Panelists answered the following: Do you agree with the exchange of five Taliban prisoners for U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl?
Bill Mifsud: “No, not at all. Sgt. Bergdahl walked away from his unit and put his other brothers in arms in trouble. All accounts are not official, but personnel in his unit confirms his desertion and now a unit member may have been killed searching for him. The exchange for prisoners also was done without consent from Congress and thus makes this whole issue very troubling.”
Mary Zanger: “Yes. As a mother I can only imagine the awful pain, anxiety and suffering of his mother for five awful years. Also as a mother I welcome the repatriation of the Guantanamo five other sons of worried mothers. As an American I anticipate the inevitable prisoner exchange as the war winds down. As a person of conscience I look forward to the eminent closing of Guantanamo prison. As a person of peace I anticipate successful negotiations to end this costly war.”
Nants Foley: “Five for one? Who did the negotiating? I know, however, if he were my son (nephew, friend, grandson, neighbor’s kid, etc.) I would think that’s a small price to pay.”
Ruth Erickson: “No! According to the media, the five Gitmo prisoners are some of the most dangerous and important Taliban leaders. Most Gitmo detainees go back to the battlefields after being released and can be even more dangerous than before their incarceration. Americans here and abroad are in more danger from terrorists now that they know they can trade hostages for their own leaders. Their commanders are already mobilizing terrorist cells around the world. The Taliban have vowed even more carnage with the assault on the Karachi airport being yet another example.”
Marty Richman: “Yes, I’m glad for him and for his parents and loved ones. The swap was fine, but considering all the circumstances and open questions the attempt by the White House to sell it as some sort of triumph and the arm-in-arm photo-ops were totally reprehensible. Is it safe to assume that if Sgt. Bergdahl has to use the VA he won’t be put on the fake waiting list?”
