Posted on 06/03/2014 9:51:41 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When the news broke that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey would return to the U.S. and eventually to his family after five years of being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Sun Valley-area people erupted with joy and relief.
People called this newspaper, called their friends, and announced to perfect strangers that Saturday was a great day because of the news that the young soldier was coming home. People gathered spontaneously in Hailey where they hugged, shed tears and smiled at the same time. A valley-wide celebration was immediately scheduled for later this month.
Americans are proud of bringing our lost soldier home. Our nation and President Obama did what needed to be done as we wind down military operations in Afghanistan.
Yet within hours of the announcement that the U.S. had traded five Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay prison for Bergdahl’s release, some senators, military experts and broadcast media commentators shamelessly made Bergdahl’s release into a political football. The bloodhounds took up the cry and bayed on and on about so-called “questions” about the manner of Bergdahl’s capture and the exchange of prisoners. It was a despicable display of politics gone off the rails.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, insisted that the Obama administration erred in not providing 30 days notice to Congress before the exchange. He called the exchange “disturbing” and a change in U.S. policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
Even Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, said, “It is disturbing that these individuals would have the ability to re-enter the fight.”
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Roger, R-Mich., said the White House made a mistake by negotiating with terrorists.
So, what would these critics have preferred? That our nation abandon its soldier and leave him to rot in Afghanistan? It’s a good bet that Cruz, McCain and Roger would have gone into a self-righteous snit had the Obama administration failed to successfully negotiate Bergdahl’s release and would have accused Obama of heartlessly abandoning our soldier.
The self-proclaimed critics have shamelessly and destructively put the administration and all Americans in a no-win position for some perceived political gain.
As in all things in life, there is a time for joy, celebration and healing, and a time for reflection and examination. This is the time for joy and celebration, not for speculation and trial by sound-bite.
The politicians, military experts and critics should stop their shameful bleating and let our nation, our local community and Bergdahl’s family enjoy the return of our lost soldier.
Five years of captivity is enough. Bring him home. Leave him alone, and let him heal.
Aw. Didn’t go the way they wanted. No more comments? Chicken sh*ts.
Hailey is a resort town akin to Aspen with lotsa transplanted “progressives” I would guess.
Hopefully there will be some kind of mention of who these 6 (actually I have heard it is upwards of 14 soldiers that died) soldier are. They deserve our gratitude and respect more than a traitorous deserter and possibly one aiding and abetting the enemy.
The percentages haven’t changed. Still at 96 % NO. 4% YES
Gotta love these poll results. Looks like Bergdahl’s town will have to cancel their parade, or ship in a bunch of Government hacks or crisis actor types from the Boston or Newtown area.
That sure says a lot about the author and the website when they pull the poll when they don’t get their intended results. You wonder how many of these corrupt people have any influence over the real election polls in November...
“It’s a good bet that Cruz, McCain and Roger would have gone into a self-righteous snit had the Obama administration failed to successfully negotiate Bergdahl’s release and would have accused Obama of heartlessly abandoning our soldier.”
A month ago, Obama had not negotiated Bergdahl’s release...and I didn’t notice anyone getting into a self-righteous snit.
Thanks for posting some of the NSA sponsored propaganda on this fiasco. Between Politico, MSNBC and the Whtie House, there is a major snow job going on.
The son chose to go back. I think this guy was surprised to find himself sent back. The circumstances are so different between what is being compared. This is not even halfway close.
They get what they wanted... to be mad at God forever.
They musta gotten scorched!
After baby boy decided to walk off and help the poor misunderstood natives, he found out real quick they weren’t misunderstood. Now that 6 Marines are dead trying to find his rainbow a$$, he has to heal. BS.
It looks like the coward paper has shut down comments. How liberal of them.
The guy uses the term “military experts” several times. He should leave the real work to the experts.
There are no do-overs when it comes to desertion.
I’m probably more of a “military expert” than anyone working at that one horse town newspaper.
Now that he’s home we can let him heal, I guess. Hopefully it won’t take long until he’s healed enough to stand trial for desertion and/or treason.
I can remember when Idaho was a bastion of conservative people and now it’s a liberal hellhole. How did that happen?
I’d certainly agree that the ex military on FOX are experts.
I think that Bruce Willis moved Demi in the girls there back in ‘90’s.
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