A deserter's return

So the White House and its mouthpieces continue to fire up the "We do not leave anyone behind" and "This was someone's child" routine.

Cool - for the moment I'll buy that if you want to sell it.  I will leave it to others to debate whether releasing 5 Taliban commanders who were so dangerous that we held them at Gitmo for years was a reasonable price to pay for the return of a child-deserter.  Perhaps this is Obama's backdoor approach to closing Gitmo.  But be careful, Mr. President, you and your merry minions, that you do not insult every American who actually did serve with "honor and distinction" by equating them with Bowe Bergdahl.

I know this administration's orientation toward Americans is a value-less one; all are equal, all have won and must have prizes, you didn't build that, rob from some to give to others, rights we want are good, rights you want are bad, and so on.  But all indications are that Bergdahl failed to serve with even a minimum of "honor and distinction" and that he walked away from his post and comrades.  It has often been alleged that this president does not value military service, those serving, or who have served (reference the VA scandals). Warriors who did serve with "honor and distinction" are left to die, while Bergdahl the deserter is brought home to a hero's welcome. Sadly, he has proved the point.

So, yes, for all his faults here was someone's child; he does seem clearly to be his father's son, uncommitted to American ideals.  But I will not buy either Susan Rice's (a whore, serial liar or fool - such blatant lying cannot come easily except to the intellectually challenged or one paid for their services) or Chuck Hagel's (someone I had high hopes for at one point) assessment of Bergdahl's service.  We will be waiting to see the investigation into his conduct and the court martial proceedings that charge him with desertion and other potential crimes associated with collaboration.  Since when do these Taliban, who get such gratification in beheading (deheading?) people, keep a non-collaborator alive for 5 years.  This is a criminal that we have extradited via negotiation and prisoner swap.

Bergdahl chose this course, he volunteered for service, deserted his comrades in reneging on that promise and then sought the fate he lived for years, seemingly sought out his captors.  Given what was known, he should never have been promoted in absentia to sergeant - a shameless ploy (akin to the political use of Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire) and an insult to those who hold that rank with "honor and distinction".  Why were those who knew the particulars compelled to sign non-disclosure agreements?  To hold a hero's welcome and ticker-tape parade for this deserter besmirches the "honor and distinction" of every warrior who has served and died (some on VA waiting lists).  It matters not whether he agreed with the mission, whether he became disillusioned.  Warriors' duties are to serve and perhaps die for a nation, an ideal, but even more face death for the warrior to their left and right, not for the petty motives of politicians and partisans.  Hate the war, hate the president, hate the brass, but stand tall and man a post for the men you serve with.  Watch Restrepo and the upcoming Korengal by Sebastian Junger to see the world these men live in, how they fight and die for each other - and why equating Bergdahl with them is an insult.  Only a president with no personal or family history of military service could ever consider such a thing.

Bergdahl defiled that ethic; he left his fellows to fend for themselves and potentially even got several of them killed trying to save him.  Leaving him behind would not be leaving a man behind - he is no man.

Beware the models being held up before you - examples that traitorous behavior against the American ideal and American values is rewarded. Do not take for granted the sacrifices of others, that they will always be there.  If you devalue them, they will devalue you.  Your brave soldiers will not be there and you will be left with an Army of Bergdahls, deciding when and for what they will fight, when they will walk away and leave you standing alone.

Huffington noted that Obama said:

"I write too many letters to folks who unfortunately don't see their children again after fighting a war," he said. "I make absolutely no apologies for making sure that we get back a young man to his parents, and that the American people understand that this is somebody's child, and that we don’t condition whether or not we make the effort to try and get them back."

So he's back - marvelous - let the investigation and court martial begin.