The Chris Moeller Archives

War and larceny

The Bowe Bergdahl controversy is a tailor-made one for the chicken hawks. Those that have never served, like Sarah Palin and Mike Rogers, can freely criticize Bergdahl for reportedly "going AWOL" before his capture by the Taliban when they never faced the horrors of war themselves. They can criticize the president for "negotiating with terrorists" in trading for Bergdahl's release, when we know they would be criticizing him just as loudly and pointedly if he had "left this American behind." They can criticize Bergdahl for statements he reportedly made condemning America's war policy-- even the ones he made on video after he was captured by the Taliban-- hoping they can blur the line between what was real and what was coerced. Allen West can criticize the negotiations and demand that the president be impeached, but he was released from military duty himself charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Bergdahl's desertion, if true, did not cause the deaths of eight U.S. soldiers, as some of his former platoon-mates contend. The War on Afghanistan caused the death of those soldiers. I give Obama credit here for negotiating the release of this brave soldier as the president's war winds (too slowly) to a close. From a practical standpoint, I commend the details of the swap. I think we fleeced 'em. For Bergdahl, Obama traded five "terrorists" that aren't really terrorists. If Guantanamo prisoners were really terrorists, they would get trials.

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Happy Primary Day, Iowans. This is the designated time every two years in which state taxpayers foot the bill for the Republican and Democratic Parties' candidate selection process. (The average cost of these elections, per state, per cycle, is $33 million.) Since you have to switch your voter registration from Independent, Green, or Libertarian to Democrat or Republican to participate (in Iowa), the fix is most definitely in. It's certainly unconstitutional, and probably unlawful. Unaffiliated citizens are basically ponying up to promote the reality that the Oligarchy is now-- and may forever be-- their only electoral choice. You won't catch me participating. To borrow from Philip Berrigan - If voting made any difference, it would be illegal.

posted by CM @ 8:19 PM