MidnightRider

Shortly after Obama took office, when protesters came on the scene, many of them wore tri-corner hats to hearken back to the Boston Tea Party, found a clever acronym to fit ("Taxed Enough Already") and for added effect, often hung teabags from their hats or sent them in the mail to congressmen. There were several folks on the right and in convservative media who proliferated the teabag idea as a symbol. They started it themselves. The fact that the movement took off before they realized that "teabagging" was a derogatory sexual term is a hilarious microcosm of the Tea Party's thoughtfulness. It's one of many things that they deserve mockery for. This is from Wikipedia, I know, but someone else can check out the deeper sources, professors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_protests The really funny part is that we ALL know exactly what you're referring to when you use the term "tea bagger" and it sure as hell isn't the bags of Lipton hanging from their funny little hats. So yeah, it really is juvenile.

Fair enough. But the reason people deride the Tea Party is because it is the most despicable and destructive group of people in modern politics. Their entire philosophy--if you can call it that--is obstructionism. They have no ambition except the prevention of governance. You have an entire wing of the Republican party that thinks voter fraud is a bigger issue than gun control. They think the conservative Affordable Care Act is an existential threat to our democracy, but that climate change is a hoax best ignored. They think wearing a tri-corner hat and holding a rifle makes you Thomas Jefferson. Who do we have to thank for these people? Mostly the right-wing hysterics in the media. Remember, it wasn't that long ago when Glenn Beck--yeah, that guy--had a huge following on Fox News. It's organizations like Fox and people like Beck, Hannity, Drudge, Levin, O'Reilly, Savage, etc. that feed and sustain the movement with their brand of fear mongering. Say what you want about the Tea Party, it is not a consequence-free phenomenon. Presently the Republican Party is paralyzed by its own disease. And that's unfortunate for all of us, because there are just enough of these ignoramuses that congress is essentially a vestigial organ of government. This congress is the least productive in the history of the Republic. Which is unfortunate for a depression-level economy in the aftermath of two wars. So, what you're saying is that the members of the Tea Party can't think for themselves and they need to the media to do it for them. Is this correct? The very same mainstream media whom villifies the Tea Party at every turn? The same msm that coined the term Tea Bagger? Those guys? No....it's the media that spends millions of dollars advertising the fact that THEY are the only place to find the truth. THEY are the only ones that are "fair and balanced". THEY are the only place you can hear what is really going on. Here's a hint. If someone is spending millions of dollars trying to convince you that THEY are the only ones who you can trust....RUN as fast as you can in the other direction. Problem is, there is one hell of a lot of people in this country that really do believe that these media people are the only ones who speak the truth and everyone else is a great conspiracy against them. Then it's even easier to start making everyone believe that this tyrannical government is coming to get you and everything you own. As opposed to the rest of the outlets who do nothing but carry Obama's water through every clusterf#ck that his admin is responsible for? Those guys?

At what price for this cat? Who gets to notify the KIA's parents that their son died searching for a deserter? Is the life of a soldier who has served honorably worth that of a deserter? As I mentioned before, I don't know what the going rate is. Was he classified as a deserter when they sent these troops out looking for him? From what I have seen/heard, yes. He was classified as such within hours of his disappearance. Of course, that is my information and you may or may not agree with that.

For those of you whom applaud the release of these five exemplary human beings: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/06/isis-terror-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-was-released-by-obama-from-camp-bucca-in-2009/ I mean, what's the worst that could happen, amiright?

This makes this sound even more ridiculous. So, you've got one hour to put a team together, a flight plan, coordinate air assets? No way Chuck, you're full of sh*t... Somebody should have told Chuck this isn't Hollywood, where they get a call from the terrorists saying where they want to make the swap, next scene, a bunch of guys getting a 20 second briefing from a full bird colonel, and cut to them jumping in a blackhawk and taking off... What is so hard to believe about this? Put yourself in the shoes of the captors. Why would you agree to a location well in advance knowing that the Americans have far superior reconnaissance and equipment? Also, just because they didn't give the exact location for an hour before the drop doesn't mean they didn't have a team ready to go. They must have known that the drop would be taking place within a given window of time. It wouldn't be that hard to coordinate air within an hour either. My guess is they were given an approximate location before they were given the exact location. The captors had the bargaining chip, we did not. I concur. There is no way the bad guys were going to give them a fix on their location, hours in advance. I guarantee there was a team on stand by and, once the location was known, air assets were orbiting in short order.

Sufficient proof is all we ever have, sir. Set the line (beyond a reasonable doubt works) and if you cross that line the proof is sufficient. (For that matter, all that you're requiring is sufficient proof. It's just that you set your bar at what you say is definite . . . but that word doesn't mean what you think that it means.) There is no certainty beyond death, taxes, and that 1995 Nebraska was the best college football team to ever walk the face of the earth. Wait for results. Why on earth are you in such a hurry to rush to judgment? What can be gained? I can sure tell you what could be lost. I certainly hope you're not inferring that I don't believe he deserves a fair and speedy trial by a jury of his peers. If you are, you couldn't be further from the truth. Just because everything I've seen and heard points to his guilt, he still deserves to defend himself.

