Marine's plight: Whatever happened to no soldier or citizen should be left behind

It seems hard to believe that it has been 100-plus days since a former U.S. Marine was detained in Mexico for bringing legally registered guns across that country's borders.

And it seems even harder to believe that the government in general and the Obama administration in specific have been silent on this case.

There are conflicting stories about how Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi ended up in Mexico, but all agree that the 26-year-old was a soldier who had served two tours in Afghanistan and was being treated for post traumatic stress disorder. That is why he was in the area in the first place.

Some claim he was disoriented. Others say alcohol was involved and he was not lost but careless.

No matter what, the case has eerie similarities to another story that occurred not that long ago -- Bowe Bergdahl.

Many accounts say that the reason Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban in the first place was that he left his post deliberately.

Yet, when the president and other administration officials were questioned about why U.S. lives were put in danger to rescue him from a situation he created himself, the response was that we do not leave Americans behind, no matter what the circumstances.

And those who served with Bergdahl -- who told authorities about his behavior and what they observed about his plans to leave his unit -- were called liars.

Well, it seems that the promise not to leave any American behind only applies to those whom the administration sees as politically expedient.

Otherwise, a proven hero with a combat record -- one who very well might have made a mistake -- is left to fend for himself in a nation known for mistreatment of prisoners, especially foreign ones.

The Mexican authorities say Tahmooressi broke the law and there are consequences for that behavior. They say the trial will run its course and that Tahmooressi will have his chance to make his case.

And that should infuriate any American who has sat back and watched the consequences of the inept Mexican legal system -- the unfettered illegal drug trade that seeps continually across this nation's borders, the corruption in the administration of justice and the continuing problem of illegal immigration.

There is nothing wrong with a high-ranking U.S. official saying to the Mexican government that this is a case that should be expedited -- and to remind them that we are watching.

If it is true that we stand up for Americans -- all Americans -- then this is the time to do so.

A veteran who has legally registered guns, with a history of PTSD, who is in the area for a legitimate reason in the first place who might very well have made a mistake deserves a break, and to know that his country is making sure he is treated fairly.

But that takes leadership, courage and strength -- characteristics that seem to be in short supply in Washington these days.

Published in Editorials on July 28, 2014 10:59 AM