The complete and total disgrace is the faux commander in chief who was a coward and dodged the war in Vietnam that he supported.
16
What right does draft dodger thump have to comment .
His comments lead to such a weak decision . Good job draft dodger
5
Not at all a fan of Trump but he was sure right about this. To even think that what Trump said while running for president about Bergdahl should have ANY effect on a judge''s decision shows that even the military is now infected with the disease of political correctness. Sickening. This coward, this traitor, cost two men their lives, and caused the injuries of many more two of which were life altering injuries when there were searches out for him. Yet so many in this comments section say nothing about that and only show compassion for a man who caused the deaths of he fellow soldiers. What twisted and demented thinking.
Ask ANY soldier like myself who has seen combat and they will ALL tell you that THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE when in combat is the men around you. It is a chain of brotherhood that is sacred when every minute of every day death is staring you in the face. This coward was the weak link in that chain.
He could have used the open door policy to remove himself from combat but he chose not to. He should have served at least 15 years in prison for causing the deaths of two men. I personally would like to have seen a life sentence. This is an offense and spit in the face to anyone who has served.
I do not expect people who have not served to completely understand this but to feel compassion for this coward and traitor shows just how far our country has gone in the wrong direction.
3
On National Public Radio yesterday afternoon, a veteran who served with Bergdahl was interviewed; he expressed the outrage most patriotic vets feel about Bergdahl's acquittal. He was one of several who risked their lives looking for him, search missions that resulted in the death or severe disability of some. The vet's main point was that Bergdahl betrayed his comrades; he made the wrong decision, abandoned his post, and left in search of the enemy. The vet stated that once in the field, the fight becomes one more of protecting each other from harm, rather fighting for freedom, and larger national goals. I have never served, but I have worked with men and women who have; individuals who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Mideast wars; they all said the same thing, that the war becomes personal, that fighting for the lives of your comrades is more important than larger national goals. If I had served, I would wanted such people to be by my side. However, the most criminal aspect of this entire event is Obama's release of five viscous Taliban criminals in exchange. That to me is the real crime. At any rate, with a dishonorable discharge and demotion of rank, Bergdahl's future prospects are limited as employers don't want traitors on the payroll and perhaps that his just reward. Thank you.
2
One of those rare occasions when Trump is exactly correct. His desertion cost other soldiers who were injured trying to find him----a life sentence would have been appropriate.
2
It is not about Bergdahl. We owe a solemn debt to all that serve. When we don't give them quality care at the VA or adequate armor against roadside bombs or punish deserters who put them at risk we violate that social contract. They watch and learn.
1
Look who is calling him a traitor........a person who lied about "bone spurs" to stay out of the Army. This is a morally complicated case......a young man discharged from the Coast Guard for mental reasons and then allowed to enlist in the Army. How could the U. S. Army allow this? An now to dishonorably discharge him without the benefit of help for his mental illness.
I suppose this is "justice" since many people where permanently injured attempting to rescue him but somehow his disabling mental condition was not taken into consideration.
Surely, he has been sentences to suicide.
6
The idea that the President of the United States, a known draft evader in his own time, can proffer an opinion on this case in taking the system of military justice to task is just so disgusting to this reader. Trump is the most revolting chief executive this country has ever had, bar none.
There were so many errors made in the Army accepting Bergdahl in the first place that the judge's discretion was incredibly merciful. Good on him. Reminds me of the Eddy Slovik case but with a different ending.
12
The responses to the Bergdahl case reveal a country deeply divided on topics of military service, mental/physical ability to serve, honor, justice, punishment and mercy. Very few hold the military commanders responsible for the injuries to soldiers looking for Bergdahl - injuries which could have occurred had they been combatting these Taliban fighters rather than incurred as a result of search and rescue. This, remember, is the same leadership Bergdahl had the audacity to disagree with over issues we are still uninformed about. Since he has a diagnosed mental illness, his opinions have about leadership have been invalidated by many posters who have served and many who haven't. Like any other citizen of this country, just because you are equal in the eyes of the law doesn't mean you are the same or will respond the same way as others wearing the uniform you wear.
1
The treatment that this young man has received at the hands of the military is a good example of the hatred that simmers in tRump. The sentence is trivial compared with what this young American has already endured. Col. Nance is to be commended for his compassionate sentence and for his push-back against tRump's attempts to influence the outcome of this trial.
5
His punishment was just, he does not deserve an honorable discharge
1
A deserter judges a volunteer. That's rich. Pardons Arpaio, condemns Bergdahl. Las Vegas shooting, crickets. NY incident, "Terrorism!, execute him!"
3
This decision is a relief. Five years of torture in prison is enough punishment. That gave him five years to understand what a huge mistake he had made.
Maybe we should start prosecuting military leaders, up to the President, whose bad decisions have cost he lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
7
Is there anyone at the White House who can help the president see that his responses to U.S. soldiers and citizens like Sergeant Bergdahl (and Senator McCain) paint a picture of the inner workings of his thought process and capacity for empathy (deserved or otherwise)? He occupies the chair of the Commander and Chief. I can't, having heard the moving story of Sergeant Bergdahl, comprehend the president's response to the sentence handed down to Sergeant Bergdahl. I guess in the world of Donald J. Trump there must be a place called "Hell" and it is overflowing with people harshly judged and persecuted for their shortcomings. What's to become of "honor and mercy?" I thought the White House represented such values. I guess I misjudged the office of the presidency.
4
It is a disgrace that Donald Trump evaded the draft and has never served this country but has the audacity to make statements about "desertion" related to another soldier. It is apparent to many that this man should never have been allowed to enlist and appears to have a mental disability. Add to this his imprisonment and torture for years and I believe the sentence to be harsh and cruel. Not a surprise that Trump will use this man's sentence to get some political support. After the statements Trump made about Senator McCain being captured making McCain some type of "loser", it would be interesting to see Trump or one of his children spend one day as a prisoner of war. Maybe then he would be able to show some compassion for a change.
5
Trump thinks it's a disgrace! Really! This from a man who has never served in the military, in the government; who has never, ever been a public servant, and refuses to accept, even now, that the citizens of the United States are his employers, not his subjects! It is the edges of outrage he touches with his disrespect for our judicial system!
10
Bone spurs deferment dares to criticize this? Justice and mercy served together. But the Coward in Chief fails to grasp the concept and rattles his ever more hollow plastic verbal sabre.
6
"Old Bone Spurs" knows of what he speaks, only instead of putting his life on the line to even contemplate walking off his post, he got Daddy to write him a doctors note excusing him from service in Vietnam due to the disability of "Bone Spurs", although that devastating disability didn't keep him from playing on the school baseball and basketball team.
Donald Trump the slacker is a coward who didn't put himself in harms way, other than getting a sprained ankle on the basketball court, he has no room to talk and should shut his mouth.
It is usually guys like Donald Trump who are the Sunshine Patriots and the biggest cowards, who have the biggest mouths and brag about their phony patriotism as a way of hiding their shame and cowardliness.
8
Thank God! Beau Bergdahl has paid for his "sin" tenfold. That he survived his imprisonment is a miracle. NO ONE knows what was going through his mind when he made that fateful decision. I'm just worried about what his life will be like when he returns as a civilian. Will he be shunned or treated with compassion?
6
Serving and being a combat vet are two very, very, very different things.
Trump did neither.
6
This should be the title of Trump's personal memoir:
"a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military"
4
A president who had the chutzpah to brag that his Vietnam was dodging STDs at Wharton is too stupid and lacking in judgement to comment on any military matter, especially this on. Not only did Trump dodge Vietnam and military service, it would seem that all of his spoiled and idle rich pals did also for the same reason that he was able to evade the draft. He didn't know anybody who came back from Vietnam maimed or traumatized. And he didn't know anybody who didn't come back either. He has always lived under a thick rich bubble.
9
Without having gone through what Bergdahl experienced, none of us are qualified to judge him. I find it particularly rich that a five deferment bone spur boy would have the temerity to call out someone who at least donned the uniform and went into combat. The military has an expression for this - they call it "the courage of the non-combatant".
9
Well as one of Bergdahl's unit soldiers said he really didn't belong in the army in the first place.
I could say same about trump as president of the united states!!!
4
My guess is that the plea deal, i.e. no prison time, was done at the time of the guilty plea.
In magic the trick is not pulling the rabbit out of the hat, it's putting the rabbit in the hat.
2
Trump has the mistaken idea that he rules America. He also has the mistaken idea that whatever he says matters. He does not and it does not.
The only man who is currently "a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military" is the one who dodged the draft and now sits with his finger poised over the button that could blow us all to hell.
While I appreciate that those sent to find Bergdahl are angry, I would tell them their anger is misplaced and should, instead, be directed toward those who got them sent into a situation with questionable intelligence and unclear motives.
The judge did the right thing.
17
How exactly do we know he was beaten and tortured by his captors? Pretty sure they didn't tell us. So we're taking his word? That's as dumb as a President saying "I'm not under investigation, believe me."
Trump is right. The military judge is wrong.
2
I think the judge acted fairly. Bergdahl’s actions were clearly wrong and had grave consequences for many soldiers, including himself. I think it would be hard to argue that five years of captivity by the Taliban was not punitive in ways that we cannot begin to understand. He demonstrated remorse.
Of course, the tough on crime gang just had to weigh in, led by Donald. I wonder if Bone Spurs was thinking about himself when he uttered the phrase “dirty rotten traitor”. Is he looking in the mirror when he utters the descriptor “Complete and total disgrace to our country and military?” Obviously, the part about the military does not apply to draft dodgers.
His propensity to weigh in stupidly on everyone and everything is exhausting and as he is learning, frequently counter productive to his skewed agenda. Now that the shoes are dropping in the Russia investigation, his frenetic attempts to distract are getting more pronounced.
5
I pine for the day when we realize that war is not the answer.
5
Sgt. Bergdahl is to be both shamed and thanked. Thanked for his enlistment and service to this country. We may never truly know the truth, nor the depth of his inner turmoil which triggered his decision to abandon his unit. The shame will haunt him for the remainder of his life. The court's decision (I believe) was fair, compassionate, and just. His punishment was self-imposed and administered by the enemy. Few will ever know the extent of this broken soldier's pain and misery. Our President could never understand as he methodically dodged serving in our country's military while others did so willingly and honorably. Trump would be better served by keeping his opinion to himself and continue his personal war of just trying to avoid STD's. I am a 4th generation Republican so, please know that my opinion is without political prejudice.
6
Sergeant Bergdahl is a coward for deserting The armed forces, He should have been a coward like me and just dodged it the first time
1
Love the bleeding-heart liberal comments those with Trump derangement syndrome. Many of them would rather see our country destroyed that see a successful Trump.
While assigned find and bring Bergdahl back, six soldiers died and one is serving a life sentence of not being able to walk or speak after eighteen surgeries. Solders that actually did serve with honor and distinction and did not commit any crimes like Bergdahl. The reassigned troops had to stop the real mission for which they were deployed! While a life sentence or the death penalty would have been appropriate, I would have preferred that he be traded to our enemies in exchange for other Americans that did not commit any crimes and are still being held hostage.
Because Obama traded 5 high profile dangerous detainees for one self-disgraced soldier, he has set a new standard for hostage negotiations that will make it so much harder to bring our countrymen home in the future. He apparently used the same razor-sharp negotiating skills he used when he (i) conceded on every demand by Iran, including billion in cash, without getting anything in return except a promise that cannot be verified by its very terms, (ii) opened relations in Cuba without anything in return, (iii) agreed to reduce our nuclear weapons if Russia did nothing, and (iv) agreed to the Paris climate accord which only required that the US invest billions now while the real polluters do nothing for a decade or more.
4
Trump thinks the civilian justice system is a "joke," and the military system a "disgrace." What does you expect a from a guy who doesn't like to be held accountable for his actions?
5
Apparently we now have the only so-called president who has never heard of separation of powers, much less understands the concept.
7
Looks like the man's only "mental illness" is idealism. Those of us who have served as a career know that ideals have no place in the military. Idealists should to be arrested and sentenced to four to six years of college to get degrees in philosophy or ethics. When freed they can orate, write books or teach. The rest of us can go on making endless war on third world countries.
5
Military disgrace. Traitor to his country goes unpunished. We were just attacked again from the people who were set free for this man's return and now freedom. Shame on our military. Shame on you Trump haters for his opinion on this matter doesnt have weight. This is Obamas disgrace. He should have never been traded for.
4
This veteran thinks this stinks! One can get off so easily while people of color get the death penalty.
1
"a complete, and total disgrace to our country, and to our military"
Well, that sums it up for the decision, and you, Mr. President.
3
I would like to start a fund or participate in one to pay Bowe Bergdahl's mental and physical health costs. If his benefits are denied we cannot let this man who has suffered so much be left without the help he has earned. Please let me know how I can contact him or his representatives to initiate this.
9
Unlawful Command Influence (UCI) has frequently been called the 'mortal enemy of military justice.' UCI occurs when senior personnel, wittingly or unwittingly, have acted to influence court members, witnesses, or others participating in military justice cases. Trump is too ignorant to realize when to keep his mouth shut. Too bad he isn't put in a cage like John McCain or Bergdahl experienced. At least the world got to rest for 11 minutes when his twitter account was shut down.
9
How dare this man who refused to serve his country on a spurious claim, judge the actions of a soldier under the stress of battle. This man has no empathy, no generosity, no understanding. He has none of the qualities of a leader. He is what he fears most: a loser.
36
I agree, Bergdahl actually served, was captured, and tortured by the enemy for five years, and was dishonorably discharged. Trump did not serve, compared military service to getting " the clap" and went on to play golf, sexually mistreat women, abuse minorities and the disabled, insult gold star families, lie, swindle, go bankrupt multiple times, launder money for Russian oligarchs, reside in the white house, and do his best to ruin the country. If the US can survive this awful orange mess, it can survive anything.
7
Trump is of the Queen of Hearts school of justice--"off with his head"!
3
Empathy required-our bully in chief doesn’t have any.
13
The president’s comment is profoundly disturbing. How more disgraceful could it be that a draft dodger like president Trump should malign Seargeant Bergdahl. He has no standing, moral or otherwise, to use his infected pulpit to criticize Seargeant Bergdahl.
26
Under the military code, desertion carries a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and confinement of five years. For desertion during a time of war, however, the death penalty may be applied at the discretion of the court-martial. In Bergdahl's case, however, his punishment was a mere reduction in rank and forfeiture of a portion of his pay. I think Judge Nance's decision to impose the lightest sentence possible was a slap in the face to all our dedicated and honorable military personnel.
9
"outraged" - is the guy who dodged military service with a fake foot injury.
14
Good article. Let's couple our concern for a sick soldier with concern for our sick democracy. I've read a good deal about this case. But I wasn't there when he left the base. I wasn't there when he was returned. I didn't examine the evidence--not my job; other fish to fry. Content to leave it in the hands of the judge. On the other hand, these words fit Donald Trump as well as they fit me--except for the bit about being content to let the judge do his job. This Twitter outburst, another complete and utter disgrace but par for the course, may come to be viewed as another step towards dictatorship or as another anchor around the neck of the Trump administration.
9
The sentence is not a disgrace as says Trump. It is Trump who is the disgrace. Bergdahl's desertion caused injury to others, but Trump's daily failure to do his duty and his daily intentional acts to do harm to our institutions, our constitution, our way of life, our standing in the world, and our physical safety cause far more injury. In an opinion piece elsewhere on these pages today, the author suggests that Bergdahl's dishonorable discharge is too harsh as it deprives him of mental health and other medical help that he needs. The author also points out that "many people" think Bergdahl got off easy. The problem with the "many people" phrase, which Trump uses frequently, is that these "many people" have no idea of what they are speaking. Facts are difficult things to ascertain; it takes work, time, and focus. It is much more easy just to form an opinion based upon one's beliefs than to bother to learn the facts. The reason Trump has support is that he is manifestly ignorant of everything of which he speaks, but he has strong beliefs and no impulse control. It is very appealing to those similarly situated. There is no doubt in my mind that Trump has not spent more than 60 seconds learning the details of Bowe Bergdahl's case. He lacks the attention span and the inquisitiveness needed to learn and grows frustrated when he is reminded of his ignorance. Trump is the most dangerous man in the world.
20
I find it even more disgraceful that a coward who paid his way out of service and had 'bone spurs' can sit in judgement upon an person who ADMITTED his guilt. Something the orange lair in the White House is incapable of doing. For the rest of his life Bergdahl will have to live with what he has done and you can bet that thre will people like Trump, the weekend warriors and the ''righteous', who will continue to remind him.
17
The only "dirty rotten traitor" here is Donald Trump. The only "complete and total disgrace to our Country and our Military" is Donald Trump. Considering the circumstances, Trump's call for Bergdahl to be "executed" show just what "The Donald"; a horrible leader and a horrible human being.
As per the article, "President Trump's unprincipled effort to stoke a lynch-mob atmosphere while seeking our nation's highest office has cast a dark cloud over the case. Every american should be offended by his assault on the fair administration of justice and disdain for basic constitutional rights."
As a young man that literally bought his way out of the Vietnam war, due to deferments, laughingly, for "bone spurs" Donald Trump has relinquished his right to comment on anyone's military service.
Colonel Nance labeled Mr. Trump's comments about Sergeant Bergdahl "disturbing" and Trump's statement last month where he said "I think people have heard my comments in the past" only reiterate what I am trying say.
Donald Trump is a "deeply disturbed" individual; and I shudder to think that he holds our nation's highest office.
22
If we trust the military to train and care for our sons and daughters to be put in harms way whenever and wherever we say, then I think we have to defer to its system of justice. No monday morning quarterbacking, especially from people who never served.
14
The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Nov. 3, 2017
This man, our president avoided the draft and won. He has no right to judge nor is he allowed to ever use the word 'disgrace." If he truly knew the meaning of the word he would pack up his bags and walk back home to his fictional Trump castle.
19
As a retired Air Force Officer, I find this sentence appropriate. I the eyes of the military, it is serious. He is a disgrace. I don't care if he can live with himself or not. I will not remember him.
6
I have sat on trials and heard all the evidence and coming to the "correct" decision has been difficult. Not so much for all of you commenting, however.
3
General Abarms: Please show the world that America "walks the walk, and talks the talk", that this young man who has survived the "worst torture since the Vietnam War" be treated justly by the Military Code of Justice. If need be, please talk to Senator McCain about the emotional and physical pain he suffers every day from the torture he experienced while serving his country.
Sgt. Bergdahl's torture has been characterized as "the worst since Vietnam" Certainly America does not set an example of fairness and decency by extracting a 'pound of flesh'. Sgt Bergdahl has paid his dues and then some. He needs adequate mental and physical health resources to truly heal. He needs to be at the top of the list for such care at VA hospitals and facilities. To sentence him to any less, would be a travesty, would be contrary to all that this country stands for. America needs recruits that believe in the American dream. Please by appropriate sentencing of Sgt. Bergdahl allow America to once again shine the beacon of freedom around the world. All men and women of good faith and conscience would certainly applaud such a decision. Let America again show by example what fairness, equity and a spirit of hope is. Restore Aerica's position to No. 1 by leading by example. Thank you for your measured consideration. One who has spent many hours volunteering with our "wounded warriors".
9
That his suffering was the "worst since Vietnam" is meaningless since it was a direct result of Bergdahl's own actions. That he wasn't cut out for military service isn't a defense. It's simply one more thing he should hang his head in shame for. He stopped being a civilian who might engender some sympathy the moment he raised his hand and took a sworn oath. There's no turning back at that point.
2
What’s a disgrace is that a dirty rotten rich kid dodges the draft because of bogus heel spurs and then stands in judgment on men who fronted and did the job he was too cowardly to do.
14
I have not served but I recognize that military service in an such an intense war zone requires a mental capacity for it that I probably don't possess and cannot understand that kind of pressure.
That Trump, a five times draft dodger, would call Bergdahl a disgrace and traitor who had escaped justice is a truly SAD and sickening developing part of this story.
13
Law and order should be in place for a system to run. Human sentiment and discretion is another subject in open public society. Army have their strict rules and regulation which they all are bound to follow.
A soldier committed a mistake, army court sentenced him ( keeping in mind his mental condition) The chapter is closed. There are many other issues to discuss.
5
" Bone spurrs" indeed. Trump should recuse himself from anything related to the military. He is a walking insult to anyone who has sacrificed anything foŕ our country.
10
Bonespurs lashing out is yet another sleazy attempt by this disgraceful vermin in the WH to distract that he had four deferments - a coward in the true sense of the word.
11
Not only were American warriors injured and killed looking for Bergdahl, but now they live with a higher risk every day, in every operation, since Obama caved on decades of American refusal to negotiate with terrorists. Bergdahl made his brothers in arms a target, and you think it's terrible that he gets dishonorably discharged? He killed someone through a deliberate, malicious act, and you think it's good that he got off free? Our children will still be paying for his mafleasance.
