About us Login Get email updates
Quick Clip
Print

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

July 21, 2009 10:45 am ET

From the July 21 edition of MSNBC's Morning Meeting:

Please upgrade your flash player. The video for this item requires a newer version of Flash Player. If you are unable to install flash you can download a QuickTime version of the video.

EMBED

Previously:

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

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

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by ReasonAndResolve (July 21, 2009 10:48 am ET)
      6  
      I would be happy to use Ralph Peters in a prisoner swap.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by wzwriter (July 21, 2009 12:43 pm ET)
        2  
        I would be happy to use Ralph Peters in a prisoner swap.


        It wouldn't work. A swap requires an item of value, and Ralph Peters is worthless.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by snoopy (July 21, 2009 2:00 pm ET)
             
          Worthless to liberals. To the reichwingers? He's pure gold...
          Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (July 21, 2009 10:50 am ET)
      7  
      Still waiting for the jingoistic hyperventilation from the Republicans over this cretin's remarks.

      Waiting... waiting....
      Report Abuse
      • Author by The_Cat (July 21, 2009 11:01 am ET)
        4  
        I must say that I've enjoyed reading your comments, nerzog, and I most sincerely hope that you are -not- holding your breath! ;)
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Max Credits (July 21, 2009 11:10 am ET)
        2  
        I'm happy to report that you can exhale, nerzog! Just last night all members of Hannity's Great American Panel - Including the Greatest American of All, Sean Hannity - let this traitor have it for his disgustingly un-American plan for health care.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by harley (July 21, 2009 11:25 am ET)
          2  
          I hope you're kidding, but wouldn't be surprised if you were not.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Max Credits (July 21, 2009 12:06 pm ET)
            2  
            OK, fine, I was completely bombed last night and may have had a little trouble discerning the subject and/or subject matter that Hannity's Great American Panel were discussing.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by vysotsky (July 21, 2009 12:14 pm ET)
              2  
              Is there any other way to watch Hannity's show?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 12:16 pm ET)
                1  
                I wish there were. I don't drink, so I can't watch for more than a few minutes.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by vysotsky (July 21, 2009 12:36 pm ET)
                  2  
                  No problem. Just hit yourself over the head with a frying pan before you tune in.
                  Report Abuse
      • Author by fishergirlusmc (July 21, 2009 2:11 pm ET)
        5  
        On yesterday's Mike Gallager show the guest host was railing about Peters for the entire 3 hour show and rightfully so. These were very uncalled for comments coming from an officer in the military who is trained to keep his big mouth shut.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by foghornleghorn (July 21, 2009 2:17 pm ET)
             
          My first ever thumbs-up for you!!!

          But remember he's an EX officer and is spewing his hate in order to get PAID.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by Bad News (July 21, 2009 10:52 am ET)
      2 1
      Republicans don't think before they talk.
      When you are blinded by hate your mind turns to chalk.
      This man sees himself as a hero.
      Maybe it's time we tell Mr. Peters he's acting more like a zero.

      Speak truth to power.


      Mr. News


      Report Abuse
    • Author by latanza (July 21, 2009 10:54 am ET)
      1  
      But now, you will see an effective approach to free speech and public spewing. You see the military will not tolerate this behavior and they are effective in making their points. The relationship between officials of government and the judicial community is a very strong one. You will see that this bridge which has been crossed will cease to be of any access to ignorance . I can tell you now that conversations regarding military and CIA and other Intel divisions of the United States Government is above this petty and insensitive approach in the form of media. No entertainment ratings here folks! No! No! And after this problem is handled, it will be a precident to be followed by all of those who feel truth in journalism is important and preserving security and dignity is a high priority in the industry. There's gonna be some time outs and detentions for this one.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (July 21, 2009 11:06 am ET)
      4  
      This is not a surprise, and where I work (US Army base) this guy has been the talk of the post, both Peters, and the captured soldier. I know some hard charging Rangers/Airborne guys who would like to have a word or 2 with Mr. Peters.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by twseattle (July 21, 2009 12:44 pm ET)
        1  
        They need a ride?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by magnolialover (July 21, 2009 12:48 pm ET)
          1  
          I'm sure they could get there if they wanted to. I mean, they jump out of airplanes a lot of the time.

          True story. One of the guys I work with, 82nd Airborne and Ranger qualified married a woman from Georgia (the country, not the state). Last year when Russia was getting ready to invade, he flew over there, geared himself up, crept through town at night, got his wife, and her family, brought them BACK to the airbase, loaded them into a C-17, and got them evacuated.

