ON THE RELEASE OF SERGEANT BOWE BERGDAHL: AMERICANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED

According to a New York Times article written by Sabrina Tavernise and published on November 24, 2011, less than one percent of all Americans have served in the military. Think about that!

In 2001 we suffered a brutal sneak attack on our own soil. We have been at war for more than 13 years, fighting in two different theaters of operation. Yet, less than 1% of "patriotic" Americans think it is important to defend their country. More than 9% of Americans served during World War II.

Last night CBS News announced a poll they conducted of American public opinion regarding the release of our last known military prisoner of war, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, in exchange for five former senior Taliban members. 

Without one shred of evidence provided by the U.S. military detailing his service, his capture or his conduct during more than five years of imprisonment, the American public feels knowledgeable enough to speak out. The trade was too costly says 56%; while 45% believe it should have never been made. Evidence suggests less than 1% of those surveyed ever picked up arms in defense of their country.

How did they come to these conclusions? Evidently, taking the hateful words of bloviating talking heads on FOX News and CNN, and coupling them with dubious "opinions" provided by former members of Sergeant Bergdahl's unit, America can reach a decision. President Obama should not have brought home a man who served his country.

The five Taliban members traded, a group FOX News now calls the "Dream Team," have been in captivity for almost 12 years. They were removed from the battle and they have aged under captivity. They cannot leave Qatar for at least one year. They are, to say the least, emasculated warriors. 

As a former combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps I can tell you that all who serve, serve completely. Some might smoke a little dope while serving. More might take every opportunity to pour alcohol into the body to ease the pain of boredom and fear. Others might wander off alone to deal with the horrific scenes of war. In my experience, however, when the rat-tat-tat of gunfire begins, all members of the unit jump up and fight with, and for, the man next to them.

The kind of harmful blabbering I hear now, spewing from the mouths of people who have never served, all while relying on flimsy innuendo as evidence, makes me ashamed to call myself an American.

These Americans are no better than someone who yells "fire" in a packed auditorium merely to watch the pandemonium that ensues.

Americans should turn off their TV sets. It is time to hang our heads in shame and reexamine our humanity.