6
correction: the investigation concluded no one was killed looking for him
4
I wonder if Trump will consider calling publicly the indicted Manafort and Rick Gates and the cooperating Papadopulos "dirty rotten traitors" of the country for their involvement or collusion with Russia in trying to influence US presidential elections and for their corruption and questionable lobbying activities. Moreover, when the light of the Russia investigation finally shines on Trump himself and/or his family, should Americans apply the rubric "dirty rotten traitors" to them as he hypocritically applied it to Sergeant Bergdahl?
15
Denial of mental health and disability veteran benefits to Bowe Bergdahl due to his dishonorable discharge is precisely the way to breed deranged shooters in this country.
11
Trump calls what others do a "complete and total disgrace", but he's the one who has still not paid for the cowardly and disgraceful lies he told his draft board (five times) to keep him from going to Vietnam. He was a young fellow who was healthy enough and strong enough to play basketball and football in school, but suddenly became an invalid when asked to help his country.
He rails about the sins of others, but has never addressed his own horrendous treatment of blacks, immigrants and women, to say nothing of how he has deliberately paid most of his employees sub-standard salaries, with few benefits, for 50 years.
As my very wise grandma, Katie Boyle, used to say to people like the Trumpster: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
14
The CinC of the most powerful military institution ever constructed is hardly qualified to pronounce judgement on this young, mentally disturbed veteran who in spite of his mental health problems tried twice to serve his country in a meaningful and honorable way even as the next generation of trumps also failed to fulfill THEIR national duty. Why is this - because he, himself, is a five time shirker of national duty and honorable service (and even went on to brag about this at a time when more honorable young men were fighting and dying in that morass of politics and military brass ineptitude known as Vietnam. Mr. trump is a joke, a coward and an embarrassment to those he now pretends to lead if they be unfortunate enough to be called on to defend this country in any time of confrontation. I shudder to consider the possibilities.
13
Potus right. He deserved execution by hanging.
7
Nothing in the article about President Obama's attempts to influence the outcome here? Also, there is a lot about how tortured he was. Please include evidence.
5
The moto "leave no soldier behind" means exactly that. The moto isn't "leave no soldier behind unless we judge him not to be worth it". His fellow soldiers went looking for him just as they are supposed to do. Yes, it is a tragedy that some soldiers were critically injured looking for him, but you want your brothers to be willing to do that for you. Don't you? Yes, it turned out that he had some mental issues that the army was willing to overlook in order to meet a quota. Maybe the wrong person was sent to trial then....
Now this kid is stripped of his benefits and will likely not be able to get the help that he needs which could end up being a death sentence. To make matters worse, we have a President who spouts words that could put a target on his back. What if it was his son?
Let's not fall into this trap. He could be our son or brother. Let the anger go and try to understand the incident as it really was, not as something premeditated like some are portraying it to be. He was a kid allowed into the military who had already demonstrated that he might not be qualified for high stress environments, but someone chose to put him in there anyway. Time served.
16
The flip side to that coin is that the presumption that the men we're looking for are honorable and dutiful. Otherwise it's just a slogan.
2
Our World Class Disgrace, crippled with bone spurs and avoided military
service, feels he is uniquely qualified to pass judgement on this man?
Not surprising.
14
Deserters should be shot. He was not drafted, he joined volunyarily.
6
One can understand that the army needed to give Bergdahl a less than honorable discharge in order to prevent other soldiers from doing similar things in the future.
I hope members of the public or some organization will donate and fund future healthcare for Bergdahl if he can't get it through the VA .
He has probably received some care while still in the army, but is likely to need more.
5
PTSD and other mental problems don't just happen when vets come home. The atrocities they witness can make them snap anywhere and anytime. Remember Mei Lei? Our troops snapped. My husband and his friends never want to talk about Nam. However when the enemy skinned some of our soldiers and hung them, they returned the favor the next day. No one wants to talk about war and what go's on because we don't have to see it or smell it. Our veterans have seen the worst of mankind. Fortunately my husband was air crew and missed a lot of what was happening on the ground. We do not know why Bergdahl left. He obviously was not in his right mind. It's always the ones who never served who have the most to say. They are clueless and it shows. We are losing about 20 veterans a day due to suicide and drug abuse. You chickenhawks out there need to think about that before condemning these brave men and woman. You have not walked in their shoes so lighten up. The real vets can say what they want, that is fair game.
7
I was a hardcore believer that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl should have received jail time . . . until this morning when I read Rob Cuthbert's column in the November 3 Opinion Section. Rarely does an article move me and change my mind, but Mr. Cuthbert's column did just that. He documented and spelled out in great detail series of events about Sgt. Bergdahl which proved to be enlightening and important. It's an important article to read. It was also a real game changer for me, largely because Mr. Cuthbert is an Army vet and his perspective is invaluable. Thanks for the education sir.
13
Where's the corroboration? We only have Bergdahl's word for it.
2
I'm stunned by the verdict. What kind of a world are living in?
2
This article is wrong. 6 soldiers died during the search for begdahl. here are two, couldnt find the names of the other 4 but the info is floating around somewhere.
Staff Sergeant Clayton Bowen, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, and Private 1st Class Morris Walker, 23, of Chapel Hill, N.C., were killed by a roadside bomb in Paktika province on Aug. 18, 2009, while trying to find Bergdhal.
These are two of the six total. Saying no soldiers died as a result of looking for bergdhal is wrong.
Some of the units soldiers and officers said the search for bergdahl was always secondary, whatever they were doing it was also looking for bergdahl. The military has said that no direct deaths were attributed to the search for bergdhal but he unit's soldiers say otherwise.
So who do we believe the politicians or the unit?
2
First, this column is quite persuasive and has, along with the comments, particularly from vets, convinced me that Sgt. Bergdahl should receive a general discharge and all of his veteran's benefits. For the record, I served in the Army Reserve for six years and understand full well that I am not in any way a vet. As a civilian I did experience and survive two war zones
Second, I would rather share a foxhole in combat with a vomiting tramp than with a coward who would certainly betray his fellow soldiers like Donald Trump.
9
Dear People,
It is time to do what Jesus would have done! This young man is one of ours regardless - unlike the other demonic and cowardly who plague the world.
At least this man went out there thousands of miles from home and stepped into the midst of evil. Whereas we the COMFORTABLE at home, FAIL to help a man on the street who is hungry or homeless! We fail to stop a madman amongst us, for fear of our own skin. This is a man at least had that much courage to JOIN and then he had the COURAGE to go THERE !!!
It is time for compassion for him and his family. All our armed forces need to be held in the highest esteem. But all are not equal. Some are weak, some are distraught, some are shell-shocked with what they SEE,
It is not an excuse for one of our own, who is STRONG, to jeopardize his fellow comrades. He should at least be able to declare himself sick WITH EASE - if he has any weakness - and so be relieved of his duties without dishonor. That would raise us a peg above any in the world for being "strong" with character of our own, to be able to flex and be compassionate.
At least this man went there for God's sake!
So let those who want to cast any stones, first declare and say that THEY have been there! And earned the right to opine!
In God we Trust - so nothing happens without His will - our right is only to compassion.
6
trump is the disgrace!
8
While there certainly was endangerment to rescuers, there was obviously no intent to dessert. The evidence suggests that while Sergeant Bergdahl may be a fool, but not a traitor.
Next!!!
7
Trump may be the Commander in Chief, but he is incapable of removing his "President 5th Class" uniform, for even an instant.
Whether a person has been caught in the jaws of a hurricane, or the hands of the enemy, he never fails to demonstrate his vindictive nature.
9
I was a soldier. I served 2 years during the Vietnam War. I did not go to Vietnam because I never received orders to do so. I didn't complain about not going. Having said that, I would never consider my experience valid enough to comment on another soldier's decision who was in the midst of combat. How this person residing in the White House has the gall to comment on a soldier's actions when he quite obviously used money and influence to avoid the entire process is the real "complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military."
11
Whatever you might think about Mr Bergdahl, he did serve his country in combat, unlike Mr Trump, who dodged the draft by getting a doctor’s not saying he had a bone spur! That Trump should nevertheless think he has a right to pass judgment on this long-suffering man is beyond belief.
10
To add to UCB Parent.
Trump is very good at passing judgment - on everyone except himself and all his various operatives.
6
trump is the one who is a disgrace
6
Dodger Trump should zip his lip, especially since he may well deserve the title of traitor given his possible connections to Russian influence/assistance in the presidential election of 2016.
When he was called to military service he "walked away" or rather limped away with his foot bone spurs.
He has no sense of shame and should be cashiered from his current position.
May this come about in the fullness of time.
12
Thank You.
2
The loser draft dodger who didnt have the guts to deploy at all, thinks that this person should be in jail? Trump should be in jail for dodging the draft and we all know it was a fake diagnosis.
10
The case of desertion is odd indeed. Meanwhile Trump is the most irresponsible speaking and acting president in history.
All decisions to benefit himself and his biz. He’s fortifying his interests and bribing loyalty from the rich at all levels to enable his tax decisions that benefit him after he’s gone.
God help us.
8
Isn't it ironic that the most thoughtful, empathetic and just part of American society is now the U.S. military?
6
"Ole Bonespur" ...chickenhawk in chief, always talks tough,always punches down, not an ounce of compassion or reason.
10
Bergdahl suffered plenty as a prisoner of our enemies and will not have an easy life. I am glad the judge used sense in reaching his decision. Thinking and compassion have otherwise been in short supply in our country lately.
6
The draft dodging commander in chief does not get a vote in this matter. As a nation we need to help Bergdahl transition to whatever the future has in store for him. No dishonorable discharge, just a general discharge.
R. Hunkins, LTC USA (Ret.)
8
Given Trump's 5 deferments, and never having served a minute in service of his country in any war, Trump is perhaps the last person who should stand in judgement of Sgt. Bergdahl or Senator McCain or any other person who served in defense of this country. Trump's self aggrandizing and self serving rantings only serve to make painful situations more painful and our country more divided.
10
Trump, the man with the greatest memory and greatest knowledge, almost omnipotent, has demonstrated there is no need of the two other branches of our government, the Congress and the Supreme Court. Although there is supposed to be a separation between the branches, Mr. Trump does not understand this. All all can ask is to repeat the question of Khizr Khan: "Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution?"
10
Five years of torture!
3
We are still fighting wars based on the events of 9/11. Congress should debate whether we should still be fighting. While they are at it, bring back the draft as part of a larger national service program. If we go to war as a country, we should all share in that decision.
4
Please stop calling him "SGT Bergdahl". He was PFC Bergdahl, and now he's Pvt. Bergdahl, soon to be Mr. Bergdahl. Continuing to call him by a rank he never earned is an insult to all of us who honorably served.
6
It is Trump who is the disgrace. This week he has tried to intervene multiple times in court cases. Did he have some fantasy that as "Emperor Trump" he would be able to dictate decisions to the judiciary? He is a joke, and he would be funny if he weren't so dangerous for our nation. He must be removed from office as soon as possible.
10
The only "total disgrace to our country" is DJT
9
Ironic how gosh darned patriotic the president how had convenient bone spurs when it was his time to serve is about others' service.
8
Why does The Times state that there were wounded in Bergdahl's search when Defense Sec'y Hagel and others deny that there is any evidence supporting this?
9
I keep saying the same thing.
1
Sec Hagel said we weren't in a war in a particular African country while I was there in uniform. Not a particularly credible source.
2
The wounded testified at the court martial. None were killed, as had been alleged. That was also testified to at trial.
4
President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.” "NOW BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE ARMY," HE SAYS......
21
This is a slap in the face to anyone who has served in the armed forces. No one made this clown sign up but when he did he took the same oath I did years ago. Whatever happened to him in captivity was due to his initial action of walking off his base. It appears some of the individuals sent to rescue him received wounds that far exceeded anything done to the captive.
His attorney argued against punitive damage as if it was a dirty word. Don't our civil courts award punitive damages? Is there any clearer case of where punitive damage would be applicable?
The judge and Bergdahl both should be court marshaled. Neither his words nor the disgraceful action on the judge's part belong in the same armed services that protect our country!
14
I don’t see it as a slap in the face. I was angry. But realized that I have never been captured and tortured for five years. So I’m satisfied with the outcome.
2
Speaking of a slap in the face;
It has come to my attention that a very small number of soldiers are going to the hospital on the pretext that they are nervously incapable of combat. Such men are cowards and bring discredit on the army and disgrace to their comrades, whom they heartlessly leave to endure the dangers of battle while they, themselves, use the hospital as a means of escape. You will take measures to see that such cases are not sent to the hospital but dealt with in their units. Those who are not willing to fight will be tried by court-martial for cowardice in the face of the enemy.
— Patton directive to the Seventh Army, 5 August 1943
1
I served. My face is not stinging.
3
All of the soldiers that mistreat Bergdahl betray a greater goal in our duty to protect one another. The protocol of a military unit does not outrank the protocol to be human, empathetic, and kind - especially to those clearly in need of understanding, not further punishment. I know the training asks for suspension of this characteristic, but our courts and our guiding principles are centered on it.
There is another article that says stripping him of his military rank will take away income and resources he needs to heal. Bergdahl would be better off healing outside of military resources/culture, far away from many of its unforgiving members. That said, the soldiers who were wounded as they looked for him have paid a terrible price, and that contributes to this as tragic.
Re: the comment that every American should be offended by Trump's assault on the fair administration of justice... What about being offended when he was heard, on tape, about assaulting women? Trump's selfishness and lack of empathy would be unbelievable if we didn't have it from his own (the rich are different) mouth and/or from a Twitter account that will astound historians and civilized people in general in years to come. Just as there was finally justice for Bergdahl (sort of), I await the justice that will eventually reach the imposter, Trump.
29
There is little to no value to having him continue to be locked up after having been sufficiently punished by the Taliban. But for those who think it is a travesty that he received a DD that will strip him of all VA benefits like the OP-ED writer today, please save your tears for those who served honorably and still have trouble accessing appropriate medical care and benefits. There are far too many who did their duty properly who are not being provided the proper resources to be upset about the self-inflicted "lifelong psychological scars" of Bowe Bergdahl. There is a limit to resources and priorities must be made. He needs to go WAY DOWN the list of concern.
9
Arguably not all of Bergdahl's psychological scars are self inflicted. There is good evidence that he had mental health issues before he walked off the base. An intervention before he walked off the base may have prevented this whole mess. Mental health care, both during and after military service, is severely neglected FOR ALL. I don't think mental health care should be denied to Bergdahl in a punitive way. If he ends up in a state hospital rather than the V.A. I can live with that. I could even live with mental health care being provided in prison. Hopefully he won't be just another P.T.S.D. suicide statistic in the wake of inadequate mental health care. Way too many veterans have been taking their own lives. This has to be addressed!
6
On this issue, I agree that his sentence is a disgrace. He put his own men in jeopardy and they are the ones to feel for, not this deserter.
9
Given that Trump didn't serve and may have lied to avoid serving, he has no business calling Bowe Bergdhal a traitor. And it's reprehensible that he called for Bowe's execution. Trump defends white supremacists and neo-nazis, yet can't find the compassion to forgive a mentally ill young man who made a terrible mistake.
39
I understand (please correct me if I am incorrect), Mr Trump has never served in the military.
I am surprised that the Commander-in-Chief has commented on this case, effectively turning what should be a military discipline issue into a political one.
27
"President Trump ... has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a 'dirty rotten traitor' ..." Takes one to know one.
21
Don't sell trump short! He's also a complete and total disgrace.
6
So is: "People who talk in cliches are stupid."
Trump weighing in again here after his recent comment that the NYC terrorist should be executed. This is like a spaghetti western where you have the upstanding sheriff (representing the FBI agents, the prosecutors, the judges) who holds an individual accused of a grisly murder in his jail awaiting trial. There is a crowd outside the jail egged on by a self righteous town bully (Trump) who wants the crowd to break into the jail and drag out the alleged perpetrator so he can be hung from the nearest tree. The sheriff witnessed the crime and knows the accused is guilty, but he puts his life on the line and faces down the crowd because THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
12
'President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”'
The only disgrace to our country is the President who made those remarks.
33
It's a perverse commentary on our era of US militarism that the family of victims of war like Sgt Allen (not to mention the millions of civilians caught up in the violence) direct their anger at such proximal causes like Bergdahl, and not the US military and Dept of Defense. It's the chain of command who put everybody in harm's way in the first place. it's like complaining that that dogs in a dogfighting ring aren't tearing each apart according to the rules, instead of saying, Hey, dogfighting is immoral so let's shut it down.
12
The fact is, no matter who is president, no matter what the mission, every 18 year old American has the obligation to serve his country and to place themselves in harms way, should the need arise. Armies can't decide which battles to fight by a show of hands. If you're supposed to be willing to die for your country, why can't military service sometimes result in being poor for your country, being in a wheelchair for your country, being homeless for your country? A CO of mine used to point out that the army that defends freedom cannot itself be one. Once you enlist, all the rules in life change.
1
The president bombastically called Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl a ‘traitor.’ Utter nonsense. A traitor is someone who aids and abets the enemy. There is nothing in Bergdahl’s record which indicates treason. Bergdahl, by any reasonable measure is guilty only of poor judgement in violating military discipline. He continually tried to escape from the enemy and he appears to have acted in a soldierly manner during the entire time since he was repatriated by President Obama.
During the Carter-Ford amnesty resulting from the Viet Nam war, all deserters received Undesirable Discharges once they turned themselves in. This included those who left for Canada, and those who were harbored by friends, neighbors, relatives in the USA during that despicable war.
Bergdahl faced the music and pled guilty to the general court martial. He did not desert his post, for example, under active combat, an act of cowardice. What he is guilty of is exceedingly poor judgement.
Naval commanders whose exceedingly poor judgement in recent collisions with merchant vessels have faced disgrace and forced to retire, but they have not faced court martial for the deaths of sailors under their commands. Double standards at operation here.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s dishonorable discharge does not fit the crime. He has served punishment enough tortured in a Taliban cage. An Undesirable Discharge is the appropriate punishment.
19
A reporter for the NYT needs to ask President Trump or Sarah Huckabee this question:
"How does President Trump reconcile his belief that a dishonorable discharge for a deserter is a disgrace with his belief that secessionist traitors, like Robert E. Lee, who actually fired shots on their fellow Americans should be honored with memorials."
29
I don't know if the punishment was appropriate or not. I've never been in combat or held prisoner and neither has the president so we're not qualified to pass judgement.
8
Should murderers be judged only by murderers?
2
Using your logic, anyone who hasn't been murdered cannot sit on a jury that decides a homicide case
1
Bergdahl's sentence a "disgrace" but Joe Arpaio is pardoned and praised. The only disgrace is Donald Trump.
22
" President Trump tweeted that the judge’s decision was “a complete disgrace to our Country and to our Military.” The U. S. have well grounded , strong Military and Civilian institutions . These operate under the Constitution and a Country of Laws , with precedence and case Laws etc . , in a Jeffersonian Democratic system . There is no possibility and opportunity for any wishful thinking , as expressed by the POTUS today to influence if any a Military court decision . Except to follow with appeal process in the High courts . What do you think ?
1
Result of mercenaries in the E Ring and Ninth Circuit clerics running the military judicial system.
Should be in Leavenworth for life next to Bush and Cheney. If they can avoid time in prison, why not Bergdahl? Seems fair to me.
1
Donald Trump is the nation's DISGRACE as POTUS. Bergdahl may have deserved more severe punishment, but Trump deserves IMPEACHMENT,
ASAP. Congress should place the highest priority to proclaim aloud to the American people, " Donald Trump, YOU'RE FIRED!!!" Long overdue!
7
You may not like the trump, and I know your friends have been frantically searching, but to date no impeachable offenses have been proven.
What a surprise!
President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
Said the Commander in Chief who assiduously avoided his own military service through multiple physical deferments of chronic foot pain (which foot, he couldn't recall)--but who apparently had no problem playing sports vigorously rather than face basic training or the honor of wearing combat boots.
Not just my views. Sen. McCain wasn't alluding to some average draft dodger.
At the least, that Sgt. Bergdahl wore a uniform and landed in a combat zone.
How do Mr. Trump's daily, predictable, bombastic projections of his own failures to uphold the standards he espouses contradict what he mutters? Let us count the ways. Back to you, NY Times. I expect that you're compiling a list.
14
I dislike and oppose Trump. And I think Bowe Bergdahl is a dirty rotten traitor.
Bergdahl landed in a combat zone but failed to honorably complete his duties, making him worse than someone who never enlisted. As far as Trump, who is certainly an ignorant, incompetent, immature blowhard, the fact is that he was attending Fordham followed by Wharton, after which it makes no sense to derail your career whether you are Fred Trumps kid or Joe Blow's kid. That's not only a bad ROI but also a fatal career move.
I had a chance to see the video "Coming Home" by Sean Langan. It changed my mind about Bergdahl whom I thought deserved the book thrown at him. He had a habit of going into nature and into isolation whenever he wanted to clear his head and meditate. He was stuck in a metal cage for 4 years. Because the metal slats were vertical, he wasn't able to stand and exercise in his cage. He escaped twice, the last time for 8 days. When he was caught he was so rotted, the Taliban didn't punish him because his body wouldn't have gone over the edge. He fought the enemy even in captivity. I believe a discharge for insubordination is acceptable, but he's earned medical benefits for his ordeal and I do wish we, as a society, gives it to him. I commend the military for ignoring the rants of our President and not giving Bergdahl life in prison. I am reminded of the fact that it was our military that desegregated before the rest of society and I am inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.
