Thinking About … McChrystal

We want to know what you "think" about.  These short "yes/no/don't care" surveys provide another way for TTP readers to learn, share, and blast off.

ANSWER. ASK. COMMENT.

Thinking About … McChrystal

  • Patricia

    This man is correct on all parts. what has our President done if anything but talk – yes, he is a policial speaker, with really no power but come on get off your duff – we have oil destroying things we will never recover and a war we cannot win. These people have been fighting religion for centuries – education is far from reach as yet in their country so how can then understand our way of freedom. Lets talk about your VP of US – what can I say – nothin done nothin doing nothin gonna get done.

  • BB

    He knew what he was doing. Somebody needed to voice a wake-up call, and what better man to do it? Putting his job on the line? He knew that, too, and took the risk which will likely save a bunch of lives.

  • David

    There is an old soldiers axion that it is a private's right to bitch. Soldiers have traditionally been able to complain UP the chain of command. However, bitching from the top down is not only wrong, it is severely damaging. McChrystal shot his chances of maintaining his authority to run operations there.

  • Kendotek

    Its kinda scary, that the commander in chief of our military (who has never served, btw) thinks he knows more than the generals who work with the troops out there. Obama is too sensitive. Does he not realize that the entire nation is growing critical of his mis-steps and broken promises? I wonder if Gen McChrystal did it knowing he may be fired… Imagine how much it must suck to answer to a condescending know-it-all who puts personal agenda ahead of the good of our nation.

  • Henry

    Obamma ADMIN. Bad mouthed the CIA and our GIs Ithink he hsd it comming

  • kirsten

    sadly, once in the military you LOSE several of those very freedoms all the civilians take for granted.
    when i was in the army, we were told directly that while in uniform (and while on active duty regardless) we could not participate in any political demonstrations or public events. our politics were limited to things like voting.
    while griping about your boss is STUPID in civilian life (to a newspaper?? get real….) its insubordination when done publicly in the military. i can gripe to my fellow soldier about our CO….. but i dmn well better not gripe to the news, unless i am ready to go to the JAG and file charges..

    what he did was insubordination. it was also a GROSS lapse ion judgment which will affect how well he can tell his soldiers “dont talk about secret plans, dont let our policy/war plans leak” etc.

    how can you tell your men that lose lips sink ships if you are blabbing all over?

    please note: from what i have heard, i think he may have been very accurate in what he is complaining about (from what i have heard) that doesnt change the problem.

  • BienHoaBaby

    Let's see….according to democrats….John Kerry was the ideal presidential candidate because he was a Vietnam vet and Bush was just a slacker Reservist. Fast forward 4 years and Obama is the ideal candidate because he's a community activist with none of that nasty military experience and McCain was just a POW hero. Those democrats is there any hyprocracy they don't like?
    Obama had it coming, McChrystal delivered. Great man, great patriot. Obama will do just what Truman did, fire the guy who made him look like the idiot panty-waist he is.

  • Ron Moses

    I answered yes, but the question is irrelevant in the McChrystal case. Members of the military do not enjoy the same freedom of speech civilians do, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and McChrystal knows that. His comments, while I may not disagree with them, are a clear violation of military law and threaten to undermine the chain of command. He is a foolish man who should not be trusted with such a position.

  • Leoeedd

    Disagreements are not disasters, more of them should be revealed. Obama can do whatever he pleases in this situation, and there no secrets, the organization is too big for that. Let them settle this, they will.

  • Jon

    Did it need to be said? Absolutely! Was RS the proper outlet for those comments? No. Should McChrystal be canned? I don't know… The only time I lost respect for the general and his statements was when he started apologizing for them.

  • Hansmoerdijk

    I just finished watching the USA match against Algeria. The USA won 1-0 so they are playing the next round. This will be their last game though.
    And by the way,The Netherlands will win the world cup!!

  • Chuck

    Both Afganistan and Iraq are bleeding ulcers. You would have thought we would have learned from Vietnam or at the very least from the Russian's experience. People who don't learn from history are indeed doomed to repeat it. On a different note I have always been wary of presidents that have no military experience. Mr. Obama needs to listen more to his generals and less to the suits down the hallway.

  • Jhp

    I agree the remarks were inappropriate (not as inappropriate as Michelle Obama referring to Kenya as her husband's home country) and if the apology had been accepted in a business as usual manner with a private conversation about the political correctness; this would be non news worthy. The administration's reaction speaks volumes about the people in charge.

  • Uncle

    You all can say what you want but insubordination is just what it is, and shall be dealt with accordingly. I for one think the General should be publicly reprimanded and relieved of all duties. I myself just any other American who has served in the Armed Forces know the military code of conduct and followed it, so doe the General he opened his trap and caught something unwanted oh well hope he enjoyed his illustrious career up until now. I damn well enjoyed my 20 years of service.

  • John

    surely mcchrklystal has the ear of the president. voicing his disagreement is a part of his job. putting your disagreements out where friend or foe can use them to their advantage is not. it is irresponsible and makes it more likely more of our soldiers will be killed.

