We can empathize with Bob Bergdahl and the dilemma that he faced when he had to reply to his son’s email expressing disillusionment with the cause and with being American. This is not meant to castigate Bob and increase his agonies, but there is a larger object lesson that has to be learnt here.
Enlightened and responsible parenthood requires that a father provides reasonably sage and wise counsel when he can see the quick-burn Icarius act that the son was contemplating. The test is the objective one of reasonableness, for any reasonably enlightened and responsible father would have counseled caution, restraint and patience. He should fess up and concede that he goofed big time in advising Bowe to “obey his conscience,” for that effectively sealed his son’s fate.
This is not to say that the situation is beyond repair. Just hold his hand up and apologize to Bowe and his family, including his supportive wife and I’m sure he’ll be forgiven in a jiffy. After all the advise was given in good faith without realizing the tragic consequences that’d befall Bowe. It may be painful but the healing would be swift!