memeorandum: Bergdahl Was in Unit Known for Its Troubles (New York Times)

9:55 PM ET, June 8, 2014

Top Items:

Eric Schmitt / New York Times:

As Bowe Bergdahl Heals, Details Emerge of His Captivity — WASHINGTON — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has told medical officials that his captors locked him in a metal cage in total darkness for weeks at a time as punishment for trying to escape, and while military doctors say he now is physically able …

Discussion: Mashable, Guardian, The Daily Caller, WAMC, Balloon Juice and National Review

New York Times:

Bergdahl Was in Unit Known for Its Troubles — The platoon was, an American military official would assert years later, “raggedy.” — On their tiny, remote base, in a restive sector of eastern Afghanistan at an increasingly violent time of the war, they were known to wear bandannas and cutoff T-shirts.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Prairie Weather, Liberaland and NewsBusters

Wall Street Journal:

Bergdahl Has Declined to Speak to Family — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has declined to speak to his family after five years in harsh captivity that included being held in a cage after one attempted escape, according to a U.S. official familiar with the Army soldier's recovery.

Discussion: Blazing Cat Fur and Mediaite

New York Times:

Critics of P.O.W. Swap Question the Absence of a Wider Agreement — WASHINGTON — When the heads of the two major intelligence committees criticized the Obama administration on Sunday for swapping Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five members of the Taliban, they homed in on one part of the deal …

Discussion: ABC News, CNN, Politico and The Democratic Daily

Peter Nicholas / Wall Street Journal:

Your Introduction to a Full Week of Hillary Clinton — Get ready to see plenty of Hillary Clinton as she opens a national tour promoting her new book and stumps for Democrats running in the midterm elections. — ABC News landed the first interview with Mrs. Clinton tied to the release of her book, “Hard Choices.”

Discussion: Hot Air

Chris Good / ABC News:

Hillary Clinton Reveals 2016 Timetable, Won't Say Whether She'll Testify On Benghazi … Hillary Clinton wants more time through the end of the year to think about whether she'll run for president in 2016, the former secretary of state told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview in advance …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Gawker, CNN, Politico and Latest from Crooks and Liars

Dan Balz / Washington Post:
Clinton's book sets foundation for 2016 run

Discussion: Politico and New York Times

Kevin D. Williamson / National Review:

Mother Courage — Miss Pennsylvania USA's remarkable mother — Valerie Gatto does not want to talk about abortion. That's probably prudent, inasmuch as she very much desires to be the next Miss USA, and contestants in that pageant are expected to have ruthlessly anodyne interests along …

Thomas L. Friedman / New York Times:

Obama on Obama on Climate — WHEN it comes to dealing with the world's climate and energy challenges I have a simple rule: change America, change the world. — If America raises its clean energy standards, not only will others follow — others who have hid behind our inaction …

Discussion: PoliticusUSA, ThinkProgress, Talking Points Memo and The Huffington Post

Natalie Cullen / 8 News NOW:

Dead police officers identified — LAS VEGAS — The two Metro Police officers killed while they ate lunch Sunday have been identified as Officers Alyn Beck, 42, and Igor Soldo, 32, Metro Police said. — The two were shot at a pizza restaurant Sunday near Nellis Boulevard and Stewart Avenue.

Discussion: Hinterland Gazette, Scared Monkeys and Little Green Footballs

Washington Post:

How Bill Gates pulled off the swift Common Core revolution — The pair of education advocates had a big idea, a new approach to transform every public-school classroom in America. By early 2008, many of the nation's top politicians and education leaders had lined up in support. — But that wasn't enough.

Frank Bruni / New York Times:

Dear Millennials, We're Sorry — AMONG Americans age 40 and older, there's a pastime more popular than football, Candy Crush or HBO. — It's bashing millennials. — Oh, the hours of fun we have, marveling at their self-fascination and gaping at their sense of entitlement!

Discussion: Firedoglake and Daily Kos