The NY Times appraises the impact of the Veterans Administration debacle on Obama:
For a president who came to office hoping to restore public faith in government as a force for good in society, the mess at the Department of Veterans Affairs threatens to undercut his reputation for effectiveness.
"Threatens to undercut his reputation for effectiveness"? What about "Cements his reputation for ineffectiveness", which is really the theme of the rest of the piece:
But [the VA problem] also underscored the more fundamental danger to Mr. Obama as he once again finds himself on the defensive over issues of basic management of the federal government.
...
And combined with the health care affair, it calls into question Mr. Obama’s mastery of the government he oversees.
“The conclusion that people are drawing now is that he’s inept and can’t govern his way out of a paper bag,” said Peter H. Wehner, a former adviser to President George W. Bush. “If this happened in isolation, that might be different. But the fact that this comes after so many other mistakes just makes it that much harder.”
For Mr. Obama, it raises again a comparison that vexes his aides: Mr. Bush’s mishandling of Hurricane Katrina, which did lasting damage to the public’s faith in his effectiveness. Once a perception sets in, it is immensely difficult for a president to change it, especially in the second term, as Mr. Bush found.
Obviously, Katrina didn't happen in a vacuum; by late 2005 the haphazard planning for the post-liberation of Iraq had been revealed as near-criminal. I think Katrina, like the VA, reinforced rather than created an image of ineptitude (Of course, I am setting aside the fact that the VA was in Obama's hands while Katrina required a combined response from Bush, a Democratic governor, and a Democratic mayor.)
On Saturday, President Obama recalled how he may have suffered concussions from boxing as a teen. "I used to have a really mean undercut," he said while throwing an air punch for reporters.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | May 31, 2014 at 02:53 PM
I Know Why The Caged Crickett Doesn't Sing
In less than 20 generations, a mutation that leaves male (crickets) unable to sing spread to over 90% of the crickets on the island of Kauai.
"[It] appears to be the blink of an eye in evolutionary time...
...killer flies have an unusual ability to pinpoint a cricket's location using sound...
To hide themselves from deadly flies, crickets on two Hawaiian islands have evolved an inability to sing.
Because they are mute, these "flatwing" male crickets are hidden from the parasitoid flies and escape being eaten by maggots. That triumph comes at a cost, however, since finding a mate is tricky without a voice. The silent types loiter near the few males still singing away, and intercept females for themselves.
Sounds like something to chirp about.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 02:59 PM
CH,
I see where Terry Pluto has bascially given up on Josh Gordon.
Jonny Football hasn't even kissed the dog pound yet:)
Posted by: Jack is Back! | May 31, 2014 at 03:02 PM
Always great to see you Soylent. I agree about Romney but Obama doesn't have it in him. He'd rather appoint the Taliban than a republican.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 03:03 PM
"It could be a huge win if Obama could bring him home," says a senior administration official familiar with the negotiations.
I am with you Soylent. This analysis is premature and juvenile, but the fact that an even bigger target was just placed on the backs of you and your American brothers in arms over there is an undeniable reality.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 03:06 PM
I certainly agree with Miss Marple about NO and Katrina. That's the way I remember the molding and coordination of the dems' message. I bet we won't hear anyone saying "Heckuva job, Shinseki!"
Exasperated @ 12:47 -
IMHO Romney ended up being painted more a shmo than a putz and Obama is a certified goniff and shnorrer.
Posted by: Frau Steingehirn | May 31, 2014 at 03:16 PM
From Powerline: The Most Epically Hypocritical Democratic Party Smear Ever! This is one for The Record Books.
Harry Reid speaks a hundred or so times and his minions react. Obama blasts Citizens United in the SOTU and his minions at the IRS react. See the pattern?
Posted by: Jack is Back! | May 31, 2014 at 03:16 PM
Seems to me the immediate lessons is this:
#We'll give Boko Haram anything they want to
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 03:16 PM
Steve-style...
BREAKING: Sudan to free Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy
It must have been Michelle's hashtag that did the trick.
