Life Misled- Corporate Attitude

The Taliban released a video of missing soldier Private Bowe Bergdahl appearing live and well for Christmas. The soldier, who was 23 when he was captured by the Taliban in southeastern Afghanistan in late June, appeared in an initial video in which Bergdahl urged the US withdraw its troops. The first video was denounced by the Pentagon as Taliban propaganda that violated international law.

The latest Christmas video release by the Taliban had many political statements that the government believes was prepared by the Taliban:

“To all you soldiers out there who are getting ready to come over here for the first time because of the stupidity of our country and leaders … you are fighting very smart people who know exactly how to kill us and are extremely patient… I bear witness I was continuously treated as a human being, with dignity, and I had nobody deprive me of my clothes and take pictures of me naked. I had no dogs barking at me or biting me as my country has done to their Muslim prisoners in the jails that I have mentioned.”

A spokesman for the Taliban also urged the U.S. government in the video to make a prisoner swap deal for Bergdahl, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has demanded and still demands release of a limited number of prisoners in exchange for this American prisoner, Bowe Robert Bergdahl.”

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Gregory Smith is director of communication, with NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. Smith prepared the following statement regarding the release of the new video:

“This is a horrible act which exploits a young soldier, who was clearly compelled to read a prepared statement. It reflects nothing more than the violent, deceitful tactics of the Taliban insurgency. To release this video on Christmas Day is an affront to the deeply-concerned family and friends of Bowe Bergdahl, demonstrating contempt for religious traditions and the teachings of Islam. We will continue our search for Bowe Bergdahl.”

I have to say it’s videos like these with sickening timing that justify more extreme measures. This man’s parents were likely having a hard enough time celebrating the holidays without their son and now they have to watch this fucking video. All I want for Christmas is the Taliban dead.

Private Bowe Bergdahl’s Initial Taliban Video Last Summer: