The changing nature of jurisprudence seems to be veering ever left these days. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been let off from any prison time for desertion, a crime that Pvt. Eddie Slovik was executed for on Jan. 31, 1945, during World War II; first such penalty since the Civil War.
Bergdahl is supposedly to be dishonorably discharged, thus losing pension, other benefits and a return of part of his pay since he was swapped for five Taliban thugs. But of course , there will be the inevitable book and the crying towel appearances on the many weepy cable shows that love such garbage.
Bradley Manning gave away national security secrets, spent a few years in prison and after deciding he preferred to wear a dress and lipstick, was released as Chelsea Manning.
Rick Koerber, regardless of the massive amount of evidence, won a mistrial on the charges of financial fraud.
Terry Diehl, who had suspicious dealings while with the UTA, has just had 14 charges removed leaving him with only one accusation, basically a matter of his income tax filing. He must still have some very powerful friends up on the hill.
The military judge in the Bergdahl case and the judge in the Diehl matter reducing more charges than Al Capone ever had leveled at him, belong back in law school.
I just hope Bergdahl doesn’t attempt to visit the VA hospital here in Salt Lake City. For there he would see a great number of brave men and women who have faced enemy fire, suffered the trials and inconveniences of battle conditions but still stayed on post and did not desert.
James F. Oshust, Millcreek