# 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:** 34
**Author:** ![Spoons\_JTD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Spoons\_JTD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons_JTD)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/661 "2014-06-10T17:11:04Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Feinstein. What do you think she’s been complaining about? Congress was not informed before the deal went down. Obama signed a bill into law that says there will be no federal money to make this type of terrorist transfer out of GITMO. Obama signed an appropriations bill into law, one small piece of which included the part you’ve detailed, and at the time claimed he didn’t accept the constitutionality of it. This is a far cry from signing a bill into law that was specifically written for that and only that part. If Congress doesn’t like it, they can bring up impeachment and/or challenge the president’s authority to ignore that part of the bill. The fact they aren’t doing either makes me question their ability to succeed with both. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/662 "2014-06-10T17:12:17Z")
Terrorists? Were they terrorists when they were fighting against the Soviets, with weapons supplied by us? Did some pretty nasty shit to some of those Russians, so they were terrorists? Or did they become terrorists when they had the poor judgement to resist us? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons\_JTD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Spoons\_JTD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons_JTD)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/663 "2014-06-10T17:13:21Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The Obama Administration released 5 mass-murdering terrorists on the world. No it didn’t, not even using the worst possible characterization of each from whatever source you want to cherry pick. The mass murder accusations are from he same organization that think that Bush and Cheney should be held accountable for crimes against humanity. ---
**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, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/664 "2014-06-10T17:13:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > At what time in the video? I watched the whole thing. It was less than 3 minutes, and he never said this. 2:35 ---
**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, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/665 "2014-06-10T17:16:41Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > 2:35 He does not refer to ‘one of the terrorists’, he refers to an exchange of prisoners as ‘one of the ways’ to bring our soldier home. We already went over this. ---
**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, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/666 "2014-06-10T17:18:32Z")
Here is the word-for-word quote of what McCain said at the end of the video (bolding mine): “I would support — obviously I’d have to know the details — but I would support ways of bringing him home, and **if exchange was one of them** I think that would be something I think we should seriously consider.” If exchange was one of the ways of bringing him home, McCain says its something we should seriously consider. You are incorrect. Again. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/667 "2014-06-10T17:18:40Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I am sure there are quite a few holding places in Afghanistan. > > What does that have to do with the Bergdahl exchange? You definition of “terrorist” is self-serving and legally questionable. It is a commonly understood principle that native peoples have a right to resist foreign invasion. A right we supported when it was convenient and we could stick it to the Soviets. That would make them legitimate combatants, whether uniformed or not. That would make them eligible for the sort of prisoner exchange that is a common practice. And you are “sure there are quite a few holding places in Afghanistan”? Perhaps you will offer us your top secret security clearances for our perusal? ---
**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, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/668 "2014-06-10T17:20:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > He does not refer to ‘one of the terrorists’, he refers to an exchange of prisoners as ‘one of the ways’ to bring our soldier home. We already went over this. No, as I said (and Forbes editorial that discusses that video agrees with me) it is one of the terrorists. We already went over this. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/669 "2014-06-10T17:21:01Z")
> [@Spoons\_JTD](#): > > Obama signed an appropriations bill into law, one small piece of which included the part you’ve detailed, and at the time claimed he didn’t accept the constitutionality of it. This is a far cry from signing a bill into law that was specifically written for that and only that part. If Congress doesn’t like it, they can bring up impeachment and/or challenge the president’s authority to ignore that part of the bill. The fact they aren’t doing either makes me question their ability to succeed with both. A far cry? A bill is a bill. The bill, and all of it’s contents, was passed into law and Obama signed it. It’s the law. There doesn’t seem to be any penalties or fines associated with what Obama did. It would be interesting to see how the State Dept paid for this transfer. ---
