Josh Feldmand of Mediate writes Ex-Gen. McChrystal: Stop Attacking Bergdahl ‘Until We Know the Facts.’
Retired General Stanley McChrystal weighed in on the Bowe Bergdahl controversy with Yahoo News, and urged caution for anyone jumping to conclusions about Bergdahl’s character based on allegations that he’s a deserter. McChrystal also made it clear that no matter what the case, “We don’t leave Americans behind. That’s unequivocal.”
When asked about the allegations that Bergdahl was a deserter, General McChrystal urged caution:
He said, “We’re going to have to wait and talk to Sgt. Bergdahl now and get his side of the story. One of the great things about America is we should not judge until we know the facts. And after we know the facts, then we should make a mature judgment on how we should handle it.”
This seems like wise advice. Why is there such a rush to judgement? We should give Sgt. Bergdahl a chance to get home and tell his side of the story before leaping to conclusions, or exploiting this story for short-term political gain.
4:20 PM PT: The Guardian published this story 26 minutes ago. US military promises 'complete review' into Bowe Bergdahl capture.
“Now that Sgt Bergdahl is back and under our control, first and foremost we must ensure his health is taken care of and he is properly reintegrated. At the appropriate time, we will conduct a thorough, transparent and complete review of the circumstances surrounding his capture.”
In Brussels, the defense secretary Chuck Hagel said it was unfair to the family of Bergdahl, a private who was promoted to the rank of sergeant in captivity, to jump to conclusions about his conduct on duty.
“We don't do that in the United States,” Hagel told reporters at a meeting of Nato defense ministers. “We rely on facts.”
On Wednesday, Bergdahl's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, said it had canceled plans for a celebration of the soldier's return, citing security concerns and a flood of negative attention.
Asked on Wednesday whether men had died in the efforts to rescue Bergdahl, Hagel replied: “I don't know of any circumstances or details of US soldiers dying as a result of efforts to get Bergdahl.”
4:55 PM PT: Brian Skoloff and Rahim Faiez of the Associated Press report Bergdahl's Hometown Cancels Celebration Amid Furor, citing concerns about security from large crowds both for and against Sgt. Bergdahl, and saying itg does not have the resourcs to handle such a large event that had been scheduled for June 28.
The town of 8,000 has been swamped with hate mail and angry calls over Bergdahl, whose release after five years of Taliban captivity in Afghanistan has touched off a debate over whether the 28-year-old should get a hero's welcome or be punished a deserter.
"If you had 10,000 people, 5,000 on one side and 5,000 on the other, then just due to the national attention, we don't know what to expect," Police Chief Jeff Gunter said.
The town has had an event called "Bring Bowe Back" for several years. When news broke over the weekend of Bergdahl's release in exchange for five Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay, organizers had announced it would be a welcome-home party instead.
Hailey Chamber of Commerce President Jane Drussel said she and the organization have gotten hate mail and calls from people lambasting the town and branding Bergdahl un-American and a traitor.
"The joy has all of a sudden become not so joyful," she said.
On Chris Matthews, of MSNBC, fformer Senator James Webb says he would like to have all the facts before forming any opinion.