Flash to present day. Ah, a glimmer of hope, he has these back burner negotiations which have gone on for years to free Bowe Bergdahl, a Army Sargent who has been held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for the last near five year. So, a quick jump on the line to the intermediaries and a message to get him free whatever the cost to divert some of this political pressure I am under now. An admirable result for a disingenuous reason, and by a despicable means.
What is so despicable? Do you remember the US Policy of every president since terror issues arose decades ago. "We don't negotiate with terrorists". Barack Obama has now flushed that policy for a short term political gain (and admittedly admirable outcome) of freeing Bowe Bergdahl. I am glad Bowe is home, for him, for his family and all concerned Americans who worried for his welfare.
More than that though I am now worried. President Obama, with his phone in hand (remember the injunction "I have a phone and a pen. . .") has put a big "Kidnap Me" target on the back of every serviceman in Afghanistan or any other place where a terrorist, foreign or domestic can get ahold of one. They now know the weak US will bargain, and in this first transaction give five for one to get Sgt. Bergdahl. Joy will encompass his family, as the families of every other active duty service man or woman will fear more greatly that their loved on will suffer because of the precedent established by Obama of paying well for the return of prisoners of war.
As a cynic, I can only ponder on why he sent in the Seals to get Bin Laden, but had to capitulate on Bergdahl instead of sending a overwhelming force to free him.
Just who did we release to get a platoon sargent back? CBS News reports "All five Taliban members being released are considered to be among the most senior militants at Guantánamo and would otherwise be among the last to leave." So, our "got Bin Laden" president has given five high level leaders of the Taliban back to them, to return to intelligence gathering, bomb making, attack planning, and many other leadership functions in this 8th Century throwback sect. They will no doubt cause the death of many Americans now that they are released. Such a deal.
Now information seems to indicate that Bergdahl may well have been a deserter, who in his naivety developed sympathy for the enemy, and walked off intentionally from his unit. If that does prove to be the case this was even a worse deal.
And all of this was done for the express reason of a diversion where the President would take political shelter as his leadership falls in around his feet at the cost of every American. Such a deal-what a guy. Now all we have to do is hold our breath until the next American soldier (citizen, child, etc) is grabbed and watch the price go up. Perhaps this is Obama's strategy for emptying and closing Gitmo. Perhaps he will keep that promise-but at what cost in lives, taxpayer dollars, national reputation, etc.
Now we can understand Obama's new policy with terrorists. "Catch and Release".
Another line item for a failed president.
This post first appeared on Mr Smith Thinks - Musings From The Mainstream, please read the originial post: here