**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, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/670 "2014-06-10T17:21:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Here is the word-for-word quote of what McCain said at the end of the video (bolding mine): > > “I would support — obviously I’d have to know the details — but I would support ways of bringing him home, and **if exchange was one of them** I think that would be something I think we should seriously consider.” > > If exchange was one of the ways of bringing him home, McCain says its something we should seriously consider. > > You are incorrect. Again. You are incorrect. Again. McCain refers to one of the terrorists. And again, as I showed you, the Forbes editorial agrees with me, not you. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/671 "2014-06-10T17:22:16Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, as I said (and Forbes editorial that discusses that video agrees with me) it is one of the terrorists. We already went over this. Okay, that may or may not have been what he MEANT, but do you acknowledge that, by the rules of the English language, that is NOT what he SAID? ---
**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, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/672 "2014-06-10T17:22:27Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, as I said (and Forbes editorial that discusses that video agrees with me) it is one of the terrorists. We already went over this. LOL. I watched the video. I typed the quote, word for word. It’s not clear at all that the Forbes editorial agrees with you (all he says is ‘later’, which you interpret as ‘later in the video’, but I interpret as ‘three months later’). But even if he does agree with you, _he is wrong_. Watch the video. Type out the quote and show me how that can possibly be interpreted to show McCain is only referring to one terrorist. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/673 "2014-06-10T17:22:56Z")
> [@](#): > > …(and Forbes editorial that discusses that video agrees with me)… What special authority is invested in the _Forbes_ editorial board? Is it because of their reputation for strict non-partisan candor? ---
**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, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/674 "2014-06-10T17:23:29Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > McCain refers to one of the terrorists. For the record, and I encourage everyone to watch the video, McCain does _not_ refer to one of the terrorists. ---
**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, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/675 "2014-06-10T17:25:02Z")
Here is the quote. Again: “I would support — obviously I’d have to know the details — but I would support ways of bringing him home, and if exchange was one of them I think that would be something I think we should seriously consider.” How could that possibly be parsed such that McCain is saying he would only support the exchange if it was for one of the gitmo prisoners? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/676 "2014-06-10T17:25:06Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > A far cry? A bill is a bill. The bill, and all of it’s contents, was passed into law and Obama signed it. It’s the law. I agree that Presidents should veto bills they determine to be unconstitutional, but signing it does not make it constitutional, and if it’s a “must-pass” bill, the President has been known to use signing statements as a sort of line item veto. I don’t like it, but it is what it is. What I like less than anything else is a Congress that thinks it can legislate on any subject it desires. ---
**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, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/677 "2014-06-10T17:26:30Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Okay, that may or may not have been what he MEANT, but do you acknowledge that, by the rules of the English language, that is NOT what he SAID? What he said, by the rules of the English language, can mean either. ---
**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, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/678 "2014-06-10T17:27:30Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > LOL. I watched the video. I typed the quote, word for word. It’s not clear at all that the Forbes editorial agrees with you (all he says is ‘later’, which you interpret as ‘later in the video’, but I interpret as ‘three months later’). If you think it is three months later, cite? > [@](#): > > Watch the video. Type out the quote and show me how that can possibly be interpreted to show McCain is only referring to one terrorist. English language understanding. No need to type out the quote since you already did. But if you insist: “I would support — obviously I’d have to know the details — but I would support ways of bringing him home, and if exchange was one of them, I think that would be something I think we should seriously consider.” “One of them” as in “one of the five terrorists”. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/679 "2014-06-10T17:28:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > What special authority is invested in the _Forbes_ editorial board? Is it because of their reputation for strict non-partisan candor? It certainly isn’t because of the tone of the editorial, which thoroughly excoriates McCain for flipflopping, without granting him the “modified” interpretation that friend \*\*Terr \*\*insists upon. Even \*Forbes \*does not agree with what \*\*Terr \*\*says \*Forbes \*says. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840/680 "2014-06-10T17:28:18Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > What he said, by the rules of the English language, can mean either. Oh, so its “ambiguity” now, is it? Retreating from total clarity, are you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bergdahl-being-swiftboated/689840.md?page=35)