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Bipartisan group of 23 vets in Congress “demand an apology to PFC Bergdahl’s family” from Fox News for Peters’ comments

July 22, 2009 6:50 pm ET by Media Matters staff

From the June 21 letter to Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes, signed by 14 Democrats and 9 Republicans:

As members of Congress and veterans of the United States Armed Forces, it was with incredulity and disgust that we watched Fox News Strategic Analyst Lt. Colonel Ralph Peters (Ret.) suggest on your airwaves that Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl, "abandoned his buddies, abandoned his post, and just walked off," and stated that, if this is true, "the Taliban can save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills."

Mr. Peters' comments are so far beyond the pale that they don't even approach the decorum and respect deserved by a member of the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Peters' indefensible comments call into question, without any supporting evidence whatsoever, PFC Bergdahl's patriotism and commitment to his country, and suggest in a non-subtle way that he deserved to be captured. The events surrounding the capture of PFC Bergdahl are irrelevant at this point.

The only priority should be his safe and immediate release to U.S. forces.

[...]

We demand an apology to PFC Bergdahl's family and to the thousands of soldiers who put their lives on the line for our country. As a member of the military family, Mr. Peters should measure his remarks and remember that the United States will never abandon one of its own.

Previously:

Ralph Peters: If soldier held by Taliban is a deserter, "the Taliban can save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills"

NBC's Miklaszewski: Pentagon says Peters' comments "could endanger" captured soldier

On CNN, Avlon says Peters "crossed the line" with "wingnut" comments on captured soldier

Peters changes tune on captured soldier: "I do hope for his family's sake this guy comes back safely"

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    • Author by eweston8542983 (July 22, 2009 7:05 pm ET)
         
      Bang On!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by John Paradox (July 22, 2009 8:53 pm ET)
      2  
      Support Our Troops.

      Except when we don't.....
      Report Abuse
    • Author by captfoster2 (July 22, 2009 9:54 pm ET)
         
      This pathetic insect of pond scum Ralph Peters...

      I firmly believe that this jerk lost all credibility and justification to be called Lt. Colonel.

      I don't give a damn about his willingness to fight for this country, he is scum!

      As for Fox-Noise... I feel the same about them, so they would gain nothing by firing him, since Fox is an un-American scummy channel anyways!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by NiceguyEddie (July 23, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
           
        With this one descpicable act, he has disgraced his uniform, country and career.

        (For those who think I'm overstating the ability of one act to tarnish a career, please refer to the career of William Joeseph Buckner.)
        Report Abuse
        • Author by pasteve (July 23, 2009 5:46 pm ET)
             
          I don't know Buckner, but I have heard of Oliver North.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by NiceguyEddie (July 24, 2009 8:01 am ET)
               
            OT, but a good story...

            He's better known as BILL Buckner. He was a baseball player. He had over 2700 (more than a lot of hall of famers). He won the batting title in 1980 and over a nine-year timespan (1979-1987) he was the hardest or 2nd hardest guy in the league to strike out eight times (in terms of at-bats in between strikeouts.) He broke a fielding record at first base for most plays made in a season (officially - most assists, in 1985) and he had a reputation as a hard-nosed battler and fierce competitor on the field.

            But what is he most remembered for? Letting a ground ball go between his legs which allowed the winning run to score in the 10th ining of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, a game in which the Red Sox had led in the 10th, and which could have won the the championship for them, which the Sox then went on to lose the following game.

            Just an example of a distiguished career made into a joke by one inopportune moment.

            And Lt.Col. Peters' gaff in this case was far greater than Buckner's.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by big2xrube6146 (July 23, 2009 8:56 am ET)
         
      Let's give the talaban a good deal. Ask them if we can trade a Lt. Col. for a Private. And when they get this Lt.Col. put him out of his missary. Sounds good to me.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by harley (July 23, 2009 11:47 am ET)
           

        Peters AND o'racist are too radical and extremist for the Taliban.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by seeryer (July 23, 2009 9:29 am ET)
         
      I hope these 23 aren't holding their breath. Fox is working back channels right now to provide evidence that he was a deserter. They will rumor monger if they must. I want to know the name of the military man that told Peters he was a deserter. That should be part of what these 23 want to know as well.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by MickD (July 23, 2009 11:25 am ET)
           
        Yes, we all know what a crack staff of hard-hitting investigative "reporters" Fox keeps on staff. Good night and good luck.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by seeryer (July 23, 2009 12:01 pm ET)
             
          We know they don't have a crack staff so they will run with whatever rumor they can scrape up to help legitamize Peters' views. Especially now that Congress has lumped the entire network in with Peters, for good reason I might add. The entire Fox engine is churning to prove Peters right, not prove him wrong. Advocacy over accuracy.
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    • Author by poppajoetaz6284 (July 23, 2009 9:42 am ET)
         
      I want to know why only 23 members of Congress signed this letter?? Vet or not EVERY MEMBER OF BOTH HOUSES should be shoutting thier support from the tops of thier SOAP BOXES. Where have all the FLAG Wavers gone?? Where have all the REAL AMERICANS gone?? Where have all the SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AT ALL COSTS gone??? QUITE FRANKLY I WANT TO KNOW WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE OVER THIS??????
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    • Author by lewislaw7153 (July 23, 2009 1:29 pm ET)
         
      I hope this group prevails and keeps this alive in the media.

      Interesting that Hannity is suddenly SILENT on this subject because he constantly brings up Senator Kerry's testimony 'maligning the troops'!
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