McChrystal Goes Rogue...Again

Shortly after President Obama assumed the Commander-in-Chief duties, he retired the existing commanding general in Afghanistan and hand-picked his successor: General Stanley McChrystal. McChystal was always known as a brash and outspoken military man, an expert in counterinsurgency, greatly respected by the troops under his command, and as having little patience for fools.

His requirement to have to answer to Obama, then, was a trainwreck waiting to happen.

Last year, McChrystal made no secret of his desire to have as many as 80,000 additional troops to press the fight in Afghanistan. He went to the press to state that objective and to dismiss those, like VP Joe Biden, who opposed any kind of surge.

That outspokenness got him into trouble: Obama summoned him aboard Air Force One in Europe and dressed him down a bit. And while McChrystal was right on policy (never commit militarily to an operation without committing overwhelming force and having a clear plan), he was wrong to go public with his troop level requests, and his concerns and reservations.

Today we've got another trainwreck smash-up.

McChrystal is being recalled to the White House to meet with Obama tomorrow to explain disrespectful comments he and his aides made to Rolling Stone magazine about Obama, Biden, other top national security officials, and the war strategy. Once again, McChrystal is right on policy (Obama is a destructive, disengaged, uninterested fool whose withdrawal timetable and ridiculous hamstringing rules of engaement are costing us lives and progress), but he was wrong to go public with that criticism.

Obama will decide if he's Harry Truman and McChrystal is Douglas MacArthur.

But there are 2 big points to consider as this story unfolds:

1. McChyrstal is a four star general, graduate of West Point, has extensive combat experience and a chest full of medals. In other words, he knows what he's doing. This was NOT a mistake. These comments were not "off the cuff" or limited to just one or two flippant remarks. And the interview was deliberately given to far-Left, anti-war Rolling Stone. None of this was a coincidence.

That can only mean one thing: that McChrystal is playing a game of chicken with Obama. He was daring Obama to respond. Obama runs a huge risk if he fires him. If the war goes under, it'll be Obama's fault for firing an insubordinate and prickly but effective general. If he doesn't fire him, he may look weak and McChrystal will likely feel freer to do what he needs to do to win on the battlefield. Either way: McChrystal has made his point.

2. Many are asking today: Does Obama still have the necessary trust and confidence in McChrystal? I think the more appropriate and important question is: Does McChrystal have ANY trust and confidence in the Commander-in-Chief?

Comments

[soggy]

I say burn the poppy fields, and hang the drug makers. That would be a good start.

[gringoman]

I have very mixed feelings about the Afghan Project, and whether it's at all winnable, and what exactly does "winnable" mean.

That said, the benefit of my Vietnam-experienced doubt goes to the seasoned warrior who is over there, in it, on the scene, gunships fueled, ordnance ready, able to command at battle--- not to the media's Harvard Chicago rabble rouser and union toady who will not even disclose his school records.

[gringoman]

I have very mixed feelings about the Afghan Project, and whether it's at all winnable, and what exactly does "winnable" mean.

That said, the benefit of my Vietnam-experienced doubt goes to the seasoned warrior who is over there, in it, on the scene, gunships fueled, ordnance ready, able to command at battle--- not to the media's Harvard Chicago rabble rouser and union toady who will not even disclose his school records.

[JPM]

If the country wants to be at war in Afganistan then there will need to be a much larger buildup of troops; in the order of magnitude of some 500,000 with a prolonged commitment to seal the Pakistan border.
I doubt that there is political will for that type of commitment. So best to leave instead of kicking the can down the road.

[gringoman]

Politicos often feel the need for simplistic remedies. They believe that "the people" can only understand, or accept, the Simple Simon way. This often reduces to something nice and simple, as in "either/or" E.g. In Afghanistan today the conventional simpleton will argue either for (1)withdrawal, since it's declared "unwinnable," or (2) stay and fight to the max, since anything else means "defeat."

The Gringo Advisory Board has introduced the idea of an alternative. This alternative, of course, is very controversial, and perhaps not even understandable by many. But such is often the fate of ideas which do not follow the beaten path of "either/or." They are often vehemently attacked, meaning that they get nowhere, or else are eventually accepted (and then are designated as the idea of the Establishment's 'experts', of course.)

