"Army officer recommends no jail time for Bowe Bergdahl" by Will Weissert Associated Press October 10, 2015
AUSTIN, Texas — An Army officer is recommending that Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl face a lower-level court-martial and be spared any jail time for leaving his post in Afghanistan, his lawyer said Saturday.
Eugene Fidell said Lieutenant Colonel Mark Visger has decided Bergdahl’s case should go to a military system similar to civilian courts that handle misdemeanor charges. It limits the maximum punishment to reduction of rank, a bad conduct discharge, and a short jail term, though that isn’t being sought, the defense lawyer said.
Military prosecutors charged Bergdahl in March with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, a charge that could carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban after leaving his post on June 30, 2009, and held until last year, when he was exchanged for five Taliban commanders. His commanding officers in Afghanistan say a 45-day search for Bergdahl put soldiers in danger.
I'm beginning to think the whole thing was a staged and scripted piece of propaganda. Bowe fulfilled his role.
The Obama administration’s prisoner swap was sharply criticized by many Republicans and some Democrats, who said it was politically motivated and counter to the US policy against negotiating with terrorists.
I'm sorry I'm so sick of framing narratives and false debate.
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Thursday that Bergdahl should have been executed for leaving his post, and called him a ‘‘no-good traitor.’’
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Also see: Bergdahl Not Fitbit For Service
Time to go down to the VFW and have a beer.