In what way? If you feel this way, what is your solution, Junior? Take 'em all away? How do you propose getting the genie back in the bottle?

You know how they view homosexuality . . . right? Some of those might hit close to home in other religions as well. I do, but it sure as hell doesn't stop them. Ever heard of "boy love Thursday?" Dress them up and put makeup on them and everything. This is no joke, it is very real. Disgusting animals. It may very well bleed over into other religions but that is of no consequence to me. I practice my own faith and don't need organized religion to tell me how to do it. Yet, I digress...

Fair enough. But the reason people deride the Tea Party is because it is the most despicable and destructive group of people in modern politics. Their entire philosophy--if you can call it that--is obstructionism. They have no ambition except the prevention of governance. You have an entire wing of the Republican party that thinks voter fraud is a bigger issue than gun control. They think the conservative Affordable Care Act is an existential threat to our democracy, but that climate change is a hoax best ignored. They think wearing a tri-corner hat and holding a rifle makes you Thomas Jefferson. Who do we have to thank for these people? Mostly the right-wing hysterics in the media. Remember, it wasn't that long ago when Glenn Beck--yeah, that guy--had a huge following on Fox News. It's organizations like Fox and people like Beck, Hannity, Drudge, Levin, O'Reilly, Savage, etc. that feed and sustain the movement with their brand of fear mongering. Say what you want about the Tea Party, it is not a consequence-free phenomenon. Presently the Republican Party is paralyzed by its own disease. And that's unfortunate for all of us, because there are just enough of these ignoramuses that congress is essentially a vestigial organ of government. This congress is the least productive in the history of the Republic. Which is unfortunate for a depression-level economy in the aftermath of two wars. So, what you're saying is that the members of the Tea Party can't think for themselves and they need to the media to do it for them. Is this correct? The very same mainstream media whom villifies the Tea Party at every turn? The same msm that coined the term Tea Bagger? Those guys?

Sadly, no one even cares anymore. Mass shootings have nothing to do with "gun control". The association is laughable. Do they not? Since I'm genuinely curious, can I see a report discussing the non-relationship? No,they do not. Although the title of the article is Liberalism and Mass Shootings, you could easily replace mass shootings with gun control. http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/09/liberalism_and_mass_shootings.html

I'm curious. Why do so many of you whom disagree with their platform/politics/whatever, think its cool to refer to the Tea Party as tea baggers? Is it some kind of code word for the cool kids club? Disclaimer: I am affiliated with no political party. I vote the platform, not the party with whom the candidate is affiliated. This isn't targeted at just the libs because I see it on both sides but it is far more prevalent when it comes to the Tea Party. For all the talk of bi-partisanship (on both sides) by many of you on this board, you may want to check your slip, because its showing. Juvenile and sophomoric.

Yeah . . . I know. Just hard to justify since I wouldn't use it for anything but plinking. I've got enough of those as it is . . . including a Springfield. Maybe I should sell that and buy a Garand instead? Hmmmm. A 1903? Hmm..... I'd keep both! But seriously, if you could only have one, it has to be a Garand. It's got a special place in my heart knowing how many family members carried one during WW2. Here's mine the day I pulled it out of the box. I'm intrigued by the M1 and have always wanted to own one but just haven't pulled the trigger, no pun intended. Every time I save up some scratch to get one, I end up buying bulk ammo, accessories etc. I am seriously considering building out a Mini 14. Does anyone have any experience building one? Does anyone else feel weird discussing the virtues of a particular weapons platform within a gun control thread? What's the possibility of a gun thread in the outdoor section? I'm somewhat new here and don't think I could accurately gauge the interest in such a thread.

Without a doubt, eh? Should be an easy case then. I'll wait for the outcome. You're welcome to assume whatever you like in the meantime. I'm curious. What will it take to provide you with definitive proof? What if the investigation is conducted and the findings classified so that you never see it? What then? I don't really believe in definitive proof. I'm more in the sufficient proof camp. I don't doubt that the investigation will be classified (for a time) but I'd be surprised if the results of a court-martial proceeding are classified. But hey, you've got it all wrapped up. Why wait? So, in a potentially life and death situation, you're cool with sufficient proof? Huh, interesting. I've got what, exactly, all wrapped up? Wait for what?

It has everything to do with the Neanderthals inhabiting that particular patch of earth. Heathens, through and through. Let's see; they stone girls to death just for going to school. Check. They wipe their a#ses with their hands. Check. They sh#t all over a toilet instead of in it. Check. Women are for pro-creating and boys are for "fun." Check. Barbarians, the whole lot of them. I would not lose a single second of sleep if we turned the entire region into an ashtray. Before anyone gets all butt-hurt about what I just wrote, I invite you to spend a little time with the friendly folks of the Middle East. You will walk away stunned...

