# Is Bergdahl being swiftboated? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 2, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840 "2014-06-02T15:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 30
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/581 "2014-06-09T22:42:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > From the above cite, apparently left off for reasons of brevity and clarity. Sure. I also think that Bergdahl should have been rescued, but the price should be one Taliban soldier, a low-ranked one. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/582 "2014-06-09T22:45:45Z")
A Taliban soldier, a low-level one at that, is worth as much as an American? That’s what you’re telling us? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/583 "2014-06-09T23:18:59Z")
[quote=“Terr, post:577, topic:689840”] > [@Oliveritaly](#): > > Apparently most vets and their families disagree with you in case of Bergdahl. You’re in a tiny minority among veterans. > > [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/06/09/veterans-obama-made-wrong-call-on-bergdahl/](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/06/09/veterans-obama-made-wrong-call-on-bergdahl/) > > A new poll shows military veterans and their families say overwhelmingly that President Obama made the wrong call by trading five Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. > > The USA Today/Pew Research Center poll shows people in households with veterans disapprove of the deal 55 percent to 26 percent. In addition, according to USA Today, **veterans themselves disapprove 68-16** , and 33 percent of veterans say they are “angry” about the deal, while just 6 percent say they sympathize with Bergdahl, who has been accused of deserting his unit. Who gives a flying fuck what the veterans think? So many of them are ultra right wing low information voters who watch Fox and listen to Hate Radio. I don’t give a fuck if 100% of veterans oppose it, it was still the right thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/584 "2014-06-09T23:20:47Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > A Taliban soldier, a low-level one at that, is worth as much as an American? That’s what you’re telling us? As an American deserter, yes. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/585 "2014-06-09T23:29:04Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > As an American deserter, yes. How about an American that may or may not be a deserter and has had no chance to explain his actions or face his accusers? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/586 "2014-06-09T23:31:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Who gives a flying fuck what the veterans think? Gotta love it. When useful, people in this thread have emphasized the veterans’ opinions. But when they differ from yours, who “gives a flying fuck” what the veterans think? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/587 "2014-06-09T23:35:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > How about an American that may or may not be a deserter and has had no chance to explain his actions or face his accusers? When all the members of his platoon that are asked tell me he is a deserter? Still one. Maybe two. Low-ranking Taliban. Definitely not five high-ranking enemy combatants. You know what, **iiandyiiii** , do you accept that there is a limit to the price one can pay for a POW? You do? Then deciding what that price is is a legitimate question - which is what the whole broohaha is about. So spare me the fake indignation. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/588 "2014-06-09T23:35:28Z")
> [@](#): > > As an American deserter, yes. And then what? You are already satisfied, apparently, that this guy deserves whatever happens to him. At the hands of the Taliban? So, whatever they do to this guy, after he has no more usefulness to them, you are cool with that? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/589 "2014-06-09T23:56:19Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > A Taliban soldier, a low-level one at that, is worth as much as an American? That’s what you’re telling us? Yes, otherwise there is a built in incentive to kidnap more entry level troops in exchange for high ranking Taliban terrorists who in turn pose a threat to more entry level troops. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/590 "2014-06-09T23:57:28Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > When all the members of his platoon that are asked tell me he is a deserter? Still one. Maybe two. Low-ranking Taliban. Definitely not five high-ranking enemy combatants. > > You know what, **iiandyiiii** , do you accept that there is a limit to the price one can pay for a POW? You do? Then deciding what that price is is a legitimate question - which is what the whole broohaha is about. So spare me the fake indignation. Sure, there’s a limit. And that price doesn’t depend _at all_ on allegations, insinuations, alleged notes, and the like. It doesn’t matter _at all_ that he is accused of desertion by his fellow soldiers. Not a single tiny little bit. Not one iota. That’s duty, and that’s commitment. Duty and commitment to my fellow American servicemembers. My duty, commitment, and dedication to bringing them home are not contingent on them not being accused of a crime. I don’t expect you to understand. General Dempsey and General McChrystal understand. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/591 "2014-06-09T23:58:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > And then what? You are already satisfied, apparently, that this guy deserves whatever happens to him. At the hands of the Taliban? So, whatever they do to this guy, after he has no more usefulness to them, you are cool with that? Would you have been willing to trade him for any price Taliban demanded? No? Ok - if so, then what? You are already satisfied, apparently, that this guy deserves whatever happens to him. At the hands of the Taliban? So, whatever they do to this guy, after he has no more usefulness to them, you are cool with that? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/592 "2014-06-09T23:59:35Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Sure, there’s a limit. And that price doesn’t depend _at all_ on allegations, insinuations, alleged notes, and the like. It doesn’t matter _at all_ that he is accused of desertion by his fellow soldiers. Not a single tiny little bit. Not one iota. > > That’s duty, and that’s commitment. Duty and commitment to my fellow American servicemembers. My duty, commitment, and dedication to bringing them home are not contingent on them not being accused of a crime. > > I don’t expect you to understand. General Dempsey and General McChrystal understand. Apparently a huge majority of US military veterans don’t understand either. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/593 "2014-06-10T00:01:22Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Apparently a huge majority of US military veterans don’t understand either. Your cite does not show this at all. Not one iota. You are incorrect. Do you still, after all this time, really not understand my argument? If so, just let me know and I’ll explain it again. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/594 "2014-06-10T00:04:35Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Your cite does not show this at all. Not one iota. You are incorrect. > > Do you still, after all this time, really not understand my argument? If so, just let me know and I’ll explain it again. According to that poll, 6% of the veterans sympathize with Bergdahl. Apparently 94% do not. Do you think if his fellow platoon mates didn’t stand up and point fingers, the numbers would be the same? Do you _seriously_ think that a poll asking veterans whether they sympathized with a POW that was captured in combat would EVER show only 6% sympathizing? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/595 "2014-06-10T00:05:15Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > According to that poll, 6% of the veterans sympathize with Bergdahl. Apparently 94% do not. Do you think if his fellow platoon mates didn’t stand up and point fingers, the numbers would be the same? ‘Sympathize’ doesn’t have anything to do with this discussion. How is this relevant? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/596 "2014-06-10T00:07:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > ‘Sympathize’ doesn’t have anything to do with this discussion. How is this relevant? “Sympathize” affects the price. But keep pretending that it doesn’t. If that makes you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/597 "2014-06-10T00:07:44Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > “Sympathize” affects the price. But keep pretending that it doesn’t. If that makes you feel better. It doesn’t. Duty and commitment don’t depend on sympathy. I don’t expect you to understand. General Dempsey and McChrystal do. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/598 "2014-06-10T00:08:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It doesn’t. Duty and commitment don’t depend on sympathy. Of course. Whatever makes you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/599 "2014-06-10T00:09:45Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course. Whatever makes you feel better. LOL. Since you’ve resorted to childishness, I take it we’re ready to move on. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/600 "2014-06-10T00:10:47Z")
God I love you **Terr**. Even with a topic like this you can still make me smile. I think that’s why our friendship has endured for so long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840.md?page=31)