This week, Bowe Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The man whom Obama's White House claimed served the United States with honor and distinction now faces penalties including life in prison. The sentencing phase of his court martial begins on Monday.
As many will recall, on May 31, 2014, in a much ballyhooed ceremony in the Rose Garden, then-President Obama, flanked by Bergdahl's parents, announced the deal that was to return Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl from captivity with the Taliban in exchange for five terrorists then held in Guantanamo Bay. Immediately after the announcement, murmurs were heard in the military community that grew to shouts that Bergdahl was a deserter. No doubt the Obama administration was moved by Bergdahl's father's sympathetic beard and his efforts to learn Pashtun, the language of his son's captors. This was, after all, the era of compassionate globalism. Leave no man behind, was the mantra.
Since then, the military conducted its investigation and brought charges against Bergdahl. Many in the military, both veterans and those who served in theater during the time of Bergdahl's misconduct, called for him to be jailed for life, if not put to death. Troops sent out to look for him were injured and six were killed in their searches. Those losses had an effect on the active military and veterans who called for harsh punishment of Bergdahl.
There were several rulings by the court that compelled Bergdahl to plead guilty. Arguments can be had whether the court erred in making its rulings; I don't believe it did. But for those not paying close attention to the case, the plea may have come as a surprise. For those of us monitoring it, it comes as a relief. There was little reason to see this play out in a trial; there was very little evidence to support Bergdahl's tale that he simple took off for a walk and was captured.
What's more interesting is the public reaction from a couple of quarters. First, what's the MSM been doing to report on this? I mean, besides announcing his guilty plea, has the MSM been investigating the deal that brought us a deserter in exchange for five hardened terrorists who've vowed to kill Americans? As far as I can tell, Bergdahl hasn't taken up arms in defense of this country and now he's admitted abandoning his post. Does the MSM see a problem with releasing five terrorists for a deserter? Does it disagree with the precedent set by the Bergdahl trade? Is it interested in holding the former president and his human piñata accountable for their gross overstatements?
How about the parents? Sure, they're glad to have their son back and out of harm's way, but are they proud of the child and his brand of patriotism, duty and loyalty? Is the father glad he grew that ridiculous beard and learned to speak Pashtun (which I'm sure is useful in Idaho). Do they feel as if their son brought shame to them and their family name?
But most of all, has anyone asked the former president or Susan Rice about the Bergdahl plea? Do they feel at all responsible for making the worst trade since Lou Brock was traded for Ernie Broglio? Are they sheepish about having been played by Bergdahl? Are they angry about his perfidy? Do they regret making the trade? What do they think should be his punishment? Or will the MSM not even ask them questions about one of the worst decisions they made while in power?
Bergdahl will get what he has coming. He'll be in jail; the only question will be for how long. Nothing will bring back the six brave souls who lost their lives searching for him, or the lost limbs others lost on patrol trying to rescue him. But for those who hailed or approved the deal, I wonder what they're thinking. I also wonder if the MSM, which is trying so hard to find a Russian collusion allegation to stick despite evidence to the contrary, will tear itself away for a moment to look at a real scandal that's been under their collective noses for more than a couple of years.
(c) 2017 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles
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