Wait. What?
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | May 31, 2014 at 03:19 PM
daddy and Soylent,
Remember they were talking about the 2012 elections not this years. But think about how callus it was to make the negotiation with terrorists seem to be a winner for Obama.
The most political national security apparatus ever assembled even compariing to LBJ's lunch room war plans department.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | May 31, 2014 at 03:20 PM
Anybody in the executive branch who places a call to that judge would have to be crazy.
Posted by: Danube on iPad | May 31, 2014 at 03:26 PM
I've read several accounts that say the announcement they are freeing that woman should not be believed.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 03:26 PM
Soylent, where you at these days? Email me. We need a beer summit.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | May 31, 2014 at 03:26 PM
OK, headed up nk and jimmy k's way soon. If y'all's schedules accommodate maybe we can do a Yankee vs Southern drawl beer summit.
Hit has my email and I am going to text our windy city friend where we are staying. I am assuming he can reach you from a previous beer summit lunch. This has turned into more of a college tour than intended but at least we will cover that island very well between now and the 6th.
Posted by: rse | May 31, 2014 at 03:34 PM
"It could be a huge win if Obama could bring him home,"
Yep JiB,
And just yesterday we had Hillary criticizing Republicans and saying she would not be a part of something like playing politics with our troops.
Kettle, pot, etc.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 03:38 PM
Wow, I take a nap, wake up and Soylent shows up. What a pleasant surprise.
Posted by: pagar | May 31, 2014 at 03:39 PM
My caddy, yesterday, at rest:)
With that its goede nacht, slaap lekker en tot's morgen.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | May 31, 2014 at 03:47 PM
Hi, Soylent Red!
I also am redoubling my efforts on Marple Manor, which is my own vision of St. Mary Meade. Those who do not ascribe to my vision of a country yeomanry, independent and conservative, are not allowed to enter.
I spend a lot of time trying to outwit the machinations of the federal machine. Today I went to the grocery and with a coupon for $18 off from Kroger, along with 2 other Kroger money off coupons, saved 20 dollars on a $270 order. Because I shopped on the weekend, I got double fuel points. which will take money off each gallon of gas in a fueling. And because I used my Huntington Bank card, I got triple points on my grocery purchases. This is my effort to use money via coupons which cannot yet be taxed.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 03:53 PM
Clarice's colleague at AM Thinker, Thomas Lifson, has up a good story detailing how a head Eco-Scientist, responsible for coming up with the numbers of Polar Bears remaining in the wild, just made his numbers up out of thin air: Scientist confesses he made up polar bear population estimates
It is important to realize that this range never has been an estimate of total abundance in a scientific sense, but simply a qualified guess given to satisfy public demand...Consequently, there is either no, or only rudimentary, knowledge to support guesses about the possible abundance of polar bears in approximately half the areas they occupy. Thus, the range given for total global population should be viewed with great caution as it cannot be used to assess population trend over the long term.”
That Endangered Polar Bear meme is what Obama used to lock up 585,000 square miles of Alaskan Ocean territory from Oil Drilling.
Related, just to show that these Eco-guys aren't saints anymore than the rest of us, just yesterday we had the sentencing up here of a Washington State Beluga Biologist, who got drunk and drove at high speeds for 14 miles the wrong way down the Glen High-Way, before slamming head on into a local Policeman, who is now in permanent pain and has had to retire from the Police force on permanent disability.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 03:55 PM
Anotated:
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | May 31, 2014 at 03:55 PM
Also, Soylent Red, I am aware of how the media keeps eople running hither and yon to the latest outrage of the day.
One morning I was watching Fox and Friends and because Alyson Kamerada wasn't very good at it, I suddenly became aware that their "banter" was scripted. How depressing. I no longer watch it unless there is an interview I want to see.
I think most of the news channels are scripted kabuki theater. I am weary of being treated like a moron. This is why I am here, rather than posting on a Fox site.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 03:56 PM
Obama finally found a place to send some of the boys from Gitmo. He would have made a 10-1 trade if they would have taken them.
