Army Clears Bowe Bergdahl of Misconduct. Really?

[theDoctorisIn]

If Eclipse Group wasn't on the ground or firsthand, why were they contracted with the Pentagon to help find Bergdahl? Normally, that involves putting operatives on the ground, in theater to help locate the person of interest. Some of the Eclipse Group's reports were credible enough to lead the US to perform airstrikes on targets in Afghanistan. Read Clarridge's wiki if you wish to verify that.

They weren't.

Where did you come up with that?

The Pentagon granted Clarridge's firm a contract in 2009. But as it turns out, granting such a contract violated Defense Department policy. His contract with the Pentagon was terminated on May 15th. A full five years he was contracted with the Pentagon. Regardless, they were granted a contract. As seen here:

The private spying operation, which The New York Times disclosed last year, was tapped by a military desperate for information about its enemies and frustrated with the quality of intelligence from the C.I.A., an agency that colleagues say Mr. Clarridge now views largely with contempt. The effort was among a number of secret activities undertaken by the American government in a shadow war around the globe to combat militants and root out terrorists.


The Pentagon official who arranged a contract for Mr. Clarridge in 2009 is under investigation for allegations of violating Defense Department rules in awarding that contract. Because of the continuing inquiry, most of the dozen current and former government officials, private contractors and associates of Mr. Clarridge who were interviewed for this article would speak only on the condition of anonymity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/world/23clarridge.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/world/asia/15contractors.html

Six months, not 5 years.

November 2009 - May 2010.

They were not contracted to "help find Bergdahl", either.

 

[idb]

.

 

[TemplarKormac]

I'm observant enough to know that just because a CIA officer of three decades did something to break the law, doesn't mean you dismiss his expertise in the field or his experiences. That is patently foolish and unreasonable.

I'm not "dismissing his expertise". I'm questioning his honesty.

*ETA: "Honesty" isn't the right word for it. "Reliability of information" would be closer to what I mean.

Which has as of yet not been substantially disproven. And to the above post, he was contracted until May 15th, 2010. That is indeed six months. However, in 2009, he helped uncover the Haqqani network, which helped the US track many of their fighters. The reliability of his 'information' was variable at best, but even then, the Pentagon still deemed it worthy of their ear.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

I'm not "dismissing his expertise". I'm questioning his honesty.

*ETA: "Honesty" isn't the right word for it. "Reliability of information" would be closer to what I mean.

Which has as of yet not been substantially disproven. And to the above post, he was contracted until May 15th, 2010 That is indeed six months. However, in 2009, he helped uncover the Haqqani network, which helped the US track many of their fighters. The reliability of his 'information' was variable at best, but even then, the Pentagon still deemed it worthy of their ear.

Well, that is until they didn't think it was worthy of their ears anymore - when they stopped paying him for it and started investigating the guy who hired them in the first place.

I think that if you do a little research, you'll find that Eclipse Group doesn't exactly have a great reputation in military and intelligence circles.

 

[TemplarKormac]

They weren't.

Where did you come up with that?

The Pentagon granted Clarridge's firm a contract in 2009. But as it turns out, granting such a contract violated Defense Department policy. His contract with the Pentagon was terminated on May 15th. A full five years he was contracted with the Pentagon. Regardless, they were granted a contract. As seen here:

The private spying operation, which The New York Times disclosed last year, was tapped by a military desperate for information about its enemies and frustrated with the quality of intelligence from the C.I.A., an agency that colleagues say Mr. Clarridge now views largely with contempt. The effort was among a number of secret activities undertaken by the American government in a shadow war around the globe to combat militants and root out terrorists.


The Pentagon official who arranged a contract for Mr. Clarridge in 2009 is under investigation for allegations of violating Defense Department rules in awarding that contract. Because of the continuing inquiry, most of the dozen current and former government officials, private contractors and associates of Mr. Clarridge who were interviewed for this article would speak only on the condition of anonymity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/world/23clarridge.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/world/asia/15contractors.html

Six months, not 5 years.

November 2009 - May 2010.

They were not contracted to "help find Bergdahl", either.

I would ask you to verify the claim that they "were not contracted" to help find Bergdahl either. You've have attacked my sources, but you're the one making this assertion.

Can you prove it?

 

[theDoctorisIn]

The Pentagon granted Clarridge's firm a contract in 2009. But as it turns out, granting such a contract violated Defense Department policy. His contract with the Pentagon was terminated on May 15th. A full five years he was contracted with the Pentagon. Regardless, they were granted a contract. As seen here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/world/23clarridge.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/world/asia/15contractors.html

Six months, not 5 years.

November 2009 - May 2010.

