A Reasonable Question
When national security adviser Susan Rice claimed that Bergdahl had served with “honor and distinction,” members of his unit felt compelled to speak out, because the word “honor” actually means something to them. So did others who joined a dangerous manhunt in a warzone. The rest of us have no reason to prejudge the facts in this case, but those who served with Bergdahl have every right to present their version of events.
The Bergdahl case reveals a disturbing gap between the White House and military culture. After Bergdahl’s fellow soldiers corrected the administration’s false narrative, anonymous White House aides accused them of engaging in “Swift-boating.” Consider that a moment. While the White House (still) claims that Bergdahl served with “honor,” aides now impugn the motives of those who served beside him — and who stayed at their posts. Particularly in a time of war, why are these attacks not a firing offense?
Because they come from the Commander-in-Chief.
ReplyDeleteThese people serve at the pleasure of the US President.
Valerie
I was discussing this with my wife last night, and I think that the true error the White House committed was in describing Bergdahl as having served with "honor and distinction". Had they just brought him home with no fanfare, and just left it at that, I think there was every chance that people might have been upset, but let it slide.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, they doubled down on stupid and are defending their claims. But I think the reason they felt the need to crow about it, is because that's why they arranged the swap. To have something to crow about. Whether that's because they wanted to deflect attention away from the problems in the VA, or whatever the reason... they wanted to be seen as doing something "heroic".
For the very same reason why no one in the VA has been fired: it's the mindset of their generation/culture. Remember, these are the people who spit upon Vietnam vets - literally and figuratively - when they returned home. You don't change that ideology just because you're now "the Man" -- you just make sure that ideology gets institutionalized throughout the system.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a mistake, it's an engineered collapse.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it even occurred to them to play it straight? I wonder if it ever does?
ReplyDeleteIowahawk put it this way:
"Who are these awful people who are willing to impugn the honor of a serviceman?"
"His platoon members."
"And you believe those psychotic baby-killers?"
Further in engineered collapse, Hussein's plan to get rid of Bush's legacy and American influence worked out well from the arms and training given to AQ in Libya and Syria.
ReplyDeleteMosul is not being attacked and or have fallen to AQ, in Iraq.
Vietnam 2. Afghanistan will be Vietnam 3. And then who will listen to American "superpower" and promises of honor, eh.
Iowahawk nailed it.
ReplyDeleteFor this crew, it's all politics all the time; there is nothing else.
Re: Mosul, wait until the Peshmerga get there. I wouldn't bet on AQ against them.
ReplyDeleteThat's assuming Hussein doesn't sell AQ some nukes to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat Tom said. There are no non-political players in this administration.
ReplyDelete