Trading for a ‘Deserter’: Another Obama Bungle
lSgt. Bowe Bergdahl has to be the biggest of the Obama administration’s many failures (“Bam’s Disastrous Deals,” Editorial, March 26).
Bergdahl’s parents were rushed out for the public parade while Susan Rice thinks he served his country with honor. I will not be surprised if this administration blames this on a video or on George W. Bush. The lack of integrity and honesty from the Obama administration is appalling to say the least. Patrick Phelan Sebastian, Fla. lThe charge is desertion, and to remind everyone, it is only that: a charge. The Army’s action stems from various soldiers’ allegations of Bergdahl abandoning his post five years ago, which ostensibly led to his capture by Taliban militants.
Bergdahl’s Article 32 probable cause hearing and court martial are slated for a future date. But to hear and read it, most everyone who possesses an opinion on this issue is convinced the man is guilty. What happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty in a court of law?
It is easy to vilify this man, even though he has not yet had the opportunity to confront those witnesses against him in an established judicial forum.
Only Bergdahl, his lawyer and a few military interrogators know the facts and circumstances of this case.
Media pundits already have charged, indicted, prosecuted and convicted this man of desertion. Until the issues are fully developed and the facts of this case become known, perhaps these Perry Mason legaleagle types should stand down in the interim. Earl Beal Terre Haute, Ind. lObama said he’d make no apologies for bringing a soldier home to his parents. What soldier was he talking about? The Taliban commanders? Was he talking about the dead US soldiers who went looking for Bergdahl?
Just what else do we need to know about this guy in the White House before Americans wake up to the damage he is doing to America? John E. Dumary Jr.
Duanesburg lThe president’s foolish handling of Sgt. Bergdahl, which includes the release of five top Taliban commanders, underscores not only how serious Obama’s disregard of proper protocol is — the need to notify Congress as required by law — but also the egregious dereliction of duty by Congress not to rein in Obama.
Obama needs to be called to account and be chastised for his actions, to have him understand that he needs to work with Congress, especially in matters of national defense, and to remind him he took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Obama needs to get off his high horse and publicly feel the heat that Congress should deliver in order to regain its power. He should answer why he didn’t consult Congress. Part of the reason the American public elected a Republican majority in Congress last November was to assert control over Obama. Congress now has a special moment to do just that.
As a first step, Obama needs to start working with Congress regarding the details of the nuclear deal he is negotiating with Iran. Matthew Pease
Demarest, NJ lThe man for whom President Obama traded five Taliban commanders for has been charged with desertion. Bergdahl disappeared from his Army outpost in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban for five years.
What will the American mainstream media say? As they have during the six years of his presidency, they will give Obama a pass as they have on all his many other autocratic declarations — like Obama’s amnesty for illegal immigrants “legislated” by his unconstitutional executive fiats.
Or Obama’s leadingfrombehind military policies that have allowed Islamic terrorists to spread their racist, genocidal and evil doctrines throughout the Middle East and other regions. Not to mention the autocratic and personal witchhunts by Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder against US police officers and their police departments.
The American mainstream media will say
nothing against Obama.
James Lincoln Sacramento, Calif.