Trade for soldier not worth the risk

Pakistan and India both have nuclear weapons. They hate and fear each other. Studies have shown that a nuclear exchange between the two would put the world into a “nuclear winter.” Hundreds of millions could die (to name just one of many possible scenarios — all terrible).

The Taliban recently attacked one of Pakistan’s major airports, weakening the government. The U.S. recently released five horrifically evil Taliban leaders (one of whom may be found online pridefully posing before the heads of five people whose heads he sawed off with a kitchen knife). This release (for a soldier ) made all five Taliban leaders heroes, raised the credibility of the Taliban and took the world one giant step closer to Armageddon.

Yes, I know that the U.S. has a policy of “leave no man behind,” but perhaps when bringing him back defeats the very purpose of his being a soldier (to defend the nation) — and so endangers the security of our nation that the right decision is to not make a trade, someone should show some leadership and bar the trade?

With President Obama (without consulting Congress) making decisions like this, it’s only a matter of when, not if, our children and grandchildren’s futures, if not lives, are destroyed by this administration’s lack of courage and resolve and its unwillingness to respect the rule of law per our constitution.

David Meyering

Arlington

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, April 23

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Patricia Robles from Cazares Farms hands a bag to a patron at the Everett Farmers Market across from the Everett Station in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Editorial: EBT program a boon for kids’ nutrition this summer

SUN Bucks will make sure kids eat better when they’re not in school for a free or reduced-price meal.

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Don’t penalize those without shelter

Of the approximately 650,000 people that meet Housing and Urban Development’s definition… Continue reading

Fossil fuels burdening us with climate change, plastic waste

I believe that we in the U.S. have little idea of what… Continue reading

Comment: We have bigger worries than TikTok alone

Our media illiteracy is a threat because we don’t understand how social media apps use their users.

toon
Editorial: A policy wonk’s fight for a climate we can live with

An Earth Day conversation with Paul Roberts on climate change, hope and commitment.

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Move ahead with state forests’ carbon credit sales

A judge clears a state program to set aside forestland and sell carbon credits for climate efforts.

Eco-nomics: What to do for Earth Day? Be a climate hero

Add the good you do as an individual to what others are doing and you will make a difference.

Comment: Setting record strraight on 3 climate activism myths

It’s not about kids throwing soup at artworks. It’s effective messaging on the need for climate action.

People gather in the shade during a community gathering to distribute food and resources in protest of Everett’s expanded “no sit, no lie” ordinance Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Clark Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Comment: The crime of homelessness

The Supreme Court hears a case that could allow cities to bar the homeless from sleeping in public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.