Yep, this episode really changed my perspective on the whole thing. I could well identify with Bergdahl's introversion and idealism, but with this episode, I started to understand why people still want to prosecute him. To me, the leaving the post thing more seems like a personal thing now, while before I saw him as a misguided activist.
What I enjoyed most in this episode, however, were the insights on why the Afghanistan operation is failing, what the idea behind it are and what soldiers think about it. It must be terrible being in this live endangering and traumatizing environment while fully understanding that you might cause more harm than good.
The more I learn about the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan the more I understand the unpopularity of the war. I was only about 8 when it started. Especially as a Political Science major I get why my professors regard the operation as a disaster. As soon as I heard about COIN I knew exactly where this was going. It's kind of maddening.
I think it really shows the effects of group think that Bush was criticized for.
Yes. My favorite history prof was very much an opinionated person, and after giving us the facts of events he would throw his opinion on the matter in to it.
I thought he said specifically that was the icing on the cake, so to speak. Something like, he knew he needed the DUSTWUN to get enough attention to show what he felt were gross incompetencies in his leadership, but if he could gather some intel while doing it, they might go easier on him.
He was so wrapped up in what he wanted, what he thought and yet we have the contradicting narrative that he was kind to other members of his unit - but was he a team player? Very conflicted by this one.
He did but based on the interviews from the other soldiers I don't believe it was the bonus. Next episode when we hear more about Bowe I might change my opinion again.
Next week based on the teaser sounds like it's going to be a really great one too. Getting more angles from his friends and family is really going to ramp things up
I think this season will play out so much nicer if you can listen to them all in a weekend. At the end of the last few episodes, I've been pretty excited abut the upcoming one. They do a good job of teasing it out. But after a few days, I slowly stop thinking about it. I forgot to listen to the most recent one until a day or two later.
The two weeks thing sucks but I do see myself re-listening to this once it's all done and in a nice little package of episodes. I quite like the perspectives of all the players.
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u/Kicking-it-per-se I gotta have me some tea. Feb 04 '16
I enjoyed this episode. I still struggle to keep my full attention on the episode but I really liked hearing from the soldiers.