18
President needs to keep his mouth shut. It's an abuse of power and also, he is clueless.
21
When I read some of the scary comments I am flabberghasted. My my, don't we treat our mentally unstable people wonderfully in this country. Some suggest Bergdahl needs to learn a lesson. Lord have mercy, five years in captivity by the Taliban isn't enough of a lesson?
I am ashamed of this uncivilized war-mongering nation with ancient notions of punishing the mentally fragile. What next, we chain the mentally challenged in dungeons. So many people in this nation are cruel and heartless or they are up on their self-righteous high horse. We do not have enough people that can discern nuances -- everything is black or white to them.
22
In ignoring his enlistment, your position is misplaced. Bergdahl signed a document then took an oath. At that time, every civilian rule, every civilian expectation, every civilian attitude, every civilian bit of compassion, every civilian right ceased to exist for him as it does for every enlistee. The military needs to shape itself in certain ways that ate different if not opposite what we allow in civilian life. Which isn't a bad thing and which would improve society if every eighteen year old male were conscripted to benefit from it. Myself, basic training cleared a lot of nonsense from my thinking and while it was a shock to my system, rather than being an evolutionary process, made me an adult overnight.
The only disgrace here is the atrocious reaction from a President who has never served in the military and dodged Vietnam by paying a doctor to write a dodgy excuse letter "claiming bone spurs'. Give us a break and let this ex-serviceman and POW get on with his life in peace and dignity.
19
Trump, who never served a day in his life, comments are despicabler.
Just shooting off his mouth when the better part of intelligence would have been silence from a President who showed his cowardice long ago with deferment after deferment.
14
D-I-S-G-R-A-C-E spells T-R-U-M-P.
5
Trump is demonstrating once again why he is unfit to be president. Both Fox news and the NY Times had articles speculating that his comments might backfire and pressure the judge to be lenient. Too bad we will never know what the sentence would have been if Trump had not tainted the process.
In 2015, John McCain stated that he would hold hearings if there were no punishment at all. In Oct 2016 he was referred to as "pugilistic" in a commentary of the conservative Washington Times in which he was lambasted for threatening the integrity of the process.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/oct/10/john-mccain-bowe-bergdah....
McCain's commentary did not come even close to Trump's in it's level of inappropriateness.
3
Trump is helping Bergdahl. His comments allowed Bergdahl to avoid prison and may cause the sentence to be reduced on appeal and could cause the conviction to be overturned.
2
Interesting theory. Do you really think Trump's that clever?
2
Then shame on the judge because this was a bench trial so there's no jury to be swayed. And even if it were a key trial, in a court martial, the jury is composed of military officers who shouldn't be swayed.
Thank God, I am so glad. It was determined by the Coast Guard (military) that Bergdahl was not mentally/emotionally able to serve. So what happens? The Army takes him with no hesitation. For crying out loud couldn't they find something other field combat for Bergdahl?
He was not fit for combat duty and he has suffered encough in captivity. May God bless him.
10
He suffered enough, I agree. He also is a dirty rotten traitor.
Forget his crimes, the fact that Bergdahl wasn't suited for military service is a disgrace and a shame he should carry with him all the rest of his days.
I would have run away, too. The U.S. military has committed many atrocities and takes over countries or inhabits them without leaving.
3
Trump, the narcissist who never served in the Military, the bully and hence the coward, the sexual predator whose conduct would have caused him to be dishonorably discharged if he had been a soldier, the draft dodger who claimed his little feet hurt oh so much, the liar, the swindler, the immoral, the racist and the philanderer, is indignant because a soldier who left his post and spent five years in captivity is not executed by firing squad. Amazing indeed.
80
Trumps disapproval of Bergdahl's actions would be different if Bergdahl had stated he walked away in protest of Obama's war policy. If that were the case,
Trump would give him the medal of honor.
1
I have no liking or respect for Trump, but this sentence had nothing to do with Trump. It has to do with military justice and discipline, and those things failed as did Bergdahl. If it were you or one of your children whom Bergdahl deserted, what punishment would YOU demand? He should have been sentenced to SOME amount of prison time. How will this sentence be explained to those who did NOT run away? Today and in the future?
2
"President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”"
This from a man who has never worn the uniform of his country much less ever even heard a shot fired in anger. It is Trump who is a disgrace to the office of President with his inflammatory remarks about things he knows nothing about.
9
I think he needs to go to prison. He made a choice to leave his post in violation of orders, and others got seriously wounded looking for him. Yes he was held captive, but that is beside the point.
5
Thank you NYT readers. I hated this man, and was astounded by the decision, but after reading the top 30 "readers' picks," I am much wiser.
Perhaps now it's time to read the article.
Trump has no understanding of his responsibilities as commander in chief of the military in a democratic society. He must be removed from office immediately.
3
What a shame that the Executive branch of your government doesn’t honour the Constitutional divide between itself & the Judiciary.
6
Donald, Whether the sentence was just or not, You are a disgrace. A national disgrace and a presidential national disgrace. So stop with the childish name calling because we are deathly sick of it.
7
Does anyone else see how inappropriate it is for a sitting President interject himself into a judicial matter like this? What is wrong with our country that we have not taken trump away in handcuffs?
6
It's very disturbing to see that our Commander-in-Chief Trump has no clue about how to behave while acting in that important position.
Shouldn't any commander who demonstrates lack of understanding about how the armed forces operate and makes the same mistake (i.e. saying things that undermine the effective functioning of his own forces and disrupts the established military legal system) over and over again be relieved of their command?
Doesn't Commander-in-Chief Trump also deserve a dishonorable discharge?
5
Actually, Trumps multiple (5) draft deferments during the Vietnam war were a complete and total disgrace to our country and military. Glass houses and stones and such.
6
Bill Clinton - glass houses, eh?
President Trump, wonder why Bergdahl wasn't sentenced to prison?
"Ironically, Mr. Trump’s comments may have contributed to the decision not to sentence him to prison. After Mr. Trump seemed last month to endorse his harsh criticism from the campaign trail, Colonel Nance ruled that he would consider the comments as mitigating evidence at sentencing."
President Trump who is ostensibly The Commander in Chief, is forbidden to comment on these cases. Of course President Trump has an opinon on everything and never knows when he's supposed to just say nothing. Even if he knew that the guy would get no time because of what he said, that wouldn't stop President Trump. He just want's everybody to see what a "tough guy" he is.
3
Trump does more damage on an average day.
Judge showed compassion, something our idiot president knows nothing about.
3
This sentence is a reasonable conclusion to a troubling case. Mr. Bergdahl deserves the condemnation that his dishonorable discharge represents (and the resulting denial of veterans benefits), but little purpose would be served by a sentence of confinement.
2
trump is a complete and total disgrace to our country and our military! SAD!
2
"Trump Calls Sentence a ‘Disgrace’"
A Disgrace? Really?
How about that most every 'sentence' Trump expresses via twitter or utters orally can reasonably labeled a 'Disgrace'?
3
When Trump is sentenced for betraying America justice will be served "cold".
3
There is no upside for Beau Bergdahl. He will be discharged and will have to live with the full knowledge of his actions and the continuing damage to himself and, more importantly, those injured by his actions.
Mr. Trump, however, positioned himself to benefit whatever the sentence. A harsh sentence and he is a strong, powerful leader.
If, as happened, Bergdahl is not sentenced as Mr. Trump demanded he could then display himself as the patriot his history does not reflect. Mr. Trump is not particularly intelligent, but he is cunning and ruthless and willing to subvert our legal system for his own benefit.
40
Am sure Trump sees himself on a horse with a pistol shooting those that run the other way in combat. But, big but, means Trump would actually be serving which of course would never ever happen. As ultimate fairness succeeded this case, certainly the law could succeed in Trump Election thrown out also............
2
At this point, as at many, people's reactions are much more indicative of their own natures than of this case itself.
3
Think of all the things that ail our fellow citizens and society; the horrific and tragic experiences of Sergeant Bergdalh as being but one example.
Think about how our society would be if we reacted more often in this way: with empathy and compassion.
How different would our world be?
6
Our imperious leader has become judge, jury and executioner. The sentence should be thrown out.
4
He expressed an opinion. Just like yourself.
The biggest "disgrace" in America is draft dodger and inveterate liar Donald Trump, IMPEACHMENT NOW!
Recent cartoon in THE NEW YORKER: Wife to husband, "Remember how nice America was before it was great?"
11
Draft dodger trump has forever forfeited his right to comment on anybody's patriotism, period.
10
Oh Lord, deliver us from the crude, cold-hearted bloviating loudmouth that our fellow Americans installed in the White House. How about 5 years in a 7 x 7 for Trump? "Lock 'im up!"
9
It is not just a Republicans who were angry over Bergdahl's actions. I am sure Democrats and Independents who served or who have relatives who served were angered by his actions as well. Susan Rice's foolish comments notwithstanding this is not about politics or getting a leg up on an unpopular president. It is about loyalty to one's comrades in the fAce of the enemy and the order and discipline the military must have to perform its difficult role, which is to protect the rest of us.
4
The military doesn't protect you.
It serves the interests of the warmongering corporatists.
If anything, US military action creates more terrorists and makes you less safe.
3
To break under disillusionment and pressure to the point of deserting one's post, this serving soldier had gone into and stood a place where Trump ducked out of when his call to duty came. Trump avoided because it was too painful to ignore a bone spur or have it fixed and answer his call to duty. It is understandable how some who served and stood fast at a great price are upset with this military tribunal’s decision, but those upset might first the guy who didn't even show up, Trump, what’s your damn excuse, bug out?
4
The fact that there is no longer a draft has made it easy for anyone, even those with criminal records, a lack of a high school degree, immaturity, and mental illness to sign up for the military. This presents serious problems for those who are not in the above categories, as they become victims of those who should never be in the military, and that is the dirty little secret, that those who head the military and those serve in the rank and file know. This is how what happened is a tragedy for those who serve with brains and distinction, and then become victims, as were those who had to search for him when he deserted. The truth is that several years of prison time should of been given by the judge!
4
The man already served several years of prison time, with the Taliban, far worse than any US prison.
How much hatred do you have to subject him to?
5
Bowe Bergdahl will be rich and famous for the remainder of his life. The unfortunate soldiers are the ones who did what they were told and died anonymously. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease.
5
As others have noted 5 years of captivity as a prisoner of the Taliban should serve as punishment enough. It is certainly sad for the servicemen and their families who were wounded while searching for Berghdal but keeping him in prison will not restore their lives to normalcy. The Army made a grave mistake in allowing Berghdal to enlist in the first place and will continue to see problems of one sort or another as the pool from which volunteers are drawn declines in quality. Thus I believe a Dishonorable Discharge is too severe a form of punishment for this obviously disturbed young man. Such a discharge will prevent him from receiving care he clearly needs. Society will gain nothing from forcing Berghdal to live among us in his disturbed condition without any sort of help.
We need some form of national service of which the military could be one. Other forms of service could qualify as well.
Oh and Trump calling Bergdhal a coward is rich. He bought his way out of Vietnam and then went on to criticize a national hero, John McCain, who served with honor in the same war Trump evaded. Such is the Wonderland in which we now live.
11
Bergdahl is paying and has paid a price for what he did. However, this retired Air Force officer is appalled that Trump, a four-time draft dodger, would dare to open his mouth and comment on anyone else's military service. That is disgusting!
12
Vietnam draft dodgers are not entitled to throw stones. You forfieted that opportunity long ago
10
Draft dodger Bill Clinton - are you against him too? Show it.
And Trump knows all about disgracing our country and our military. He has no room to condemn any soldier, honorable or dishonorable, considering he used his family's wealth to buy his way out of enlisting at all. While poor little rich boy was home tending to his widdle achy tootsies, poor kids were enlisting, fighting and dying.
I'm a veteran, and I consider this a fair punishment. Dishonorably discharged, which means he will never receive any kind of VA benefits, the record follows him around for the rest of his life. Though it has be to asked, if the man already had a history of mental illness, why on earth was he permitted enlistment in the first place? Find the government worker who OKed his entry and fire him/her while you're at it.
48
Trump never served in the military. None of his grown children have served. When Trump sees firsthand what being in combat is like, then I'll give his screaming about disgrace serious consideration.
9
Complete and total disgrace....4 words that describe the Trump presidency in a nutshell. Bergdahl made a huge mistake but he went thru hell for 5 years. Wouldn't it be great if Trump or one of his family members had to spend 5 years in the Talibans' hands?
6
Everything in Trump's mind is a disgrace except Trump.
8
A fundamental truth here is that our putting of Bowe Bergdahl and thousands of his fellow soldiers into harm's way over the past 16 years, in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other nations, in service of the hubristic notion that US economic and military hegemony must be maintained worldwide at all costs, has been a collective act of insanity.
The lesson of the fundamental insanity of war is one I was fortunate to learn at the knee of my Chicago born mother (1909-2000), a strong admirer of Jane Addams (1860-1935), founder of Hull House in Chicago (1889), and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1931).
British poet Wilfred Owen, killed in action in 1918 a few days before the November 11 armistice, perhaps said it best in this excerpt from his poem "Dulce et Decorum":
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth corrupted lungs [of a dying young soldier]
... My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
[The Latin phrase at the end of the poem means "it is sweet and proper to die for one's country" and is taken from the Roman poet Horace.]
6
Trump is not qualified to comment on military matters having avoided the draft five times during the Vietnam war. He was never captured in Vietnam like John McCain, as he was too much of a coward to even be there.
Sergeant Bergdahl at least had the courage to join the army even though he had mental problems which caused him to break down. He has suffered enough.
10
Good, glad to see this. Sgt Bergdahl has been punished commensurate with his transgressions. Let it go now, just let it go.
8
Trump would be wise to not call for prison for those convicted of "treasonous" federal offenses. It might come back to haunt him in the future. We can only hope.
8
The disparity in the comments to this article reflects the disparity in the morals of the human animal. There is the human and then there is the animal. Our President demeans us to the lowest common denominator of animal and then there is a judge who reminds that after tragedy what should remain is humanism, compassion, and mercy. Much as we would like otherwise our minds are not always in our control and culpability is so very difficult to assess. When it’s someone we love we search for humanity in our response to disastrous consequences but if not we self righteously think of vengeance. I wish the soldiers hurt in the search could be healed and I ache for them and their families and I also want that Bergdahl has a chance to live a good life of service and redemption. He will have to live with a level of remorse and demons of a kind I can’t conceive, for deep remorse Bergdahl shows. War is so dastardly wrong, no person comes out of it without physical or mental scars and often both.
8
Trump deserves the hell he has created for himself. This has all been very tragic. Wars are brutal and senseless as Gen. Eisenhower himself often made reference. The judge made a Solomon decision. I pray for those affected.
5
The man who sinned less than was sinned against.
Now let him be and let him heal.
4
Trump is a disgrace for not serving because of "bone spurs in his heel". What a lame excuse
2
What was Bill Clinton's excuse?
I'm sure most of those commenting on Trump's lack of service had no problem with Clinton's.
Good story. I’m glad for the outcome.
This sentence seems to connect three points that are unrelated. It definitely conveys his awful experience in captivity.
“He suffered dysentery for most of his captivity, and cleaned feces off his hands with his own urine so that he could eat enough bread to survive.“
3
And we know this because?
"Hey Rocky! Watch me pull a bone spur out of my hat!
1
Trump is a disgrace, not this guy.
4
No disgrace. You're the disgrace.
5
Very cute. Whom did you have in mind?
Donald Trump clearly has no standing to call Bergdahl a traitor and his sentence a disgrace to our Country and to our Military as he himself has never worn a uniform in our Military: a case of the pot calling the kettle "black"! Hopefully soon we'll see who the most disgraceful traitor really is.
2
It seems best for the leader of a government not to propose sentences for the accused before they are found guilty. When he didn't get his preconceived outcome, he then chose to trash his own military justice system. He is not the only one who does this, just the loudest. For whatever reason, politicians have seen fit to say they lead a bunch of incompetents and manage to get by with that as an excuse for failure of their programs. In this case, Trump proposed a bad outcome that his fans would support and then said the judge was bad for not imposing it, thereby not being held responsible by his base for the fact this man wasn't lynched. This strategy allows Trump to say this crazy stuff, and act disappointed and blame others he knows his fans will hate when the crazy stuff doesn't happen. That way, his base will forget by tomorrow and he can say something else crazy tomorrow.
A more just verdict would left his vet benefits for mental health treatment [at the very least] intact.
5
I was glad to hear that he received a just sentence, despite DT's recommendation. I believe a little compassion is appropriate in this situation. He's already paid a heavy price. Let him get on with his life.
19
While this verdict may be smiled upon in coastal urban centers, it will do nothing but ensure tens of milllions of people between NY and California keep the GOP in complete political power. This is the problem Democrats now face. They have plenty of votes, but those votes are consolidated in a handful of states. And even some of those states their stance is wobbly. Like it or not, the path to victory becomes tedious for any party whose members seem to celebrate the light punishment for a man who caused the death of his fellow soldiers by his decision to abandon his duty. Good luck in 2018.
10
This was a military decision. The Democrats had nothing to do with it.
2
If you mean to please Trump fans as a means to power, you'd better abandon a lot more decency than you suggest. Nope. Anti-Trump people are already a majority and we will overcome ultimately, without giving foolish people and bullies our nation.
2
Absurd to suggest anyone is smiling about anything to do with this case, or that the case is somehow a Republican vs Democratic issue. But what is clearly an outrage is the notion that the Commander in Chief was making pronouncements on the case (as he has done with others) while it was underway, reflecting his utter contempt for the rule of law. This, too, should not be a partisan issue. Whatever your political position or view of the Bergdahl case, how can anyone who believes in the structure and values of the American system support an occupant of the White House who has no regard for the rule of law and is willing to use any situation, no matter how tragic, to pander to his political supporters? And why would you and Trump's other supporters allow yourself to be endlessly used an manipulated at the expense of the sanctity of American democratic institutions?
2
If Mr. Trump had kept his mouth shut the outcome may have been entirely different. We should take note of the comments by an interviewer of Mr. Bergdahl who wrote that the information that Bergdahl provided regarding the Taliban and how they operated was a gold mine on their operations and provided great insight for American intelligence and operations. He went on to say that Bergdahl provided insights on how to survive captivity that will greatly assist others who may be captured. Bergdahl would have told much more the interview said but because of the charges and the trial he shut down. The interviewer said that Bergdahl was more than willing to cooperate and assist even in his greatly weakened condition when he first returned. But, of course Mr. Trump opened his big mouth. There is still a treasure trove of information that Sgt. Bergdahl can provide but, why should he? After all the President would like to pull the trigger or the switch to kill him.
Bergdahl is not a hero. He was not even, before captivity a good soldier. But in captivity he was in fact a good soldier who stood up to the worst the Taliban could dish out including severe and inhuman treatment that confined Bergdahl to a cage for several years. After trying to escape his punishment increased.
Only Donald Trump cannot see what this young soldier suffered. All he sees is simplistic, biased views that can only do more harm.
Donald Trump never served in the armed forces. How long would he have lasted?
29
hes a traitor, punish accordingly..
6
Not a traitor. What's your source? How much classified info do you believe he gave to the "enemy"? Probably none. Look up the definition of traitor.
1
You’re right. trump IS a traitor!
1
No, he has a diagnosed mental disorder and was a POW for 5 years. Have a little compassion.
1
Bergdahl made a major error in his judgment to go AWOL. Trump is the last person on the face of the earth to urge during the campaign that Bergdahl face the death penalty. Trump received dubious/numerous draft deferments that he received during the Vietnam draft due to "bone spurs". I wonder how much his family paid for him to avoid the draft. I grew up in city housing, when I was drafted I accepted that and served my country and received a honorable discharge. During basic training, all recruits are taught the consequences of going Absent Without Leave. The brave soldiers who tried to rescues him and their families I know are not happy with the judges decision, I understand that. I think Bergdahl suffered enough during captivity. Now, not-my-president says about today's decision ..... "a complete and total disgrace". Mr. President .... YOU are a complete and total disgrace.
39
Bowe Bergdhal is all what is wrong in todays armed services. He chose freely to leave post and was captured voluntarily. He put at risk, some injured permanently, soldiers who risked their lives looking for the defective soldier named Bergdhal. He failed basic training with the Coast Guard only to be admitted by the US Army. As the Russian Army reconstitutes itself and continues with its conscription of recruits, the US military services admits candidates such as Bergdhal and Chelsea Manning! As our armed services are overcommitted and engaged in perpetual wars, and because of our lowering of standards, there will be many more Bowe Bergdhals' and Chelsea Mannings'. As our foreign adversaries toughen, the U.S. armed services weakens because of the current recruiting methods. Not everyone was meant to be in the armed services; but in today's army everyone can, thank you Bowe Bergdhal!
