Bowe Bergdahl Blowback Expose Big Blunders
Observing national security advisor Susan Rice deflect and dismiss damaging questions as to why the United States had abandoned the established principle of not negotiating with terrorist was difficult. But knowing that principal was abandoned on behalf of someone of questionable value and character was painful.
Within hours of the Obama administration's announcement of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's release, chatter began to heat up over the circumstances of Bergdahl's capture. Accused of being a deserter and not a hero by those he'd served with has stirred unmitigated anger and resentment. According to those closest to the events on the ground, lives were lost in search of a soldier who willingly left his post without permission and presumably with no intention to return.
Many who are aware of Sgt. Bergdahl's story are sharing their tales of disgust and amazement over a message being manipulated to create an acceptable narrative. Unfortunately, much to the administration's chagrin, some people can feel the spin.
The more the administration talks about the negotiated exchange of Taliban prisoners for Sgt. Bergdahl's release, the more serious questions are being asked to understand the administration's motives behind this unprecedented action. Why this guy? Why now? Why so publicly? Why did the administration bypass Congress? (Okay, we get that one) but with all the baggage Sgt. Bergdahl was carrying, was he worth the blowback? Was the actions the administration took to secure Sgt. Bergdahl even legal?
As if any of the above weren't enough, the questions actually get worse. What is United States' negotiating with the enemy protocol going forward? Who determines who gets a negotiated release and who gets left in a lurch. How does future administrations answer families of future POWs demanding the United States do whatever it takes to get a loved one back in one piece?
Bottom line: Is the Obama administration so desperate for good news, it's now stooping to stunts? Yet another mystery to solve.
The Podcast:
Comments
Post a Comment