  • David

    McCain may have been a POW and a “hero” (I know a POW who knew McCain and thinks he is an A$$hole) But the McCain who ran for President betrayed everything he stood for when he got the nomination. The election was more about a rational sounding candidate against a bitter old man and a looney from Alaska.
    The point is moot now.
    McChrystal got the boot. And a well deserved one. If he wants to whine about Obama, let him resign his commission and enter politics or AM radio. I'm sure Rush and Beck will welcome another whiny martyr.

  • DWKeith

    Regarding the survey, if there are consequences to free speech, is it truly free speech, particularly when the government threatens jail time?

    Some have said that if McChrystal had beefs with Administration policy, he should resign, and then complain — sign a book deal, maybe, I don't know. It sounds more as though he doesn't have a great deal of respect, personally, for several people. Even if he did disagree with the President, he ought to be able to say so, since he's the agent in charge of our activities over there, without fear of being fired. (It doesn't seem to me, however, that bar talk in front of a reporter for a non news publication is the best way to communicate with Mr Obama. Therefore, I suspect that the General was not intending to do so by this means. Maybe he was preparing to do so by other means.)

  • Ouvinny

    I answered yes to the question “If I was Obama would I fire McChrystal?”. IF I was Obama certainly I would BUT if I were myself or any other honorable and reasonable man, the answer would have been “NO!”.

  • Vizzardwr

    He should have spoken up sooner and more forcefully. It is obvious that the “correct” approach, i.e. silent and apolitical, was not only inadequate for the situation, but would if rigidly followed, hae constituted a form of treason. McChrystal is a soldier's soldier and faced the music: he knew the risk. Now will the “commander in chief” have the wisdom — and courage — to acknowlege the harsh fact that there is no valid US interest at stake in Afghanistan. “We are there because we are there ….”
    (Retired colonel USAF)

  • Lionel

    Yes he should resign.

  • spanky72

    Now that these huge mineral and ore veins have been found in Afghanistan, the opprotunity to have a decent life without the sale of opium will hopefully give the Afghan people the motivation to stand up for themselves and take (and keep) the country out of the hands of the Taliban. The U.S. cannot win the war in Afghanistan unless the Afghan win the war in Afghanistan.

  • Frejasong

    I have the right to free speech, but Army personall do not, they sign away that right when enlisting. Why are these questions so disingenuous? McChrystal betrayed us when he covered up Tillman's death and again in London and now in Rolling Stone. But he won't be courtmarshalled, because Obama doesn't want to fight the military or industry, he is only making his own fortune, getting his, the american way.

  • Q 1117

    First wartime general relieved of command since MacArthur. Conduct unbecoming? Almost certainly, but there are other ways to handle it. If his job performance has not been up to par then he should have been replaced long ago. To have this as a catalyst for the removal of the one commander who seems to have a handle on the convoluted mess in “Chaos-itan” is shortsighted. Effect on the morale of a fighting force locked in a life and death struggle…yeah, this oughta help.

    McChrystal spend five years heading black ops for the Pentagon. Hell, the guy's favorite movie is Talladega Nights. I doubt he “summers” anywhere. You put a guy like that in charge, who is extremely good at what he does, given 1-2 hrs of sleep a day and you have to expect some loose cannon attitude. He’s already irked the crap out of Obama more than once. Get over it. That would have impressed me. Instead, he fired arguably the best man for the job.

    The mistake lies is believing this indicates a policy change. Petraeus represents a “change in style, not substance.” I’m reminded of the umpire at the cocktail party. A guy says to him, “Well, I got to respect you. You call ‘em as you see ‘em.” The umpire responded, “Nope, I call them as they ARE.”
    ========
    DRAFT OF AN IMAGINARY PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE FROM A MAN LIKE T.R.:
    “Now, a boneheaded move like General McChrystal made, and will likely make again; would, under normal circumstances, herald the hue and cry for the formation of a firing squad. Or worse. However, this is war; and we can’t let this incalculable lack of protocol and political judgment blind us to the general’s staggering progress. To change horses now, in the middle of a campaign that is finally beginning to show signs of success, sends the wrong signal to our allies and indeed the Afghan people, that our aim is muddled, our resolve weakened. Let them see rather, that regardless of the political firestorms flaring for domestic consumption, and yes, even the ramifications of the more than candid expression brought forth by a brilliant commander, that we are strong enough to look beyond these indiscretions and complete the mission at hand.”

  • RRR

    Although I totally agree with everything he said, I believe it was very unwise to make those comments to any reporter period.

  • David

    U.S. Code

    TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 47 > SUBCHAPTER X > § 888
    Prev | Next § 888. Art. 88. Contempt toward officials
    How Current is This? Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

    Seems like firing him was the easy way out. If you have not read the Rolling Stone article, you should. You might see The president's point.

  • Major Nosebleed

    Gen. McChrystal is a pompous ass with a MacArthur complex. He got what he deserved.