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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP congressman draws parallel between Bergdahl, John Kerry
Posted with permission.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-congressman-draws-parallel-between
GOP congressman draws parallel between Bergdahl, John Kerry
06/05/14 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen
The trajectory of Republican rhetoric following the rescue of the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been one of the more bizarre political developments in recent memory. Last night on Fox News, it seemed to reach Peak Nonsense, which is no easy task.
Republicans were happy about an American POW coming home; then they changed their minds. Republicans endorsed the prisoner swap itself; then they changed their minds. Republicans extended their thoughts and prayers to Bergdahl and his family; then they changed their minds. Republicans demanded that the Obama administration had a responsibility to do everything humanly possible to free this POW from his captors; then they changed their minds.
Even by 2014 standards, watching this unfold over the last several days has been painful.
But just when it seemed the rights talking points couldnt possibly reach new depths, along comes Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).
As John Kerry threw his medals over the White House fence and turned his back on all of his Vietnam brothers and sisters, thats what Bergdahl did, Hunter said in an interview with Fox News. Bergdahl walked away from his men and he left them in a bad spot. People lost their lives or got hurt trying to find him.
Hunter added that the release of an American POW was a botched foreign policy move.
There was no indication that the right-wing congressman was kidding.
Its fairly obvious at this point that facts are no longer relevant in this conversation, but I thought Id note that Kerry is a decorated war veteran who earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. For anyone, least of all an elected federal lawmaker, to argue on national television that Kerry turned his back on servicemen and women is disgusting.
Kerrys willingness to protest the war in which he served as been the subject of considerable debate, but in Hunters mind, those protests are apparently comparable to desertion. Ive tried to think of a way in which thats coherent. I havent come up with anything.
For those unfamiliar with Hunter, its worth noting for context that the far-right Californian last year suggested using tactical nuclear weapons in Iran in order to set them back a decade or two or three.
Around the same time, the 37-year-old congressman said lying is simply a part of Middle Eastern culture.
mylye2222
(2,992 posts)Shut his disgusting mouth. Protrsting is deserting... Did he ever witnessed a war?
Wounded Bear
(58,758 posts)randys1
(16,286 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Bergdahl home as late as six weeks ago. He wrote multiple letters to that effect. Here's the link I posted earlier:
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/departments-disorganized-in-bergdahl-release-efforts-critics-say/article_71a30af2-cbc4-11e3-ace1-001a4bcf887a.html
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., wrote earlier this year to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, saying it was critical that efforts to free Bergdahl are not overcome by bureaucracy.
"Given the significance and necessity for centralized command and control, which I have been informed is little to nonexistent, I urge you to seriously consider the idea of directing an individual to organize, manage and coordinate activity that involves multiple elements of the federal government working toward Bergdahl's release," wrote Hunter, a Marine veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Days later, Hagel appointed Michael Lumpkin, assistant defense secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict, as the point person for the Bergdahl case at the Pentagon. Hunter viewed that as a good step but noted that Lumpkin only has jurisdiction over the Pentagon work, not the other agencies.
A month after Lumpkin's appointment, Hunter wrote President Barack Obama, asking him to make the Defense Department the lead on all efforts to get Bergdahl back "with the specific aim of achieving a faster resolution than can be provided by the Department of State." He also asked Obama to name one coordinator to oversee the entire Bergdahl effort."
What changed? He was very animated to get Bergdahl back.
babylonsister
(171,104 posts)mylye2222
(2,992 posts)In a Put the points one for all statement.
tanyev
(42,644 posts)mylye2222
(2,992 posts)pansypoo53219
(21,005 posts)competence + its making them LOOK BAD!!! OH NOES!!ELEVENS! MUST MUDDY THE WATER SO THE GNEWZ WILL MAKE IT LOOK BAD! and the gnewz grabbed the hook.