Courtesy of the Washington Post:
A retired U.S. Marine who fought in Afghanistan returned home to Florida on Saturday after spending eight months in a Mexican jail for crossing the border with loaded guns, a case that led U.S. politicians to bring intense pressure on Mexico to release him.
Family spokesman Jon Franks said the private plane carrying Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, his mother and supporters — including former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson — landed at a South Florida airport about 6 a.m.
Tahmooressi was freed Friday night and was reunited with his mother, Jill, and then boarded the flight to Florida in San Diego.
Tahmooressi, 26, has said he took a wrong turn on a California freeway that funneled him into a Tijuana port of entry with no way to turn back, and that he had no intention of illegally bringing guns into Mexico. His detention brought calls for his freedom from U.S. politicians, veterans groups and social media campaigns. A U.S. congressional committee held a hearing on the case.
In Mexico, possession of weapons restricted for use by the Army is a federal crime, and the country has been tightening up its border checks to stop the flow of U.S. weapons that have been used by drug cartels.
In his order Friday, the Mexican judge did not make a determination on the illegal arms charges against Tahmooressi but freed him because of his mental state, according to a Mexican official who had knowledge of the ruling but was not authorized to give his name. Tahmooressi suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment for which Franks said would be the first order of business now that he is back in the U.S.
As I am sure everybody is aware the Right Wing had been making this a cause celebre for months and even Sarah Palin and Brancy had posted about it several times.
Personally I have been more than a little skeptical at this guy's story, especially since on the day of his arrest he had already crossed into Mexico on foot, checked into a hotel, checked out hours later, walked back across the border to his truck, and then tried to drive it across the border into Mexico where the guns were found under a mattress. (Source.)
Look maybe the guy has all kinds of problems and is not responsible for his actions, however I am also noticing that this PTSD diagnosis is starting to crop up a lot in order to explain all kinds of erratic behaviors. ("Track stop cussing.")
However there is also the strong possibility that this guy really did deserve to face a little Mexican justice, and that he was saved solely for political reasons, and so that certain powerful people could save face.
Update: Well you knew it was coming.
From Queen of Attention Seeking's Facebook page:
What wonderful news that Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi will be free on U.S. soil—finally!—after being imprisoned in Mexico for the past eight months. It's been such a bizarre situation and so disappointing as we hear reports that the White House never did fight for our Marine's freedom. If true, then President Obama once again broke that sacred commitment to never leave an American behind. If I'm wrong on this, I'll be more than happy to acknowledge the President's efforts to see an honored vet set free. Prayers and well wishes go out to Sgt. Tahmooressi and all who have been so dedicated to his plight, especially Andrew's joy-filled mother today. I had the honor of speaking with her a few months ago and have admired her commitment in seeking justice for her son. She’s fought doggedly for Andrew's release; her efforts paid off. Great volunteer organizations worked so hard for this outcome, and FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren kept this important story of seemingly obvious injustice in the news even when few others reported on it. I hope the press will keep pursuing truth in the matter, in the name of justice for all. The best of everything, Andrew! Find peace and fulfillment in this new chapter of life!
- Sarah Palin
"I'm so glad he's free (Look at me! Look at me!). Too bad the President left him in that Mexican jail to rot. (Look at me! Look at me!) But hey if I'm wrong about that I will totally (Never) apologize. (Well are you looking at me yet or what?)
Would someone please tell me how this email from Dec 30 2007 helps illustrate that there was a family birth around that time?
ReplyDeleteBecause this among many other things points to no one being pregnant before the March 08 announcement.
http://postimg.org/image/ouqq5jp5v/
Also the claim that Sarah wanted Bristol to return to Juneau but worked out a deal to move to Anch instead has been legitimized by that late September 07 email where Sarah enlists Ivy (and possibly others) to help convince her she needed to return to Juneau (and leave scummy boyfriend)
You are a clown.
DeleteYour comment is completely off-topic. Can we have just one post where she is not mentioned?
DeleteWhich scummy boyfriend? Dylan? Ben? Gino?
Delete"The Marine held captive in Mexico..." is the title of this. Are you drunk already? We need to take up a collection and buy a better troll. Shit for Brains has lost her last synapse.
