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Fox News Analyst Continues Attack on Captured U.S. Soldier
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The Fox News analyst who said the Taliban could save the U.S. "a lot of legal hassle" by executing a captured U.S. soldier spoke again last night, this time softening his remarks but still calling the soldier a deserter, a liar and mentally disturbed.
Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, a paid Fox contributor, claimed on The O'Reilly Factor to have inside information on the nature of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl's capture. He said he asked a "very senior military leader" whether the Army private deserted before being captured June 30. "The answer was yes," Peters said.
"I do hope for his family's sake this guy comes back safely," Peters said in yesterday's interview. It was a bit of a turnaround from Sunday, when he argued that if Bergdahl "walked away from his post and his buddies in wartime," it would be preferable if his captors killed him.
Peters said Bergdahl lied in a Taliban propaganda video about being taken while on patrol. "He left his weapon of his own volition. That's what we know," Peters said. "He may be mentally disturbed."
"I'm sticking to what I know," he added.
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Whenwillthisnightmareend
July 22, 2009 12:04 PM
If you believe the Army's allegations made by this "respected" individual, just remind yourself of two words: PAT TILLMAN
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MyMy
July 22, 2009 12:13 PM
What's the reasoning behind this on Fox? Soldiers who fight under our new Commander in Chief get no respect?? I don't get this one bit.
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tjm
July 22, 2009 1:52 PM in reply to MyMy
Peters makes me sick-I will not use his rank because he is not an officer, retired or otherwise in my book. I am a retired Regular Army officer (three trips to Vietnam) and I have never heard such garbage coming from anyone who served in the military-the first rule is take care of your troops-period, no exceptions, the second rule is leave no one behind-period, no exceptions. Peters obviously never served in combat and now he pontificates from the safety of his air conditioned office. These wing nut chicken hawks should make anyone who respects the flag and the people who serve nauseous-but that is what one expects from Fox, Glen Beck, who is "Batsh--" insane, O-Reilly, and Hannity. It seems that Michelle Malkin is even too disturbed to appear on the Fox channel anymore.
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kittykate48
July 22, 2009 2:26 PM in reply to tjm
Thank you Tim. My gut level response to his diatribe was "Outrageous!" and you just confirmed it.
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Former Federal Employee
July 22, 2009 2:32 PM
How stupid would someone need to be, to desert - a white guy from middle America, who doesn't speak the language or have any special talent for surviving alone in one of the most forbidding environments on Earth - rather than to stick out a tour, surrounded by friends with guns? Not to mention food and medical care? How is this story remotely credible, and what benefit accrues to the service from lying about it?
He's alone and terrified. I'm sorry if he didn't follow the Code of Conduct while being held by people who behead Americans to generate publicity. He is nonetheless an American, and you can give him a dishonorable discharge once you've brought him back safely.
All of the pudgy non-veteran weaklings at Fox News who have questioned this poor kid's patriotism are welcome to pick up a rifle in the Reserves, and see how they like it in Indian country.
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amike
July 22, 2009 10:33 PM
What is a "Very Senior Military Leader" doing talking anonymously to a paid Fox News spinner in the first place? It strikes me that if this person really exists (wanna bet about that?) he should become an ex military leader yesterday.
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Leftflank
July 23, 2009 12:00 AM
This dude has to be a swiftboater. What does he think he gains from these remarks? A hole, a fox hole, he needs to crawl in it.
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JNagarya
July 23, 2009 9:28 PM
I think we should protest FOX for not "Support[ing] the Troops".
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June 17, 2010 7:45 AM
Very nice article!!!
Peters makes me sick-I will not use his rank because he is not an officer, retired or otherwise in my book. I am a retired Regular Army officer (three trips to Vietnam) and I have never heard such garbage coming from anyone who served in the military-the first rule is take care of your troops-period, no exceptions, the second rule is leave no one behind-period, no exceptions. Peters obviously never served in combat and now he pontificates from the safety of his air conditioned office. These wing nut chicken hawks should make anyone who respects the flag and the people who serve nauseous-but that is what one expects from Fox, Glen Beck, who is "Batsh--" insane, O-Reilly, and Hannity. It seems that Michelle Malkin is even too disturbed to appear on the Fox channel anymore.
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