In the 25+ years I've been politically aware, I can't possibly begin to count how many "I've had it up to here" moments regarding Republican tactics and methods kept me up at night. After decades of constant confrontation, methodical obfuscation, and maniacal vilification, Republicanism today, as exemplified by Sgt. Bergdahl's release, has devolved into The Mother of McCarthyism's Grendel. Americanism desperately needs heroes to behead Republicanism beast.
By the time I read the news about Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's release from 5 years of Taliban captivity, it already contained the caveat about how the Gitmo prisoner swap failed to adhere to the 30-day notification to Congress requirement. I instantly felt a sense of unease because I knew the machinations of Republicanism would kick into overdrive to transform this seemingly "good" piece of news into the most negative light possible with which to cast shadows upon Obama. At worst, however, I foresaw committee investigations, and the usual outlandishness within the Fox News Bubble. Who could've possibly known that Republicanism's assault to vilification would be so swift, so thoroughly severe, and so sinisterly successful within just a few days?
The Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl story exemplifies present-day Republicanism to a tee. At the heart of the news, regardless of your affiliation, is the simple fact that a United States citizen was released after 5 years of captivity as a prisoner of war ... that's it. Many questions remain and should be answered regarding his military service, the circumstances of his captivity, the aftermath of it, and the process by which his freedom was negotiated, but in spite of all the unanswered questions we should celebrate and rejoice over the news that a family and Idaho town are getting their son back ... but unfortunately today's Republicanism only celebrates vilification.
Obviously the Obama Administration was caught completely off-guard by these developments, otherwise they wouldn't seem so tepid and hesitant in their response. Oh sure, one can say they should've expected Republicanism machinations to turn on the vilification hyper-drive, but I personally can't blame them for assuming that basic human decency would compel Republicanism to acquiesce in celebrating the release of one of our own from Taliban captivity. Sadly, basic human decency and respect for all Americans no longer matters to Republicanism.
I appreciate the Bergdahl-Release proponents' efforts to wrap the justification within the "leave no man behind" cliche, but the Republicanism beast is not so easily placated since that would require a shred of human decency it long ago shunned in lieu of scorched-earth. The time has come to kill the beast in direct and pointed confrontation, in order restore basic human decency to Americanism in triumph over Republicanism's lack thereof. In short, we are in dire need of a hero to expose and behead the beast, as Joseph Welch did to McCarthyism nearly 60 years ago.
It's time to slay the Republicanism beast.
From here on out, every statement regarding Bergdahl's release should be prefaced with "Do Republicans have no sense of shame or decency left so as to not celebrate an American prisoner of war coming home?"
Every statement regarding the necessary investigations into the circumstances of Bergdahl's service and release should be prefaced with "Do Republicans seeking answers have any shred of decency left to get their answers without vilifying a former American POW?"
And lastly, every statement regarding Republicanism must end with "Little did I dream that Republicanism could be so reckless and so cruel to decent Americans."
America needs a strong and vibrant Republican Party, but for the sake of Americanism rooted in basic sense of human decency, Republicanism must go the way of McCarthyism and the dodo.