Good News From the Afghan Hostage Video
(AP Photo/Militant Video)
Van Dyk says there are signals being sent by Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl's captors in Afghanistan in the 28 minute video, which was released on various Web sites over the weekend — signals which give him reason to "hope" the 23-year-old may well survive his ordeal.
CBS Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez asked Van Dyk about the general appearance of the captive Army private, who appears in the video in a non-descript but clean Afghan robe, well-fed and generally unharmed.
"They're sending a message to the United States and its allies, and equally they're sending a message to the Afghan public: We can treat soldiers — we can treat prisoners better than the Americans are treating us," said Van Dyk, citing myriad reports of prisoner abuse in U.S.-run prisons for terror suspects in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"What they are saying to the Afghan public is that we can do a better job — Do not be afraid of us."
"He's wearing nice clothes. He's being fed. He has a cup of tea there. This is ancient tribal code that predates Islam," explains Van Dyk, who says local tradition dictates, "We will protect to the death a guest in our home — He is in someone's home right now."
Click below to see Van Dyk on The Early Show:
The author said it's important to make a distinction between the Taliban militants holding Pfc. Bergdahl and al Qaeda militants — the ones who kidnapped and then beheaded American journalist Daniel Pearl in neighboring Pakistan, for instance.
"The Taliban and al Qaeda are two different things," he said.
Van Dyk said there have been at least eight kidnappings by Taliban militants along the border in recent years, some made public, others kept secret, and "most of the hostages have been released."
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
And my question to all of those who think we have disgraced ourselves by our treatment of prisoners is this: How many video tapes did we made and send to enemy governments and news agencies? How many prisoners have had bones broken because they were beaten and then denied medical care? How many were starved, some to the point of death? How many were forced to work in conditions that were inhumane and cruel?
My answer to you: Get a text book and educate yourself on the atrocities committed by foreign governments on our soldiers. You disgrace our country by your lack of historical knowledge and it shows in your asinine comments that are simply parodies of our government officials who are only playing to an audience in an effort to keep their over-paid jobs with their over-paid retirement benefits.
For my part, I am disappointed in the conduct of this Soldier. No amount of coercion, intimidation, or torture is an excuse for a Soldier to sell out his country for his own safety. In his haste to secure his safety, he has discounted the blood of true heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice to give Afghans a dream better than the nightmare of life offered under the Taliban.
-NEF
I hope and Bowe remains safe and it does appear they are treating him well. It also appears they will try to doctrinate him to there way and make him a spokesman for them to the American public. Stay tuned.
Bowe, be strong. Any young man from Hailey, Idaho knows about being tough. You got what it takes son.
The afghan people have lived with the Taliban for how long?
The Taliban raped them & there kids, took there kids away & forced them to join at 6 years old / 12 years old, & killed & murdered 1,000s of them.
I don?t think for 1 second that they will think, see they are better then Americans.
That is the most Dumas thing I have red.
If they treat this guy well and release him, it would be a propaganda coup for the Taliban.
We have shamed ourselves on prisoner treatment all over the world!
The CIA admits to waterboarding 3 (three) KNOWN terrorists. And, this modern day Jane Fonda says, "What they are saying to the Afghan public is that we can do a better job ? Do not be afraid of us."
Is MR Van Dyk aware of this video, which plainly shows a TALIBAN (note - not Al Qaeda) beheading a pakistani ?
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/197396.php
Or what about this TALIBAN beheading of a Polish Engineer:
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-02/2009-02-08-voa12.cfm?CFID=258097358&CFTOKEN=89023073&jsessionid=88308a751e225bf2ab9d633262633f156a12
Try doing a google on taliban beheading before serving up this steaming pile of treason, will you liberal.
- by MustangSallyDJ July 20, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
- If they say they treat their hostages better then us, why was this solider crying during the video when they showed it on TV this morning. Tears of Joy? Frayed Knot
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- by jsf14 July 20, 2009 4:46 PM EDT
- Maybe he's afraid he'll be subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques.
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- by jsf14 July 20, 2009 5:09 PM EDT
- by AwwCmonWhatIsThis July 20, 2009 5:01 PM EDT
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- by jsf14 July 20, 2009 6:53 PM EDT
- If AwwCmonWhatIsThis is correct, that's reason enough for us not to use EIT.
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See all 13 CommentsThen he shouldn't be afraid, because he knows all those that went through EIT are sitting fat and sassy down at GITMO watching big screen tv, eating healthy food, and plotting their next round of terrorism ...
Having to go through EIT to get to a soft life would still frighten a man.