Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday defended the administration’s decision to negotiate for the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, assuring that the U.S. will protect Americans from the Taliban.
“I don’t think anybody should doubt the capacity of the United States of America to protect Americans,” Kerry said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about the five Taliban members released from Guantanamo Bay in the prisoner swap. “So these guys pick a fight with us, in the future or now or at any time, at enormous risk, and we have proven what we’re capable of doing with al Qaeda.”
Kerry conceded that there is some risk releasing Guantanamo prisoners, but argued that Americans won’t necessarily be in greater danger.
“I’m not telling you that they don’t have some ability at some point to go back and get involved, but they also have an ability to get killed doing that,” he said, also noting that the Qataris aren’t the “only ones keeping an eye on” the released Taliban members over the next year.
Kerry wouldn’t comment on whether Bergdahl “served with honor and distinction,” but said that the U.S. was right to bring the soldier home.
“It would have been offensive and incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind, no matter what,” he said.
Watch the video via CNN:
Interesting hint that more than the Quataris will be keeping an eye on them over the next year, and presumably beyond.
Certainly a cautionary note if you’re one of the five, or any Taliban, for that matter.
Do the rightwing really doubt our capabilities as much as they appear to?
Hysterical fearfulness is a big part of the RWNJ world view. Society is crumbling, every Muslim is a terrorist, tyranny looms blah blah. But I don’t think there’s much to worry about. Qatar’s as good as place as any for those Taliban guys; they’ll be in a fishbowl and will not be likely to cause problems.
“the Qataris aren’t the “only ones keeping an eye on” the released Taliban members over the next year.”
Much can read in that statement and should be. I do not believe for one second that these guys were released without our having the capability to track and monitor them.
It’s almost scary how quickly the RWNJs can whip their mindless minions into fits of hysteria. IMHO these folks need some monitoring also.
Click on a link from you? Not happening Fool…
You’re not trustworthy, just a Fool.
“…they also have an ability to get killed…”
Plain spoken like a military veteran awarded a Silver Star. Mince no words.
Those chicken hawk Republican conservatives, who chose to become career politicians instead of serving our country, can stop fretting their little heads over five Taliban being released. As long as the military has a Democratic Commander In Chief, they’ll effectively deal with those guys.
I forgive Republicans for their worry, however. The military in the hands of Republicans? Inept!
Even I start worrying then!