COMMENTARY | It is clear that the notion the U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists has been thrown out the window.
According to CNN, NATO officials have released 20 insurgent prisoners with terrorist ties who were being held in Afghanistan because they want to boost peace negotiations with the Taliban. The same group that claimed responsibility for 9/11 and myriad other things that could be construed with terrorist activity. The idea seems a bit fishy as how can the U.S. reasonably believe the group singly most associated with terrorist activity will have members live up to the bargain of not rejoining insurgency groups?
There's another piece of evidence the U.S. is unfortunately folding to what others want. According to NBC News, kidnapped American Warren Weinstein appeared in a video on Islamist sites pleading with President Barack Obama to give in to what his captors want so they will set him free.
It =seems a little too coincidental that these events are happening at the same time. Under no circumstances should we give in to anyone remotely associated with al-Qaida wants.
The fact the men being let go are being released under a de facto honor system should boggle everyone's mind. According to Fox News, Obama said many members of the Taliban have expressed an interest in reconciliation. I hate to misjudge any steps the nation's chief executive thinks are the right ones, but to believe people who have dedicated their lives to the purpose of killing Americans are going to turn over a new leaf as if they are experiencing a religious conversion is a wrong thought to have.
Nobody should be released. You start giving in to anything a bully wants and that is the instant that bully begins to have you in their pocket.