They were not contracted to "help find Bergdahl", either.

I would ask you to verify the claim that they "were not contracted" to help find Bergdahl either. You've have attacked my sources, but you're the one making this assertion.

Can you prove it?

You want me to prove a negative?

You made the assertion that they were.

 

[TemplarKormac]

*ETA: "Honesty" isn't the right word for it. "Reliability of information" would be closer to what I mean.

Which has as of yet not been substantially disproven. And to the above post, he was contracted until May 15th, 2010. That is indeed six months. However, in 2009, he helped uncover the Haqqani network, which helped the US track many of their fighters. The reliability of his 'information' was variable at best, but even then, the Pentagon still deemed it worthy of their ear.

Well, that is until they didn't think it was worthy of their ears anymore - when they stopped paying him for it and started investigating the guy who hired them in the first place.

I think that if you do a little research, you'll find that Eclipse Group doesn't exactly have a great reputation in military and intelligence circles.

Well no, his type of work is rarely popular in those circles either, Doc. It doesn't need to be popular, it needs to be effective. At least that's what I think the Army reasoned when they contracted him. They were desperate at the time due to poor intelligence from the CIA.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Which has as of yet not been substantially disproven. And to the above post, he was contracted until May 15th, 2010. That is indeed six months. However, in 2009, he helped uncover the Haqqani network, which helped the US track many of their fighters. The reliability of his 'information' was variable at best, but even then, the Pentagon still deemed it worthy of their ear.

Well, that is until they didn't think it was worthy of their ears anymore - when they stopped paying him for it and started investigating the guy who hired them in the first place.

I think that if you do a little research, you'll find that Eclipse Group doesn't exactly have a great reputation in military and intelligence circles.

Well no, his type of work is rarely popular in those circles either, Doc. It doesn't need to be popular, it needs to be effective. At least that's what I think the Army reasoned when they contracted him. They were desperate at the time due to poor intelligence from the CIA.

Seriously, do some research on Eclipse Group. They're really shady.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Six months, not 5 years.

November 2009 - May 2010.

They were not contracted to "help find Bergdahl", either.

I would ask you to verify the claim that they "were not contracted" to help find Bergdahl either. You've have attacked my sources, but you're the one making this assertion.

Can you prove it?

You want me to prove a negative?

You made the assertion that they were.

But you have yet to prove that they weren't. You said they weren't.

So, it is safe to assume that for the time he was contracted, they may have been asked to gather intelligence on Bowe Bergdahl's whereabouts. You can't prove they weren't due to the details of the contract being kept under seal.

Given that it was a $22 million contract, I would assume he was doing anything and everything he was asked by the Pentagon.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Well, that is until they didn't think it was worthy of their ears anymore - when they stopped paying him for it and started investigating the guy who hired them in the first place.

I think that if you do a little research, you'll find that Eclipse Group doesn't exactly have a great reputation in military and intelligence circles.

Well no, his type of work is rarely popular in those circles either, Doc. It doesn't need to be popular, it needs to be effective. At least that's what I think the Army reasoned when they contracted him. They were desperate at the time due to poor intelligence from the CIA.

Seriously, do some research on Eclipse Group. They're really shady.

I already am, I have researched the name in variant ways, but Google is not turning up anything helpful. Going on 4 pages of links. Zilch.

 

[Rotagilla]

He would be put to death for walking away?

"Walking away" in a war zone is called "desertion" ...and that can cost one their life.
The military isn't a democracy. Do what you're told or don't join.

Australia probably has similar rules of conduct for military personnel deserting under fire.

Seriously, your country is so fucked up its a wonder it hasn't self combusted.

That's coming.

 

[LoneLaugher]

If he deserts his post on the battlefield he should be lined up on a wall and shot.

TK has already convicted him because he saw stuff on telly.
There's no "if" in his mind.

Gee, where else do you liberals get your talking points?

No, because "if" is a scapegoat, a means of misdirection, a way to cause confusion. It's either guilty or not guilty, details must be given for either. But "if" is only speculation. I don't speculate.

You don't speculate?

Did you just claim....for all to see....that YOU don't speculate?

 

[TemplarKormac]

TK has already convicted him because he saw stuff on telly.
There's no "if" in his mind.

Gee, where else do you liberals get your talking points?

No, because "if" is a scapegoat, a means of misdirection, a way to cause confusion. It's either guilty or not guilty, details must be given for either. But "if" is only speculation. I don't speculate.

You don't speculate?

Did you just claim....for all to see....that YOU don't speculate?

No, I don't. I don't stoop to your levels of treachery. Now if you'll excuse me.

