
Sgt. Bergdahl's disappearance from his unit in Afghanistan five years ago has more questions than answers. Originally we were told that he had been kidnapped by the Taliban while using a field latrine, then later it came out from members of his unit that he just walked away from his post never to return. The latter explanation is being told today by many who knew him in Afghanistan; most are even using the word deserter. In fact, some say that his case is a morale killer considering that as many as six of his fellow Army troops died while searching for him. Whatever the actual truth, he certainly did some unusual things prior to leaving his unit.
On several occasions he told fellow soldiers that he was sick of Afghanistan and was thinking about leaving. He also studied the language dialects most common to the area (Pashtoon and Dari) via an audio language program and showed keen interest in Islam. Additionally, he wrote many letters home complaining about the American mission claiming that we were not doing what was right. Finally, before he departed, he shipped all of his personal belongings including his personal computer home. Now I know that many soldiers get disgruntled when under stress, but rarely do they combine as many unusual actions at once and particularly not as clearly and openly to his own squad members.
Now let's fast forward to Saturday when the President had the deal finalized and the exchange was taking place. In his usual manner of ignoring the law, the President gave the go ahead for the release of five Gitmo inmates who were among those who had committed the most heinous acts. The law requires that the President give Congress thirty days' notice before taking such action, but the White House used the excuse that Bergdahl's life was in immediate jeopardy and the time couldn't be taken to meet legal requirements. Really, Mr. President, you didn't have time to follow the law? There is no evidence of the claim for required immediacy so I think we have to assume that is pure rubbish.
Then at the ceremony where Bergdahl's parents were standing with the President, his father made some remarks directed to his son which started in the captors' dialect. There have also been some strange emails posted by both Bergdahl and his father, including his father's tweet asking for the release of more Gitmo detainees. It seems rather strange to me that an American father would do that but I guess anything is possible.
I'm sure that more information will leak out as time goes on, particularly after his debriefing and medical evaluation is completed in Germany before he is shipped home. But, if all checks out as it appears it will, then we have here a case of a deserter being treated as a hero while the President once again breaks the law, likely to take the heat off of the discussion of the VA scandal.
Meanwhile, the hope and trust of our loyal military troops are once again being dashed by witnessing this fiasco. And I'm sure that Obama's clueless White House staff can't figure out for the life of them why Americans are once again becoming upset by an event that they figured would draw the President's praise. These amateur hour staffers just don't get America and it shows again and again with every action they take.
At the same time, a decorated and honorable United States Marine is languishing in a Mexican cell with no help in gaining his freedom being provided by the United States government. I guess the Obama Administration is open to allowing total chaos at the border and illegal border crossing in mass but not concerned about our top quality troops. I guess this is just par for the course for an Administration determined to bring America to her knees.
Americans, please wake up from your slumber and check this situation out carefully for it is just another in a long pattern of poking a finger in the eye of our nation and her reputation. Let's get to work and rebuild it facing in a new direction, a direction that leads to a return to excellence and honor with support for those who give their all for our freedom.
God bless America and pray for her deliverance.