Why are so many people choosing to think the worst Sgt. Bergdahl? What happened to love and compassion in our country? Only half-truths are known, which are worse than lies. 

Is it at all possible that the soldier was a victim of “bullying”? Is it possible that they are the very ones accusing him of desertion? Is it possible the soldier was suffering from depression or some other mental disorder, because I’m sure I would be quite depressed if I were required to spend any time in the Mideast. 

It’s been said that he “walked off” before. Did the leadership of his outfit not recognize before that there was some kind of problem. Why did he not take some kind of action to protect the integrity of the soldier. Think of it. Where could you get help for yourself if you were there. You just might feel like walking off too. 

I feel pretty annoyed that people, even journalists, have appeared to take pleasure in maligning the soldier. It appears he was found guilty when he should have been presumed innocent. Isn’t that the way our justice system works? So often I have heard “he walked away... he’s a deserter.” Life is much more complex than that, and there is a terrible lack of grace among the people for a fellow citizen. —Joyce Baughman, Kalispell