There is nothing more awesome than knowing that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been released by the Taliban after serving in captivity for five years.
Bergdahl represents the American fighting spirit. Has survived his ordeal. And he will return home to Idaho with honor.
Having received training on how to survive captivity several times, I remember that we were always taught to maintain hope that no matter what our government would come get us. That we would never be forgotten. That, at some point, we would regain our freedom.
That has happened today.
However, has there been a cost with the actions taken to secure Bergdahl’s release?
The cost of Bergdahl’s release is five senior Taliban commanders who were held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Rep. Buck McKeon, chairman, and Sen. James Inhofe, ranking member, of their respective Armed Service Committees issued a fairly reasoned note of caution:
“Like all Americans, we celebrate the release of Sergeant Berghdal from terrorist captivity. When one of our own comes home to us, we all rejoice. We are relieved that the ordeal and sacrifice of the Bergdahl family has come to a happy conclusion.
“In the days ahead however, we must carefully examine the means by which we secured his freedom. America has maintained a prohibition on negotiating with terrorists for good reason. Trading five senior Taliban leaders from detention in Guantanamo Bay for Berghdal’s release may have consequences for the rest of our forces and all Americans. Our terrorist adversaries now have a strong incentive to capture Americans. That incentive will put our forces in Afghanistan and around the world at even greater risk.
“In executing this transfer, the President also clearly violated laws which require him to notify Congress thirty days before any transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay and to explain how the threat posed by such terrorists has been substantially mitigated. Our joy at Sergeant Berghdal’s release is tempered by the fact that President Obama chose to ignore the law, not to mention sound policy, to achieve it.”
Indeed. While we celebrate Bergdahl coming home, has the administration suddenly emboldened the Taliban? And, why, again, has the president chosen to ignore Congress and circumvent the law!
We need to celebrate Bergdahl’s release – no one is going to deny that – but, once again, this administration finds a way to trample on the Constitution in the process. And, let’s pray they haven’t made things more dangerous for those who are willing to serve and sacrifice.