7
I'm not sure when desertion came to mean "made a bad choice." We have no idea what initially made him desert and truth be truth we have only his word on the "torture" he received. Was it all part of a ploy to discourage and create fear and anguish in the USA troops? Guess what: we'll never know.
But to slap his hand opens a door to forever having deserters claim "I'm sad" and that be that.
Verdict: I give an F. It failed to uphold our military morals.
7
Maybe it happened about the same time that presidents decided they could declare wars without Constitutional permission--or that they could accuse nations of crimes they didn't commit and then bomb cities full of innocent people. What do you think should be done to presidents like that? We have one now who also brags that he sexually assaults women. What is your morally righteous view of that? I'll check back, your honor.
3
You have no clue what a mentally unstable person subject to great stress has to go through.
On top of that, the man endured five years of painful captivity. Five years!
Only a deeply insensitive person could fail to appreciate the immensity of that torture.
3
Trump wasn’t at the trial, he didn’t hear the evidence, he’s not qualified to judge the judges.
11
neither were you and desertion which he ADMITTED to is punished by death... disgusting decline in moral america
1
......and he doesn't know the first thing about serving in the military. he's a classic Chicken Hawk.
1
I think the Bergdahl sentence is a not so veiled directive to Trump to BUTT OUT.
It's also a fairly fitting sentence except it does not give any solace to the wife of soldier Allen who was grieviously wounded during the search for Bergdahl. I don't know if there is any solace for that family, and I am truly sorry for their suffering. I'm sure Trump's comfort to her would be along the lines of "he knew what he was getting into when he signed up". Better leave Trump out of the discussion entirely.
7
Re Trump's comment on the verdict-it's sort of like the pot calling the pan black.
7
I am a combat veteran from Vietnam. Albeit that I do not know the circumstances of his deployment in Afghanistan, I can see the toll that stress would take on an individual such as the sergeant. Many times we would say to ourselves what are we doing here and shudder. Stress is extreme in these situations and each of us have our tolerance level. For some to say that he is a coward, having not been in combat, is to mouth off without a full analysis of the situation. Might a medical discharge be a better solution so that he could get the help that he needs from the VA or another source?
77
Comments like yours give me hope for humankind.
5
Absolutely right. One reader stated, "Justice IS the balancing of the act with a punishment." That may be true in the Old Testament, but a civilized society can and should do better. Bergdahl is blamed for the injuries of those who looked for him, when it was enemy bullets that caused those wounds, and it was a judgement call of an officer that ordered a search. Military thinking should not be too important in deciding Bergdahl's fate. McCain, Strong Justice is to do what is best and most effective for all involved parties. Punishment is but one option and historically, a very ineffective choice to prevent future recurrence of anti-social behavior.
Enough is enough, as Col. Nance recognized. End it already. And the verdict is also a rebuke to a "Commander in Chief" who regularly demeans military honor, the rule of law, and the office of President.
15
Certainly the military has an idea of what its people can face. The president and our congress, who got out of doing military service to pursue their profitable careers, can only talk fatuous jingo.
15
Trump needs a dishonorable discharge too. He's deserted the American people on health care, infrastructure, and national security.
28
....to say nothing of Vietnam.
He didn't desert us.
He was never with us.
The former Sgt. Beau Bergdahl apologized and admitted he made a mistake and expressed remorse for those injured by his actions. Four star general John Kelly has not yet apologized for lying about Rep. Frederica Wilson. Bergdahl is the better man in spite of having mental issues.
19
Good. The right decision.
9
Even without ill-informed interference, the Bergdahl case isn't an easy one. I read the Wiki summary. Reasonable guidance was provided by Lt Col Mark Visger, who led the hearing. He considered punitive discharge or confinement to be inappropriate. Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior, which sounds like a plea bargain. The dishonorable discharge is punitive, more than what Lt Col Mark Visger considered appropriate. Without having served in the military - though I did work as a DoD contractor - I personally disapprove of the desertion, and strongly. Col Nance's decision, consistent with Capt. Nina Banks's opinion, sound fair enough to me.
The US casualties suffered while searching for Bergdahl are a consequence of the "no man left behind" policy, which was dramatized in "Blackhawk Down." Though unfortunate, not IMO relevant to Bergdahl's case.
The military processes appear to be working well enough.
4
Does the president know the details of military law? Based on his inflammatory comments on this case, I suspect not. Most people have the sense to avoid opining when they lack the requisite knowledge. Put the phone down!
8
Obama made a mistake by not pardoning Bergdahl to dishonorable discharge who had to undergo the whole military judicial process for the same outcome. Obama was reluctant to pardon people and preferred commutations, but Bergdahl had received his punishment at the hand of the Taliban already.
10
Obama also called Bergdahl a hero. Trump is not the only president that speaks without knowing all the facts.
As Trump continues to pronounce his preferred outcome of particular cases, he may just find that his posturing and baiting have the opposite effect. The NYC bike path murderer is up next. Trump is relentlessly and defiantly clueless. Won't he just shut up!
12
If he ever stops spouting, how will he know he's alive?
Mr. President, put on some boots first before judging someone who already has.
20
We had a programme here in England this week about this young man...he actually gave his first interview to British TV .
Watching the programme you felt one moment that you did not have an ounce of remorse for him...then the next you felt so sorry for him.
He had already been kicked out of the US military through mental health problems...and listening to him talking ...the guy thought he could go and talk to the terrorist and stop the fighting.
However his father did him no favours...the growing of the beard and talking on TV in there lingo was all a bit weird.
The right verdict was given today...hopefully he will get the help he needs and be allowed to get on with his life.
7
Tired of 'winning' yet, Donald ?
9
If you have seen the video of SGT Bergdahl being handed over to American Special Operators by the Taliban the look on his face speaks volumes. Yes, it was wrong to abandon his post and comrades in a combat zone but this man should never have been wearing the uniform in the first place given his mental state. His suffering will likely continue for a long time to come. I respect the judges decision not to imprison him. I was an Army Ranger for 8 years and saw many men fail to handle the rigors of intense training and combat.
100
Why are we supposed to have sympathy for those who are unfit for military service? That's a failure of the worst kind. It has been written that approximately 25% of American males between 18-24 ate unfit to enlist. That's a national disgrace and something every one of those 25% should be ashamed of. We've gotten soft to the point that the Greatest Generation must be spinning in their graves.
1
Yeah, it's a shame that so many young people don't have the capacity to become trained killers.
/s
2
Great job, easy fro trump to say to kill someone when he is here in the safety of our tax dollar. Poor soul will never know what a hard time or struggles are!
6
What were the "problems with his unit"? The answer to this question is the only justification I can arrive at that would prompt Obama to trade for his freedom.
4
'Off with their heads!' The Queen of Hearts, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
'He should be executed!' Donald J. Trump, ostensible President of the United States.
Know what I'm sayin'?
11
I assume the judge took into consideration that Bergdahl was held captive for five years in conditions far harsher than he would ever experience in a military prison, and therefore had been punished enough. Regarding the soldiers who were injured searching for him, is it callous to point out that they were injured while on patrol, and that, as combat soldiers, patrolling is what they do? They could as easily have been injured on a patrol that had nothing to do with Bergdahl.
5
It was a good decision
It was a bad president
11
President Trump, Why must you remind us every day what a disastrous disgrace you are to this country. What happened to your dignity and compassion? I don't think having a little bit of money does this to everybody.
6
Good ruling - the guy has suffered enough. Get him out of the army and reduce his rank and pay.
4
I love the New York Times. Bergdahl's abandonment of his post in the face of the enemy did not just anger Republicans. Believe it or not this not a partisan issue; it is about loyalty to fellow soldiers and the order and discipline the military needs to succeed in its mission, Susan Rice's stupid comments notwithstanding. I am sure that many Democrats and Independents, especially those who served or who are serving, are equally outraged by Bergdahl's actions.
10
Isn't the headline wrong?
2
Trump creates messes with his big mouth. Then he whines and yells about the results of his imprudent comments.If he had shut up, he might have gotten a sentence. I assume with a dishonorable discharge, he will be a marked man forever and have a very difficult time finding a decent job.
3
"The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military" says President Trump. And as the man that spoke these words, so is he. Why does he consistently have to spew language that reflects blatant ignorance and horrible judgement?
11
Trump and McCain should have kept their opinions to themselves. If the army was so convinced that Bergdahl had walked off his post they ought not to have promoted him in absentia. The fact that he was allowed to remain in the Army after being discharged from the Coast Guard for psychological reasons means the Army is partly responsible for the entire fiasco. Giving him a dishonorable discharge after he was tortured for 5 years is rubbing a ton of salt into the wounds. If anything the Army's reason's for sending Bergdahl to a war zone with the problems he had ought to be questioned.
Bergdahl walked away from his post but the Army walked away from their responsibility to ensure that the people who remain in the Army are stable enough to serve in war zones. They are the direct cause of why several soldiers were injured in the search for Bergdahl.
115
If Trump got his way and Bergdahl was sent away for life or executed how would that make Trump any different, at all, from any other murderous dictator?
What's a disgrace is that the President of the United States of America is completely and truly devoid of anything resembling a soul.
15
As we saw in the series on Vietnam recently hundreds of American soldiers murdered hundreds of civilian women and children in Vietnam. The most egregious case to come to light, My Lai, resulted in an officer, Calley, being found guilty, but serving 3 and a half years under house arrest. The massacre was covered up by the military brass and but for a journalist, Seymour Hersh, it would have stayed hidden. No-one else served time. Now the right wants to get all patriotic and hang a guy for walking away from his post, something that happened in Vietnam quite regularly. Our President leads the way, a POW (McCain) close behind. One escaped the draft, the other served as a hero, both seem to have forgotten our forgiving of murderers while demanding punishment for desertion. I'll leave the obvious message unsaid.
13
Every once in awhile when we hear of instances like this coming from our courts, our military, our legislature, our businesses but most often from the people themselves, we must cling to the fact that this country still has the compassion and dignity that makes us proud. Thank you Colonel Nance. You have lifted us up.
10
Mr Trump: YOU are a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.
22
The federal criminal justice system uses Sentencing Guidelines to identify objective factors that should be considered in sentencing decisions. They bring a degree of predictability to what otherwise can be wildly unpredictable.
Sentences in emotional cases are inherently controversial. Their legitimacy is fundamentally tied to support by something of a public consensus. When one side is calling for 14 years and the other is calling for a dishonorable discharge and the President recommends capital punishment, that is a crisis for the justice system. The actual sentence imposed is less important to the justice system than public confidence that justice has been done. Sentencing guidelines bring objectivity to what can otherwise be wildly subjective. They should apply in every case and departing from the guidelines should be rare.
Bergdahl is not the first to desert in time of war, and he is not the first whose unit has sought to rescue him. The guidelines for Bergdahl's offense should be based on similar cases, not what the President wants and not what the public may want.
24
What? Haven't you ever heard of public thirst and bloodlust?
1
I’m so glad the judge showed mercy. Mr. Bergdahl must have been psychologically and emotionally stressed if he believed it was wiser for him to leave the relative security of his camp to strike out alone through dangerous territory for the nearest American military outpost. I am proud of the judge who presided over the trial for tempering Justice with mercy.
Trump has called Bergdahl a “traitor” and demanded that he be executed.
Trump is beginning to look like a traitor, himself. I can safely say that if he is proved a traitor, he will not be calling for his own execution (although it wouldn’ surprise me if he demanded that Hillary Clinton be executed). Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is good advice for all of us.
9
I served with the judge, COL Nance. We were deployed to Kuwait early 2003 and reached Baghdad in April as the city came into US control. This man understands what a deployment to a combat environment means and what it means to serve along side soldiers that rely on you with their lives. He understands the consequences on a family back home.
COL Nance has exemplary character and morale courage. Serving in the military for as long as he has, he knows his ruling would not be popular with many of his fellow soldiers, whom are both his peers and his friends. I do not know his exact political beliefs, but he is certainly no "coastal elite liberal" as has been opined by some.
He is also a very experienced military judge, having presided over a number of difficult, complex cases arising out of combat actions. He takes his job extremely seriously and does his absolute best to arrive at the correct decision regardless of personal bias or external pressures.
I am proud of COL Nance, not because of this ruling but because of the man I know and highly respect. It takes a lot of brass to do what one decides is right when one knows the likely consequences will not be popular. But, who else would you want serving in your military or acting as your judge?
224
Not this guy. I would want a leader, not an Obama hack.
1
Thanks for this inside perspective on the ruling. It's great to hear that some of those in charge of making decisions are still able to be counted on to serve with a conscience.
2
Thank you for your comment and your service.
At least Bowe went to serve..... Unlike the president...
25
While laughable on one hand, at least taxpayers won't bear the cost of Private B's incarceration.
Given his lack of personal responsibility and that he is now serving a life sentence as a coward, all the readers should do now is await the obit. Beyond grave disappointment of having betrayed his Country, the army, and worst of all his mates, he'll never be able endure the rest of his life, at least not without a lot of medication.
1
I wish we were still the compassionate nation we were before the arrival of Trump. Trump, who never served in the military, has no right to utter his hateful remarks about Sgt. Bergdahl or John McCain. Trump is the disgrace, not Sgt. Bergdahl. Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Bush were responsible for many more deaths by sending young men and women to an unnecessary war in Iraq.
181
Trump is a traitor to the United States .
Not this young man.
5
I agree.war is not to be waged lightly.
Agreed. This traitor should spend the rest of his life in prison.
2
Hero!
1
How could Trump open his traitorous mouth, he has no right to say anything about the military justice system! I served from 1966 to 1970 and was given a honorable discharge and I think he has been punished enough!
16
Desertion is serious but it is not treason. Treason would be collaborating with a foreign power against the interests of your country.
The dictionary version of treason will soon use Donald Trump and his family as its most infamous example, replacing Benedict Arnold.
20
That is the right decision. I knew the kid in town, filmed him dancing ballet. He is a child of independently minded rather fundamentalist out in their own private Idaho parents. He is not well grounded in the reality most of us share.
12
Listen to the draft dodger call someone else a traitor.
19
As a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Viet-nam I feel the need to state my piece on this matter. It seems to me that Bergdahl paid the price for his actions over a long period of captivity and the punishment he has been given fits the circumstances. It is very unfortunate that other servicemen were injured in attempts to find him, but the tradition of the military is not to abandon anyone in the field. Regardless of the circumstances leading to his captivity, he was still one of our own.
Donald Trump, called avoiding venereal disease his Viet-nam, had doctors diagnose bone spurs for him to use as a draft deferment, and called Senator John McCain who sacrificed so much over his years of imprisonment a loser., Then he calls the punishment of Bergdahl (who actually did volunteer and serve, regardless of the result of that service) a "complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military." This all from a person who avoided service to our country, was proud of doing so, and on many occasions said he knew more than our generals.
In light of that I would have to ask, "Who has acted the more disgracefully to 'our Country and to our Military? '"
279
No he aided and abetted. You are so wrong
Like over 15 million other folks who got deferments from the hell that was the Vietnam War.
1
Amen !!!
A president who managed to avoid the draft with spurious claims of bone spurs is in no position to cricize this soldier or the judge's decision on sentence. so what else is new?
20
Spurious?
I love it !
3
Truly from the COWARD and liar-in-chief that got FIVE deferments from the Vietnam war???
16
Our bone spur draft dodging president should keep his mouth shut for once.
20
A President who avoided military service because of "bone spurs" has no business weighing in on this matter. Bergdahl attempted to serve his country despite true illness.
11
Oh, and it's great to hear T condemn a man who served. T's little bone spur got him out of it (Dishonorable!! Not even honorable enough to ever find himself in the kind of situation that Bergdahl signed up for--to serve his country honorably). T dishonorably discharged himself from serving. That's what I call a disgrace. Then sits in judgement on others who had the courage and selflessness to serve. Double disgrace. Of course "grabbing (and I won't say the p word)" which T admits to doing--brags about doing--okay, so is that honorable? Who really deserves to be declared a "disgrace?"
10
We and the whole world would be much better off if someone would close President Trump's Twitter account, seize his smartphone and tape his mouth shut. He's a menace.
11
What are the punishments for some rich guy who evades the draft by finding a doctor who conveniently finds a bone spur in his heel? Donald Trump should hide in a closet.
2
Out of the mouth of a heel, his words are not going to make his own draft deferrals believably justified.
10
I guess if he had had a doctor write a letter about heel spurs (that magically healed later) he could have avoided all of this.
11
Desertion, in an active war zone. A firing squad is the only appropriate sentence. He is a traitor.
5
Since when do Presidents comment on results of court cases and court martials? Why isn't T running the country? Shooting off your mouth is not what I'd call leadership. The T presidency feels like being thrown back to middle school dynamics--everything's about that annoying loudmouth in the class. Problem is the middle-school loudmouth, who is also a dangerous high-school-strength bully--has been made Principle. Sigh.
8
"Why isn't T running the country?"
But he is running the country -- just not forward.
1
Our heroic president who avoided military service because of problems with his big toe. What a small he is. Tiny, tiny small man.
14
Amen! I concur with the sentence. May Bergdahl live in peace and freedom.
I am a veteran. Justice has been done.
13
I hope that always when we see such suffering, even of an animal, as that of Bergdahl, our empathy moves us to end or mitigate, and even do our best to heal it. In weighing the intellectual conceits surrounding the case, and my visceral response to its tragedy, there is no contest. The harsh cries for a vengeful and severe retribution, seem more attuned to the policies of the Taliban than that of my own culture.
9
Whatever the merits of the sentence that Bergdahl received (and reasonable people can disagree), I think it is patently clear and beyond reasonable disagreement that Trump's intemperate comments showed a total disregard for the judicial process and probably made the relatively light sentence unavoidable. Of course, he is now doing the same thing with the guy in New York. Is Trump actually capable of learning?
8
As a Vet of the US Marine Corp that other glorious war Vietnam when politicians lied through their teeth and felt no compassion for those killed or wounded mentally forever. nor the drug addiction that the war caused it was a just sentence. This idea that he should go to prison for ever is absurd and mouthed by those that know nothing like Trump and his followers. Without a draft for these wonderful endless war the military is forced to take many that have mental health issues or other issues that should not serve. If America wants endless wars bring back the draft so the Trump boys and the rest of their ilk can have a chance to serve their country. As for Trump he should keep his big trap shut he spouted the man should be executed - as Commander in Chief is he that stupid that sprouting off can be seen as tampering with the Justice system. He should shut up another giant reason HE NEVER SERVED! so what the heck does he know and also he has no right to say anything. His old man paid his way out of the military my goodness the man had a medical problem, but he can't tell us or the doctor that signed that letter what that problem was. Gee, if he can't remember he is unfit for his job as Commander in Chief. As for no punishment what does he think when every job position requires one to state if you had been in the military what type of discharge you served does to your prospects. Jim Trautman
153
General John Kelly AWOL. Do you, John Kelly, condone a known draft dodger (Trump) passing judgement on an American service man (Bergdahl) in combat?
7
Right on. The draft serves two useful purposes. It supplies cheap labor for wars (vs the $100,000 we paid the mercenaries for Iraq and Afghanistan off the books). But more importantly, it puts everybody's skin in the game. If there was no draft in Vietnam, we would still be there rather than give up. Now we are in Bush's wars forever.
3
According to National Archives, among approximately 27 million American men eligible for military service between 1964 and 1973, around 15.4 million were granted DEFERMENTS, mostly for education, some for mental, physical and family hardships...Hopefully, you remember that it was not a very popular war....maybe you also remember that neither Clinton, Biden or Cheney ever served either....
1
After five yours of torture and being displayed in a cage by the Taliban, I believe it was appropriate that Sgt. Bergdahl be given mercy by the court.
As for the dispicable Donald Trump ...
16
It is a disgrace to our country and military that trump is cic.
10
The United States Army takes care of its own and judges its own. Our Commander-in-Chief should stop second-guessing matters he will never understand.
A draft evader, who has never faced anything more dangerous than an STD (his words), has no business passing judgement on those who have risked their lives in the service of our country.
15
But apparently the US Army also believed Bergdahl served with honor and distinction--otherwise why was he promoted to sergeant while in captivity? No one has ever explained his two promotions during that five years.
6
It is customary to promote on "time in service" when captive.
2
Hasn't Bergdahl been in prison for the last several years?
7
"a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military"
Classic Trump projection.
9
Trump demands the death sentence for a lot of people, but not for white supremacists who kill innocent people by running them over with a car, like the one in Charlottesville. He was silent about that. Very silent.
17
"The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military."
Donald Trump is a complete and total disgrace to our country and to our military (with 3rd-grade writing skills - neither "country" nor "military" should be capitalized.)
13
It's pretty rich that prez bone-spur bozo is criticizing Bergdahl. Ole bone-spur was too cowardly to serve his country; such a vindictive man-child.
Bergdahl has already served a prison sentence of the worst sort in Taliban captivity. He needs mental health treatment & I hope he gets it.
15
I learned about Bergdahl’s case through the second season of Serial. Based on the thorough research presented in that podcast, I believe this sentence was fair and appropriate.
