03-25-2015, 07:58 PM
IS has launched a recruitment campaign to attract Taliban members in Afghanistan to join the Islamic State.
The US is pulling out of Afghanistan at a pace that's slower than originally planned.
And, today, the U.S. military announced that it has completed its lengthy investigation and has filed charges against Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
![[Image: bowe-bergdahl-traitor-2.jpg]](http://thefire.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bowe-bergdahl-traitor-2.jpg)
^ The sentiments of Bergdahl's detractors
Snip:
Bergdahl, who abandoned his post in Afghanistan and was held captive for five years by the Taliban, was charged Wednesday by the U.S. military with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.
The misbehavior charge could land Bergdahl in prison for life, though some legal experts said a lengthy sentence was unlikely. He also could be dishonorably discharged and forfeit all his pay if convicted on either charge.
Next, an Article 32 hearing — similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding — will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where Bergdahl has been performing administrative duties. From there, it could be referred to a court-martial and go to trial.
The misbehavior charge is rarely seen in military cases, typically reserved for shameful or cowardly conduct, said Daniel Conway, a military defense lawyer and the author of a forthcoming book on military crimes.
Conway said he wouldn't expect the Army to seek much prison time for Bergdahl because of his time as a Taliban captive, but officials needed to prosecute the case because a conviction means Bergdahl cannot collect special compensation as a prisoner of war.
"He did spend X number of years as a prisoner of the Taliban — that certainly mitigates the need for him to be locked up," Conway said. "But as a political matter, I don't think we can stomach the possibility that he deserted his post and could receive $300,000 in back pay for it."
Some within the military have suggested that Bergdahl's long capture was punishment enough, but others, including members of his former unit, have called for serious punishment, saying that other service members risked their lives — and several died — searching for him.
One of those in Bergdahl's platoon, Cody Full, 26, of Houston, said Bergdahl should be stripped of all his pay and benefits and be dishonorably discharged.
http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-announ...itics.html
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This will be interesting, politically and legally.
Personally, I didn't like Bergdahl being give a base job after his release and hospital stay. I certainly couldn't stomach him getting $300k in back pay. That would be some serious bullshit and rewarding of cowardice.
I'm glad he was charged.
The US is pulling out of Afghanistan at a pace that's slower than originally planned.
And, today, the U.S. military announced that it has completed its lengthy investigation and has filed charges against Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
^ The sentiments of Bergdahl's detractors
Snip:
Bergdahl, who abandoned his post in Afghanistan and was held captive for five years by the Taliban, was charged Wednesday by the U.S. military with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.
The misbehavior charge could land Bergdahl in prison for life, though some legal experts said a lengthy sentence was unlikely. He also could be dishonorably discharged and forfeit all his pay if convicted on either charge.
Next, an Article 32 hearing — similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding — will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where Bergdahl has been performing administrative duties. From there, it could be referred to a court-martial and go to trial.
The misbehavior charge is rarely seen in military cases, typically reserved for shameful or cowardly conduct, said Daniel Conway, a military defense lawyer and the author of a forthcoming book on military crimes.
Conway said he wouldn't expect the Army to seek much prison time for Bergdahl because of his time as a Taliban captive, but officials needed to prosecute the case because a conviction means Bergdahl cannot collect special compensation as a prisoner of war.
"He did spend X number of years as a prisoner of the Taliban — that certainly mitigates the need for him to be locked up," Conway said. "But as a political matter, I don't think we can stomach the possibility that he deserted his post and could receive $300,000 in back pay for it."
Some within the military have suggested that Bergdahl's long capture was punishment enough, but others, including members of his former unit, have called for serious punishment, saying that other service members risked their lives — and several died — searching for him.
One of those in Bergdahl's platoon, Cody Full, 26, of Houston, said Bergdahl should be stripped of all his pay and benefits and be dishonorably discharged.
http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-announ...itics.html
-----------------------------------------------------
This will be interesting, politically and legally.
Personally, I didn't like Bergdahl being give a base job after his release and hospital stay. I certainly couldn't stomach him getting $300k in back pay. That would be some serious bullshit and rewarding of cowardice.
I'm glad he was charged.