WE DID BIZ WTH THE TALIBAN

[Duchess]

What did they do with all the German prisoners? or the Charlies that were held? I'm not sure.

I don't know and I'm discovering as I look for some of this information that it's difficult to tell what is truth from what is rumor or guess. A lot of information that can't be verified is being presented as truth.

I just went looking for the story & pix about the couple that was taken and came across a bunch of pix of people being stoned. Jesus. Those people are barbarians.

[HairOfTheDog]

Never mind. Don't answer that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm not going to argue about it anyway.

Why not?

I still feel badly thinking I pissed off Kid, but then I'm pretty sure that's giving myself and mocking too much credit.

Anyway, the impeachment threats are a dime a dozen. They were tossed about in regards to "Fast and Furious", "Affordable Health Care", and too many others to list.

In this case, some of the uproar appears to be in relation to the seeming inequity of the trade: 5 top Taliban for 1 low-ranking US soldier who may well have walked away from his post. Definitely, from a military/fight standpoint, the Taliban got more than they gave up in the trade. But, that's in part because we'd taken more from them in the first place.

We captured 5 top ranking Taliban and removed them from the equation for 12 years so we could do our thing in their country. They had only one US soldier in captivity as this "conflict" comes to an end. (Of all the others in Gitmo, many of whose intelligence and strategic value is questionable or limited, those 5 guys are the ones the Taliban wanted back in trade for our one guy.) If we weren't gonna charge those 5 with any crimes like we have with the Qaeda Gitmo detainees, then could we really keep them forever without due process?

IMO, Obama expects their transfer to Qatar to widely increase the chances for successful peace talks between the Afghan government, the Taliban and the US -- allowing the US to back all the way out of Afghanistan.

But, I don't think it's off-base for Republican and some Democratic Congresspersons (Dianne Feinstein, even) to be very concerned about the threat that these Taliban members could pose in the future and irked about being side-stepped. The Congress doesn't know the terms of the release to Qatar, AFAIK, and weren't apprised of the prisoner trade 30 days in advance, like the law requires (I've heard Obama's reasons, truth or fiction, from his mouth and the mouthpiece -- Susan Rice -- they leave room for questions, IMO).

I'm glad Bergdahl is out of captivity; now just gonna watch the story unfold -- I think there are a lot of plot lines.

[Duchess]

Why not?

I normally love to argue, sometimes it doesn't even matter to me if I agree or disagree, it's simply about arguing. Ha! But it was recently suggested to me that I might be a little too aggressive and it could make people not want to share their opinion because no matter what I was going to argue about it. I hate to believe that could be true because really, I don't care if people don't share my opinion, I just want to argue about it.

[HairOfTheDog]

Who suggested that to you (if you don't mind sharing), someone at Mock? That would surprise me.

I typically don't feel motivated to argue for argument's sake (though I really like reading those kinds of exchanges between others).

But, arguing in favor of our opinions aggressively here when we feel passionately about a topic is part of the "unfiltered" debate deal. To me, that's a much better posting and reading experience than people lining up behind others to "play nice" or curry favor if they don't sincerely agree.

In any case, if you feel compelled to argue with me, I promise that I won't cry about you being too aggressive if you kick my ass.

[Duchess]

Who suggested that to you (if you don't mind sharing), someone at Mock? That would surprise me.

No, it wasn't anyone in Mock, I'd be so disappointed if it were, I prefer to be told STFU when Mockers want to disagree with me. It was a friend who reads, same friend who asks what the fuck is wrong with you (meaning me) because I like to relax doing this in Mock.

[HairOfTheDog]

So, what do you wanna fight about?

Toe-to-toe, bitch!

Okay, I only threw that out there because I know it's funny to you when I talk trash. Not that I'm punking out or anything -- I'd seriously get down and dirty with you.

[Duchess]

I'm taken aback when you say bad words.

[FAHQTOO]

I'm taken aback when you say bad words.

You'd be taken aback if I STOPPED using bad words. Argue with whoever the fuck you you want...that's what fucking makes Mock what the fuck it is...

[Duchess]

You'd be taken aback if I STOPPED using bad words.

Yes, I would! If you changed anything at all I'd be very worried & pm'ing you.

[Maggot]

I'm telling username about all this crap. She will get in here and yoga the living life outta you big itches.

[HairOfTheDog]

UPDATE

-Bergdahl is reportedly being transported from Germany to the US overnight.

-He reportedly hasn't contacted his parents since he was released.

-He will be receiving treatment at a rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, Texas (no doubt they'll have some hard-core security in place).

-He reportedly told doctors in Germany that he was kept in a small black cage for months.

-An Army fact-finding investigation conducted in the months after his disappearance concluded he left his outpost deliberately and of his own free will. (The Army has no definitive finding/ruling that Bergdahl deserted because that would require knowing his intent -- something officials couldn't learn without talking to the soldier, a U.S. military official told CNN.)

Ref:
http://us.cnn.com/2014/06/12/politics/be...?hpt=hp_t2

[thekid65]

I still feel badly thinking I pissed off Kid, but then I'm pretty sure that's giving myself and mocking too much credit.

You most certainly did not piss me off, (insert patronizing, somewhat sexist moniker here). I am a bit irritated that you didn't swing through Boise on your latest road trip, though. Come'on (insert another patronizing, somewhat sexist moniker here), a simple little 675 mile detour isn't that much to ask, is it? I'd have have done it for you (or maybe not...I might have just told you I was coming, have you get all dolled up, in your sexiest hat, and then stood you up..that's how us "Arnolds" roll, ya know)

I'm glad Bergdahl is out of captivity; now just gonna watch the story unfold -- I think there are a lot of plot lines.

Defo a lot of plot lines. I see him getting crucified in the press when the truth of his disappearance comes out. We paid too big of a price to bring him home. We broke a longstanding policy of no negotiation, and we set free 5 higher ranking members of an organization that would drop a nuke on the USA if they had the chance. That shit is going to come back and bite us in the as one day. The USA came out looking like pussies, and opened the door for future kidnappings (by Al-Qaeda's own admission in the video).

[Duchess]

...but, but, but, weren't these guys going to be released anyway?

[thekid65]

Wasn't Gitmo going to be closed down 7 years ago anyway?

[Duchess]

I don't think so but I don't know for sure. George was still Prez then so I doubt it.

[crash]

As in all things sensitive like this, the people of America, and the rest of the world, are only getting fed what America's administration want us to know.

Call me a cynic, but I don't see America trading those 5 guys and setting all the precedents kid outlined to get Bergdahl back without a goddamned good reason..

[thekid65]

I don't think so but I don't know for sure. George was still Prez then so I doubt it.

My bad, meant 6 years...that was one of Obamas first promises

[thekid65]

As in all things sensitive like this, the people of America, and the rest of the world, are only getting fed what America's administration want us to know.

Call me a cynic, but I don't see America trading those 5 guys and setting all the precedents kid outlined to get Bergdahl back without a goddamned good reason..

I hope you're right...but I don't see it. We gained nothing, and lost a lot.

[crash]

Let me clarify, I don't think it was any real beneficial reason. I very much think the US dropping their pants, setting such a dangerous precedent, and trading 5:1 was some kind of damage control. I think there are some details to this story that your government doesn't want released. I think there's more to it than just 'making sure everyone gets home'.

[Duchess]

I've read a lot of chatter that this kid isn't what he seems, implying there is more to his story but it is the internet after all so I try not to give it too much weight.