If you are looking at this a the rescue of an American, you are missing the point.
Posted by: MarkO | May 31, 2014 at 04:00 PM
MarkO,
A good question to ask is why this took 5 years.
I say that they were holding the exchange until closer to the election, as evidenced by the Obama creep who said it was a political win.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 04:03 PM
To close Gitmo, Obama has to relocate the inmates. This was perfect for him. Dangerous for Americans overseas, but Obama has bodyguards.
Posted by: MarkO | May 31, 2014 at 04:09 PM
FOIA with regards to when the Taliban offered to exchange for prisoners in Gitmo.
I would bet it was several years ago.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 04:10 PM
I really miss Jay Carney.
How will the republic survive?
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | May 31, 2014 at 04:16 PM
Steingehirn 3:16 pm - That, too. ;)
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 04:22 PM
I suppose the plus side about the prisoner exchange, is now that there will only be 145 Terrorists at Gitmo, they will get even better care from the 100 doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel assigned to them. Allah be praised!
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 04:24 PM
Do you mean, Miss Marple, that our fearless preezy was saving this "card" for
a rainythe perfect day?Are we to think he did not prevent vets from dying while waiting to see a doctor, but he *has* brought home our last hostage?
Posted by: Frau Steingehirn | May 31, 2014 at 04:25 PM
Miss M, if you get bored with Marple Manor I have plenty of
north woods hunting lodgecountry manor that needs vision. Or at least a new transmission belt for the mower, the current belt had the decency to fail right by the barn so I didn't have to push 1/2 mile before finding a parts list on the net. Unfortunately that frees time for weeding gardens.Posted by: henry | May 31, 2014 at 04:28 PM
"I used to have a really mean undercut," he said while throwing an air punch for reporters.
His wife still has a really mean underbite.
#YouCanAffordAnOrthodontist
Posted by: Soylent Red | May 31, 2014 at 04:38 PM
Well, I am footnote to bibliography hopping on all these books I was not familiar with on the future of Marxism written in the 90s are generally too expensive now for me to buy used. That's really not a good sign.
Plus one from 1993, Marxism Recycled, came back into print in October 2009. Can't imagine why there's still so much demand.
Posted by: rse | May 31, 2014 at 04:43 PM
"I used to have a really mean undercut. But, alas, I threw and still throw a baseball like a sissy. Nobody knows why."
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 04:46 PM
Anybody in the executive branch who places a call to that judge would have to be crazy.
Maybe Jay Carney could just drop by the Judge's Office for a chat.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 04:49 PM
henry, I am an older lady, so cannot do a lot of yard stuff. What I do is sell antiques and collectible on eBay so that I have enough money to hire good old Geraldo, a Mexican, and his buddies.
They come and weed, mulch, edge, and trim all of the flower beds I put in when I was a lot younger. I am happy to pay them because they do not whine.
As far as I can determine, they are legal workers because they were brought in on visas through the company they work for during the week, doing work for apartment complexes.
Marple Manor looks pretty good right now, and it is paid for by me being the Fred Sanford of Greenwood, Indiana.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 04:50 PM
PS to henry:
My husband doesn't do ANY of this stuff, because he is in Ghana doing engineering work at a gold mine, which is paying him well.
This is not exactly how we envisioned our years at retirement, but we do not give up.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 04:52 PM
RSE,
I still am encouraging you guys to make a stop at Fraunce's Tavern down towards the Battery and Wall Street, scene of George Washington's Farewell Address. Very worth while if you have an open afternoon to kill.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 04:53 PM
There is some question of whether the rescued soldier was AWOL when he was kidnapped. At this point what difference does it make? but Pete Hethseg (or however it is spelled made a pretty big point of it.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 04:54 PM
Did Obama the ex-boxer call it an undercut? It's an upper-cut, at least in boxing.
Posted by: Extraneus | May 31, 2014 at 04:54 PM
Remember they were talking about the 2012 elections not this years.