DeleteStart you own damn blog or stay on topic, you stupid crazy idiot.
DeleteShe IS mentioned in the post, 6:03.
Delete6:17
Deleteyeah, is reference to "The Marine held captive in Mexico" not in reference to Juneau, Anchorage, Bristol, pregnancy, etc. You really are so fucking devoid of intelligence, that I am amazed you know how to boot a computer. Is this your life aspiration to be laughed at the rest of your life? How pitiful is that?
You seriously need to do something about your anger problem, 6:48. Sarah Palin ain't got nothing on you. This blog is REPLETE with examples of OT comments in post sections and nary a peep. But for some reason this one set off of an OTT shitstorm. Yeah, you could give the Palins a run for their drunken brawling money.
Delete4:26 AM You are a sick ignorant Bitch. You even lose sleep to post about all things Palin.
Delete4:26, you are so right. That email does not sound to me like a woman who is concerned about a four month of pregnancy. Probably not pregnant is my guess.
DeleteI'm not sure what you're on about, 6:59, but this particular troll has been spewing the crap about this e-mail on multiple threads and has been spewing her general crap on this blog for years. That's different from a person who shares Gryphen's purpose to post something off topic.
DeleteAnd, really? Sarah Palin ain't got nothing on 6:48? You must not be paying attention.
I think the judge was bribed. So easy in Mexico.
DeleteWhy would they care if he has PTSD or whatever? This is bad b/c we see the queen of stupid crowing AS IF she HAD something to do with it and it rewards the idiots for bad behavior, ie if they whine hard enough...they will get their way.
But it would be funny as all hell IF POTUS was involved and got him sprung!
We could see and ask Sarah how does Crow taste?
Thank President Obama? That's not how the GOP operates. He achieved what the right wanted in the release of Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi. Should be good, but wait for it, before the day is out on one of the Sunday Jabber Fests, one he didn't do it fast enough followed by other criticisms. The GOP credo is: he gets credit for nothing. That's their story and count on them to stick to it
ReplyDeleteSarah and Bristol sure can pick 'em. Imagine if this guy was a Mexican who illegally crossed into the U.S. under the same circumstances. Or a Muslim. Those ignorant hypocritical shrews would be whining a different song then.
ReplyDeleteI am glad he is back and safe....hopefully he will get the help that he needs as I am sure this experience has made his PTSD worse.........
ReplyDeleteThe dude still belongs in a Mexican prison, ptsd or not. He knew what the hell he was doing.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous5:55 AM
DeleteThe dude still belongs in a Mexican prison, ptsd or not. He knew what the hell he was doing.
****
Agreed! Someone bribed a judge and that is not hard in Mexico, just saying.
I haven't READ all the news reports (so called reports) but I can't see POTUS intervening on someone who KNOWINGLY BROKE Mexican law? Illegal guns are a huge issue b/c of the cartels.
I don't believe his story at all. My family has had a house below Tijuana for 40 years. I have crossed the border at the point MANY times. There is absolutely NO way you can cross by accident unless you are a Palin(snark). You would have to be too stupid to pass the written driver's test. There are so many warnings for miles as you approach. Now couple that with the info Gryphen gave about how the douche spent his day prior to crossing with guns. If his PTSD is so bad that he can't follow simple traffic signs, he should have his license taken away until he recovers to a functional state.
ReplyDeleteI triple that!
DeleteYou would have to be completely blind not to see the warning signs every mile.
This is why watching news makes me ill, they not only don't do their jobs reporting facts, but they aid in the stupidity setups over and over.
If his PTSD is so bad that he can't follow simple traffic signs, he should have his license taken away until he recovers to a functional state.
Delete****
Exactly!!!
I've never heard of such a bullshit story but its the right wing nutjobs so what do you expect, hardly the truth especially from the PIG IN LIPSTICK!
You have a kind heart, but there is no way a driver can cross at that point of the border by accident. He most likely was trying to sell guns to someone in Mexico. "it was an accident," is his go to story if he got caught which he did.
ReplyDeleteThis was for 5:39
Delete"President Obama once again broke that sacred commitment to never leave an American behind"
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------------
Once again? You fucking lying waste of human life.
