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branford

(4,462 posts)
19. Given Bergdahl's apparently serious and long-term medical conditions,
Sun Sep 20, 2015, 01:38 AM
Sep 2015

I imagine his lawyer will fight zealously for him to keep his medical and other veteran's benefit under any plea deal.

However, given the publicity of the case, extensive evidence, need for deterrence, and the potential penalties if convicted of desertion, no less the more serious "misbehavior before the enemy" charge, I cannot imagine any deal that will be palatable to the Army or public that wouldn't include an "other than honorable" discharge, and accompanying loss of benefits, along with forfeiture of rank and pay. If a deal was possible with a general discharge, it likely would have happened already.

I believe a general discharge under circumstances of desertion, along with the extensive and costly search, is not realistic unless the Army's evidence is far less extensive than portrayed in the media. Agreeing to apply Bergdahl's time in captivity towards any period of incarceration, however, seems both perfectly reasonable and politically acceptable.

Recommendations

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It seems to me that the outcome is good. That he's alive, delrem Sep 2015 #1
Uh...maybe...a Republican? Human101948 Sep 2015 #2
Well, it's tough that you have to put up with such creatures, down there in the US. delrem Sep 2015 #3
Yeah, it's like being trapped in an episode of the Walking Dead... Human101948 Sep 2015 #4
Veterans For Peace . . FairWinds Sep 2015 #5
The guy served his time a prisoner of the Taliban. That's more than punishment enough. Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2015 #6
If Bergdahl is found guilty of the desertion and related charges at a court martial, branford Sep 2015 #10
No, they were all demanding Obama bring him home, until Obama did. TwilightGardener Sep 2015 #11
Conservatives didn't force President Obama to give a Rose Garden press event branford Sep 2015 #12
Honestly, I think Obama was genuinely concerned for Bergdahl and his parents, TwilightGardener Sep 2015 #13
I can't speak to Bergdahl's mental state or capabilities as a professional matter, branford Sep 2015 #15
I never got the impression that they tried to make a hero out of him. TwilightGardener Sep 2015 #17
K&R. I agree that he doesn't deserve a jail sentence. Overseas Sep 2015 #7
Bergdahl is the poster child for "don't walk away from your post". TwilightGardener Sep 2015 #8
I think the Army is checking public temperature on this sarge43 Sep 2015 #9
Funny thing was, before they actually brought him home, there were signs all over the NW.... Liberal Veteran Sep 2015 #14
Those aren't necessarily mutually exclusive feelings or beliefs. branford Sep 2015 #16
I have mixed feelings about the Bergdahl case davidpdx Sep 2015 #18
Given Bergdahl's apparently serious and long-term medical conditions, branford Sep 2015 #19
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