Thanks Jack, I was posting without having done catch-up. I still think this puts a huge new premium on kidnapping our soldiers in harms way.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 04:56 PM
He was known as Barry "The Body" O in those days.
Posted by: Extraneus | May 31, 2014 at 04:57 PM
Jane,
Yes, there is some question about this, since accounts said he "wandered off." WHY would you wander off a base in Afghanistan?
Also, parents look odd, as the mother is in a long dress and father has a huge beard and long hair. Not trying to be judgmental, but backgrounds of all involved should be investigated.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 04:57 PM
Here you go, daddy. Straight from the mouth of Paul Watson, one of the fathers of environmental terrorism:
Another way to work for change:
LUN
Posted by: Frau Umweltganoven | May 31, 2014 at 04:57 PM
How soon we forget Popular Mechanics ' assessment of the government response to Katrina.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/natural-disasters/2315076
Posted by: herdgadfly | May 31, 2014 at 04:58 PM
Who wouldn't give nearly everything to have been in a fistfight with Obama in high school?
Posted by: MarkO | May 31, 2014 at 04:58 PM
Romney or any other Republican would be a fool to accept an appointment to head the VA.
Posted by: Extraneus | May 31, 2014 at 04:59 PM
--I have plenty of north woods
hunting lodgecountry manor that needs vision. --I won't make claims to having vision, but I'd sure like to be on the wait list for that anyway. It sounds wonderful.
Posted by: AliceH | May 31, 2014 at 05:00 PM
daddy-that does look like fun. Part of the reason we are doing this is dad has dementia and my mom wanted help and something for him to look forward to.
Diva's dance recital went on forever Thursday night yet when we spoke yesterday he sounded brighter than I have heard his voice in a long time. He has a trip coming up and is perky about the upcoming adventure.
Posted by: rse | May 31, 2014 at 05:00 PM
MarkO, I would pay cash money to be in a fistfight with him right now.
I bet I would win, even though I am a grandma.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 05:00 PM
Ext @ 4:54 -
racist!
The dems get all the tough guys: Barry the Body, Harry Below the Belt and Sucker Punch Franken.
Posted by: Frau Umweltganoven | May 31, 2014 at 05:02 PM
MM,
You would win. My grandma could outride me. Moreover, you rock.
Posted by: MarkO | May 31, 2014 at 05:06 PM
"Romney or any other Republican would be a fool to accept an appointment to head the VA."
Hagel? I realize he is presently doing a boffo job in taming China.
Posted by: Frau Umweltganoven | May 31, 2014 at 05:09 PM
MissM, maybe the Scottish part of my ancestry, but I do the grunt work myself saving on gym fees as well as the odd peso. The questions are what to plant where, and which green thing is the weed?
AliceH, visitors are welcome.
Posted by: henry | May 31, 2014 at 05:10 PM
Thanks for that Frau,
Illuminating but unfortunately not surprising.
Here is one of many old articles about us suing the Feds for saying the Polar Bears are threatened and locking up our drilling territory. I do have to make a correction, they only locked up 187,000 Square Miles an area larger than California, not 587,000 square miles.
Alaska files suit against feds over polar bear habitat status
Naturally we lost that lawsuit. The guy who provided the bogus number of 20,000 to 25,000 bears did so in 2005, shortly before the designation and our initial lawsuits.
Off for Driving Lessons. Cheers. Hope we don't meet any Beluga Biologists on the Highway.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 05:12 PM
henry, I also did all the stuff until about 5 years ago. I am also a Scot.
That is why I figured out a way to pay for others to do it, since a pin in my leg and a bad hip make it really hard for me to do a lot of digging and such.
I wish I could still do it, because I LIKED working outside and moving plants, weeding, etc. But I cannot. So I figured out a way to still keep the yard looking good without winding up in the hospital.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 05:15 PM
Going to the iPad. Comments will be slower. Will check in.
Posted by: Miss Marple | May 31, 2014 at 05:21 PM
"There is some question of whether the rescued soldier was AWOL when he was kidnapped."