I hope no other branch of the armed forces will overlook Bergdahl’s record, as the Army overlooked his Coast Guard record when they accepted him.
5
The military shares some responsibility for placing an unstable person in a position to do great harm. This soldier was a weak link in the chain from the beginning. He had already bombed out of the Coast Guard and the Army surely know of his mental instability. It’s the military who put our soldiers in grave danger.
11
Some???? The preponderance!
2
I don't know if Trump deserves the death penalty, but it's doubtful he'll avoid prison.
5
It would be good to see this Private soldier (the promotion was not earned) give some interviews, with real questions, not powderpuff ones.
4
How about you leave him alone now and go about your own business? Hm?
2
When Trump serves one minute in the armed forces, he will be authoized to comment on treason.
5
The Army knows this stuff. They've been dealing with it for over 200 years. If they decided no prison for BB that's fine by me.
My condolences to those who were injured looking for him.
I wish we could turn back the clock.
3
No prison?! Bergdahl deserves 5 years' imprisonment and torture! Wait, what's that? Ohhh...
1
thoughtful judge...this was a kid soldier...he screwed up badly....paid a big price for it....enough with the politics
8
Disrespecting the workings of military justice--of which, sadly, he tops the chain of command--Trump has just tweeted that the Bergdahl sentence is a disgrace.
This as Donald Bone Spurs makes his way towards Vietnam, an ironic country drop in visit that reminds us that Trump dodged serving there during the war, and that he also once quipped that avoiding veneral disease during certain GoGo decades in New York was his Vietnam. He also argued that attending military school was equatable to serving in the military. Later he joked that he'd always wanted to get a Purple Heart, but that being gifted one was much easier than serving in combat. Oh, yes. He also said he has sacrificef a lot while working in the real estate business.
This putative Commander in Chief is clueless about anything to do with the military. When he sidles up to "his" generals and attempts to bask in their glory, my head explodes. Trump wouldn't last five minutes in a fox hole, the world is upside down that he's the titular head of legions who willingly put their lives on the line in service to their country. He's the disgrace. Will the military never see through him to what he really is?
9
This President has interfered with the application of justice in this case by offering his opinion as to the guilt of the serviceman and by offering his opinion regarding the proper sentence.
He further compounds his disrespect for the military and our country by denouncing the sentence as “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
For someone that campaigned on the promise of making America great again, his contempt for our country, our military, and our system of justice is stunning.
10
Judge, Jury, and executioner Trump scraps all judicial proceedings when he has an opinion. I sentence Trump to solitary confinement and beatings for treasonous acts undermining justice, the press, and violating his oath of office. This sentence should be carried out, but like Trump, I am not a substitute for due process and a court. Lucky for him.
5
If, indeed, the sentencing was influenced in any way by Trump's capricious and careless use of Twitter, it should serve as a lesson to all who would use that medium in the same, irresponsible, manner. It will also be most interesting to see if the same cause/effect scenario plays out in the case of the recent NYC terror attack.
3
Maybe this will teach Trump to keep his mouth shut...who are we kidding he won't.
5
"Trump Once Urged Death Penalty."
CHALLENGE: Rearrange these words to describe how you would rescue America.
4
The judge made the correct decision, but Bergdahl should be able to keep his medical benefits - he will surely need mental and physical care for years to come. I wish the best for him and hope he can move on with his life.
14
Service-connected injuries will probably be covered free by VA.
Found this at the VA site:
Enhanced Eligibility
Certain Veterans may be afforded enhanced eligibility status when applying and enrolling in the VA health care system. Veterans who:
Are a Former Prisoner of War (POW)
In receipt of the Purple Heart Medal.
In receipt of the Medal of Honor.
Have a compensable VA awarded service-connected disability of 10% or more.
In receipt of a VA Pension.
Were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting), early out, or hardship.
Served in a Theater of Operations for 5 years post discharge.
Served in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975.
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships associated with military service in Vietnam
Served in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990 to November 11, 1998.
Were stationed or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
Are found by VA to be Catastrophically Disabled.
Previous years' household income is below VA's National Income or Geographical-Adjusted Thresholds.
I am glad I served my military obligation during the 60's. We new the rules of service, we new the rules of engagement and new the punishment for disobeying those rules. Our purpose was to defend this nation with honor. It wasn't a social experiment with lax standards and political correctness.
We need to reinstate the draft. Instill a sense of patriotism, respect for our country, our flag and our national anthem. This is a sad time for America.
1
You can have your draft when the rich and elite aren't able to dodge their duty. Unfortunately as we have seen with our current draft dodging president, it is likely the draft will bear its burden on the poor and working class, much like the tax plan the republicans hope to pass.
1
The military hasn't served with distinction since WWII.
Every war since has served only the warmongers, not the American people, and has killed obscene numbers of innocent people.
Drafting people and forcing them against their will to become hired killers will make the US and the world worse, not better.
Trump never misses a chance to pretend support for our troops, except when he calls for their execution without a trial.
No big leap for trump, he doesn't like troops who get caught, remember?
3
First of all, the President has no business criticizing a court decision. Don't we have division of power in the US? Moreover, a President who has avoided going to war on account of an imaginary bone spur on a foot, is no one to judge a young man who had the courage to go to war as a volunteer for his country! How hard it is to be a soldier in a war zone, is not something our President can judge!
8
President Trump's behavior in this case is absolutely unfathomable. There is no explanation, we can only describe it. He acts out in complete contradiction to his governmental role as Commander-in-Chief and achieves the exact opposite of his intended result. Unless he intends to string up a series of grievances and defeats as President.
5
I wholeheartedly agree with Colonel Nance's decision. Thank you.
I never could understand why this young man was treated so terribly, first, by his captors, and then, by his own peers and countrymen. The scent of blood lust by our own citizens for putting this man away, again, was so profoundly disturbing to me that I was beginning to lose much of my respect for our military men.
What worries me is that Mr. Bergdahl will wind up broke, destitute, homeless, or far worse. Like far too many of his military peers living, sleeping on the streets. I hope not.
9
This was the correct decision. I would go as far as suggest he be given a General Discharge-Other Than Honorable. Our government put this disturbed individual in a position to make his "mistake". He was discharged from the Coast Guard during training due to mental instability. The Army never should have let him enlist. There was even evidence of mental issues during his deployment. His chain of command failed him. "Suck-it-up and deal with it" is not the proper response to someone with a mental condition. Sgt. Bergdahl did his time. He needs help, not a jail cell. Let the politicians thump their chests all they want and call him a traitor. He's a broken man no thanks to those same politicians.
10
I am deeply grateful that this young man is not going to suffer anymore. He was chained, tortured, kept in a dog cage for years -- because he was an American soldier. He wandered away from his post in enemy territory but did not bring his weapon. He was obviously not in his right mind, and the original general who investigated his case recommended no further punishment.
Trump, the commander in chief, has previously mocked American POWs as losers. He avoided the draft through multiple deferments, eventually claiming a bone spur, that did not stop him from participating in any sports.
Bergdahl volunteered to serve in dangerous conditions. The United States should support its soldiers and military. Trump was quick to say that he should have the death penalty, the same penalty he said that the terrorist in NYC should have. Yet Trump said the white supremacist in Virginia who did the very same thing as the NYC terrorist was among a group who included "very fine" people.
Humanity and acknowledgement of the torture and suffering of an American prisoner in enemy hands who is willingly sharing his knowledge of his captors was the right decision. I hope his long suffering is over now.
7
If he had not deserted he would not have been captured.
2
And he was punished for it, for five painful years.
Is that really hard to understand?
Trump is a 'complete and total disgrace' to the country.
5
While i applaud the military judge I also fear for his future career prospects. I think trump is shallow and vindictive enough to do whatever he can to punish him. Colonel Nance is a hero for doing what he believed to be the right thing.
5
Any recourse about people who avoided the draft by lying about bone spurs? Jail time or death penalty? Let the president decide.
3
Thank goodness. Common sense and justice has prevailed.
5
If Trump were actually doing his own job, maybe his comments about the workings of a different branch of government might be worth considering… before deciding his comments had no relevance and ignoring them.
However, since he can’t even manage his own White House, why does he feel the need to comment on everyone else? Oh wait… maybe that’s it. His constant comments on everyone else are to deflect attention on his own inept job performance.
4
How ironic that President Trump, a draft dodger during the Vietnam War--think a possibly phony bone spur in his heel--made tweets that that probably caused Private Bergdahl to not to be imprisoned. Glad, not sad.
3
So glad this part is over for him.
Too bad he didn't have a bone spur diagnosis.
6
While Sgt. Bergdahl's actions were criminal, I'm thankful his judge had some compassion. After a haphazard youth, in which one of my siblings could not hold down a steady job and often found himself in troubling situations, he joined the military in the late 1990s with the hopes of attaining discipline and finding the right career path. After successfully completing boot camp, he began training school only to discover he was not capable of finishing his studies. He deserted base and was punished, but was ultimately hospitalized when it was discovered that he had a mental disorder. Granted it took joining the military to discover what had ailed him for so long, but I thank heavens each day for the compassion he received in the military hospital. He received a general discharge, which is not honorable, but given his circumstances, still allows him to be employed and have a meaningful life.
90
I might listen to the views of those who have actually served. Any kind of service, military, charitable, medical, anything. That excludes the Troll in the White House.
2
"The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military."
Great comment from a draft dodger.
4
This sentence was too lenient. Because of
Bergdahl’s desertion, one of the men who attempted to find him was so grievously wounded that he can’t speak, move, or manage basic bodily functions. Bergdahl should have gotten time in prison.
2
He already did. About 5 years, including torture.
1
Trump's plan for soldiers: Let us send you to fight our wars, and when you go a bit soft in the head and are captured by the very people you were sent to fight and held in a cage for years, let's put you to death.
Glad this ended well for the kid. Sorry he had to be there in the first place.
4
He didn't have to be there in the first place. No one made him join the military.
One wonders if part of the reason Bergdahl left because he was, as one of his compatriots mentioned, paraphrasing here, 'not like the rest of us", and was 'driven out, either subtly or overtly?
5
A coward who ducked military service multiple times due to bone spurs has no right to call any soldier a "disgrace". Who is the bigger disgrace, someone who hid behind phony medical excuses to avoid service to the country, or a man who agreed to serve and went into harm's way?
8
I listened to the detailed, exhaustive NPR “Serial” broadcast about Bergdahl. It was objective but somewhat sympathetic in tone. The producers went so far as to find and interview some of the Taliban who had held him captive, as well as the soldiers who looked for him, and also those who were with him at the time he deserted.
My takeaway: Bergdahl was hopelessly naive and self-deluded, perhaps even mentally unstable. He walked away not as a deserter but from some idea that he could walk his way through Taliban territory to tell his superiors about his perceived issues with the war.
His treatment in captivity was horrendous and depraved. He must have possess some inner strength to have survived such mistreatment.
Bergdahl has suffrered enough, and now he has been disgraced with a dishonorable discharge. Trump has called him a traitor who should be shot. Many will agree.
I say let him fade away from public view and try to rebuild his life. The sentence he received is fair.
4
This notion that somehow mental illness is somehow an excuse for committing criminal acts, and allowing that to absolve responsibility is absurd.
PV1 Bergdahl had options before him but he chose the worst among them, committed a disgraceful act for any Soldier and his actions directly led to the increased pain and suffering of the very people he swore an oath to support.
3
If Bergdahl is executed, what is gained? Would troop morale improve? Does Trump feel so strongly that he, as commander in chief, would be willing to perform the execution himself?
This is a difficult case, raising issues of honor and dishonor, courage and fear, and the mental and physical hardships of being a soldier in the field. A quick judgement motivated by politics diminishes all involved, including those who put themselves in the line of fire out of a sense of duty to the nation and their comrades.
I will trust a military judge who has a broader perspective and a far deeper understanding of the realities.
4
And Donald Trump once again demonstrates that he possesses around as much empathy as a brick. It has been clear for a long time that Bowe Bergdahl was not in a psychologically sound state when he walked off from his base in Afghanistan and should probably never have been allowed to enlist in the Army in the first place. What he endured during his five years of Taliban captivity I cannot even imagine. He paid a stiff price for his actions and has suffered enough.
138
And lied enough and had the president and others lying for him. Please. He needed some time in jail. Martha Stewart got a year and all she does is bake cookies.
Whatever you think of this case, Colonel Nance used his experience, knowledge, and judgment in his decisions rather than brown-nosing to Trump.
Would it only be that the cluster of retired old generals hanging around the White House had the same courage.
11
Trump -- who dishonorably eschewed any service to this country, whether in the military or Peace Corps -- is the very last person having any right to comment on this sentence. The hypocrisy exhibited by this man has no bounds,
8
From what I know about Bergdahl's case, the lack of additional jail time does not offend me. It may or may not be perfect justice, but at least it's a valid attempt. Certainly some serious and responsible people will disagree, but his history of mental illness and his five years as a captive of the Taliban seem like punishment enough.
I find the harsh words of a man who evaded military service with claims of "bone spurs" to be far more offensive. It seems to me that Trump gave up the right to be self righteous regarding others' military conduct when he accepted that exemption. I also have to wonder how he might have fared during five years in an enemy prison.
9
“President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” quickly criticized Friday’s sentence, calling it “a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”’
Trump know nothing about compassion, or service, or owning up to mistakes or misdeeds. His comments on this matter are what are disgraceful, more so for coming from a Commander and Chief who never served, never saw a moment of combat.
It is so telling that Sergeant Bergdahl apparently knows volumes more about honor and responsibility than our loudmouthed, self absorbed President will ever conceivably know or understand.
8
First, I would like our president to keep his personal comments to himself. Second, the Bergdahl crime was handled terribly politically from both sides. Our president is obviously insulting to our judicial system whom are most equipped to handle these matters. Shame on President Trump insulting everyone, and for embarrassing us as a nation.
4
After watching the interview with Langan and Bergdahl it further convinces me that no jail time was the proper decision. I wish him well.
4
Thankfully, this country's judiciary branches continue to function rationally, compassionately and in tact despite outside pressures. The same can not be said for the executive branch of government...
3
Where does trump, a four time draft dodger, someone who never had the guts or the brains to serve in the military, come off criticizing anyone who did join up? Bergdahl had some serious problems that should have been picked up by the military itself long before he walked off base.
14
It's heartening to see the compassion dominating the comments here--and ironic that trump, a nasty man who embraced five draft deferrals, is under federal investigation for possible crimes against the United States, and is considered by multitudes around the world to be "a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military" labels Bergdahl as a "dirty rotten traitor." Hopefully soon, we'll find out who the real dirty rotten traitor is.
10
Trump's tweet after the sentence is astonishing. The man has no ability to reason. Our Worst President Ever.
6
Has our "president" no shame? How can he presume to criticize Bergdahl when neither he, nor his children, ever faced being placed in harm's way, or the military judge for his ruling. My bet is that he would have deserted his post as well had he not been such a successful draft dodger. All of us who did serve deeply resent his judgment, his values, his leadership, his black soul
7
With the president weighing in on Bergdahl's guilt and punishment, I think Bergdahl's defense team should have included heel spurs as one of the reasons he deserted his post.
1
Justice would’ve been time served. But I guess this is the best he could’ve hoped for in such a punitive country.
5
This is why we don’t have “Show trials” like they do in Russia and did in Nazi Germany where politicians with an axe to grind or political points to score rig the outcome of a “trials”. Except maybe when a police officer is on trial for unnecessarily killing a black person.
But for John McCains and Trumpo’s rantings this case would have never gone to trial.
4
I testified against a soldier at his court marshal hearing before a military judge. I was angry at him for not showing up for work as swing shift lead and leaving much younger soldiers to try and cover for him. I had researched his less then stellar 18 year military career and found he'd been a problem from the very beginning. In hind site I wish I'd just found someplace to dump him for two years and just let him retire at twenty. But it would have meant having one less soldier with his skill code to do the work because we would not have gotten a replacement for him. The military is an unforgiving career.
2
It's tempting to take a cheap shot and simply make a snide comment about how the President is the one who has deserted America, it's history, its military, and its values, but that really wouldn't be helpful. There is actually a bigger, more important issue here, and that has to do with the purpose of criminal punishment, something we have often had trouble developing a national consensus on.
Is it to punish, rehabilitate, wreak vengeance on, or prevent recidivism by the guilty, to deter others from illegal behavior, or what? The differences are borne out by the different names we use for institutions of incarceration: prison, correctional facility, men's colony, institution for women, rehabilitation center, training facility, conservation center, and vocational institute are some of the names used just in California.
Bergdahl's case is unusual, if not unique. A just sentence in this, as in any case requires asking ourselves what is the purpose of the sentence. Only by doing this can the judge do right by the military, by society, and by our legal system, as well as by our values, including those of duty, security, and morality.
It appears the judge in this case did consider the question of what the purpose of a sentence should be. It also appears that President Trump, by his total ignorance of the legal and Constitutional issues and consequent interference, has accomplished the opposite of what he intended. (Just goes to show bad people can accomplish good things.)
3
To Donald Trump speak, he sounds like a true warrior, too bad he avoided his commitment to this country by opting out of Vietnam.
A good decision, although he should be spared a dishonorable discharge, so that he can receive the mental health care that he needs. Some of the responsibility for what happened lies with his superiors, who should have culled him from combat worthiness in the first place. In view of that, denying him the care he needs will eventually seriously impact his family and community.
As for the surrounding politics, we are again reminded of Mr. Trump's narrow moral and intellectual bandwidth. He has only one volume and tone setting, so dangerous for our country.
13
Generally speaking, the Army prefers to ignore mental AND physical ailments that only appear once people enlist. The sidewalks teem with people who developed injuries and conditions while in the Army that got them bumped from job categories but which the service has ZERO interest in treating or correcting.
There is absolutely NO way to know how someone will behave in a war situation until they're in one.
Sergeant Bergdahl had already been discharged from the Coast Guard for psychological reasons according to his wiki.
The US Army should have not accepted him.
Read the letter he wrote to his parents in his wiki. He was clearly unprepared for Army life, war and was found to have a mental disorder after he returned home.
There's no reason for Trump to negatively comment on people in the military publically. He has no empathy for real human beings serving in the military (or otherwise) because he never served. His impulse to criticize people is unbecoming to his position, immature and deplorable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowe_Bergdahl
9
Sgt Berdal may well have Trump to thank for his compassionate sentence. The braying of the commander in chief, seeking execution, as he stoked the hatred of followers, may well have prompted the opposite reaction in the presiding judge. When that commander in chief is a draft dodging cur, who described his dodging of stds as his "personal Viet Nam", how could any right minded person want to further punish anyone acting under his command.
5
The Judge, Colonel Nance, made a wise, thoughtful decision. Bowe Bergdahl has suffered enough.
9
i wonder what Spurred the president to say such a thing. I mean it really sound like he has a Bone to pick with Bergdahl. on something totally unrelated how can someone be playing baseket ball one month then al the sudden have bone spurs the next? odd
8
I am glad he got off. He was punished plenty in captivity and since he is back. I do not understand or accept the hostile comments of some of the others below. The man is young. He made mistakes and will have a difficult enough future out of prison. Those who have criticized either have no children or have never made a serious mistake in their life--and they don't exist.
11
This young man should never have been in the army. He was rejected by the Coast Guard first. Obviously there were issues. He made a stupid mistake by leaving the base, and other were put at risk. That being said, he was tortured and spent five years in captivity. Apparently that is not enough for the bone spur in chief, who did everything he could to avoid military service. Trump would have this young man executed, his punishment of choice.
The judge chose mercy over further punishment.
Trump chooses mercy for racist sheriffs and probably will for aides and relatives who commit treason.
12
This young man was most likely not screened by the military .. when you apply for ANY job .. Much less the military .. They have an obligation to screen for all kinds of illness .. the military is different than average employers . THEY own you . But that is what our military doesn’t do . If you are sending a young man to possibly die for his country... common sense dictates ... can he handle this ? Are there any interviews . Cognitive tests . Psychological screening of applicants . Drug testing .. possible mental illness . All of these things need to be addressed . Very upsetting what happened but ... I hold the powers that Be SHOULD be held accountable .. Top Guys . What is the actual screening process ? Or is it just for show . A nanny would probably have a more extensive vetting process
An unfit man served. If dishonorably.
The man is Trump!
Who’s not really “serving” but certainly dishonorably.
5
Good.
Both McCain and the draft dodger Trump have made grossly inappropriate comments on this case.
After reading the long Washington Post piece that came out after his return, it was clear he came from a dysfunctional family and, after being ejected from the Coast Guard for mental health issues, should never have been accepted into the Army.
Bergdahl has paid a price imposed by the Obama haters in the Republican Party. Their response, ginned up by right wing media, would have never happened but for who was president.
8
Well, he had to say SOMEthing.
The paper has a front page, after all !
1
1. There can be no sympathy for any 18 year old men who aren't up to military service. It's an obligation we all have, that millions before us have completed successfully. 2. His time in captivity was entirely an outcome of his actions. Was the experience outsize to his crime? I don't know and it really doesn't matter. 3. Any sympathy I might have had for him was dismissed by his arrogance and lack of remorse.
