Prisoner Exchange: Bergdalh for 5 Taliban Commanders

[RaisdCath]

Questions for discussion:

1)Was it an equitable trade? Many of Bergdalh's fellow soldiers claim he was a deserter(apparently, while on guard duty, he abandoned his weapons and simply walked off). Some are bitter that Americans were killed in search missions conducted to find him. Should we have traded 5 Taliban commanders for Bergdalh?

2)Did Obama violate the law? Apparently Obama signed a law stating Congress had to be notified 30 days in advance of a Gitmo prisoner release/transfer. The administration claims the law is unconstitutional(you would think someone who taught constitutional law would and took an oath to uphold the constitution would veto such a law). They also claim they needed to act quickly because of Bergdalh's health(which is reported to be very good following medical examinations).

3)If Obama did violate the law how should he be held accountable?

1. Equitable trade??? Hardly. Five proven killers with a religious vendetta against the US freed for a single US soldier of questionable intent....equitable??

2. Whether the law is unconstitutional or not is - believe it or not - beside the point. If the law is on the books, and the law is violated, then the violation is - by definition - against the law.

3. Those who break the law are susceptible to the penalties prescribed by law. Ask Nixon!