to bully and prod their future bunkmates. But it'll be in a military prison where bullies are dealt with by bigger bullies.

[Deleted]

Instead, Obama has made a big deal over his "Home for the Holidays" campaign to wind down Middle East operations.

Sorry but I'm thinking that Obama is making a big deal out of "Home before the Election".

This display of indolence toward our youngest and bravest is just one more reason we need a new president.

Sorry but I have to disagree with this one. The U.S. almost never comments on POW's & they shouldn't be commented on before they are recovered. To assign importance to an individual is to place him in even more danger. Obama would be right in his actions if that's why he's doing this. On the other hand he is a serving member of the armed services so I doubt that Obama cares one way or another.

Oh & I totally disagree that this thread should have been moved. I think that this action by Obama is 99.999% motivated by an election coming up & only has 0.001% to do with the military. This should have been left where it was.

[mmhmm]

Fraid not, oldtex. Just because a poster sticks a politician's name in a post doesn't make the post about politics. This one is about the military and finds its place in "All Things Military" ... whether, or not you agree.

[cereb]

"Sorry but I have to disagree with this one. The U.S. almost never comments on POW's & they shouldn't be commented on before they are recovered. To assign importance to an individual is to place him in even more danger. Obama would be right in his actions if that's why he's doing this."


Bingo, and thanks for at least being honest about it. I find it unlikely that the POTUS doesn't give a shit about our service personnel. The FLOTUS spends a great deal of her time with troops and injured service men and women. Remarks like that are just hateful for no purpose.

[gavinsnana]

I am very glad that our Military is coming home. God Bless them all.

[Deleted]

I find it unlikely that the POTUS doesn't give a shit about our service personnel. The FLOTUS spends a great deal of her time with troops and injured service men and women. Remarks like that are just hateful for no purpose.

I said: On the other hand he is a serving member of the armed services so I doubt that Obama cares one way or another.

cereb sorry but that's the way I feel. I have never heard more than lip servos from liberals about anything military & of course their constant references about cutting the military. No side comment about cutting it but still keeping it strong or anything like that.

To a certain extent cutting the military results in dead military members. Here's an interesting fact. In WWII our tanks ran if they had a 3 to 1 advantage over the German tanks (more if it was a tiger). A 5 to 1 advantage was a possible win situation (with 4 of ours being killed). During desert storm in tank to tank combat we killed 200 & lost 4 (to other tanks). That's what your tax dollars pays for...saving American lives. Understand both political parties use the military (Obama has proven that) but only the republicans want to make it the strongest military in the world & keep it that way. Democrats in their typical way want to create a problem at sometime in the future (by making it weak) & then address the problem after a bunch of GI's are dead.

Maybe part of the perception problem is the lack of democrat plans for paying the stuff they want. All you hear is take from the rich & cut the military. Neither of those "solutions" will come up with enough money to further democrat dreams. I believe that their aim is to pass the programs & then use the shortage of money to justify their real aims which is the conversion of the U.S. government into full blown socialism.