At least he tried to serve. Trump didn't serve and 99 percent of the commenters here didn't serve either.
9
I served. 8 years in the Air Force. How bout you? Watch the interview tape attachédt to this article and explain to me why there were no questions about desertion and none about Mark Allen, the warrior left paralyzed in a vegetative state after being shot looking for Bergdahl. Many of us once democrats tired of the liberal bias everywhere, including in the selection of the questions in this "never before seen out takes".
How would Trump, in his finite wisdom, know what is or is not a disgrace to our country? Get thee to a mirror, Mr. President.
12
No, Mr. Trump, you are a total disgrace.
10
Suppose Mueller's investigation proves Trump is a dirty, rotten traitor for his and his family's acts and omissions that support Russian interests. After trial and a finding of guilt, Trump should be given a choice between firing squad, hanging, gas, electric chair, or lethal injection to achieve the death penalty.
2
No. Apparently he should be given a dishonorable discharge and be allowed to make millions telling his tale of woe on the speaking circuit and in books while the public forgets all those that suffered from his actions.
He was already in Taliban captivity for 5 years and his mental state needed to be taken into account. He got a dishonorable discharge.The Judge made the right call here.
14
How can Trump say Bergdahl should be executed, when Trump himself avoided serving in the military? He's been the most outspoken critic of Bergdahl, but he's had zero experience in war. I'm glad the judge acted with compassion - our military has seen enough ugliness. Beau Bergdahl has already suffered, and he will continue to suffer in the future.
13
How, you ask? Because he has this microphone.
He sleeps with the mike by his side. He eats with the mike by his side. He carries it with him wherever he goes.
Some would call it Freudian. I would call it necessary -- he never knows
when he might need to rant.
"Honor and distinction," is how Susan Rice described Bergdahl's service.
A nut case who should never have been allowed to enlist, is how I describe him.
2
One issue with your statement-even in the military justice system one is presumed innocent.
3
@Camper. Since you referred to comments from Susan Rice, it's reasonable to provide some context. Her statement about honor and distinction was correctly quoted but referred only to his willingness to volunteer and serve in Afghanistan. It was also made before the military had judged whether his disappearance was desertion, and she made no pronouncements about where that process should go.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/06/politics/rice-cnn-interview/index.html
3
President Bonespur, a man who never served, sure has a lot of strong opinions about military service. A military court has ruled, but Bonespur thinks he knows better and wants the internet to know it. I guess his "personal Vietnam" of dodging STD's as a Manhattan playboy really gives him an unique perspective to judge the courage of who actually served his country in a war zone.
15
I always found it astounding that Donald Trump, a draft-dodger who has made insulting military members (Sen. John McCain) and military families (the Khans, the Johnsons) into some sort of hideous performance art ever had the nerve to call for the execution of Bowe Bergdahl. The fact that he also had the nerve to call the judge's decision on Sgt. Bergdahl "a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military" is equally astounding, considering that The Donald has been both a complete and total disgrace to the nation and the military every day since Jan. 20.
I want to be clear: I don't agree with or support Sgt. Bergdahl's actions. I thought they were dishonorable, and he's going to have to live with the consequences of what he did for the rest of his life, consequences that include knowing his actions led to catastrophic injury for those other soldiers who were forced to go out after him. The entire world knows who he is and what he did, and that will precede him in everything he does until the day he dies. It's not going to be easy for him whatsoever.
Due to this, and due to the fact that he's served his time, both here in the hands of American military justice and, as the case may have it, at the hands of the Taliban, who tortured him for years, I'd say that the judge's decision on this was the correct one. Trump howling from on high about who and what constitutes disgrace is so laughable as to be downright insulting.
27
The decision by the electoral college in opposition to the popular vote was a complete and total disgrace to our country and our military.
13
Well, maybe.
So go change the Constitution.
1
He did everything wrong the critics say he did, however, he has been punished enough. Compassion keeps us human, not revenge.
22
The dishonorable discharge deprives Private Bergdahl of any benefits connected with his time in service. It also makes him ineligible for federal employment. The sentence seems appropriate considering that Bergdahl as a result of his desertion spent five years of his youth in Taliban captivity.
6
The sentence is light since his time in the hands of the Taliban shouldn't count as it was a result of his own actions based on failed judgement.
The only 'disgrace' here is the man leveling the charge who used his wealth and privelege to avoid the draft with his phony bone spurts.
14
The disgrace and the person who should be executed for treason is YOU, Donald!
11
Perhaps Sergeant Bergdahl could be made to serve his country now in some other way as well as working with a therapist. It might restore a bit of his feelings of self worth and prove useful to our country.
4
Thank goodness, not another horror story like Chelsea Manning. The military protects us all, and it's a matter of course that strict discipline and obedience are required. You have to live like a robot for years. Many men adjust well, but not everyone is cut out for that, either mentally, psychologically or in their values and beliefs. The hot lava of rage and punitive cruelty that the military thinks it is entitled to in the very few cases that it finds out human beings are not machines is phenomenal. I'm glad the judge had more sense. I just dreaded reading the comments to this article, but found with relief that almost everyone felt as I did. It's encouraging to know that a calm sense of justice and compassion do still abide in the human race.
14
I took a deep breath when I read the verdict. Like many, I had expected the sentence to be inappropriately punitive and positively Orwellian. But no. The judge had the empathy and perspective that will allow this young man to rebuild a life, should he choose to do so. Yes, it will be difficult with the dishonorable discharge. But at least he won't be tormented in confinement any longer. At least he is being treated as a human being who has seen far worse than any of us, sitting comfortably in our chairs and not a box, as our president talks about killing him. It's a brave new world we live in, and this kind of empathy in sparing him may be in short supply in the future, if our President continually seeks to insert himself in situations where he can wield his power inappropriately. So, Mr. Bergdahl, please make the most of your time now that you are free. Do not forget the damage you caused. But, as you have in providing crucial intelligence to our country, try to rectify it by doing good.
19
Trump continues to discredit careful, individualized, judicial determination, while extolling the snap judgments of the lynch mob.
How can people prattle about "standards of behavior" regarding Bergdahl, while ignoring Trump's gross indifference to all institutions and his hostility to all modes of disciplined thought and discourse?
16
The reverse side has a reverse side. – Japanese Proverb
There’s nothing like attempting to justify the druthers after witnessing the cascading ill-effects of the first domino falling.
1
Oh Donald, your Right WIng-Master has called: You are to say He is a dirt, rotten traitor. Can you remember that? Remember the dirt part; it makes you sound presidential.
And remember, it was bone spurs, bone spurs that stopped you from serving your country as Bergdahl did. Regardless of whatever you may say, he tried Donald. You did not, but oh, you talk so tough!
Perhaps had you exercised restraint, of which you have none at all, you would have realized that you prejudiced the Court with what you said, and it could not do other than what it did or be seen as swayed by you. Once again, you place your bone spur foot into your mouth.
13
I think Trump meant I am a "complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military."
17
Donald Trump is a draft dodger.
While I don't approve of what Bowe Bergdahl did, he did serve his country as a soldier for a while, he was held in captivity under very harsh conditions for several years, and he has continued to be held in captivity since returning to the United States.
Trump, the draft dodger, forfeited his right to criticize Bergdahl long ago.
24
President Trump should forever forego use of the word "disgrace." He should never apply it to another person, to our criminal justice system, to other politicians, to anybody or animal. The word only accentuates, as if we needed reminding, the glaring defects in his own character. Trump does have character. The bad news is that it's 97 percent bad. (I'm in a generous mood today.)
18
I see people on social media (and I suspect some here too) calling for this man's death. What kind of society have we become that we can hide behind our computer screens and insist on the death of a person who's experiences we have little personal understanding of? This man has already been punished by his time in captivity and by the shame and disgrace he has brought on himself and his desertion. He also has received a Dishonorable Discharge which also has terrible consequences. And yet Trump, who did much to avoid serving his country during Vietnam, has the audacity to call this sentence a disgrace. What is a disgrace is the coward in the White House is allowed at all to open his hypocritical mouth on the subject. We are a sad country.
39
What gets me about those calling for someone's death is that they would turn around and tell you what a great "Christian" they are!
1
I worked for the Army as a civil servant. I saw bad leadership and I saw soldiers go to Afghanistan under that bad leadership where it worsened. After it was over, disciplinary actions were taken. We will never be ever to place ourselves in Bergdahl's position and know how bad that leadership was for him, but it must have been pretty terrible to leave the base in a time of war. I'm glad for this outcome.
25
He might have served time, but considering what our President said should happen to him,the Judge had to weigh that comment and did.
12
And who is this creature in the WH to even utter the death penalty for Bergdorf when he has no idea of what it is like to serve and most likely undergo ptsd-he avoided service and he was and is a disgrace as a so-called Commander In Chief. None of his sons have served-his daughter makes dresses. The family is all about money. He (Trump) talks about patriotism while he still imports his ties from China. His daughter probably has her stock made abroad as well. To further prove he is unworthy to lead he will most likely steal a visit to his muse-Putin!
26
The ignorant, loudmouth resident in the White House has no trouble quickly pardoning, and highly praising, the defiantly lawless Arpaio, who harmed countless people during his long reign of terror in Arizona. Can this Fake President be subject to a court-martial himself, as the titular Commander-in-Chief? That would be divine justice!
15
I"m not sure what prison time would have accomplished in this case. He has already had 5 years in jail during which time he was tortured by the Taliban with beatings and other acts. If that isn't enough to deter the next soldier from walking away from his post, a few more years in Leavenworth won't do that either. Glad to see the judge had the courage to administer a fair penalty On the other hand, he caused a lot of problems for his fellow soldiers. A dishonorable discharge is the right penalty.
10
The whole situation is sad, from the military's failure to see that Bergdahl was unfit to serve to the soldiers grievously harmed while trying to rescue him. However the next stages play out, we don't need to hear or read the words of the Pontificator in Chief. If I were in charge, I'd give a medal to the outgoing Twitter employee who disabled the P in C's account, at least temporarily.
17
Would someone please tell the bone spur inflicted imbecile in chief to just shut up? He has no knowledge of most things, and certainly hasn't the judgment to say anything about this, especially when all he knows about it probably comes from FOX and Breitbart.
22
What he never revealed is that it was in his brain, not on his foot.
This was a very difficult case. The worst thing about it was the unintended consequence of soldiers being wounded, some severely, in the search for Bergdahl. Still, that had to balanced with the obvious lack of a bad intent in leaving the base, his readily apparent mental problems and, most important, the 5 years of captivity and torture. Based on what I know about the case. which obviously isn't everything, I would favor the same sentence, but with the retention of medical benefits.
It shouldn't go unsaid that the execrable statements of our Boy President should be condemned by everyone, and may have contributed to the outcome that he finds disgraceful.
20
If he was ever spotted in a VA hospital the police would have to be called. We loathe him.
If ever there were an issue that the military is qualified to issue judgment on, it's desertion. Soldiers are "subject matter experts" on discipline, trust, and responsibility--as well as the incredible human toll of combat and capture. I guarantee that no civilian, or civilian court, considers these issues more carefully, or with more concern for other troops.
So when our President says the decision of a military court is a disgrace to the very military it serves, I take offense. If he's so concerned about the people being served and protected by our legal system, he should stop trying to prejudice the public against defendants before their day in court.
22
You are aware the vast majority of combat troops think he should be hanged?
1
RV, cite your source.
1
This "president" need to shut up and remember that he is only one branch of a government which also includes the judicial. His interference and shooting off at the mouth all through the Bergdahl saga has been a disgrace. What Bergdahl did was bad, but what trump does infects the entire nation and its ideals of democracy and justice.
19
22 years and 3 tours in the desert and when I heard this sentencing it made me physically ill. During the Obama administration I saw our military politicized and weakened and now it's come to this. There is nothing more sacred in combat than your loyalty to your fellow soldier.
9
All you Obama-blamers don't seem to realize history didn't start in 2008. The military has been politicized since at least the 1960s.
1
22 years at the pointy end myself with several deployments. He should have been hanged. Obama ordered the serious stuff along with the first 15-6 classified. The CM was not allowed to hear anything classified. White wash all around.
1
Bowe Bergdahl should receive a discharge with the rank he held at the time of his desertion, Private First Class. and not be required to reimburse the government. He has suffered more than enough, due to his mental instability.
In comparison, Donald Trump has betrayed the US Constitution, and has colluded with the Russians. Trump is among the worst traitors of the USA, worse than Benedict Arnold. Trump should be removed from power by the 25th Amendment, and then impeached, convicted, tried and convicted of treason, and then placed in a high security federal prison for the rest of his miserable life. Doing so would help make America great again.
36
One could ask whether Trump should be punished for stupidly, prejudicially, unfairly interfering in military justice. Never mind answering that Trump is immune owing to deficient judgment and intelligence, absence of training and wisdom. Consider the issue in the interest of ethics, intelligence, fairness.
16
Why do so few people read the details of the story. Why are those crying for prison and punishment for "treason" - most loudly our inhumane so-called "President" who puts us in harms way multiple times a day - why are they crying for cruel treatment for someone they would never give a passing thought to for the rest of his life, and the rest of their life for that matter??
I have less and less reason for hope for this country every day.
16
Read how many people agree with this rightful decision and not so many of the merciless. Remember that there's always been struggle going on against evil and we are to do our parts in it now. Have courage, take heart. You're not alone.
1
I am an honorably discharged US Army Officer. This was the correct decision.
20
I am a retired combat vet. We disagree. This was a white wash where all the harmful evidence was excluded from the CM. Even the 2009 15-6 was classified years after the fact because it was going to be a real problem for the defense.
I applaud the outcome. This young man has suffered enough and did not belong in the military. He was tortured, for god's sake. May the healing begin for all.
13
A disgrace of a president says this is a disgrace. Trump should look in a mirror and try to think what he is.
11
Trump is totally disqualified to denounce military judgement and Bowe Begrdahl because he evaded military service by all the excuses that a rich boy could use when he was Bergdahl age. Yet nearly a half of our voters elected him as President.
9
"Bone spur" Trump, enabled by a rich daddy, knows nothing of service, much less military service. Trump has stated he had a rough time during the Vietnam war dodging sexually transmitted diseases.
Bergdahl will pay a life-long price for his actions. His record will follow him everywhere he goes limiting his choice in jobs, residences, and perhaps friends.
Trump is the process of doing far more damage than Bergdahl; what price will he pay?
14
And Trump says the sentence is disgrace. What was a disgrace, Trump, was your avoiding the draft due to non-existent bone spurs. The verdict is fair.
16
Someone who should not have been allowed into uniform, never mind assigned to a forward combat base, leaves his post, is captured, is tortured for five years and now suffers from his own mental and physical injuries will be denied medical care, job opportunities and will be shunned because of a dishonorable discharge. I see no justice here, merely tragedy.
16
Bergdahl is so far down the list of important issues going on right now. Can we finally put this issue to rest and maybe start to become engaged in finding out answers on how to stop Putin from destroying our democracy.
11
If McCain and others are truly disappointed with the sentence they ought to introduce a motion to censure Trump for his comments. It probably would not pass, but would make an important point about the law, decency and common sense.
11
It’s beyond my understanding how the President has the gall to condemn this man as he does (as a “traitor”) when he evaded the draft with a supposed bone spur. Trump is a total joke.
62
Sometimes justice requires mercy.
36
I think he should have gotten life with credit for the 5 years held by the Taliban.
1
Thankfully John from Tennessee, you are not a judge.
1
Trump complains about the Bergdahl sentence, ridicules McCain during the campaign... his bone spurs must be bothering him.
36
So Donald Trump who successfully avoided Vietnam felt the death penalty was deserved in this case? Unsurprisingly, the Military showed superior judgment to our President.
33
I am not a veteran but I am a Gold Star parent of a Marine who served honorably.
I think the sentence given to Sgt. Bergdahl was fair and proportional to offenses he committed and the suffering he endured during his captivity. As other commenters have suggested, further investigation should be focused on how this individual was able to enlist in the Army in light of the fact that his psychological issues were well known at that time. I think that would be a far more effective way to prevent tragedies like this in the future, since it seems that our proclivity for waging war hasn’t been deterred by the events of the past 14 years.
As for our President, his temper tantrums on this and other issues of the day need to be viewed as you would when your 7 year old has a fit because none of his (or her) toys doesn’t work. Perhaps a time-out is called for.
48
Dave DiRoma: Thank you for your civility and your truthful comment. I am sorry that you are a Gold Star parent and may the Spirit of God Almighty comfort you and your family.
1
Regardless of the tragic consequences of Bergdahl's actions, how unseemly for Trump, exempted from the military draft for bone spurs, to call for the death sentence or life imprisonment.
20
Our flat footed president that managed to avoid the military - just like Bill Clinton - passes judgement as commander in chief by twitter... disgracing himself, the office of president, the nation and its people, the military court and Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl
The disgrace is Donald Trump... Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has learned his lesson.
This president will never learn his.
Trump should be impeached for these remarks. As our military chief and our chief law enforcement officer... this president has disqualified himself ...
With today's words and his actions.
Of course, Trump does this every day.
31
Trump "Ole Bonespur"was for the war,..Clinton against it
This man deserted because of severe behavioral disturbance, not because he defected to join an enemy. He should be treated like any soldier who became unfit for duty do to behavioral problems. Had Obama insisted that he be treated as a turn coat, then the Republicans would have declared him a martyred mentally wounded hero, just to find a way to throw another insult at the President at that time.
22
Sergeant Bergdahl made the choice to enter the military and the choice to desert his post. The U.S. traded 5 Guantanamo Bay prisoners to secure Bergdahl's release. He subjected other soldiers to life changing injuries, how is Bergdahl's dishonorable discharge justice for Sergeant Allen and the other heroes who put themselves in harm's way to try and rescue him. Col. Jeffery Nance's decision was wrong and shameful. Actions have consequences and Bergdahl is off the hook for his actions. Justice was not served today.
6
The US made a "choice" (your words) to enlist Bergdahl. That was a giant error given Bergdahl's previous documented problems. It goes both ways cbmfam.
1
I was Regular Army and fought in combat. I was proud of my service and the Army. For the first time I am ashamed. My time in the mud with a rifle was for nothing.
4
Trump's commenting on this judicial proceeding is a disgrace.
Trump's pardon of Arpaio saying that anyone may disregard a judge's order if Trump disagrees with that order is a disgrace.
15
I agree with President Trump.
4
The Army should take several steps immediately. The Court Martial judge should be required to retire. The Judge Advocate General Corps prosecutors should be reassigned to reviewing contracts for blankets and food, or some other non consequential task. The prosecutors should have never agreed to have Bergdahl tried before a military lawyer, who most probably has no combat experience. Bergdahl deserved to be tried before a court martial panel of officers and senior non-commissioned officers who were combat veterans.
Bergdahl is no better than Private Eddie Slovik who was executed for desertion in World War II; and maybe worst. Both are/were self absorbed soldiers with no commitment to the Army or the United States. Twenty five years at hard labor at the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas would have been an appropriate sentence.
3
John Quinn, you are a totally ignorant ass.
You have ZERO way off supporting such an asinine assertion as: Slovik and Bergdahl "are/were self-absorbed soldiers with no commitment to the Army or the United States"
Bergdahl is less worthy of 25 years in any prison than is Donald Trump or his precious son-in-law Jared Kushner .
1
How much time did you serve, sir? How much of any time was combat experience? Have you read the comments by actual veterans and Gold Star families that the decision was appropriate? Have you read their comments blaming the military for enlisting him in the first place, blaming his officers for sending a mentally unfit young man into a combat zone?
1
As a retired veteran myself, it is utterly reprehensible that Bergdahl's case went to a court martial. The facts are the Army knowingly allowed a mentally ill man into the Army and most damning, had specific knowledge of instances where Bergdahl exhibited his mental instability, not one isolated incident---several instances. Yet, the Army knowingly shipped a mentally ill man off to war; obviously with the full expectation that war would what? Actually cure whatever ailed Bergdahl? Now we know why the Army's logic made the 4077th MASH a hit TV show.
There are specific health requirements for deploying troops into combat, and Bergdahl's immediate supervisors officers and non-commissioned violated those rules. Bergdahl's officers were well aware that he should not have deployed---where are their trials? Classic Army coverup.
The Army's prosecutor, Major Oshana is correct it wasn't a mistake, "It was a crime." Yes, Major Oshana, but look in the mirror, sir it was your client, the US Army who's culpability underlies this gross injustice, knowingly allowing a mentally ill man to serve and blaming him for the foreseeable consequences.
I urge you all to write to, General Abrams and tell him given the Army's gross negligence it has a duty to provide for Bergdahl's long term medical treatment; a dishonorable discharge means Bergdahl will no longer be able to receive the specialized medical care he is entitled to. Trump is the worst example of a Commander-in-Chief. Sad!
57
I am a Korean War Veteran. Therefore i have the right to make the following comment.
I firmly believe that the judge advocate made the right decision in Bergdahl's case. None of us can judge what he went though as a captive of the Taliban.
