Captive U.S. Soldier: A Hero or A Deserter?

Held prisoner by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Twenty-three-year-old Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl appeared in a video released on the Internet over the weekend by Islamic militants.

The video proves he’s alive, but the question is how was he captured in the first place? And should the media automatically portray him as a hero?

Different American cable outlets are trying to understand the story by asking their military reporters and strategic analysts to weigh in.

First, MSNBC asks its military analyst Ret. Col. Jack Jacobs how a private like Bergdahl could be taken hostage. From Jacobs’ perspective, the circumstances are pretty odd.

“It didn’t make a great deal of sense that he was separated from a patrol because patrol members keep close sight of one another even in difficult terrain and there are all manner of electronic gear that makes it easy to take control of people so the conclusion that one draws is that he wandered off.”

CNN adds to the speculation stating a Taliban commander told CNN, Bergdahl left his outpost to get drunk and was ambushed when returning to his car.

But the network’s Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr says ‘hold up’ it’s no use speculating the truth will come out eventually.  

“Again this discrepancy, he says he fell behind on a patrol, the U.S. military says he walked away from his combat outpost. I think we’re not likely to know the full story in a public fashion until the situation’s resolved.”

Wait a minute, says FOX News strategic analyst Lt. Col. Ralph Peters.

This discrepancy over Bergdahl’s capture only makes him a liar. The Colonel goes further to say the Private’s comments on the tape suggest he’s “collaborating with the enemy.”

“We know this private is a liar. We’re not sure if he’s a deserter, but the media needs to hit the pause button and not portray this guy as a hero.”

For a more local perspective we go to KBCI TV in Bergdahl’s hometown of Ketchum, Idaho, where they’re backing their man as a hero.

“Bowe’s an outstanding young man he has a lot of presence. He was wonderful with our customers and as our business employee and as our representative. He made long-lasting friendships with every single employee and as well as myself and he’s a great young man.”

Do you think the U.S. government should be prepared to bargain for Pvt. Bergdahl’s release? Do you think the media should treat Bergdahl as a hero or a deserter?