Nefer6:14 AM
DeleteI know! What a lying piece of shit she is! This guy has been out of the Marines or what not, and BROKE laws in the Country of Mexico! They have a extreme gun problem there!
If a palins lips are moving....it is a lie!
If Palin understood diplomacy she might realize that were many indirect interventions, i.e.: efforts towards getting this man returned to the U.S. To quote from the Florida Sun Sentinel, 11-2-14: "The family of Tahmooressi lives in the district represented by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of Weston [Florida], who was one of several politicians who worked with state and Mexican officials to bring the Marine back home." Wasserman Schultz is the Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Behind the scenes approaches usually work best in tricky international situations like this one. To Palin, unless Obama flew Air Force One to Mexico City, he couldn't have been involved.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Bill Richardson. Even though his name doesn't sound it, this former NM governor is Hispanic. He also happens to be one of the finest diplomats in the US.
DeleteMOST successful negotiations happen quietly & as under the radar as possible. No government wants to be seen as directly cooperating with the enemy, so third parties are often used.
Clueless Girl would understand this if she would just think back to how Trig was acquired. Didn't announce those terms & agreements to the world, did she?
Whoa...how'd you like to be the woman that beds down with a wife beater tank tatoo depicting Jesus on shrooms?
ReplyDeleteYikes!
Are you mocking the tattoos on his warrior body? Clearly you hate guns, the Constitution and Christians. /sarcasm/
DeleteThe guy claimed that he could not get treatment for his PTSD in Florida so he went to San Diego, the closest place to Florida? No, he went to San Diego because he had a buddy there. Instead of getting help for his PTSD, he went to Mexico. Right.
ReplyDeleteAs for Sarah Palin, she said that we are not supposed to leave any American behind. Huh? The military code says that they will not leave a fallen soldier behind, but the guy is described as a retired marine. He was not on active duty. And, that military code runs into a problem when the soldier gets into trouble of his own making.
This guy is 26 years old--he's not a retired anything. He may or may not have been honorably discharged from the Marines, but he didn't retire.
DeleteYour comment addresses what I was thinking....he was not a soldier "left behind" unless he was fighting a war in Mexico for our government we know nothing about.
DeletePat Padrnos
Anonymous8:22 AM
DeleteThe guy claimed that he could not get treatment for his PTSD in Florida so he went to San Diego, the closest place to Florida? No, he went to San Diego because he had a buddy there. Instead of getting help for his PTSD, he went to Mexico. Right.
****
Wasn't it a MEXICAN BAR his truck was parked at?
Nice place to sell guns I'm sure....
Lyin' bastards all of 'em any of 'em!
Shame on the glory hogs. Sister sarry and her ghost flackers failed to credit the person who negotiated this -- former NM Gov. Bill Richardson. Richardson, who has been a T-party target over and over, is known for gaining the release of Americans in difficult circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWait a second, wasn't Palin one of the RWNJs bitching about the release of Bergdhal? Didn't she and Bristol post a selfie asking why the military didn't hire interpreters do deal with Bergdhal's PTSD?
ReplyDeleteIf a serviceman commits a crime, he/she should be held accountable for it. I am sure that U.S. border guards arrest Mexican citizens who try to smuggle guns into our country. If he is currently a marine, he is not yet an 'honored veteran' . Hopefully, someday he will earn that recognition with honorable actions.
ReplyDelete$carah and her ilk think that having once served (even if that service was extremely nepotistic and not at all risky) entitles one to a lifetime "get out of jail free" card.
DeleteRegardless of his credibility (of which he has none), Palin doesn't give a shit about Tamhooressi. Like everything else, her righteousness is fueled not by convictions or principles, but by the compulsive need to insinuate Obama into everything so that she can go rogue (rabid) on him.
ReplyDeleteIf only she were as passionate about, I dunno, Downs Syndrome. Imagine the influence she could have had, all the people she could have helped...
Hopefully Sgt. Andrew's mama is gonna keep him on a tight leash for I am sure his name is on a very special list. And I do hope Sarah keeps in touch with his mama!
