| Congressional Veterans Condemn Statements of Lt Col Ralph Peters |
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WASHINGTON, DC - Outraged and disgusted at comments by a Fox News analyst against a captured U.S. solider, U.S. Congressman John Boccieri (D-OH) along with 22 fellow bipartisan congressional veterans today demanded an apology from Fox News Channel CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes to Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl's family and to the thousands of soldiers who put their lives on the line for our country.
Last evening, Fox News strategic analyst and retired Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters, commenting on the Taliban capture of PFC Bergdahl, accused him of abandoning his post in Afghanistan and labeled him an "apparent deserter." Mr. Peters further suggested that if PFC Bergdahl is a deserter, then "the Taliban can save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills."
In their letter to Fox News, the Members write, "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 truth is that Mr. Peters' words give more aid and comfort to the enemy...and put PFC Bergdahl at additional risk of harm.
"[H]is implied suggestion that the Taliban should simply kill PFC Bergdahl to, "save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills," was repulsive and deserves to be repudiated by your news organization. We recognize and credit anchor Julie Banderas' efforts to make it clear that Mr. Peters' positions were not that of Fox News. However, that does not remove the responsibility your network has for the statements of one of its own analysts. 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."
To view the interview between Fox News and Mr. Peters, watch click here.
***The full text of the letter is below and attached.
Roger Ailes
21 July 2009
Chairman Ailes,
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.
Mr. Peters further complained that PFC Bergdahl was openly questioning U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and cooperating with the Taliban, showing that Mr. Peters' has conveniently forgotten that soldiers in captivity are often forced to make statements contrary to their beliefs simply to stay alive. Senator John McCain has often discussed his decision to do so while a captive of the Vietcong. Perhaps Mr. Peters would choose to question his patriotism as well. Regardless, we have every reason to believe that the comments made by PFC Bergdahl do not reflect his true feelings and are being forced by his captors. The truth is that Mr. Peters' words give more aid and comfort to the enemy than any forced statement by a captured soldier, and put PFC Bergdahl at additional risk of harm.
Finally, his implied suggestion that the Taliban should simply kill PFC Bergdahl to, "save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills," was repulsive and deserves to be repudiated by your news organization. We recognize and credit anchor Julie Banderas' efforts to make it clear that Mr. Peters' positions were not that of Fox News. However, that does not remove the responsibility your network has for the statements of one of its own analysts; especially those that suggest a member of the United States Army should be killed by his captors.
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.
We look forward to your response.
Respectfully, John Boccieri (D-OH)
Thomas Rooney (R-FL)
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