GAB has proposed the concept of "prolonged stalemate" for the Afghan imbroglio. This will annoy both the Left, which prefers US defeat, and the Right, with its silly illusion that it can do what nobody since the time of Alexander the Great has been able to do: dominate and conquer tribal Afghanistan.

Advantages of a "prolonged stalemate."

1. The West maintains a presence.

2. Minimal expenditure of US blood and treasure.

3. Americans do not undergo another dangerous national humiliation such as the fall of Saigon in 1975 (and how that weakness fired up the jihadis who soon seized Iran from the Shah.)

4. The Infowar against the US would have far less to work with than it would get from a Vietnam-like US presence in Afghanistan.

5. Number 4 would be true both internationally and domestically.

6. In brief, by choosing the possible over the futile, Americans could still hold back the dark tide of fanaticism, and in the process do what they failed to do in Vietnam---keep their committments and hold their heads high.

[JPM]

The "GAB" approach seems to be in sync with the Obama administration.
And you are often so critical...

[soggy]

GAB solution is absolutely the best choice. Can we actually win the political battles necessary to sustain a status quo?

[gringoman]

I don't know what you are talking about, Gummah.

Look, seldom do people see eye to eye on every issue and I can't say that I am in lockstep with your every worldview.
But at least you are honest. The real deal. That I respect. Not a candyass whining about bumping into a glass door.
All these months I read this guy kvetching about Obama and the first chance in his life he gets to put on a tie he starts bragging about drinking wine with an Obama appointed ambassador sayin' she is a fine public servant.
Okay, maybe so... but get real.

Posted by: JPM | June 22, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Ummah,

Here's yet another example of why trolls, despite the occasional signs of mental life, are an infestation here, even a bio-hazard. You can't have really free and open civil discourse with these ugly entities lurking. Imagine a party atmosphere with rodents looking over your shoulder. Recently I daringly entered a bit of my personal affairs here. A fun kind of thing. What happens? Jerk instantly seizes on it. Jerk, like a typical low-life, ignores the humor, irony, self-deprecation etc. Jerk goes for the jugular, exactly what you expect from Liberal Envy (since there's an embassy element in this which clearly is way beyond this jerk's ken, hence the stupid envy.) Jerk then compounds his ignorance by presuming that Madame Ambassador--in my little anecdote-- was appointed by Obama. Jerk has no way of knowing that she in fact was appointed by Bush. You can see the workings of jerk's (sic) mind. "Ah, that Madame Ambassador this gringoman mentions is during obama. That means Obama appointed her! Ja wohl! I haff caught dat hypocritical gringoman! Ja, I, the nobody, have caught this no-goodnik who maybe even thinks he is better than I, who know something!"

Ummah, this is the problem with the typical troll here, even the ones from the Alinsky scrubs who are trying to make the Varsity. They tend to be like household insects in Monica's Internet home. If you dare to leave a crumb around, they will scurry to it instantly, Anything the least bit sweet? Watch those crawlers crawl.

[Ummah Gummah]

I say burn the poppy fields, and hang the drug makers. That would be a good start.

POSTED BY: SOGGY | JUNE 22, 2010 AT 11:39 AM

--

That would be a good start. Raze all the mosks and bomb all the terrorist hideouts and train ing camps. Secure a network of super fortresses from which lethal and devastating raids on any new terrorist activities are conducted.

Tell them in no uncertain terms that any terrorist training or other activity will be met with real reprisals.

Next, seize enough of the minerals that were found there to recover all the money we've wasted over there.

Finally, forget about making any moslem country a "democracy".

IT WON'T WORK.

They don't think like us. hence, we can't judge their actions by our own standards. They only want democracy long enough to vote for more sharia.

.

[soggy]

They only want democracy long enough to vote for more sharia.-UG

I like that.

[DJ]

"Many are asking today: Does Obama still have the necessary trust and confidence in McChrystal?"

------

Most of the pundits say McChrystal will not survive this dust-up; he MUST go they say! DJ disagrees. I say Obama will give him a pass on this one. I don't really think he has another choice but to keep him on board. Barry is allot of things, but I don't believe he is so stupid and irresponsible as to fire McChrystal at this critical juncture. Even if he wanted to fire him, I think Barry's advisors will talk him out of it. We shall see.