Haven't we heard this before?
"After telling his parents he was “ashamed to even be an American,” Sgt. Bergdhal will have a lot of explaining to do."
LUN
Posted by: pagar | May 31, 2014 at 05:27 PM
"After telling his parents he was “ashamed to even be an American,” Sgt. Bergdhal will have a lot of explaining to do."
And yet ........., and yet, he was promoted to sergeant, reminiscent of Major Hassan. And President Obama, for that matter! The Peter Principle gone mad. Mad, I say.
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 05:40 PM
Jane-
Yea it would be a surprise a young guy might have been duped into going off base for a few hours. He was never declared AWOL and the Pentagon had him listed as missing for a few days until the propaganda videos gave proof of life at which time they changed his status to prisoner/captured. The young man had had less than a year in the Army and was a PFC at the time of his capture. I think it is unfair to him and his unit to start throwing around "AWOL" or it is somehow "his fault" that he got into the jam he did.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 05:40 PM
But it seems to have knocked the VA scandal off of the blogs, IMO. My guess is that was an intended part of the deal. IMO, it is backfiring and the regime would have been better off without a new scandal.
"U.S. officials stress that the transfer, if it occurs, will be done in accordance with U.S. law, which requires Congress to be notified before any detainees are moved from Guantanamo."
LUN
Posted by: pagar | May 31, 2014 at 05:41 PM
Exasperated-
Standard practice for those captured and still alive in a war zone.
So we are ready to pass judgment on a young man based on a few Taliban propaganda videos and excerpts of private, unconfirmed emails published in Rolling Stone magazine.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 05:53 PM
Standard practice for those captured and still alive in a war zone.
Really?
Then Bradley Manning can be expecting a few promotions?
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 06:06 PM
Manning has been convicted at a General Court Martial.
Army policy on captured, mia, pow
http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/POW__MIA_Entitlements.html?serv=147
>>>POW personnel continue to be considered for promotion along with their contemporaries. Policy provides for each missing or captured officer/enlisted member to be considered for promotion to the next higher grade when they are eligible. The eligibility for officers is based on the date of rank in their current grade. For enlisted members, eligibility is based on time in grade and time in service.<<<
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:19 PM
Exasperated-
I also find your comparison of his situation to Manning loathsome and grossly unfair.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:21 PM
"mother is in a long dress and father has a huge beard and long hair"
Idaho.
Posted by: Danube on iPad | May 31, 2014 at 06:23 PM
I can't tell you how much that upsets me.
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 06:25 PM
didn't you mention some religious sect in that part of the world DoT. can't remember the name of it off hand.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:25 PM
Exasperated-
probably not much.
Surprised that people are rushing to pass judgment on the young man without a clear understanding of the events of his capture-propaganda videos and excepts of emails published in rolling stone? Really. We are ready to build a gallows for that.
Maybe he was really troubled and suicidal before his capture-what would you have done court martialed then hanged him?
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:32 PM
So Obama flew the family to DC for a photo shoot. I'm sure they were dying to be there.
So blatantly an asshole.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 06:33 PM
rich - you are probably thinking of the Hutterites. They aren't in Idaho, though, according to wiki.
I read someplace the father grew the beard, started wearing only black, and learned Pashto in order to more effectively deliver his pleas for his son's release. Didn't read an explanation for the mother's sartorial choices.
I note the picture of the father next to Obama just now shows him wearing all white.
Posted by: AliceH | May 31, 2014 at 06:34 PM
It took one single released Taliban commander, Abdullah Mehsud, to found the Tekri Taliban (Pakistani branch) among other singular releases are Bin Qumu, the founder of Ansar Al Sharia's Libyan branch
Posted by: narciso | May 31, 2014 at 06:34 PM
his excuse was even weaker;
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/05/wow-republican-sen-thad-cochran-im-glad-to-be-involved-in-obamacare-effort/
Posted by: narciso | May 31, 2014 at 06:38 PM
Nah, I would water-board him first.
