Greenwald uses Bergdahl to hit Obama, Democrats

[The Traveler]

142. I'm an engineer, not a lawyer

So ... I could be way wrong on this. On the surface, it appears to me that

a) Obama violated the law (maybe)
b) The law is possibly unconstitutional

Now, I am all for checks and balances and maintaining limits on Executive power, for history and Nixon and Reagan and Bush have shown us that executive over reach can be really hazardous to the nation's health. And I understand that Greenwald is very sensitive to that issue. But in this case, I think he serves his broader interests poorly.

The exchange was in my view an exchange of POWs, which is the sort of thing that happens as wars wind down. (And, as I understand applicable international law, required at some point.) Obama and crew did exactly the right thing, and discretion was essential to successfully negotiating this. The violation of law (if any ... because Congress WAS advised in 2011 that this was on the table) is technical at worst.

So while I understand Greenwald's point, I have to disagree with it in this case. Frankly, I think he is being pissy. My lord, Pro, we are in agreement!

Trav