Case of Desertion: American Justice on Trial

It is a fact that over the decades American people have learned not to trust those operating OUR government; and just as the mainstream media is tied into the progressive movement, it stands to reason that it is “ditto” for the world of so-called journalism.

Major broadcasts plastered National Security Adviser, Susan Rice pictures and videos of her explanation of the Benghazi incident as blame upon a video on YouTube. It was the same when she praised US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl as serving “with honor and distinction” after he was exchanged for five prisoners of Guantanamo Bay. 

As MRC NewsBuster stated:

Standing in sharp contrast to this glaring omission by the “big three” of ABC, CBS, and NBC, the clip of Rice’s claim on the June 1, 2014 broadcast of ABC’s This Week was shown on numerous cable news shows, including CNN’s The Situation Room and Erin Burnett OutFront as well as FNC’s Special Report and On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. Standing in sharp contrast to this glaring omission by the “big three” of ABC, CBS, and NBC, the clip of Rice’s claim on the June 1, 2014 broadcast of ABC’s This Week was shown on numerous cable news shows, including CNN’s The Situation Room and Erin Burnett OutFront as well as FNC’s Special Report and On the Record with Greta Van Susteren.

Brooke Baldwin at CNN professed her sympathy toward the background of Sgt Bergdahl's [alleged] desertion, while interviewing Special Forces veteran, Scott Mann …

You have those who ...on the opposite end, vilifying him. Again, this is someone who was held ...for five years by terrorists. Is that not – this is what some say – is that not punishment enough?

LTC Scott Mann replied:

Well, you know, no – I mean if he is found guilty of desertion, which we don't – you know, we need to let the process play out. Then – then, you know, that – that crime holds with its own – its own penalty. …

Well, mainstream media, how about my answer?

When Sgt Bergdahl is found guilty of charges under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) of one count of desertion with intention to shirk hazardous duty and one count of misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place; he will be looking at the maximum penalty of the charge of desertion of dishonorable discharge, rank reduction, forfeiture of paid allowances and the maximum confinement of five years. The second charge, if found guilty of it, is life in confinement. Once upon a time, the maximum penalty would be death before a firing squad.

If I was the judge, I would pass sentence of all but confinement. According to the testimony, Bergdahl did not intend to give himself up to the enemy or deal with the enemy in any manner. He intended to escape Afghanistan and go to India. So, Bergdahl's confinement was already served by being a prisoner of war, and it would save taxpayer funds just to issue a dishonorable discharge (which does not allow him to collect on any VA benefits), the reduction to private, forfeiture of any payment owed during that period – and let him fend for himself in the private sector. It should be interesting to see who would hire such an infamous person he has become.

This is all a kick-in-the-face who backed Bowe's parents in seeking his return, passing around flyers to encourage people to pressure the White House to do something. I was one of those people. Of course, who could imagine that our president would trade five prisoners in order for the return of Bergdahl. While he was captured, there were those who reported that he allegedly deserted and that is why he was a prisoner; but that is all part of what our judiciary is supposed to do, including military justice - “innocent until proven guilty”.

Since that time, testimony and facts clearly indicate that Bergdahl is not innocent of those charges. According to other reports and testimony of men from his unit, eight soldiers died during operations to find Bergdahl after he left his place of duty. In a time before political correctness, that part, if presented at the court martial and found to be true, would change the life sentence to the death penalty, for his actions caused the death of fellow soldiers in the act of desertion.

In the final analysis, Sgt Bergdahl deserted his post and whether or not his capture time is included in the verdict, the factor that fellow soldiers literally gave their lives searching for him and his actions caused their deaths, indirectly, he should get life in confinement. We will have to see what the court martial outcome will be. Presently there are soldiers who are in prison for performing their duty, which brings to the forefront of how a web has been woven by allowing political correctness and progressive ideology in the process of martial law.

Meanwhile, pro-life protesters, praying outside of Boehner's office are arrested.
Despite the turmoil in Yemen and pulling out US forces there, Obama still believes (win't admit his failure) Yemen was a US success story. Unbelievable.

No date, thus far has been announced for the preliminary Article 32 hearing; but it will be held at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The court appointed prosecutor will pursue a court marshal.

NOTE: Patriot Post reported that six soldiers died looking for deserter Bergdahl.