Also reported: Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes has been sitting on the information and preventing the release of the information to the public.
What would be the point of sitting on the information? Other than the fact that, if this report is true, Obama traded five Taliban commanders for a deserter.
And didn't Obama promise transparency in governance?
Link: Obama Advisor Ben Rhodes Hiding Bowe Bergdahl Desertion Charges – Bergdahl Attorney Notified Of Army Charges (video)
3 comments:
US Army denies desertion charge for Bergdahl via Sky News
18:16, UK,
Tuesday 27 January 2015
*****FWIW, There has been quite a bit of reluctance to charge him, as described in this 12/24/2014 (one month ago) Military Times article, Bergdahl's case offers few options for Army, stated the following:
One legal option is for the Army to officially refer the case for a court-martial, which would open the door for Bergdahl, if he chooses, to request an other-than honorable discharge in lieu of the court-martial. Both Bergdahl and the Army general overseeing the case would have to agree to that arrangement.
That would allow the Army to strip Bergdahl of some of his veterans benefits and impose some further administrative sanctions, such as loss of pay and reduction in rank.
But without a court=-martial, the Army may have to pay Bergdahl the back pay he's technically due because he remained on active duty during his five years in captivity. That's about $200,000, and possibly far more if the full scope of POW benefits is applied.
"I don't think the Army can have it both ways. Either he was a deserter and he deserves to be court-martialed -- or he wasn't and he is entitled to the back pay," said Greg Rinkey, a former Army JAG who is now a military defense attorney in New York.
For now Bergdahl's back pay is frozen in a back [sic] account controlle by the Army and the matter will likely remain unresolved until Bergdahl is discharged.
Rinkey said he believes the Army will ultimately opt against seeking a court martial. [....]
It's possible Bergdahl could be charged with the lesser offense of Absent Without Leave, or AWOL. But Addicott believes the facts suggest a more sever charge. "To me, it's desertion. He left in time of war. And I think the facts are clear."
At Reuters: Bowe Bergdahl to face desertion charges.
And let's not forget this....Flashback: The Story Of The Bergdahl Desertion And The Men Who Died Because Of It.
These soldiers DIED trying to resuce Bergdahl five years ago.
Any backpay held by the US Army should be disbursed among the surviving family members of these deceased soldiers.
Post a Comment