If it was me...

...I'm actually going to clear some spoiler space here because it's an odd idea and I want to get it past the public view area...

...I would have chipped them. Implanted trackers. Transmitters. No matter where you go, we know where you are. We know who you're associating with. What you're planning. And if we hear anything interesting, it's also a homing beacon for drones. Enjoy your new life.

But I don't know if we're that smart.

And given the nature of what we let go...

...I know it's an American life. I know getting him back was important.

But I'm with some of the GOP on this one. I think we made a mistake. One which is going to come back and bite us. Hard. With more kidnappings to come. More deaths. More everything.

Unless I hear the pings coming off five radar blips, we screwed up.

We got back one life. We may have given up thousands. And just because some of those won't be American doesn't make them any less important.

• RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,kingfish, 08:20 AM, 06-02-14
  • RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,Estee, 11:01 AM, 06-02-14
    • RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,kingfish, 12:20 PM, 06-02-14
      • RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,Estee, 01:21 PM, 06-02-14
        • The deleted tweet,moonbaby, 09:20 AM, 06-03-14
• RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,Molaholic, 06:09 PM, 06-02-14
• RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,starshine, 08:09 AM, 06-03-14
• RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,kingfish, 12:29 PM, 06-03-14
  • RE: Exchange program: terrorists for deserters,Molaholic, 06:22 PM, 06-03-14

I'm ambivalent here too.

Do we value our soldiers so high as to put us in position that tells the enemy tht we will trade anything to get him back, or do we just say screw him, do what you will. Or do we limit ourselves to Seal team 6 type strike to recover him, which undoubtedly would result in casualties.

The only rational path to follow is to publically state that we don't deal with the enemy in these situations, but be willing to do whatever it takes. Including small remote controllled charges in the necks of anybody we would release. But whatever, we need to be unpredictable.

Even if the government did exactly what I said above, we'd never know it. No one would ever trust us in a negotiation again if that information went public: it would have to stay secret forever, with the releasing parties taking the heat into the history books any beyond.

But as-is... especially given that there just might have been an actual procedure-illegal end run around Congress... problems. Lots of them.

And yes, I am aware this particular Congress would have happily left a thousand soldiers to die as long as they could try blaming the bodies on someone else. Even so.

I did hear someone on the Sunday Morning talk shows spinning this quagmire as being Bush's fault.

And I thought it verged on cruel and unusual punishment that the Administration used Susan Rice to make the announcement. If there was a reporter pool present, they could have made it very uncomfortable for her.

You know though, if it is discovered (reliably and factually) that he deserted to the enemy as some fellow soldiers are alleging, I'm no longer going to be ambivalent.

His father reportedly posted a tweet... well, if it's true, family sympathize may not lie with the States.

link here:

http://allenbwest.com/2014/06/bergdahls-fathers-deleted-tweet-smoking-gun/

I think this exchange was a mistake and I hope I'm wrong.

LAST EDITED ON 06-02-14 AT 06:14 PM (EST)

I too am very concerned about this.

In light of my previous posts supporting our brave men and women in uniform, I'm really torn on how to respond to this quagmire (thanks, that's the ideal adjective).

There have been several very dangerous precedents established -- the first is setting a "sure, we'll trade" policy with a very non-profitable (I really hesitate using that word, as there it implies placing a measurable value on the life of one of our brave service personnel) 5:1 ratio. This will invite further hostage taking that may very well escalate the 'price'. Again, taking nothing from Sgt. Bergdahl's service and sacrifice - but I don't see that his particular military value is that significant. The fact that this deal was made makes me think the 'deserter' title is without cause.

Another danger is the apparent violation of Presidential power. Could this lead to Impeachment? I'm certain that other clandestine operations have been hatched with appropriate communication between the Oval Office and Capitol Hill in the past, so why not in this case?

I really don't know how this will play out.

I can see the concern, however I would point out that your soldier had been a prisoner for five years, so whilst it does send a cash for captives message it also says that it won't happen quickly.

There isn't much incentive to kidnap people if the payoff is five years in the future, and you have to worry about the SAS popping in for a visit whilst you are holding the captive.

LAST EDITED ON 06-03-14 AT 01:47 PM (EST)

I'm thinking that since the circumstances of his capture have been questioned by his fellow soldiers, soldiers who in his outfit and who were at the scene, and since allegations by them suggest he might have been indirectly responsible for a number of US/NATO casualties, that he will have to eventually go on trial for desertion.

I don't think that the military powers that be can just wink at those kinds of accusations.

After more details of his capture have been brought to light, I may have to rethink my earlier statement about desertion. Perhaps this came about (in part) to get him back under our control so justice can take its course.

I certainly hope not -- considering the welcome home he's received ...