          These guys are the real deal.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by twseattle (July 21, 2009 1:23 pm ET)
               
            Not to mention half my age! In my twenties I was really into skydiving and a lot of those guys spend their off time making civilian jumps. (Then drinking beer and telling war/jump stories.)They were the greatest guys and this was in the early eighties, before the military regained the respect it has now. One of the older ones said he had urine thrown on him in the San Fransisco airport when he was returning from Vietnam. My military background is Air Force but I always was a little jealous of the guys getting it done on the ground.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by magnolialover (July 21, 2009 1:41 pm ET)
              1  
              True enough. The guy I wrote the story about is heading off to Freefall school in about a month or so to try and get his HALO qualifications, although he already skydives on his own on some weekends. He's also got a bronze star, 2 Purple Hearts, so yeah, he's seen some stuff for sure, and has been getting it done since we went into Afghanistan. Even though I respected these guys before, working with them day in, and day out I have an even greater respect than I did before.

              Also, we're trying to talk our Colonel into letting civilians like myself attend jump school at Bragg. So we can learn about the items we're buying, and how vital they are. Heck, I just want to go to jump school for a week or so.
              Report Abuse
    • Author by TheKidFromKountyMeath (July 21, 2009 11:07 am ET)
      5  
      Unsurprisingly, Michelle "Let's Put Arab-Americans in Camps" Malkin is positively smitten with this dashing older gentlepsycho.
      Ugh, I just linked to Malkin. I need a shower.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (July 21, 2009 12:46 pm ET)
        2  
        Indeed, she is. I find it funny that someone "in Afghanistan" allegedly wrote to her, to back up her story. Sounds like a bunch o' BS to me.

        Has the guy said stuff on the film that is not good and against the Army? Yes. He was probably coerced (using a nice word) to say those things. Some people are mentally tougher than others, and some are not. Some would probably take a beat down, and then would still have to say the same things. I'm sure he's been threatened with being killed if he didn't cooperate. Since when did we start taking stock in propoganda films produced by people who are trying to kill us, and who we are at war with? That would be, umm, never.

        And I don't think anyone is portraying this guy as a hero. This is a word that gets thrown around way too much these days. He just needs to be brought back home. Even if he had deserted, how does it make sense that he would try walking into the hills with no weapon, no armor, and just some water? Makes no sense at all. And if he did desert, what Peters said about him doesn't make it right at all.

        The only person who has disparaged the uniform is Peters.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by nerzog (July 21, 2009 1:02 pm ET)
          2  
          Agreed. If he's a deserter, bring him home and put him on trial.

          As for his statements, who are we to judge? If some guy in a ski mask is holding a hacksaw up to my neck, I'm not sure how brave I'd be. Maybe some people could stand up to that kind of intimidation, but I seriously doubt if that includes any of these Right Wing bobbleheads.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by LORISNJ (July 21, 2009 12:07 pm ET)
      4  
      Peter's will never be able to "walk back" those comments, never ever.

      Soldiers' lives should never be fodder for the media to banter. Reminds me of the Viet Nam war when they would estimate the number of expected troop deaths to determine mission viability, is 100 too much - how about 101? Who's gonna pay the butcher's bill?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by harley (July 21, 2009 1:03 pm ET)
        1  
        Peter's will never be able to "walk back" those comments, never ever.
        Reich-wing teabaggers will always embrace him.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by wolf kotenberg (July 21, 2009 12:15 pm ET)
      4  
      My own personal view of this is the networks need to apply some restraint in giving this maniac the microphone and blast out such stupidity to the world. the taliban is listening. Assume we are still at war an all efforts should be expended to get this guy back and debrief him. Anything else is pure speculation. Send this peters guy back to the bunkers and wait for the shadow.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 12:18 pm ET)
        2  
        We've had Tokyo Rose, who is this guy, "Persia Peters?"
        Report Abuse
    • Author by seroquel (July 21, 2009 2:41 pm ET)
      1  
      I like "Persia Peters". Nice ring to it.
      I listened to this twice, and still can't believe it.
      I'd like Peters to talk to an actual military person like that.
      So what if he's a deserter? I don't believe he was, and if I remember right, wasn't the soldier drinking before he was captured?
      I could be wrong, but I did hear something to that effect. It'd be pretty easy if he did get drunk to be captured. Not too smart but no excuse for what Peters said. What, does he hate America?
      Report Abuse