With regard to The Trump's comment about the decision - it is only the comment of a five time draft dodger and coward.
66
In the course of 24 hours Trump declared our justice system and military a disgrace. As so many Republicans are quick to say on other issues....if you hate this country so much, why don't you just leave. But instead of Sweden where the Liberals are all going, you can go to NK where throwing people out of planes and sentencing without a trial are acceptable.
11
Our so-called President is in no position to judge what is disgraceful.
Letting your daddy buy your way out of the draft is disgraceful, Donny.
14
So Bush and Cheney are in the dock next for putting so many military lives at risk for their war of choice in Iraq?
16
So Trump is finally going to Vietnam. Of course he is 50 years late and won't have sleep in the jungles but he is great with discharging his big mouth and causing more harm than good. For every soldier hurt while searching for him Bergdahl should have at least served one year for each of them not as much as he deserved but at least some punishment for those who put their lives on the line for him.
2
Finally - some justice based on knowledge of his intent, and the law itself. ABergdahl spent five years in heinous imprisonment. His detailed testimony regarding the specifics of this ordeal was a "gold mine" for Army intelligence, as they said.
A dishonorable discharge is a heavy punishment for this young man. He will be forever deprived of the health and treatment benefits - as well as insurance - that he would have otherwise received. Considering the awful physical and psychological condition of this pitiable young man, that fact alone can destroy his life.
3
Colonel Nance, while declining to throw out the case, had said that he would "consider the president's comments as mitigation evidence as I arrive at an appropriate sentence". Send the president a Thank You note, Bowie.
Now President Trump has weighed in on the maniacal murderer who carried out the NYC outrage. Dollars to donuts, his defence will seize upon this needless tweet to claim leniency for him. Unless I am much mistaken, the president is also the only authority who can commute or pardon a federal capital offense in your country.
So, logically, if it is crystal clear that this authority will not apply his mind in a free and fair manner in this case, is already prejudiced against the defendant even before the trial has begun, then the courts may have no option but to not award the death penalty at all. One more Thank You note for Mr. Trump.
5
Glad he will not be sent to prison after years of captivity with the Taliban, stunned that prison time was even contemplated. Sad he is deprived of the health benefits that he clearly needs. He is told to pay $1,000 a month while we are about to lavish trillions in tax benefits on the super-wealthy financial class so they can create another bubble and run our economy into the ground even faster than last time. And we have a draft avoiding war-mongering imbecile in the White House tweeting incessantly about patriotism. Will this nightmare end?!
16
For anyone claiming justice was served, consider the fact that a dishonorable discharge means he will not be eligible to receive benefits, probably won't be able to be hired as a civilian and will face another long ordeal to get Social Security disability benefits. This was not justice served, it was punishment averted. Justice would involve some form of demotion for everyone involved - from the recruiter to his superiors in the military - anyone who overlooked a serious mental disorder and placed him in a combat unit.
16
If I were Donald Trump, I might be careful about calling for the execution of people who perform their official duties poorly as a result of mental illness. He may find himself in a similar position sooner or later.
30
Yes, as a traitor for his knowledge of the Russian meddling. He was in the room approving of what Papadopolus said about sending someone to Russia.
3
beautiful.
A mistake can be a crime;e.g.:
A. Serving alcohol to a minor who had a fake ID
B. Driving after a few drinks or while on medicine
C. Not following detailed procedures when caring for a person
D. Prescribing an incorrect medicine (eg, similarly named, or patient allergic to even when they’re conscious)
This is to rebut
““It wasn’t a mistake,” Major Oshana said of the sergeant’s decision to walk off his base. “It was a crime.””
4
Trump's comments on the Bergdahl trial and sentencing are unbelievably offensive to the military, to the military system of justice, and to the citizenry of this country. This latest ill-tempered and ill-considered outburst by Trump illustrates his utter lack of both judgment and temperament to serve as President and Commander in Chief.
27
This outcome shows compassion and is just. He suffered terribly and his incapacity damaged others. He should never have been sent into combat. The fault lies with the system that overlooked his incapacity to serve. Trump's remarks on this matter show him to be a bloodthirsty dunce without intelligence or compassion.
18
Here's a bit of perspective:
Lt. William Calley was convicted of murdering 22 unarmed Vietnamese civilians in cold blood during the My Lai massacre. He was arguably responsible for hundreds more civilian deaths as his platoon, on his orders, rampaged through that village killing unarmed men, women and children. His total, actual punishment? Three and one-half years of "house arrest".
Bergdahl has already endured five years of torture and imprisonment by the Taliban. If further punishment is to be meted out, perhaps we should use a ratio based on the "Calley standard" in which case Bergdahl's term should be perhaps 15 minutes of "house arrest". He has already served far more than that in detention awaiting his court martial.
Here's one other significant difference. At his trial, Calley's original defense, was that the death of the villagers was the result of an accidental airstrike. This was quickly and easily disproved. In his new defense, Calley claimed he was "just following orders". Have a familiar ring? Nuremberg, anyone?
Bergdahl, by contrast, admitted his guilt. Upon his return to U.S. control, he provided invaluable intelligence about Taliban operations.
Calley had President Nixon squarely in his corner. Bergdahl has had Trump calling for his head, long before his court martial ever began.
38
Surprising, and just. A mentally unstable deserter, someone who to begin with never should have worn the uniform, is released from further responsibility by the military, "getting off" with the five years of imprisonment and torture by the enemy, demotion, dishonorable discharge, and a short-term financial setback. He is branded in the eyes of most a coward and a traitor and finding employment that will pay him a decent living is going to be difficult. It's enough. With friends and family who have served and sacrificed, honorably, this sentence pays tribute to them by getting Mr. Bergdahl out of the news.
7
Trump is a coward and possibly a traitor. What do you recommend for him?
5
Please - he'll get paid a nice little chunkto put his name on a book. AndI'm sure liberal media outlets will fight over him for interviews, since all their readers/viewers/listeners will be giddy with anticipation over hearing his sob story of persecution and unacceptance - and that's before he was captured. He'll do just fine.
Bergdahl at least served, albeit poorly, which is more than can be said of our cowardly bone spurred president.
18
Pretty certain if I was in the military, I'd prefer to have someone stay home rather than willfully desert their post and put my life in danger. Just sayin'.
Key bit of information is missing from this article. Just when will Sgt., now Private, Bergdahl be discharged? The question goes to the part of his sentence that includes forfeiture of $1,000 pay for 10 months. Are we to assume he will be on active duty for at least that long while his case goes thru the mandatory review process? I'm just shaking my head over this sentence. I expected he would get some jail time. I served just over five years on active duty, including a tour in Vietnam. I'm thankful that was then and not now. I can only imagine how this is going to be explained throughout the military.
3
I think that 5 years in a Taliban cage, 3 yrs in pre-trial detention. a dishonorable discharge do not add up to something that will be hard to explain to the military.
But it is clearly beyond Trump's comprehension
4
wjh, It isnt all about you and you were not tortured for five years so apples and oranges. Not sure what your point is.
1
Most likely yes he will remain on active duty for many months. The Army Court of Criminal Appeals, like most civilian appeals courts, moves fairly slowly. After it reaches a decision, Bergdahl can then appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and he has a very good argument that Trump has exercised "unlawful command influence", including in his comments today.
A man who's never been in harm's way has not idea how he would react if he were. President Trump, who never even served in the military, should keep his opinion to himself.
29
I am proud to write that I am both a high school (Forest Hills) and college (Queens College) classmate of defense attorney, Eugene R. Fidell. If the tweeter in chief had attended NYC public schools perhaps he would have acquired some degree of decency and a sense of justice.
7
The bellowing Mr. Bonespurs is rattling his toy saber again. Perhaps he is yearning for another sword dance with his misogynistic, human rights abusing Saudi hosts. He seems so out of place at the head of a constitutional democracy. Sad. Horrible, actually.
6
"...a ruling that President Cheeto Voldemort quickly criticized as disgraceful."
Who came up with this crazy idea of having judges and a judiciary in the first place?! Just let politicians decide guilt or innocence and what the punishment should be.
(Well, I guess Donald Trump is entitled to espouse that view. It's not like he's been entrusted with a major role in safeguarding our country's fundamental institutions or anything like that...)
4
The disgrace here is the commentary from a 5 time draft evader who talks real tough to North Korea but sends Pence and Mattis to the Korean DMZ, a place he won't go himself.
3
If there is a lesson to be learned from this is that President Trump should refrain from making public remarks about those going through the legal system. His remarks may have caused the pendulum to swing a little too far to the side of leniency, however, I do understand the reasoning.
You would think that he would have learned that his words do carry an awful lot of weight and to weigh them carefully.
He seems to preach to the choir and then basks in their roars of appreciation but all he does is lay out a trail.
1
I hope he finds some peace in life somewhere. He has been let down, by the Army who never should have accepted him., much less deployed him, , by his "fellow soldiers" who are a complete disgrace, complaining about their missions when they volunteered to be in the Army. Bergdahl has much more courage and class than anyone that testified against him.
Go with grace, find some peace.
5
His "fellow soldiers" are a complete disgrace? I would like to think yore not being serious, but I know better...
Trump, who never served and indeed went out of his way not to serve, had no business sticking his cowardly nose in this case. But he never shuts the H up and he is doing again with the recent attack in NYC.
7
Trump the privilege Draft Dodger with the fifth Ave Doctors note. I have more respect for the ones that went to Canada they at least were giving up something. For the record I was inducted at Ft Hamilton Brooklyn and skip the thank you for your service I really did not enjoy giving it.
8
if there's anyone who should be well acquainted with being a disgrace to our country, it would be the president. It is probably the one who is the most disgraceful to our military and our country
7
I have no issue with him getting no prison time. the five years spent in captivity were definitely punishment. the dishonorable discharge is something he will always have to deal with tho. that and the fact every employer knows who he is and what happened.
Thank you Military Justice for showing what compassion means, something our current President can learn from.
5
Just think, your stuck in a wheelchair, brain damaged , a life sentence.
And this thing walks away with just a DD.
Ya, justice done.
4
Alas, this whole story is a tragedy. I commend judge, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance for making the right decision. I’m sure it was agonizing for Nance.
A young troubled Bergdahl made a terrible mistake in 2009. As a consequence of Bergdahl’s awful mistake, 2 soldiers were severely injured a military service dog was killed. Bergdahl was held captive and tortured for 5 years. He is profoundly remorseful and will be tormented by his actions for the rest of his life as will the injured soldiers and their families. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking. But imprisioning Bergdahl would have been cruel and inhumane.
The judge showed that Americans, unlike our disgraceful President, are not vengeful barbarians.
10
Trump is hot for killing people...calling for the execution of the Central Park Five, who after 18 long years rotting in prison were exonerated. Now he wants Bergdahl dead, who if killed by some nutcase, Trump will deny any complicity despite called for him to be killed at least 45 times and threatening to do it personally.
If and when Trump is convicted of treason, a capital offense, expect a lot of tearful wailing and pleading for the mercy of which he is incapable.
10
The only "complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military" is the bone-spur, draft-dodger himself, Donald Trump -- a soulless shell of hypocrisy, a true dishonor to the nation.
I wish you well Sgt. Bergdahl. May your heart find peace.
41
Sgt. Bergdahl has served his time. I sympathize with him, as I was in war in a far off country, where I knew we would not and could not win.
Note: People fighting against invaders for independence and freedom in their own country do not give up. In fact, they stronger in number and more determined when they see innocent family members, friends and relatives die at the invaders' hands. And, as we are learning, when they cannot fight back on their own turf, they will find ways to fight us here.
I understand why Bergdahl was compelled to leave his base. I have seen when commanders turn a blind eye to atrocities, like Gen. Mattis did in Fallujah, Iraq.
During the time that Bergdahl was a prisoner of war, our soldiers were surviving and dying under immoral conditions. Understandably, we were losing more soldiers in Afghanistan to suicide than to combat.
Honestly, I think we should be on trial for 15 years of war on Afghanistan, not those who were sent there. Our unwinnable wars must stop, or there will never be peace. We have started these wars, not the people living there.
Vietnam Veteran
26
I am the wife, mother and daughter of U.S. combat veterans. I never thought Bergdahl deserved the conviction for desertion, much less prison time. My son also served in Afghanistan. Bergdahl spent five years being tortured by the Taliban. Military officials have testified that he's eagerly provided valuable intelligence, including information that may have hurt his own defense.
27
Sometimes I wish there was a filter where those who saw combat get to post, while armchair quarterbacks who never serve tell us about military discipline and justice. I make no judgements on this ruling but I love the irony of a draft dodging president calling out someone who actually served in a war zone! Have those bone spurs healed yet?
43
Did the same irony strike you under Obama and Clinton or does it only apply to Republicans?
1
Right on Chip! Retired General McCaffrey (sp?)on MSNBC said the sentence was just in that the average soldier wanted Bergdahl to lose all his benefits. In addition, while DT was getting his five deferments, Bergdahl was serving five years confined, beaten and most likely given barely enough to stay alive while the Trump was busy making his misbegotten money. It's too easy for those who look at this sentence to say five years, being held by the Taliban, was not punishment enough.
1
Yes, I get the point. But neither Obama nor Clinton ever called out a soldier this way, no matter what the circumstances. So it's just another cheap shot at a military man, no matter how he went "wrong, from POTUS.
1
I wish we could dishonorably discharge Donald Trump.
122
Hexactly, he is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and Military ...
4
Justice has been done. It is sad that our military has a commander-in-chief who called for this man's execution, just as it is sad that our President is again calling for a defendant to be executed in this week's attack in lower Manhattan. We need to let the military and civilian justice systems do their jobs and let the processes play out. To say "Execute him!" or "Lock her up!" is un-American.
52
It is worth noting that a huge source of the outrage on the part of Congressional Republicans because of the prisoner swap for Bergdahl was a result of the Obama Administration not doing the required notifications to Congress.
6
'Lord Jim: "I've been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there's not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Maybe cowards and heroes are just ordinary men who, for a split second, do something out of the ordinary. That's all." '
24
Funny how people think this is a good decision. If marc allen was your husband or dad, you would be happy with this? That man cant walk, talk or care for himself. The kids are deprived of their father. A wife deprived of her husband. Every day theyre constantly reminded of that coward. He gets to go on living his life. He suffered for five years? Marc allen and his family gets to suffer for much much longer thsn that. This is disgusting. Wow i actually agree with trump on something.
8
@MickeyM: And but for Trump, perhaps things would have gone another way.
It's a classic fallacious argument to suggest that Marc Allen suffers because of the actions of Bowe Bergdahl. In fact we have no idea whether Marc Allen might have been killed or wounded from another action in the war theater had he not been required to aid in a search effort for Bergdahl. He could just as easily have been hit with an IED or shot by the enemy on any future mission had he not been removed because of his injuries the missions reported in this article. That's the fog of war, and that's what he signed up for.
2
Mr. Allen might have been shot on any day by an combatant enemy in that war zone. Mr. Bergdahl did not shoot him. They were in that arena at the direction of superiors in the military. A system that took a young man, already discharged after a mental breakdown, and sent him back into combat. Perhaps if Mr. Trump had paid the billion in tax which he avoided using other investors' losses the military would've had bullet proof helmets.
3
War makes people do things that are insane. Holding them accountable legally for such transgressions is perhaps necessary as a preventive, but on another level, allows us to continue to be in denial as to the devastating effects of war on the human mind. And in denial about the untenable nature of war in general. Legal consequences for crimes in war mean that war can be conducted sanely, legally, fairly and reasonably, and that the participants who behave otherwise in war are aberrant cases. Nothing can be further from the truth. War is in its essence, insanity. Its nature is to produce atrocities, and the cases where it does not are the exceptions. To be human is to make war; but to normalize war is to insure its continuation, and the time has come in the evolution of man, to leave war behind. This will surely take several centuries more, but it has begun.
22
Beautifully said.
2
Yours is a comment that says what has needed to be said for a long time. Thank you.
2
Mr. Little's comment on this case speaks a fundamental truth, that our putting of Bowe Bergdahl and thousands of his fellow soldiers into harm's way over the past 16 years, in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other nations, in service of the hubristic notion that US economic and military hegemony must be maintained worldwide at all costs, has been a collective act of insanity.
The lesson of the fundamental insanity of war is one I was fortunate to learn at the knee of my Chicago born mother (1909-2000), a strong admirer of Jane Addams (1860-1935), founder of Hull House in Chicago (1889), and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1931).
British poet Wilfred Owen, killed in action in 1918 a few days before the November 11 armistice, perhaps said it best in this excerpt from his poem "Dulce et Decorum":
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth corrupted lungs [of a dying young soldier]
... My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
[The Latin phrase at the end of the poem means "it is sweet and proper to die for one's country" and is taken from the Roman poet Horace.]
1
Whatever about Sgt./Pvt./Mr.Bergdahl's actions and their results, The Temperor in New Clothes should not even have an opinion - let alone voice it when he has manipulated and avoided his national duty at a time of war for spurious reasons. Not only does he show a lack respect the office which he holds but he he shows a distinct lack those who have served and been appointed to make judicial decisions within the military. If he had even walked a mile in Bergdahl's shoes.....but he made sure they wouldn't fit.......
30
Exactly! How can an individual who was too cowardly to ever serve in uniform possibly have the nerve to say this sentence is a disgrace! He's a disgrace to the office he holds.
4
He's the Big Man.
He can say anything.
Being taken seriously is another matter.
"The defense argued that Sergeant Bergdahl’s decision to walk away was influenced by a then-undiagnosed severe personality disorder."
How in the world could the military miss something like a "severe personality disorder" in the first place? Their criteria is unbelievable strict. How did this man ever get through, much less pass basic training? There is more fault to go around than there are holes in a slice of Swiss cheese.
But at the end of the day, my heart goes out to Sgt. First Class Mark Allen and Senior Chief Petty Officer Jimmy Hatch and their families. There is a tendency to forget that other soldiers suffered and will pay a price for their heroic actions for the rest of their lives.
10
I would recommend that you listen to the second season of the podcast "Serial" if you want more information. Bergdahl was first in the Coast Guard, which he had to leave after severe psychiatric episodes during training. A doctor wrote in his file that he should not be allowed to serve in the military again without first undergoing a thorough psychiatric evaluation, but that instruction was ignored when he enlisted in the army and he was never given any psychiatric evaluation. They knew there was a risk there, and chose to ignore it.
4
He was originally in the Coast Guard and they let him go after a few months. He should never have been accepted in the Army. The person who accepted him should be disciplined. I saw a military officer say he should never have been accepted also.
4
Thanks for the intel Nora. So you pose another important question - if Bergdahl had to "leave after severe psychiatric episodes during training", why was he allowed to stay? Regardless of the doctor's note or whether or not anyone read what was entered into his medical file, Bergdahl's own repeated behavior should have been a huge red flag to any one of his immediate superiors. Why did the military retain him after even one of these severe psychiatric episodes? Has the military bar and standards for fitness for duty been lowered to such a degree, other soldiers are potentially placed in harm's way? That gross incompetence is almost impossible to fathom.
1
For those who think Bergdahl can or should get VA benefits you might want to read this:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/COD_Factsheet.pdf
2
In the face of all the facts, the decision was a fair, just, and merciful one. How can it be any better. As the Nick Lowe song goes "(What's so funny about) Peace Love and Understanding". There is little to none of that in this Administration. Now all Trump can do is spout and sputter.
13
Wow. I completely agree with this decision. And yes, I'm an honorably discharged Veteran, as is my Husband. And Donald, I really don't care about the opinion of a five time Draft Dodger. Seriously.
103
Awesome comment, Phyliss. And you are so right about our Dodger in Chief!
2
Good. I think his time spent as a prisoner in then hands of terrorists should be more than considered time served. He has paid for his transgressions.
12
Trump comments on the Bergdahl sentence, "The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military". Trump avoid service to his country with five (5) deferments, claiming “I had a doctor that gave me a letter — a very strong letter on the heels".
Moreover, will this comment factor into any appeal from Bergdahl's defense team?
16
I have never served in the military so I don't know enough to pass judgment.
Neither has Donald who should just keep his trap shut.
It is highly improper for the president to express an opinion on a judicial proceeding.
But Trump does not care about what is proper but just feeding red meat to his base whose support he will need to fight against impeachment as Mueller uncovers evidence of Trump's crimes.
Bergdahl is clearly a troubled person.
Major General Dahl who reviewed the case recommended against prison for Bergdahl.
My own private opinion [which is of limited value since i never served] would have been no prison time, dishonorable discharge bust to lowest rank but make an exception so Bergdahl may receive VA benefits so that he may receive the help he desperately needs.
Bergdahl did NOT commit treason which is defined in Article III Section 3 as
"Treason against the US shall consist only in levying war against them or in adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort"
Bergdahl did not do that.
25
Bergdahl's mental problems existed before he enlisted so they are are not service connected. Many veterans can not get VA medical benefits, for one reason or another, that are not service connected so why should Bergdahl. There is Medicare, Medicaid or ACA insurance.
