The Controversial Trade

A few days ago, we learned that US Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdhal was released after five years of captivity in Afghanistan by an al-Qaeda related insurgent group. On the surface, it seemed like a good thing. After all, what American couldn't be happy about an America POW finally coming home?

But as the story continues to unfold, the controversy continues to grow......

First off, the way the release was orchestrated has many Americans scratching their heads. In exchange for Bergdhal, President Obama agreed to free five Guantanamo Bay detainees. And these were not Kumbaya-singing choirboys. These were five dangerous Taliban leaders who are now free to resume their terrorist activities. Many critics of this "hostage swap" have serious concerns about the message that this sends to the rest of the world. It also seems to go against conventional wisdom to release terrorists while we're still fighting a war against them.

Secondly, there is the issue of whether or not Obama's decision to trade the Islamist terrorists for Sgt. Bergdhal was even legal. According to what we've been told, the President must give Congress 30 days notice prior to releasing any prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. From everything that's been reported, the 30-day notice was not given. There are some who are already suggesting that Obama could be impeached over this. According to an article from "The Hill" today, the White House has defended the action as an "oversight".

The law that was allegedly broken was part of the National Defense Authorization Act. In an ironic twist, the NDAA was signed into law last year by none other than Obama himself.

As if this wasn't enough, we are now being told that Bergdhal may have actually been a deserter who abandoned his command post in June 2009 which led to him being held captive. In the subsequent manhunt for Bergdhal, at least six American soldiers were reportedly killed. There is also talk about how Bergdhal was disillusioned with the Army and that he wanted to renounce his American citizenship prior to his capture. Allegedly, he has also made anti-American statements.

There is now talk about Bergdhal possibly being court martialed over this. If this were to happen, he could wind up back in captivity, only this time in an American prison.

Adding to the controversy, Bergdhal's father, who appears to be a Muslim, is said to have tweeted that "he is working to free all Guantanamo prisoners". If this is true, I'd sure like to hear him explain exactly what's involved in his "work".

We'll learn more about these things as the story unfolds, but this is certainly not going to fare well for the President if any or all of this turns out to be true. I guess the good news for him is..... at least the V.A. scandal is no longer dominating the headlines.

kw