I have at points found myself really feeling for Bergdahl. Particularly when there was talk of extreme prison sentences. I try to spend a minute in his shoes and imagine what could get a US soldier to walk away from a base when he did, where he did. I understand your point, and was not rooting for a long prison term.

But I'd have been conflicted if he did get one. You also have to feel for the people he put in harm's way. He heightened the problems of many other American kids, struggling with the same circumstances you described. Whatever his problems, there's a profound selfishness in that. Not knowing the accuracy of the casualty list in the parent post, Americans apparently died. I can't quite get on board with the sentiment that Bergdahl bears no responsibility for that.

I suspect sentencing did take points like you make into account. But I think I hope there was more to it, like cooperation and maybe intel from Bergdahl, because I don't think the sentence reflects a reasonable measure of responsibility of the harm Bergdahl's actions caused other Amercan service members.