Finally, after 214 days of imprisonment in Mexico, USMC Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi is free and back on U. S. soil.  What a nightmare added to the PTSD already suffered by this two tour Afghanistan war veteran.

Why did it take so long to obtain a release from our southern neighbor? Are not thousands of their citizens crossing our border every day illegally without arrest and imprisonment?

Do we not have millions here illegally working and taking advantage of our liberal welfare programs and sending the money back to Mexico?

Are we loathed by our neighbors much like we are around the world under this administration?

You all know the story of Sgt. Tahmooressi who traveled from his home in Florida to San Diego, California seeking treatment for PTSD from serving in Afghanistan.

He made a wrong turn off a California freeway funneling him into a Mexican port of entry with no way to turn around. Sgt. Tahmooressi had in his possession three legally registered firearms. However, transporting guns across the border is a violation of Mexican law.

According to reports, he immediately dialed 911 seeking help from U.S. officials, but was told there was nothing they could do if he had already entered Mexico.

The nightmare began with imprisonment in a Tijuana prison on weapons charges where he withstood brutal treatment.

To make a long story short, he was later transferred to another Mexican prison at Tecate, but languished there waiting on someone to come to his rescue.

Finally, Former Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who is no stranger to seeking release of Americans held in foreign countries, was able to obtain his release on humanitarian reasons.

I realize Americans must respect Mexican laws, but this seems to be something that could have been cleared up by the State Department within a week. It appears Mexico decided to play hardball with the U.S. government at the expense of Sgt. Tahmooressi. Will it go unpunished?

The short answer to that is, yes. Is this not the most inept administration in the history of the United States?

I cannot allow myself to believe it has political overtones. If so, we are in deeper trouble than I already believe us to be.

However, there are more unanswered questions than explanations concerning this young veteran’s ordeal.

Why was there little or no help from the White House or State Department in obtaining his release? Personally, I think it shows the contempt for which this administration holds for our military.

Our military and the people who serve our country in the military is about the only thing we can truly be proud of anymore.

It is shameful not to treat the two with the respect they deserve.