The new line at Fox News is that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl became a loyal Jihadist during his time in enemy captivity, but the reports their story is based on have a very familiar credibility problem that has reared its head more than once in recent days.
via ThinkProgress
But the Fox News story that sparked the discussion, written by reporter James Rosen, is based on “secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account.” The documents also claim that Bergdahl had at one point escaped his captors and was later recaptured and placed in a metal cage. These on-the-ground reports are based on dispatches collected by the Eclipse Group, which Rosen describes as “a shadowy private firm of former intelligence officers and operatives.” The firm is run by Duane R. (“Dewey”) Clarridge, who was indicted for lying to Congress about his role in the Iran-Contra scandal.
If a rogues gallery of villains, including the likes of infamous Iran-Contra perp Oliver North, say Bowe Bergdahl is a deserter and a traitor, who are we to argue?
According to multiple reports from Bergdahl’s captors, he tried to escape more than once. His Taliban captors also threatened to kill him if news of his transfer was leaked to the press.
Does that sound like the actions and treatment of a loyal follower?
If Bergdahl did in fact adopt elements of their lifestyle during his five years in captivity, including speaking their language, in an effort to live some minute semblance of a civilized life, that doesn’t necessarily mean he converted into one of their disciples.
Fox News and the conservative entertainment complex has gone all-in against Bowe Bergdahl. No fact or revelation will get in the way of their new narrative. Changing the story at this point would mean President Obama may not be a secret Muslim and terrorist sympathizer after all. That’s our subtext.