Thoughts on the McChrystal thing?

DG1

Seems a little ridiculous and unlike Obama to kick him out over that.  I get that it was stupid and technically could cost him his job, but what a clusterfuck.

6fsn

I can't begin to understand why McChrystal made the comments...to ROLLING STONE?!  He had to know the consequences and it almost makes me wonder if he did it on purpose.  I'm not sure Obama could have ignored it though.

*Candi*

All I know is this blurb that popped up made me say "daaaaamn". 

President Obama has relieved Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his position in charge of the war in Afghanistan.

It's so...  "Well, that's all we need from you. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Paulo's Menina Bela

I'm not surprised. Even those who agree with McChrystal's statements also agree that the interview was an extravaganza of poor judgement. No Commander in Chief could let that slide. It was a given that heads were going to roll.

hmonkey

it's one thing to complain about your boss; it's another when your boss is the commander in chief.

mrsconn23

I listened to an interview with the reporter on NPR yesterday...He was only supposed to be with McChrystal 2-3 days in Paris...Because of the volcano, he ended up traveling with them for a month.   McChrystal and his staff became comfortable with the reporter and errors in judgement were made. 

I'm personally worried about what will happen in Afghanistan now.  I really hope Petraeus can gain the trust of the officials in Afghanistan that McChrystal had. 

DG1

In any other environment, yes.  But big picture?  He needed to stay and finish the war. 

Of course, I'm not any kind of military or strategy expert, but whatever.  It's just such an "image" thing, and I always trusted Obama to be more of a "Substance" kind of guy.  Oh well.

MinM

It's one thing to complain about your boss, and it is another to let him find out about it, and it is another to GET DRUNK WITH A REPORTER FROM ROLLING STONE AND TELL THE WORLD HOW YOU FEEL. As a member of the military, this was a terminable offense. He knows this. There is no way as comander-in-chief you could have let this slide. It's a respect thing, yo.

It's going to be a mess changing command in the middle of a campaign, but it is not like it hasn't been done before.

(Also, thanks for the news - I hadn't gotten an update on this)

zsazsa-stl

I think he was tired of his crappy job and wanted to get fired and try to look like a bad azz this way rather than just stepping down.  

HoodRich

As a member of the military you're to STFU and do as you're told. You have no opinion either way of your CIC or the mission at hand. Agree with the mission? Disagree with the mission? Don't like the CIC? Oh the hell well! Everyone from the lowly E-1 to 4 star knows this. This wasn't a conversation at home amongst his peers that a neighbor overheard and he knew the ramifications when he opened his mouth.

HookaPants

Servicemembers protect freedom of speech, they don't get to practice it.