Yup. Only after spending billions equipping and training them. The rebels (or whatever we want to call them) also stole almost 500 million dollars from a bank and emptied several motor pools worth of equipment that we provided. Next up? My guess is ASPs, if they haven't done so already. Sh#t's gonna get real, real quick, when that happens. I also look for other foreign interests to get involved (Iran, for one) by arming the rebels ala Syria. See? We really are awesome at nation building. That even a single American died in this sh#thole is a tragedy. And now this?

This is true, from what I've read. My thoughts on this? I think he realized during his vacation in sunny Afghanistan, that his parents really screwed him up during his upbringing and led him to where he is today. He may be carrying a bit of resentment right now. Just my thoughts, of course...

Without a doubt, eh? Should be an easy case then. I'll wait for the outcome. You're welcome to assume whatever you like in the meantime. I'm curious. What will it take to provide you with definitive proof? What if the investigation is conducted and the findings classified so that you never see it? What then? If he is found guilty as a deserter and I said if. Then the punishment by UCMJ could be the death penalty. I'm sure some of the information would be classified so we won't get all of the facts. But with the punish he would face they would at least release the verdict. I'm sorry but what ever happened to the American mentality of innocent till proven guilty? Nothing has been proven yet it's all circumstantial at this point. You are worried about him being a deserter. I'm more worried about how was he with the taliban and yet still alive. When every other capture they took was beheaded shortly after with a film of it being released? We've already went over the death penalty. It won't happen. The military has not executed anyone since 1961 (however, there are a handful sitting on death row currently). How would it look on Obama's legacy to trade 5 detainees for Bergdahl only to have him come home and then executed? He's not going to let that happen and I don't think the Army would be stupid enough to try. If he is found guilty of desertion then he'll spend some time in the stockade just like everyone else. Did you know that the military is still actively tracking down deserters from the Vietnam era? I agree, we must be at war to consider the death penalty. Since we have never officially declared war upon Iraq/Afghanistan, that will no be on the table. "Actively tracking down deserters from the Vietnam era," who is? What kind of resources do they employ in their search? Is it FBI, DOD, branch specific CID..?

Without a doubt, eh? Should be an easy case then. I'll wait for the outcome. You're welcome to assume whatever you like in the meantime. I'm curious. What will it take to provide you with definitive proof? What if the investigation is conducted and the findings classified so that you never see it? What then? If he is found guilty as a deserter and I said if. Then the punishment by UCMJ could be the death penalty. I'm sure some of the information would be classified so we won't get all of the facts. But with the punish he would face they would at least release the verdict. I'm sorry but what ever happened to the American mentality of innocent till proven guilty? Nothing has been proven yet it's all circumstantial at this point. You are worried about him being a deserter. I'm more worried about how was he with the taliban and yet still alive. When every other capture they took was beheaded shortly after with a film of it being released? I think you just answered this; "I'm sorry but what ever happened to the American mentality of innocent till proven guilty? with this; I'm more worried about how was he with the taliban and yet still alive. When every other capture they took was beheaded shortly after with a film of it being released?"

That explains a lot. Care to expound upon that, champ? No? OK...

Without a doubt, eh? Should be an easy case then. I'll wait for the outcome. You're welcome to assume whatever you like in the meantime. I'm curious. What will it take to provide you with definitive proof? What if the investigation is conducted and the findings classified so that you never see it? What then?

At what price for this cat? Who gets to notify the KIA's parents that their son died searching for a deserter? Is the life of a soldier who has served honorably worth that of a deserter?

America is so awesome at nation building. I can't wait to see how that bastion of democracy, Afghanistan finally turns out. What a slap in the face to all the men that died in '04 in that sh#thole Fallujah.

Um, no. And who am I throwing under the bus? I am simply stating the facts as they have been explained to me. I suppose, before you believe that's the situation, you'd like some proof, right? We're in the same boat, then. Grab an oar. C'mon now, Knapp. I can't even call that a strawman, more like a wet grass man.

It's a grey area but I suppose you could define what Bergdahl did as desertion even if he did have the intent to return to his unit at some point. The hard part would be proving that his dereliction of duty (Article 92) came about because he wanted to avoid hazardous duty. But then again was he ever alleged as a deserter? I know he was kept on Army rosters. sh#t's crazy, yo. It'll sure be interesting to see what happens down the road with this case. I agree it's a crazy deal. It'll be difficult to prove. They have to show he did it with out intent of returning. Or to avoid hazardous duty. Which he was already in Afghanistan so i'm not sure if that would even work. My prediction is that exactly jack and sh#t will be done down the road. The administration is all in on this one and they won't let it get anymore sideways than it already is. As the CINC, POTUS could easily pick up his phone and say "Yeah, the Bergdahl stuff? Drop that sh*t, we're done here."

Did you really just say "the men of his platoon to state what they did . . . is all the proof I need" and "I don't deal in scuttlebutt, by the way" in the same paragraph? As knapplc keeps pointing out: you might be right. We don't know that yet and neither do you. Let the system work. Regardless, I'm glad that he is no longer a prisoner of the Taliban. You? Yes, I did state that. That is what they reported during the official investigation (that's under oath, by the way) and that is what they are reporting now so why would I not believe it? I'm not so sure he was ever a prisoner of the Taliban. You?