 

[The Rabbi]

What about the men who served with him who said he walked off the base of his own accord? In an interesting decision, the Army has cleared Bowe Bergdahl of any misconduct during his captivity. This is contrary to testimonials given by his fellow soldiers who claimed he walked off the base unprovoked and sought out the Taliban. This is also contrary to reports that say he fraternized with Taliban fighters, played Soccer and even participated in firing exercises with the Taliban. So, did his fellow soldiers willfully lie on national television? Did they perpetrate a hoax? Were those reports wrong? I personally don't think so. These were men who served in the same hell he did, why would they take this chance to lie about a fellow comrade in this manner? If you really want to know what I think, I think this decision is politically expedient for our President, who traded for Bergdahl five of the most dangerous men in the world, this decision would seem to justify his decision to some, but to me it doesn't change a thing.

As the Army continues to investigate whether Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is guilty of deserting his unit, this afternoon they said there is no reason to believe that Bergdahl engaged in any misconduct during his five years in captivity.

In fact, that's all that the Army said:

"We have no reason to believe that he engaged in any misconduct."

Bergdahl electrified the national discourse last month after he was freed in a prisoner swap involving five members of the Taliban held at Guantanamo Bay. As charges against his character emerged, the narrative quickly shifted from Bergdahl as POW to Bergdahl as despicable deserter, unworthy bargaining chip, unwitting endangerer of America, and worse.


Here's what else we're learning about Bergdahl:
-- For now, he's on full Army pay, including $200,000 during his time in captivity, all of which he may ultimately have to return.
-- Military investigators have not read Bergdahl his rights.
-- Bergdahl has not yet spoken to his parents.


He is currently in an outpatient facility in Texas. The Army investigation is expected to conclude in mid-August. If charged with desertion, Bergdahl could face court-martial, prison, and even the death penalty.

Army Clears Bergdahl of Any Misconduct During Captivity


[CORRECTION] Just to clarify, his desertion is still being investigated. This is reference to his activities during his captivity.

No problem Just use some of this!

 

[LoneLaugher]

I would ask you to verify the claim that they "were not contracted" to help find Bergdahl either. You've have attacked my sources, but you're the one making this assertion.

Can you prove it?

You want me to prove a negative?

You made the assertion that they were.

But you have yet to prove that they weren't. You said they weren't.

So, it is safe to assume that for the time he was contracted, they may have been asked to gather intelligence on Bowe Bergdahl's whereabouts. You can't prove they weren't due to the details of the contract being kept under seal.

Given that it was a $22 million contract, I would assume he was doing anything and everything he was asked by the Pentagon.

But....you don't speculate. Ever!

 

[LoneLaugher]

OP,

Has it been proven that Bergdahl deserted?

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

What about the men who served with him who said he walked off the base of his own accord?

He probably did, but does that mean we should not have an investigation into this matter?

 

[The Rabbi]

OP,

Has it been proven that Bergdahl deserted?

Prima facie evidence exists.

 

[LoneLaugher]

OP,

Has it been proven that Bergdahl deserted?

Prima facie evidence exists.

Has it been proven?

 

[The Rabbi]

What about the men who served with him who said he walked off the base of his own accord?

Oh, he was lying.

Joshua Korder, who once served in the same unit as Bowe Bergdahl — and who made the false claim in an interview on CNN that at least six good men had died searching for Bergdahl – is not the squeaky clean all-American soldier that he presented himself to be. It turns out that Korder has some skeletons in his own closet as well.
It turns out, Korder was recently discharged under “other than honorable” conditions.
There are many reasons that one might receive such a discharge and it’s not the same as a “dishonorable discharge” — which is reserved for the most serious violations of conduct and military law — however, it does indicate that the recipient was no longer welcome in the military and would not be accepted if he or she wished to re-enlist.
With this new information is more damning evidence against Korder, who has already been shown to be a liar when he made his false accusations that Bergdahl was responsible for the deaths of six soldiers who were looking for him.
The army has said that no patrol was sent out for the specific purpose of finding Bergdahl, but that the regular patrols that would have gone out (whether there was a missing man or not) were told to keep an eye out for him as they went about their duties. In other words, those soldiers died on routine patrols in an area that is known to be a hotbed of Taliban activity.

Soldier Attacking Bowe Bergdahl Left Army with ?Other Than Honorable? Discharge | Atlas Left

"Look what happens when you drag a hundred dollar bill through a trailer park."

We are seeing the white washing of yet another Obama calamity. Bowe will be exhonerated. Hell, he might end up with a medal. No one is going to judge that Obama traded 5 high level terrorists for a psycho traitor who converted to Islam and joined with the Taliban. They'll recover Lois Lerner's emails before that happens.