Bergdahl freed. Disgusting.

He can't appeal the conviction. He pled guilty.

 

From the NY Times:
There is still a chance for the military to review and reduce the sentence, but if they choose to uphold it, Sergeant Bergdahl deserves the immediate intervention of civilian-led authorities who have the power to use clemency to grant a less severe discharge. By definition, clemency is an act of mercy. It would not absolve Sergeant Bergdahl of guilt, but both the secretary of the Army and the Army Board for Correction of Military Records have the authority to use it to give him a less severe discharge that preserves the benefits that he needs to heal and to lead a long life.

 

James, please take care. The post-WW2 Armed Forces draft was an anomaly. Outside of the ACW and WW1, the American military was an all-volunteer force.

 

Salty, a review board, either military or civilian, can reduce the sentence, but cannot set aside the conviction.

 

Uh, that is what obiter dictum means. Nothing binding, just an observation in passing.

 

If they were mentally ill? Probably not. If they were mentally ill they probably would have been declared not-guilty by reason of mental illness or defect.

That is one of the reasons so many people are upset that he was pressured into pleading guilty. If he is mentally ill he may not have been able to form the required mens rea to be found guilty.

 

And you think that is sane thinking for an American?

 

Please provide a quote from an American who says we are bad and ISIS is good. Thank you.

 

One factor I've read as to the sentencing is the judge may have considered the time (8 years) spent with the Taliban as time served in the equivalent of a minimum security facility.

 

Four years in a cage is not minimum security punishment.