This is such a wonderful result. Trump was just excoriating the Justice Department wanting to send the Manhattan terrorist in front of a military court. Now this. What you say now, Pres? Gosh this guy is wrong at every turn!
9
Is it really wonderful ? Don't you think he should have been declared a Hero? Isn't he the very model of America's Best? Shouldn't there be a statue in every state commemorating his bravery?
That's not my point, Fred. I don't care about the decision; I care about Trump's consistent hypocrisy and so should you. His vacillation is indicative of the fact that he is devoid of any kind of moral stance. Bergdahl was wrong, but the military court found he had been punished enough. If you want to put a monument up for him, I think it would be a spurious decision, but have at it, Fred.
1
A rare instance of the UCMJ actually being just. I can live with this verdict.
USN 1967 - 71
Viet Nam 1968
34
Right on, fellow Oregonian!
1
Maybe just once someone should mention the fact that Bergdahl had previously served in the Coast Guard and had been discharged after a severe mental breakdown. Who is going to take responsibility for accepting him into the army in the first place?
43
"Army investigators quickly dismissed claims that troops had died searching for Sergeant Bergdahl, or that he had intended to defect to the Taliban. ..."
But...that's trump's main talking point! How dare you undercut him with (gasp) Actual Facts!
20
When did we become such a cruel and heartless society?
Clearly that cruelty and heartlessness is now mirrored at the highest levels. Not of the military justice system. But in the White House!
19
Five years spent inside a cage is enough punishment for anyone.
13
The political weather forecast calls for a tweetstorm this evening.
9
For those objecting to the leniency of the sentence, it is in no small measure the result of Trump, both before and after inauguration, weighing in with opinions that could only impact on the trial and sentencing. There is a reason why the administration of the justice system needs to operate from a standpoint of independence, and particularly independence from the executive and the legislature. It is that separation of powers that lies at the heart of a free society. That is what the rule of law is all about.
Trump is either bizarrely ignorant of this, or, more likely and far more worryingly, contemptuous of it. He is not interested in a protecting America as a free society but in turning America into an autocracy.
17
Well put.
1
Sgt Bergdahl abandoned his post in a combat zone. Marine Sgt Major Damien Rodriguez (NYT 10/18/17) attacked a waiter at an Iraqi restaurant in Portland. Both admitted guilt and apologized. That makes them better men than their Commander-in-Chief Donald Trump.
Trump violated the most sacred duty for a President: Leave no one behind regardless of what they did. It's not just about Bergdahl, it's about a sacred responsibility this nation has for every POW. Enemy captors tell their prisoners, "You're a coward. Your country doesn't care for you. They wil abandon you." Virtually all POWs feel like they failed. Faith their country won't abandom them is one of the few weapons POWs have to endure. Trump's stupidity proves the enemy's assertion the POW is truly alone.
Both men are being held to account by their country. Both express remorse for what they did. They are bigger men than Trump who can't even apologize to a war widow who was offended by what he said.
17
Frankly, if Bergdahl walked off his post right into Taliban territory and treated cruelly as it was, he dug his own grave. But the fact that Sgt. First Class Mark Allen and Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer are as good as dead is not their fault at all. In fact, they wound up in their present state because they followed up with their moral and military duty to find their comrade/friend. But the fact Bergahl is free ( not even a prison sentence! )
while Mark Allen and Jimmy Hatch have gotten life imprisonment with zero quality life is the most galling part of this tragedy. Also for the safety of one man we had to contend with 5 real, dangerous terrorists exchanged and putting our country's safety in exchange a for a man not worthy. Even if had a mood disorder as claimed, he should still be imprisoned and treated there.
10
As usual, Trump chimes in with a totally unnecessary tweet that shows he has no respect at all for any kind of authority. Next he’ll bemoan the fact that he can’t get his hands on military justice in the same way he wants to interfere with civilian justice.
I’m just glad our system of government is still strong enough to withstand someone like a Trump, who I’m sure wouid just love nothing more than to butt in and unilaterally overturn any decision — no matter from which court — he doesn’t agree with.
15
Trump tweeted “The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
Trump is a coward and bully. We the People should all tweet “The decision on exempting Donald Trump from military service during the Vietnam War because of trivial bone spurs is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
51
Let's make that "imaginary" bone spurs. Lying father, amoral doctor and the man himself. Now, that's a complete and total disgrace!
6
You report what Bergdahl experienced in captivity as if you confirmed it. Shouldn’t it be described as “Bergdahl claims....”
4
Until recently, I felt that Bergcahl should be severely punished for his behavior. While in the Navy, i was often a member of armed landing parties. We were armed to defend ourselves in the event of real or imagined danger. It appeared to me that the people who searched for Bergdahl were endangered bedause of Bergdahl's behavior, and he should pay for it.
But then I learned that because of a diagnosed personality disorder, Bergdahl should not have been in the service in the first place. That raises a whole new argument.
Additional punishment serves no purpose when the questioned behavior is caused by psychological problems. Enough is enough. Let it end.
25
I don't know when President Bonespur became an expert on military justice.
1
A number of people have asked how the resolution of this case will affect military discipline. The short answer is "not at all." Sergeant Sergeant Bergdahl, now private, exercised very poor judgement in going for his walk, but he did not intend any harm. In fact, he wanted to address what he perceived as harm by local command.
He also suffered mightily for his action after being captured. Some, but not all of the searches for Sergeant Bergdahl resulted in casualties due to the ineptness of local command.
President Obama was absolutely correct to bring the man home but the president himself exercised poor judgement by celebrating his release without all the facts at hand. The current president is a buffoon who does not understand a thing about being a soldier; he is a man who pardons sheriffs who have violated human rights.
Berdahl also provided valuable intelligence about his captors, and he behaved with dignity once returned to the control of the military. By pleading guilty he did the right thing to countermand the wrong thing he did.
The results of the court martial in fact will restore some confidence in the military justice system. The military has a lot to learn from the things that provoked Sergeant Bergdahl to desert. He can now return to civilian life and suffer in silence. I hope his privacy is respected.
20
The military prosecutor may be just doing his job but he is contending that because some of the soldiers ordered out to search for Bergdahl have suffered terribly that Bergdahl should somehow suffer in equal manner. According to this prosecutor, Bergdahl's pain does not yet equal the pain of Sgt. Allen, who was left barely conscious.
Since when do we mete out eye-for-an-eye justice -- in any U.S. court ? I don't know how anyone determines an equivalency of manners to experience anguish and pain.
14
Really not surprised, research Bobby Garwood, eerily similar outcome.
1
Today approximately 70 percent of of age eligible folks today would fail to qualify for military service for physical, educational or mental reasons. Today the Army is less reluctant to wash someone out, particularly during basic training, if they don't meet the standards for their military specialty. When there was more need during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan folks like Bergdahl could get in.
http://time.com/2938158/youth-fail-to-qualify-military-service/
8
This was the right verdict. This young man had already been washed out of the Coast Guard. The real issue that should be raised is why the Army allowed him to enlist and then sent him off to a highly stressful combat unit when the Coast Guard had already determined he didn't have the mental stability to perform in their capacity. I suspect the Army was so desperate for "bodies" they over looked that. Mr. Berghdahl has suffered enough. I feel a lot of sympathy for the soldiers wounded while searching for him, but the ire of their families and the public should be directed at those in the Army who put this young man in a situation he clearly was not suited for.
26
It took Trump less than an hour to tweet disparagement of the military justice system. Sadly and utterly predictable.
22
If only Trump hadn't had bone spurs...HE might be a decorated veteran. Nah.
12
Why did “justice” take 3.5 years? The initial investigation was completed in 2010. Obama politics maybe?
The right sleeve of his uniform says quite a lot. Each of those 10 hashmarks above his right wrist denotes 6 months' service in a combat zone. Few troops carry that distinction even after 16 years of continuous deployments. He's paid for the ride, Now let him be. PS- thanks COL Nance for your maturity and compassion.
38
He spent 60 of those months with the Taliban by his own choice. What service.
4
ANTONIO: It wasn't his choice to be captured.
2
Whoa. Holy snap, I did not expect them to be so lenient. But it's a decent decision. He seems at heart a good person with serious mental health issues. he was tortured for five years, and his reputation will be stained for the rest of his life. I just feel very bad for those wounded trying to rescue him because I doubt they will feel justice was served. To them, thank you so much for your sacrifices.
14
Humane sentence. Justice done.
19
Trump needs to hire someone to teach him when to capitalize nouns in a sentence in written English. His tweets are a disgrace to the New York Military Academy.
12
Thankfully some of us still have mercy for others. May all of those affected find peace. This was an honorable decision.
18
The military judge showed Solomon-like wisdom without descending into the trap set by Trump's nonsensical proclamations on this case. He is to be commended for his wisdom and maturity, unlike the so-called commander in chief.
31
If the army had done its homework when he first applied this never would have happened because he would not have been recruited. In the circumstances the judge made the right decision.
17
I suggest we read The Execution of Private Slovik" by William Bradford Huie An execution for desertion approved by Eisenhower.
3
This makes me very happy and has restored what little faith I had left in America. Make no mistake, Bergdahl was wrong to leave his platoon - but being imprisoned by the Taliban was his punishment and it should end there. The blood lust of Americans is particularly disturbing - Americans lack the ability to be empathetic. Justice was served here.
10
I would agree with you, except that Bergdahl had already been deemed emotionally unstable and dismissed by the Coast Guard and yet the Army accepted him. I don't understand why we ignore this salient fact.
3
President Trump gets it wrong 9 out of 10 times, but even though he should not interfere with the judicial process, he is right that Bergdahl deserved much more punishment. He deserted and put his fellow soldiers in harms way.
3
Under normal circumstances, Private Bergdahl's conduct and the resulting consequences to the servicemen who were sent to rescue him would have warranted at least some (and perhaps quite a bit of) jail time, in my opinion. This is just speculation in the absence of an explanation from Colonel Nance as to the sentence, but it seems to me that a dishonorable discharge without jail time reflects a finding that (i) he was suffering from a mental disorder that arguably should have precluded him from being in Afghanistan in the first place and/or (ii) his captivity at the hands of the Taliban was more than enough "punishment" as it was. I do NOT believe that this sentence had anything to do with President Trump's remarks, as intemperate and incendiary as they were. Private Bergdahl was not being sentenced by a jury of his peers, but rather by one judge, and I am quite confident that this judge let the President's remarks go in one ear, out the other, and rendered a sentence based on his read, and his alone, on what applicable law required and on the extenuating circumstances involved here.
5
This is the appropriate sentence imho.
7
This is a travesty for six reasons:
1. The obvious political interference and shenanigans of Obama.
2. The inability of the DOJ and Army to bring one accused deserter, one, to trial in less then 3.5 years. Just one.
3. A hand slap sentence for charges that in the past would have merited death and which the prosecution demanded fourteen years for. How do you go from fourteen years to a fine?
4. The denial of Justice to those who served with him and the families of the dead, wounded and crippled.
5. The deleterious effect this decision will have on military discipline and good order.
6. The precedent it sets for future deserters in the face of the enemy.
11
@Antonio: You forgot to include the Army's ignoring of the Coast Guard's dismissal for mental health problems. Would this not raise red flags for the army?
3
"3. A hand slap sentence for charges that in the past would have merited death ..."
There has only been one execution carried out for desertion since the American Civil War. That's Private Eddie Slovak during WWII. You might have fantasies of widespread use of firing squads, but the historical fact is the US military rarely resorts to that kind of thing. This isn't the Soviet Union.
1
Thanks to the Commander in Chief prejudicing the case by pronouncing him guilty of treason before the trial. Trump, a criminal's best friend.
9
“The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military,” our illustrious President just said on Twitter.
Mixed up as Bergdahl was and may still be, given a choice between sharing a foxhole with him today or a Donald J. Trump of his own age, the number of sane Americans who would choose Trump as a fighting companion is not many.
14
Brilliant observation!
Yes, who would you feel safe even to be in a room with?
4
I have a teenaged son who is seriously considering serving in the military. I have reminded him that the President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, potentially his boss. Hopefully by the time he is old enough to serve, the problem will be remedied.
6
Trump has no respect for due process or any courts. His sole instincts seem to always be to politicize everything. Not just sad but sick.
17
Good. There's a lot of responsibility all around for this mess. Beginning with the ARMY for accepting him. And the mess going on in Afghanistan that made him believe he had to leave. Not only did he have mental problems then he now has PTSD from captivity. His superiors can take responsibility for those injured looking for him.
10
The nerve of some politician in high office to refer to this soldier as a traitor and coward is sickening. The real coward received a deferment for bone spurs.
37
Maybe in lieu of Bergdoll serving time, certainly there are plenty of elected representatives in the District of Criminals, who could use a stay-ca at Gitmo!
Just saw Donald J. Trump's tweet about the Bergdahl decision. Can someone please remind me again Which branch of the military did Trump serve in?
14
For all that condemn the Court Marshal officers: You need to understand that the Military "Justice" system is not a liberal institution. It is very conservative and can be much harsher that the Civilian legal system. That the Military Judges decided on the punishment they did is simply amazing and could not have been predicted. I have no feelings one way or another about Bergdahl's actions but expected a very harsh sentence. Clearly, the Military Court found very significant mitigating circumstances. It also found that there was insufficient evidence that the death and injuries attributed to the search efforts were not substantiated as being cause by Bergdahl's desertion.
9
You don't know that. You are making assumptions. The judge gave no comments as to why he decided what he did. Do you have a crystal ball?
It was the Army's call to make. The Army made the call. Move on...
8
The most compelling testimony I heard was that of a retired Senior CPO SEAL team member, who was badlt wounded in their search for Bergdahl and urged the court to punish him. Asked why he had gone in harm's way to try to rescue Berghal, the former Special Operator said "He's an American and he has a mon." The Senior Chief went on to explain that in combat situations you are no longer fighting for the "cause" or even "your nation." You are fighting for the "guys next to you."
Trump may well be in a major way responsible for what many - myself included - find an excessively lenient sentence. "Improper command influence" can be used to mitigate or even cause dismissal of a case.
Does the fact that he was rejected by the Coast Guard for mental problems before the Army accepted him bother you at all? The Army bears the responsibility for what happened.
3
He already spent five years in the worst sort of captivity! I'm glad he didn't get prison time.
15
Donald Trump the draft dodger has no moral right to criticize the verdict, just or not. Trump is a vile cowardly hypocrite.
36
Too bad the discussion could not be about what Bergdahl saw to cause him to seek a higher court.
8
I can't agree more with all those who see the justice in this sad case. Mr Bergdahl was obviously mentally ill and the army should have recognized this.
9
I was pleased at the decision only to dishonorably discharge Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. He's a mentally ill man, who was imprisoned and tortured for five years, and confessed his guilt in deserting his post. That is punishment enough, and it is truly deplorable to see the President Trump say otherwise. Mr. Trump wastes no opportunity to attack our "rule of law" and that is the real disgrace. As it is, Sgt. Bergdahl will be tainted with both his illness, his notoriety, and his dishonorable discharge that will make his life extremely difficult
9
Bergdahl was damaged goods, from the moment he was discharged from the Coast Guard, to the moment the Army swore him in. This is someone who never should have been a soldier in the first place.
To those who lay blame at Bergdahl's feet for the horrible injuries incurred by soldiers searching for Bergdahl, I am of the mind that it was their superior officers, who sent these soldiers out to retrieve someone who never should have been a soldier in the first place, who are the ones to blame for those injuries.
He deserted his post, but with zero thought of joining the enemy. Rather, he wanted to circumvent the chain of command to complain about his own immediate superiors to higher authority. Again, someone who never should have been a soldier in the first place.
Here, given the torture he claims he underwent from the enemy, his own mental impairment, and the Army's culpability for having signed up this guy in the first place, I believe that justice was done. Bergdahl's life is ruined forevermore; being dishonorably discharged, he cannot avail himself of any of the psychiatric services the VA offers.
10
Been punished enough!
6
The US Militry does not leave soldiers behind, except for the unpopular ones like Bergdahl.
3
What about the millions of veterans who have been denied the care and benefits they have earned, many of whom line city streets as part of the ever present "homeless populations"? It really doesn't take any special popularity or lack thereof to be abandoned by the military when they are done using the minds and bodies of those who enlisted.
5
This might be the dumbest post I’ve ever seen.
Clearly we didn’t leave him behind as demonstrated by the thousands that searched for him and the 2 service members who suffered severe injuries to find him. A fact that even the judge admitted.
I feel nothing but sorrow for this man and all who had to fight with him, and then search for him. It seems likely that this sentence will result in a punishment that belies his "freedom" - he will be alone and forever ostracized. It is hard to call any of this satisfying, but I am proud that the military court was able to be more than strictly punitive, and that it has given our king of debt yet another slap in the face for presuming that he controls us all.
9
With a dishonorable discharge and any luck, Begdahl's punishment has just begun. He will soon learn what it means to be a pariah.
3
Fred, so you think 5 years in a Taliban prison wasn't enough punishment? I pity you're cold and bitter heart.
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Judge not lest ye be judged............
3
I do not doubt the hardship, the suffering, the torture or the pain Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl endured in the 5 years he was imprisoned by Taliban forces. But I also cannot help but think none of this would have occurred if he had not deserted in the first place. This entire scenario began the moment he deliberately walked off that base.
5
This entire scenario began the moment the U.S. Army accepted him after he was rejected by the U.S. Coast Guard for mental problems.
3
Another inappropriate comment from the most inappropriate and ignorant person to ever hold the title of President. Donald J. Trump is a total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.
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Bergdahl served hard time with the Taliban the moment he stepped away from his base in an ill-advised effort to report problems with his unit to senior officers. I'm glad this sorry episode is over for him and our nation.
5
I am so relieved for Mr. Bergdahl & I wish him all the best. To those who have not listened to the Serial podcast season 2, I highly recommend listening before you form an opinion as to whether the outcome of this hearing was just.
5
I completely agree with Captain Banks, "Sergeant has been punished enough."
I hope this young man now can find another purpose in his life to fulfill his God given potential.
And hopefully, his trial - and trials and tribulations following his capture - will be a lesson the rest of our young soldiers will learn.
I do not know how the Army works as an organization in educating folks from lessons learned.
But in my oil industry, sharing lessons learned is a requirement at all levels.
The Sergeant paid a big price and so did the USA - by trading him for those terrorists.
A lesson learned for all.
1
The military judge made the right decision. This soldier paid a price of reduction in rank, locked up in a cage for five years, a dishonorable discharge and $10,000 fine. I am a veteran who volunteered for the draft. I would say I have more respect for Bergdahl than I have for those who dodged the draft and let men of lesser economic stature go to defend this country. Most people reading the NYT article knows who those men are, they love wars when others go to fight them.
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The National Embarrassment, known as Donald Trump, quickly tweeted his criticism of the decision. Is his spokeswoman, Ms. Sanders, going to suggest to her boss that questioning a military officer, in this case the judge, is `inappropriate'? My guess is that Trump must have been denied a trip to Bergdorf Goodman for misbehaving in `military' school and though this `soldier' should get equal punishment.
8
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl did indeed “break the law” when he deserted his post, however, I absolutely agree with the fact that he has been punished and has suffered enough.
I completely sympathize with those of you that say a much harsher punishment is deserving... especially Sgt. First Class Mark Allen, his loving wife Shannon and their family, friends & loved ones, and that of Senior Chief Petty Officer Jimmy Hatch, his family, friends & loved ones, and the unnamed soldiers that suffered injury as well. The injuries that Allen & Hatch received while attempting to search for the missing Sgt. are devastating and heartbreaking - and we can only hope and pray that they continue to make great strives for recovery.
I would like to thank ALL of those in uniform that not only protect our “American family” to the south, but who also protect your “Canadian family” to the north! We’re forever indebted.
3
This case falls squarely in the middle of the American civil war currently underway.
One side see it simply and wants tough justice, harsh punishment and blame. They see victims and villains.
The other side has more nuanced thinking. They see mental illness, tragic circumstances, and a complex situation.
Which country would you rather live in if your child suffered from mental illness? Would you rather see them in treatment or in prison?
9
Let the young man go in peace - dishonorable discharge is good. It is a good decision. At 23, we all did stupid things. He has been tortured physically and emotionally for 8 years.
7
As the saying goes, there are three versions of the story, Obama's version, Trump's version and the truth.
Judging by the decision of the military, it looks like Obama's version is closer to the truth.
Sad story all around. Probably even a better decision would be to give him an honorary discharge and community service in a VA hospital or if too traumatic someplace else.
It would serve society and possibly give me so peace.
8
Good, that's the right thing. He has suffered enough.
6
It is doubly unfortunate that Bergdahl did not get at least a lengthy sentence and that so many of our readership seems motivated more by hatred of Trump than a desire to see the right thing done. Bergdahl is a traitor and a deserter. The heroes who gave their lives in spite of their own horrible fears deserve better. Some day, some readers who approved of Bergdahl’s release may find themselves in need of a hero, and I hope they are equally understanding when they discover the hard way that our society no longer supports heroism.
4
So is trump, his sons and half of his administration!
1