Cry Me A River, Afghanistan

Obama just can't catch a break! Not only are American Republicans angry at him because he got a Taliban hostage, Bowe Bergdahl, back into the United States, the Afghan president has his panties in a bunch, as well, over all this. Hamid Karzai was very upset that the Taliban went behind his back and released an hostage to the United States with asking him first!

Ya know, malcontent, anti-government, terrorist organizations have a tendency to act without the consent of their government, or any government. It's one of the things that makes these groups so very terrorist. That said, it was rather unrealistic for the president of a country dominated by such an organization to expect the Taliban to ask permission and patiently wait, while the chain of lawful command makes a decision. Here's an idea: perhaps Afghanistan should work harder to eliminate uncooperative bunches like the Taliban. (eye-rolley here)

In other news, Bergdahl seems to be picking up flack for desertion. It seems unlikely that he deserted in favor of becoming the prisoner of a terrorist organization; but bringing him home, rather than leaving him in the hands of the enemy, was still the right thing for Obama to do. If Bergdahl actually became a prisoner by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and being unaccounted for, at the same time, we can certainly address that situation. Leaving an American soldier with the Taliban when there are obviously other choices should not be an option.

Republicans Have Panties Bunched Over Prisoner Exchange

Whenever I think I've heard it all, I always find myself sadly surprised. And this time is no different. We just had an American prisoner by the name of Bowe Bergdahl returned to us by the Taliban, in exchange for five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. I think this is wonderful. I hope we can do this again, and soon. But guess who doesn't think it is wonderful.....If you are guessing the Republican Party, you would be correct. Republicans think that this prisoner exchange violated some goofy, inapplicable law in some imaginary, unthinkable way because Congress was not given thirty days notice prior to the release of terrorists. (mocking, whiny voice here, coupled with eye-rolley)

Thirty days. Obviously, no Republican serving in Congress has served in any branch of our military and been held hostage by a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention. The first and most important order of business for President Obama, as soon as prisoner exchange was brokered, was to get Bowe Bergdahl back into America. Thirty days could have killed the whole deal, and gotton Bergdahl killed, as well. Not that most Republicans nowadays would care; Bergdahl and all other American prisoners of war and hostages are just collateral damage to them.

In addition to the thirty day whine from Republicans, there is also the matter of America's lack of progress in closing down Guantanamo Bay. Obama spoke of wanting to do this eight years ago, and has been blocked every turn of the way. If he can kill two birds with one stone, and empty out Gitmo and keep his promise of shutting it down by exchanging prisoners, I do not see how this can possibly be a violation of any law. Unless Republicans in Congress are really not on the side of American people.