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 06:38 PM
thanks AliceH.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:40 PM
then again, facts don't really matter, just emoting, and only for certain people;
http://thefederalist.com/2014/05/30/this-chart-shows-why-the-vas-problems-have-nothing-to-do-with-funding/
Posted by: narciso | May 31, 2014 at 06:42 PM
here is the NYT and picture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/only-american-pow-from-afghan-war-is-freed.html?_r=0
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 06:43 PM
Mystery: I received three emails today from Starbucks confirming that I had reloaded my card for a total of $200. Now I have had starbucks cards in the past, but I usually just throw them out when they are empty. So I assumed someone was fraudulently charging one of my credit cards or my checking/debit account. But I've called customer service for all the credit cards I can think of and checked paypal (which I haven't used in years) and none of them say I reloaded a starbucks card. I called starbucks and they were less than useful.
suggestion?
Posted by: peter | May 31, 2014 at 06:50 PM
They might be part of the Idaho branch of Duck Dynasty. I sure hope the batteries hold up on the drone transponders implanted in the Taliban. I'm sure we all appreciate the cooperation they gave to the CIA at Guantanamo but there is no sense in letting them run around for very long.
Posted by: Rick B | May 31, 2014 at 06:52 PM
peter,
Mystery: I received three emails today from Starbucks confirming that I had reloaded my card for a total of $200.
I'd guess the emails were spam. I can't tell you how many email messages I have received with free coupons or meals or oil changes I have received.
Often you can tell by looking at the complete email message headers to see if an address was spoofed along the way.
I hope you didn't click on anything in the message!
Posted by: DrJ | May 31, 2014 at 06:58 PM
Does anybody doubt that Cochran will join the contingency of bitter losers who won't endorse the primary victor if McDaniel wins? I'd be glad to be proven wrong on this.
Posted by: Captain Hate | May 31, 2014 at 07:01 PM
Rich - I do not believe people are "rushing to judgement"..... his e-mails and statements against the U.S. are being considered along with his walking off the base and the fact that he was kept alive. He is said to be having trouble speaking English. This is puzzling - I've met missionaries who lived alone in other cultures, speaking another language, yet - when they returned home - still were able to speak in their native language.
Posted by: Momto2 | May 31, 2014 at 07:01 PM
I really hope none of that is true. I have no doubt he was released to make the "vets" think Obama is on their side. But it seems to me 5 years with the Taliban if you are an American has to really suck.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 07:10 PM
Strange; Bergdahl's dorky father reminds me of John Walker Lindh's dorky father. Coincidence? I think not.
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 07:10 PM
DrJ, I don't think the emails were spoofs. I think someone has hacked into an account and charged $200. I just can't figure out what account. I called the bank and three credit card companies.
Posted by: peter | May 31, 2014 at 07:23 PM
Peter, what links were in the email, underneath the surface. When you hover over the link, what web address showed up.
The fact that three arrived that look identical seems spammish.
Posted by: sbw | May 31, 2014 at 07:29 PM
To be back in the world, after five years, must be great.
http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2014/05/31/lt-col-cowan-americans-are-going-to-pay-a-price-for-taliban-prisoner-swap-video/
as one recalls, they took Anderson, Sutherland, et al, in order to get the Da'wa prisoners out, family of Hezbollah operative Mugniyeh
Posted by: narciso | May 31, 2014 at 07:33 PM
Nice to see that the exchanged terrorists will have a one year restriction on their travels. No word on a notation in their permanent records...
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 31, 2014 at 07:37 PM
Bergdahl's dorky father reminds me of John Walker Lindh's dorky father
Maybe, but it's hard not to have sympathy for a kid kidnapped for 5 years.
If he is determined to be a terrorist, I take back all of it - not because it doesn't hurt, but because I no longer care.
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2014 at 07:38 PM
I'm sure that he will be distressed to learn that.
