General Stanley McChrystal, commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, has a reputation as the most disciplined soldier of his generation, and one of the brightest. The asceticism of his daily life, to keep himself ready for any threat, is now legendary: an eight-mile run, only one meal and just four hours sleep. It is understandable, then, that yesterday’s revelations stunned Washington — and Kabul. The general had so far forgotten the cost of careless talk that he had griped about the President and senior White House officials to a freelance reporter from Rolling Stone magazine, and over the course of some days, allowed his aides to do so too.
Something is seriously amiss here.
See post 10 for entire article
Either the General or a ranking staffer made the fundamental mistake of thinking that all Americans were on the same side.
Regardless of who he cast his personal ballot for, the fact remains that those who would do injury to this country will use anyone in any venue they can to weaken it--and that includes their 'own' getting thrown under the bus if they impugn the vanity of dear leader.
So much for 'truth to power'.
It is sad that someone so dedicated to the life is going to lose their job over the remarks reported, and that alone makes me wonder if the General is indeed falling on his sword to bring about awareness of the Administration's handling of the war. Any remark worth getting fired over will be in the press, and that is one way to get the word out. Such would indicate a dedication to duty which transcends personal gain or glory.
I'll wait for those who have served under the man to chime in before I decide what is most likely--they will have seen firsthand and have a better idea.
Had Obama even run a lemonade stand, he'd know the people where the rubber meets the road often have choice comments about 'management', and sometimes those comments are justified, even if in this case they are political hot potatoes which can only burn the person(s) who made them.