Another week, another scandal

[RMHoward]

Yawn, America is becoming numb to the countless scandals. 

http://www.caintv.com/uh-oh-bergdahls-father-was-in

Whats it going to be next week? The destruction of America continues, just as planned.

[JeffreyS]

Yes I am sure America will soon be just a footnote in History. What are the conservatives going to do when Obama's term is over and America is still the greatest military force the world has ever known, the greatest economy the world has ever know, is still full of Christians going to church on Sunday, still leads the world in venture capitalists investing money in the best place to vest money and is still the shinning city on the hill.  Won't they hate that.

Now if you what to give up the dumb America is on the path to destruct pablum we can discuss the merits of leaving soldiers behind.

[finehoe]

Herman Cain is an expert on questionable trades:

Chicago Woman Claims Herman Cain Wanted Her to Trade Sex for Job

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fourth-woman-accuses-herman-cain-sexual-harassment/story?id=14896935

[Debbie Thompson]

Without taking sides yet, I think before we jump on sides, we should await the entire story.  I saw an interview on the news last night with a soldier who knew Bowe.  He called Bowe a deserter.  He said Bowe walked away from his post, leaving his gear and weapon behind. 

I think there is more to the story, and before we go cheering one "side" or the other, we should know "The Rest of the Story."  (With apologies to Paul Harvey.)

[BridgeTroll]

My side is taken.  Getting the POW (hostage) home is the correct thing to do.  One of our soldiers is easily worth 5 of those terrorists bastards.  We will probably "drone" them as soon as possible once set free in Afghanistan.  That said...

Our deserter soldier boy has some 'splainin to do.  He deserted his post... in wartime.  He was captured by the enemy.  At least two soldiers were killed and more than a few wounded during the immediate search for him.  I am glad he is free from the clutches of the Taliban... He now must face Military justice.

[fsquid]

yup

[Rob68]

Wouldnt these leaders that were released possibly lead us to some action some where?  This kid may have left his station but defecting im not sure about. Time will do the telling. The conservatives will try to negatively capitalize on anything the president does so their words mean nothing to me.

[RMHoward]

Yawn, America is becoming numb to the countless scandals. 

http://www.caintv.com/uh-oh-bergdahls-father-was-in

Whats it going to be next week? The destruction of America continues, just as planned.

Yeah, its terrible how badly the 'conservatives' hate our soldiers.
I guess we should have left our guy behind as a POW.  That would have been the right thing to do according to the angry hateful old men who are feeling this so called 'outrage'..

That way there wouldn't be any health care costs for him, and the other side could provide for him RM Howard.

Don't you have any shame?  Don't you think this attack on getting our man back is repulsive on your part?  Or do you just not care about how bad this makes you sound?

Haha Stephey.  I am far beyond caring what you think.  While you were perfecting your world view in the comfort of the Avondale Starbucks and badmouthing Reagan, Bush, and every other Republican, I was one of them soldiers for 22 years.  Not bragging, just saying.  I know whats going on in the military.  So spare me your attempt at assigning guilt and shame.  Will the cool ade of this president ever become too sour for even you to stomach?  Somehow I doubt it.  BTW, as far as being an old man, I believe we are both in our mid 40s, no?

[vicupstate]

Without taking sides yet, I think before we jump on sides, we should await the entire story.  I saw an interview on the news last night with a soldier who knew Bowe.  He called Bowe a deserter.  He said Bowe walked away from his post, leaving his gear and weapon behind. 

I think there is more to the story, and before we go cheering one "side" or the other, we should know "The Rest of the Story."  (With apologies to Paul Harvey.)

+1,000

We can never let the facts come out. It makes us look foolish in the progress and does unearned harm to many.

I also agree with Rob68, I read that he left his body armor at the camp. If he left with a compass and the clothes on his back, he was either mentally unstable or trying to commit suicide.
   

[NotNow]

I don't know that this prisoner swap is a "scandal" yet.  It is obvious that the President did not comply with the law (that he signed).  He will not suffer any consequences for that action though.  As for the status of the soldier and the logic of the swap, this appears to be another example of incompetence.  The soldier appears to be headed for at least public controversy and possibly a court martial, while the released prisoners will go back to jihad. 

Mr. Obama will not face another election.  His actions in these last few years of power will define his Presidency.

[finehoe]

It is obvious that the President did not comply with the law

What law are you referring to?

[NotNow]

http://www.westernjournalism.com/wh-violated-federal-law-prisoner-exchange/#!

The President has since stated the he was justified in violating this law because of the imperative nature of the deal and that he believes he has the Constitutional authority to make such a swap, despite the fact that he signed the law about a year ago. 

[finehoe]

http://www.westernjournalism.com/wh-violated-federal-law-prisoner-exchange/#!

The President has since stated the he was justified in violating this law because of the imperative nature of the deal and that he believes he has the Constitutional authority to make such a swap, despite the fact that he signed the law about a year ago.

I don't know what's so obvious about it.  While Obama and his diplomats made the deal on their own (in line with his powers as commander-in-chief), it's not true that he left Congress out of the picture. He briefed a group of senators in January 2012, when a deal first seemed in the offing.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/06/bowe_bergdahl_and_negotiating_with_the_taliban_why_the_deal_to_free_this.html

[fsquid]

Some on the right call this illegal. Now it may well be, but there are all sorts of things that our President can, should and does do that could often be considered illegal...

The problem NOW is that we are arguing over whether or not this is illegal, and of course few of us are SCOTUS judges so our opinions mean little... and what we AREN'T arguing over is whether or not it is 'right' or 'smart'... and opinions there can have an impact.

The media and the left focuses on the easily defended argument that few are making that this is illegal, often restating arguments to reflect this unstated (and non-factual) position, and ignores the much more difficult to defend argument that this was 'right'.

[NotNow]

Some on the right call this illegal. Now it may well be, but there are all sorts of things that our President can, should and does do that could often be considered illegal...

The problem NOW is that we are arguing over whether or not this is illegal, and of course few of us are SCOTUS judges so our opinions mean little... and what we AREN'T arguing over is whether or not it is 'right' or 'smart'... and opinions there can have an impact.

The media and the left focuses on the easily defended argument that few are making that this is illegal, often restating arguments to reflect this unstated (and non-factual) position, and ignores the much more difficult to defend argument that this was 'right'.

There is no doubt that the law was broken.  A law signed by the President last year.  Personally, I think that the law encroaches upon the power of the Executive branch to wage war, and I would like to see it overturned.  The correct way to handle this would be to take such a dilemma to the Supreme Court to decide the Constitutionality of the law, or to overturn the law in Congress.  But I can understand the Presidents argument for the timing of the release and I would only argue that notification of certain members of Congress would have mitigated at least some of the opposing voices.  As I have previously stated, President Obama will not suffer any legal consequences from this action.

I can't say that I agree with this statement "but there are all sorts of things that our President can, should and does do that could often be considered illegal... ", but I will assume that fsquid really meant "bending" the law, not breaking it.

Whether this decision was "right" or "smart" will be decided over the next year or so.  The public is not privy to the options that were available for the return of this soldier, so it is impossible for us to make an intelligent judgement at this point.

Just my 2 cents...