[Ummah Gummah]

.

Obama has no choice but keep him on, lest the good general spill his guts once he is a civilian again.

.

[gringoman]

Gringoman, looks like the same infestation that attacked you under various pseudonyms has re-appeared under the name of JPM.

.

Posted by: Ummah Gummah - pass the moHAMed toilet paper | June 22, 2010 at 09:18 AM

Ummah, the entomologists tell us there are 4,500 species of cockroach. Of these, 30 species are associated with human habitations (whether or not science now recognizes the new type labeled pestus alinskyus.)

Still, we probably can't draw an exact analogy with trolls, despite their sharing certain traits with the crawlers, like being creepy, unsightly and unwanted. These troll life forms sprung up out of the digital ether. Cockroaches have been around for 40 million years. What's a troll in comparison?

.

[JPM]

Soggy wants sharia?

[Truther]

Gen James Jones is known to be the White House's lead proponent of an "Imposed Solution" toward a Palestinian state forced against Israel's will and whose security will be maintained under a NATO military contingent.

I mentioned the camera opportunity president, and no doubt the generals are upset at the Kenyan in the Oval office, who is disengaged but imposes restrictions on military activities for the purpose of political theater.

I do not think Obama can dis McChrystal, because their will be a legitimate drop in confidence in the Commander-in-Chief.

[M/M]

"I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within."

Douglas MacArthur

[M/M]

I'm not sure if McChrystal said the right thing, but I am sure that he said what needed to be said. The military is TOO p.c. and it is nice to see some rebellion.

Just heard on the news that another soldier was killed in Afghanistan. I remember how the soldiers used to drop bombs with bin Laden's name on them in honor of the FDNY and NYPD, now we erect mosques on Ground Zero on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. And if that isn't bad enough, the state of Arizona is being sued by the Federal government by an invasion of criminals from another country who murders, rapes and kidnaps it citizens and the people of Arizona is condemned for defending itself.

It is about time we had an un p.c. military leader. Sort of like this guy:

http://darto.tripod.com/macarthur/macarthur.html

[M/M]

Here's the Rolling Stone article. The libs are attacking him.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236

[jpm]

In an area where Gringoman has expertise, Gringoman should comment on the General, the coverup, and Pat Tilman.

[jpm]

Gummah;

Are you a tattle tale or a crumbscratcher?

"Gringoman, looks like the same infestation that attacked you under various pseudonyms has re-appeared under the name of JPM."

My strong comments have been posted under JPM, period.
I thought you were a hardhat instead of a hardhats wife.

.

[sameir]

im in the army and ive just got back from afghanistan. i wonder if i could say the same thing about mcchrystal and get away with it

[jpm]

I'm not sure if McChrystal said the right thing, but I am sure that he said what needed to be said. The military is TOO p.c. and it is nice to see some rebellion-MM
-----------------------

That is dangerous talk. A career end-er for him and for others with him who made similar remarks.
I think the decision has been made to let the General resign.
Word is that the current Commander of West Point is about to be promoted and given the job by the President.
My understanding is that this new commander doesn't have much overseas or combat experience but understands the chain of command and can rebuild the shattered morale of the troops on the ground who are confused by this breakdown of discipline at theatre command.

[M/M]

Rita Cosby is educating Savage on the Polish Resistance. I did some research and found that Poland got smeared with an unfair antisemitic label. It was the Communist who were anti-semitic.

[jpm]

Here's the Rolling Stone article. The libs are attacking him.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236

Posted by: M/M | June 22, 2010 at 08:27 PM
----------------------

The General attacked himself and admits to the remarks and has attempted to apologise for them.
The Chief of Staff at West Point is poised to replace the General. The head of the finest military school in the country can restore confidence in the mission.

You would have at least one leg to stand on if the General or anyone from his staff dismissed the article as false or disputes its contents.

[PastisPrologue]

"I fired him because he wouldn't respect the authority of the President. I didn't fire him because he was a dumb son of a bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail."

Harry Truman

[M/M]

Now, Savage is playing clips of Patton. The libs are tearing down McChrystal but I can't take battling with them.

[jpm]

McChrystal is out. West Point's Colpo is in.

[M/M]

GRINGOMAN!!!! PeeWee's back. You know what to do.