LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Many do oppose trade for soldier

6/10/2014

You asked in your June 4 editorial “Freeing Sgt. Bergdahl” who could oppose the release of American soldier Bowe Bergdahl after five years of Taliban captivity. The answer: a great number of people.

Many Americans are weary of a president who violates the law with impunity. President Obama failed to provide 30 days notice to appropriate congressional leadership of any transfer of detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Given the large number of people who are adversely affected by the manner in which Sergeant Bergdahl was released, The Blade may have to await the results of an investigation to know the answer to its question.

EDWARD FITZGERALD
Meadowwood Drive

Let Bergdahl’s parents rejoice
As much as I honor those who have served and survived and especially those who have not, I cannot walk a mile in Sergeant Bergdahl’s combat boots, and therefore I cannot pass judgment on him.

Five years as a prisoner of the Taliban is a harsher fate than anyone deserves. Let his parents revel in the fact that their son is alive.

COLLEEN JAN
Lambertville, Mich.

 

Editorial, story contradictory
The Blade is astonished that Republican members of Congress and Afghan President Hamid Karzai would oppose the release of Sergeant Bergdahl. However, your June 4 article “Congress told little of swap for Bergdahl, leaders say” says that Republicans and some Democrats, especially Sen. Dianne Feinstein, were upset about not being notified before the exchange of Taliban prisoners for the soldier.

Your editorial contradicted your news story.

CHRISTINE BRUNING
Carlingfort Drive

 

Deserter? Let’s be happy he’s free
The tradition in the military is never to leave a fellow soldier behind. But some accounts claim Sergeant Bergdahl apparently deserted because he was not pleased with our involvement in the Afghan war.

He certainly is not the only soldier with the same belief, but the others didn’t desert.

I am happy he was released. Is he a victim or a deserter? The public should let an investigation decide.

DAN PUCCETTI
Manitou Beach, Mich.