Posted by: Exasperated | May 31, 2014 at 07:47 PM
Where would we be in this world without the benefit of a Kennedy to drive us across the Chappaquidick Bridge, to land us in his private plane at Martha's Vineyard, or to phrase simple Climate Change questions requiring a "Yes or No" answer:
In House testimony, Botkin dismantles the IPCC 2014 report
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 07:50 PM
Momto2-
>>>I do not believe people are "rushing to judgement"..... <<<
that's bs. Michelle Malkin was ready to line up the firing squad for him before the Pentagon even had proof of life. The details surrounding his capture haven't been released. His parents were frustrated with the US government's efforts to even get basic information on him.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 07:50 PM
Blasphemy!
Star Wars costumes for dogs
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 08:02 PM
I'm not aware of the religious cult, Rich.
"Maybe he was really troubled and suicidal before his capture"
He was also a soldier.
"what would you have done court martialed then hanged him?"
Hanging is no longer permitted, but if his C.O. had been aware of those e-mails and some of the things he was saying to his comrades he would probably have sent him home to be discharged. You can't tolerate that stuff in the service, least of all in a combat zone.
Posted by: Danube on iPad | May 31, 2014 at 08:03 PM
Rich - did you know that a couple of days after his "wandering off" - his unit was suddenly attacked and two American soldiers (who stayed at their post, following orders) were killed? Did you know that several other soldiers were killed as they were searching for him? All of this just doesn't pass the smell test. We can agree to disagree - Oh and his parents just "happened to be in Washington, D.C." at the time this was announced so they were conveniently available for photos in the Rose Garden - I remain skeptical. Last time I checked that is still allowed........
Posted by: Momto2 | May 31, 2014 at 08:15 PM
Breitbart has a story about a few other folks who think this negotiating with Hostage Takers is not a good policy: 'OPEN SEASON' ON AMERICANS NOW THAT OBAMA NEGOTIATES WITH TERRORISTS
And this comment from somebody named IllinoisPatriot brought a previous Obama quote back to mind:
As I recall, Jimmy Carter attempted to negotiate for the Iranian hostages in his day - unsuccessfully. Regan ran on his 'no negotiation with terrorists' pledge and the prisoners were released the day he was inaugerated.
More recently, I remember Obama and the Democrats declaring that he would not negotiate with the "Republican Hostage Takers" in Congress that were being influenced by the "TEA Party terrorists", resulting in the most recent government shutdown that Obama attempted to make as painful as possible.
So now he negotiates with the Taliban 'Freedom Fighters' associated with Al Quaida in Afghanistan instead ? And at 5:1 ? Only in the mindset of an anti-American Muslim on Jihad.
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 08:17 PM
But of course:
All five terror suspects the Obama administration exchanged for the release of Sgt. Bowe Berghdahl on Saturday were deemed in a 2008 Pentagon dossier to be ‘high risk’ for launching attacks on American interests if released. Link
Posted by: daddy | May 31, 2014 at 08:20 PM
I am prepared to pass judgment on Obama. He wanted to be rid of 5 Gitmo terrorists and house arrest adjusted for time served fit the bill.
It was illegal for him to do this without advising Congress, but who will challenge the great a powerful Ozbama? Only racists.
Posted by: MarkO | May 31, 2014 at 08:27 PM
last I've read he isn't even back in the US. he is in a hospital in Germany.
and sure enough people are writing he is having trouble speaking and bringing up desertion and being AWOL.
good grief.
Posted by: rich@gmu | May 31, 2014 at 08:30 PM
Every time Israel, and now we, negotiate with terrorists I think we get badly taken to the cleaners. I can't think of one deal that was close to what I would consider equitable.
Posted by: Captain Hate | May 31, 2014 at 08:31 PM
From his point of view, the Taliban, the Mullahs
are justified in their goals, as he said in the Chicago Reader, nearly thirteen years ago, he takes issue with the ends
Other factions have no right to demand anything, it is not the rich, but the petit bourgeois, who
are the real enemy of the left
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2014/05/31/Sarah-Palin-No-More-Fundamental-Transformation-Time-For-Fundamental-Restoration
Posted by: narciso | May 31, 2014 at 08:32 PM