Posted on 10/05/2009 6:19:27 PM PDT by Kaslin
How to proceed in Afghanistan will be among the most difficult and fateful decisions that President Obama ever makes. But he's the one who has to decide, not his generals. The men with the stars on their shoulders — and I say this with enormous respect for their patriotism and service — need to shut up and salute.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, is entitled to his opinion about the best way forward. But he has no business conducting a public campaign to build support for his preferred option, which is to send tens of thousands more troops into a country once called the "graveyard of empires."
McChrystal's view — that a strategy employing fewer resources, in pursuit of more limited goals, would be "short-sighted" — is something the White House needs to hear. He is, after all, the man Obama put in charge in Afghanistan, and it would be absurd not to take his analysis of the situation into account.
But McChrystal is out of line in trying to sell his position publicly, as he did last week in a speech in London.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates was right to lay down the law. Gates said Monday that it is "imperative" that military and civilian leaders "provide our best advice to the president candidly but privately."
I believe that's Pentagon-speak for: "Put a sock in it, Stan."
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
Serious prayers and thanks to your son and those serving with him.
The general took an oath to the Constitution, not Obama. If Obama doesn’t like what he is hearing, then he should get himself another general. But Obama doesn’t like hard choices.
But it did bring a tear to my eye when he told me "I'll do my duty".
Mine, too. Big time. I keep them in my thoughts and prayers every day.
.”Dad, with the current ROE, I’m scared sh!tless!, but I’ll do my duty!”
...you must be busting with pride! It takes a heluva man to deal with what your son is dealing with. My Father is somewhere in the background on post 44 with BO’s skinny ass playing golf. His stone says WWll, Korea, Vietnam. My Dad was in combat in all 3 and lived to be 85. My families prayers are with your son! He’ll see 85!
I didn’t think of that.
This isn’t Vietnam days
The US Military is greatly admired even revered
Wonder what the effect would be on the troops in the field if the general resigned because he couldn’t carry out orders from Obama
They don’t have the option of resigning
Obama better get his act together SOON
>> Gates said Monday that it is “imperative” that military and civilian leaders “provide our best advice to the president candidly but privately.”
Here’s a point no one has made yet, unless I’ve missed it:
It was NOT General Mcchrystal’s idea to “go public” in the first place!
What he intended to say was LEAKED. I don’t know by whom, but not by him.
And then, our fricking CONGRESS (gotta love ‘em, the bastards) CALLED him to TESTIFY to them.
What the hell was he supposed to do? Lie to them?
Eugene Robinson, YOU need to stick a sock in it.
I prefer the vote. But I am boot ready.
I had the opportunity to work with McMaster a couple of times in Iraq. A very sharp guy.
Well, first and quite clearly, IBD SUCKS. What happened to that bunch?
Second, I’m glad a General is taking a stand and telling the truth — hopefully this will put tremendous pressure on the so-called “C-in-C.” And maybe even save a few lives.
Third, if McChrystal (and perhaps even Petraus) are forced to resign in protest of the denial of their plan, the political fallout for Obama could be devastating — but the price in morale, lives and respect for our militray in the field isn’t worth it. Should Obama deny our troops the support they need, he should be impeached or forced to resign.
Thank you for your kind words.
Hey Token, y’all should take your own advice!
In my opinion:
Gates is a putz . . .
Obama is incompetent . . .
McChrystal is experienced, informed, and probably correct on Afghanistan . . .
but . . .
McChrystal should be fired. He’s a General. Obama is his direct superior. McChrystal went ON FOREIGN SOIL, publicly denounced his superior, and effectively undermined the authority of the President.
If a General did this during the Bush administration he’d have been gone in 24 hours. Does the name Gen. Peter Pace ring a bell? In fact, I think Obama’s lack of action in this matter is indicative of his lack of CEO experience and shows he’s no more willing to stand up to his own subordinates than the thug despots of Iran, Korea, Libya, etc.
But, at least it is said with ‘enormous respect’./s Like H**L it’s said with any respect.
For goodness sakes, O has zero military experience, he doesn’t have any idea about how to handle military strategy. None, nothing, nada zero experience.
I think you just read the General’s mind.
Maybe Robinson should grab a rifle and get his ass over there. Then he can see first hand what our people are going through while the 1st Idiot dawdles with their lives.
If not, he should shut his pie hole. This is life and death.
Fight to win or GTFO!!!!
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