Posted on 06/24/2010 3:01:48 AM PDT by Scanian
President Obama yesterday fired Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the top US commander in Afghanistan, replac ing him with Gen. David Petraeus.
Obama, as commander-in-chief, had the right both in law and in custom to do so -- and, given McChrystal's injudicious remarks to a Rolling Stone reporter, it's no surprise that he did just that.
We wish the president had retained McChrystal -- a brilliant field commander who is highly regarded by many political leaders in the region.
At the same time, Obama did well in selecting Petraeus to assume battlefield leadership in Afghanistan.
Time and again, Petraeus has proved his effectiveness -- most particularly with the successful implementation of the 2007 troop surge that turned the tide of the war in Iraq.
Yet success in Afghanistan will require every bit of Petraeus' proven military, diplomatic and political skills.
We wish him the very best.
But we're skeptical.
For one thing, in removing McChrystal, Obama didn't go nearly far enough.
Let's be clear: The general may have spoken rashly, but the resentment expressed in Rolling Stone toward a trio of civilian colleagues was not misplaced.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
The whole lot of them should go, starting with Obama.
James Jones is an Anti-Israeli SOB, Holbrooke is incompetent and Eikenberry is a a cowardly fool.
The other slug who has to go is George Mitchell before he screws up the middle east.
This is spot on. Holbrooke, Eikenberry, and Jones have undermined McChrystal's efforts and stabbed him in the back throughout his effort in Afghanistan. When McChrystal asked for an additional 30,000-40,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, he only got half.
McChrystal was sly like a fox to allow that article to hit Rolling Stone Magazine. He knew it would go directly into the heart of the Left and explode his frustration and disgust at the inept support he has received from the Obama Regime. McChrystal, the brave warrior that he is, was willing to take the consequences. He was willing to take it for the sake of his men and his country. The method he used was deliberate like a well placed charge in the heart of the enemy. The words in Rolling Stone Magazine had more effect than if he went to the State Run Media. They were designed to set even the Left against the Obamameister.
Another Freeper said that Patreaus is Against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and is for OPEN GAYS in the Military....could this be TRUE??????
Sounds like perfect choices for 0's administration.
The method he used was deliberate like a well placed charge in the heart of the enemy. The words in Rolling Stone Magazine had more effect than if he went to the State Run Media. They were designed to set even the Left against the Obamameister.
This is essentially what I told my son when he called and asked for my take on the events, and I went on to add that it won't make a damned bit of difference as far as the Democrats/Progressives/Communists/Caliphate-ophiles snatching defeat from the jaws of stalemate. McChrystal may be gone, but I suspect Petraeus is now in placeholder mode and little improvement will be had from him.
The lad is about to go to Afghanistan again, but this time he will not only be directly affected by the malevolent anti-Americans entrenched within congress, he will have the added burden of a CinC who instinctively doesn't like "typical soldiers."
I have come to that point also.
I believe he knew that the comments that reached Rolling Stone would be such a poke to 0's ego that the NIC would HAVE to replace him.
And in replacing him, 0 would be forced into a position where he would have to support the commander he chose, or look like a twice-baked fool.
If the same problem keeps coming up even through multiple commanders, it begins to become obvious that it isn't the commanders who are the problem.
If 0 doesn't make it work with Patraeus, the blame will come squarely back to him.
At the same time, more support will alienate his left and younger supporters even more, eroding part of his base before the mid-terms.
It isn't quite on the level of sacrifice that Kopechne made, but he still took one for the team.
From what I’ve read, the only quote attributed to McChrystal is “Joe who? ...Joe Bite-Me?”.
I believe that McChrystal has thoroughly informed Gen. David Petraeus about his difficulties with the Obama Regime. I am sure Petraeus is well armed with a strategy to deal with it. And I am sure there is little affection for the CiC who during his campaign against McCaine, said nothing against Move On’s nasty GENERAL BETRAY US ad against Petraeus during his testimony about the surge in Iraq.
Correction: McCaine = McCain
mac voted for obama... he was thrown under the bus just like granny obama was... and everyone else that gets in the kenyan’s way.
LLS
LLS
70% of WHICH ‘officer corps’? Not where I work. But it is undeniable that the current crop of Generals/Admirals were groomed in the Clinton years, which says something.
The weakest link in this chain of command is the one at the top.
I am just repeating what more than one Officer has told me.
LLS
I have personally seen a few.
That is truly scary. I see a lot of 0 stickers on base here but few on officers’ cars. From now until November 2, or maybe until the next Congress convenes, will do much to define what kind of America we’re going to become.
I know a few also, although they now own up to their mistake. The take-away for the rest of us is to POUND AWAY on our message, be utterly relentless in confronting the outrageous lies of the left, and above all to call a liar a LIAR, to their face if possible. No more ‘nice guy’. Be ready to confront thuggery, too, because it’s coming.
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