[col. writ. 6/4/14] © ’14 Mumia Abu-Jamal
For the American captive of the Taliban, U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the homecoming he has long dreamed of may be more bitter than sweet.
For, on the day of the announcement of his release from his Afghanistan captors, before a full swell of celebration could grow, came claims of his desertion – and even calls for his imprisonment in an American military jail.
From hero to heel under the pressure of the 24-hour news cycle, Bergdahl, who has spent five years in Taliban custody, may, if he’s aware of this cacophony, opt for a return flight to Kabul.
Unfortunately, this has more to do with President Barack Obama than Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. For the politics of the present demands all-attack all-the-time on Obama’s efforts. He must be denied even the illusion of success.
Hence the noise on the right.
But of Bergdahl, a then 20- year old U.S. soldier, it is reported that he was sickened by the carnage unleashed by U.S. forces against the Afghan people.
Because his human instincts were awakened, he is now called “deserter”, “betrayer”, and “coward”.
But is it cowardly to face one’s enemies unarmed?
Is it cowardly to see the violence unleashed on an oppressed people, and feel their pain?
People the world over have looked at the mass death visited upon Afghanistan – and were sickened by it.
Perhaps Bergdahl felt it too.
Now, he is on the brink of joining the nation he has longed for.
Perhaps this too, will sicken him.
_(c)’14maj