The Obama administration made the announcement during the weekend, framing the deal that swapped Bergdahl for five Taliban-affiliated GuantĂˇnamo Bay prisoners as an example of two U.S. promises: to leave no man behind and to finally, mercifully, and after nearly 13 long years, begin to end the war in Afghanistan. Listening to them adds to our understanding of their lives and experiences, and it gives them agency and closure that doesn't always come at the end of their tour. As you might expect from any Palin story, there are some issues. You know that old truism that nothing can turn to hate as quickly as love? They don't want to get into the politics, but they have ideas. Just call the Republican strategists representing them.
– The world has been hearing lately from soldiers criticizing freed soldier Bowe Bergdahl. While they have a right to their opinions, much of the publicity they're currently getting is thanks to a "GOP-run dog-and-pony show" reminiscent of the Swift Boat campaign against John Kerry, writes Adam Weinstein at Gawker. For evidence, he points to the New York Times, which spoke to several of these soldiers. The piece notes that the interviews were "arranged by Republican strategists." What's more, according to the Pentagon, claims of deaths linked to the search for Bergdahl aren't backed up by data. Both soldiers who spoke to the Times say they don't want to get political. But when you're supporting a "data-denying political missile" by calling it "a neutral account … you're 'speaking on the political' before you even you open your mouth," Weinstein writes. At Salon, Elias Isquith notices a similar problem: When soldiers don't conform to flag-waving GOP "fantasies," they're turned from heroes to "charlatans—or maybe even traitors." Click for his full piece; Weinstein's is here.