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on the Tahmooressi story but since you brought it up here's my humble opinion:
ReplyDelete1. Tahmooressi allegedly moved the San Diego to avail himself of VA treatment for PTSD in January of 2014. He was detained by Mexican authorities on March 31st. Reports state that he was seeking treatment in those months not that he had been receiving treatment.
2. Tahmooressi kept his loaded firearms and 400 rounds of ammo in his truck bed allegedly because he had no residence in San Diego. So for approximately 3 months he claims he was itinerant. Important point and question: What business does a veteran diagnosed with PTSD have carrying 3 loaded weapons and 400 rounds of ammo?
3. Tahmooressi lied to Mexican officials about his travels in Mexico.
4. Tahmooressi did not identify himself as a veteran to Mexican officials.
5. Video of Tahmooressi crossing the border shows that he did not stop until flagged over by Mexican border agents.
6. His cause did not gain real attention until the Bergdahl release which enraged conservatives.
7. The State Department was involved in providing as much assistance as possible to ensure that Tahmooressi's detention was humane and that Mexico's judicial system proceeded appropriately to adjudicate his case. It is not the practice of the State Dept to interfere with the laws of another country. That said the State Department does employ the use of negotiation to gain release of prisoners unjustly imprisoned or to speed the wheels of justice along. Every year between 1500 and 2000 US citizens are detained for crimes committed in other countries. Some of those detained are veterans.
8. Had Tahmooressi been stopped on the US side of the border and his truck searched he likely would have been cited for the loaded weapons in his truck. Had he been stopped importing illegal weapons in this country his detention would likely have been as long or longer given our system of justice.
And finally...conservatives are just waiting for Obama to issue forth the pronouncement that he was responsible for Tahmooressi's release. It won't happen because Obama didnt secure the release rather he allowed the system we have in place support the defense of Mr Tahmooressi.
That said, I am glad that he is back on US soil and that he'll get the treatment he needs. Do I believe his story? Not at all. The facts would indicate that he could have been negotiating a sale of illegal weapons in Mexico.
Sheesh
Thank you Anonymous 11:27 for the great report. I also do not believe Tahmooressi "took a wrong turn" into Mexico. I believe it was a deliberate action on his part. Does he suffer from PTSD? Who knows. If he does, I hope he gets help ASAP. But I don't believe we have heard the last of him. IMO he is bad news and someone is going to become his victim.
DeleteI am so glad Sarah approved of this soldiers release. I read this story, and waited all day, tell Sarah told me how to feel about something so wonderful, now I want to shoot a moose..Hooah!
ReplyDeleteShe is sooooo stoooopid. "Never leaving a soldier behind" refers to fallen comrades in times of war. Tahmoorhesi was long since discharged, in Mexico (which we aren't and haven't been at war with for a century or so now? and on a pleasure trip.
ReplyDelete$carah is sooo stuoopid, next she'll be screaming that the president "left a soldier behind when the vet got stuck in the queue at Disneyland." Shut up, Stoopid, $carah.
Can't wait for this fine marine to show up, unannounced, at Sarah's house to thank her for her support and prayers. First he'll park the truck in the street, strap on his gun, then walk, then he'll be "funnelled" in with all the other johns. What a stupid towhead old baldie is.
ReplyDeleteThe marines leave no man behind ON THE BATTLEFIELD, Not on a pleasure ride to new mexico where he entered the twilight zone and got sucked into another sovereign country. When did we declare war with New Mexico?
Not New Mexico. Mexico.
DeleteHe crossed the Mexican border at San Ysidro just south of San Diego. Had done so several times so should have known the exits quite well as they are very clearly posted. He also should have known the law on bringing in firearms since he had a Mexican girlfriend who he had visited.
He just got caught. The rest is spin.
You're right to doubt this guy's story.
ReplyDeleteHe had a Mexican girlfriend and had crossed that border more than once.
He didn't get "lost" and miss the exit. (Which are all very clearly marked) He just got caught.
I even question the PTSD as he looked in pretty good shape physically and mentally when he got off that plane.
Now he's trying to sue Mexico to get his truck and guns back.
Let Florida keep him. Personally, I don't want his kind of Marine in my state.