McChrystal vs Obama - "The Runaway General" article in Rolling Stone magazine

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So I just read the article - it seems that everything that may tick Obama off was said by McChrystal's inner circle when they were together and joking around. I really can't see how anyone can compare this to MacArthur, who openly criticized the President in the press and made a spectacle of himself. Here, it just seems McChrystal wasn't watching who was around with a pen and notebook when his pals and him were yucking it up.

vegassparky

I doubt Obama does anything about this. This is what we need right now. tough love and telling it how you feel. Obama has to deal with the gulf right now, and he doesnt want to deal with the war. And if you want to compare McChrystal to MacArthur, go to viginia and see MacArthurs resting place. the man was a legend, loved by the american people. so if McChrystal or his people make fun of lack luster leadership coming from a bunch of college boys,who never served, who cares? what the truth hurt?

phobicsquirrel

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So I just read the article - it seems that everything that may tick Obama off was said by McChrystal's inner circle when they were together and joking around. I really can't see how anyone can compare this to MacArthur, who openly criticized the President in the press and made a spectacle of himself. Here, it just seems McChrystal wasn't watching who was around with a pen and notebook when his pals and him were yucking it up.

lol, but it was a different time. I find it rather odd he would be dissing his boss's when he knew it would be published. Did he want a way out? Maybe. I think Obama might actually do something about this, we'll find out. I have to say though the way this war has transpired has made me mad. Sure we've killed or captured a crap load of taliban leaders and such but the fallout has been bad. Drones aren't the way to do this nor is a huge military buildup. I think Biden had it right, using anti-terror and special ops.

phobicsquirrel

vegassparky:

I doubt Obama does anything about this. This is what we need right now. tough love and telling it how you feel. Obama has to deal with the gulf right now, and he doesnt want to deal with the war. And if you want to compare McChrystal to MacArthur, go to viginia and see MacArthurs resting place. the man was a legend, loved by the american people. so if McChrystal or his people make fun of lack luster leadership coming from a bunch of college boys,who never served, who cares? what the truth hurt?

I get it, but as a general you have to have more discipline than that. The same can be said of any type of commander or high enlisted. Going through the press to show your disagreements isn't the way of the uniform.

jpclotfelter

stephen_hannibal

Jetmech_63

Eh, Being active duty senior enlisted...there are veeeery specific rules regarding what you can and can not publicly say in regards to the president, chain of command, wars/conflicts that were involved in. You wouldnt believe how much our speech is sanitized. I have strong opinions on some issues and i'll only share them with my wife or fellow senior enlisted...there are some opinions i wont even voice on here. Come to think of it i actually did cross the line once in here. Regardless, Even if he was speaking to his friends he should have been aware that reporters, or anyone other than his audience was within earshot, that opsec 101. Since this blew up and hit mainstream press, he'll probably be held accountable, and should be. It shows the people under him that he does not respect and support the decisions of those above him in hi chain of command. Thats a cancer that will destroy and demoralize the lower COC in a heartbeat. There is a time and place to voice every opinion and concern, he choose poorly on both fronts.

phobicsquirrel

Jetmech_63:

Eh, Being active duty senior enlisted...there are veeeery specific rules regarding what you can and can not publicly say in regards to the president, chain of command, wars/conflicts that were involved in. You wouldnt believe how much our speech is sanitized. I have strong opinions on some issues and i'll only share them with my wife or fellow senior enlisted...there are some opinions i wont even voice on here. Come to think of it i actually did cross the line once in here. Regardless, Even if he was speaking to his friends he should have been aware that reporters, or anyone other than his audience was within earshot, that opsec 101. Since this blew up and hit mainstream press, he'll probably be held accountable, and should be. It shows the people under him that he does not respect and support the decisions of those above him in hi chain of command. Thats a cancer that will destroy and demoralize the lower COC in a heartbeat. There is a time and place to voice every opinion and concern, he choose poorly on both fronts.

Tell me about it. I always hate it when senior officials were around, we had to prep for it, do practice stuff, then we have to act like we all agree and even if we hate them we can't say crap. You know I was thinking about this today and I have to say, I hope (though I doubt it) that he is made an example of. I mean look at those privates that got put in prison over those pictures that leaked at gitmo but did their CO get locked up, no. The fault always lies with the command, not the lower ranks. So I am hoping that this general gets court marshelled and stripped of any benifits and pay. I mean this isn't the first time he's F'd up. He tried to cover up the shooting death of a ex football star turned ranger who was killed by friendly fire, and signed away a false silver star award, then got promoted a few days after this guys death. Then he tried to cover up the leaks of looting and destruction of an area in Iraq. Not to mention the crap he pulled with the rules of engagement. This guy is a loose cannon.

wwhwang

Jokerabs17@hotmail.com

Mr. Hwang, I couldn't agree with you more.

fla-gypsy

The General knew exactly what he was doing, he was looking for a quick way out. The ROE these guys are trying to live to make this conflict impossible to win. He wanted out!

sightunseen

stephen_hannibal

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Fla-Gypsy and stephen are probably right, he wanted out and this article was an easy ticket to leave without looking bad. The article said McChrystal was a brilliant guy, I'd say this confirms it

cabinetmaker

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Fla-Gypsy and stephen are probably right, he wanted out and this article was an easy ticket to leave without looking bad. The article said McChrystal was a brilliant guy, I'd say this confirms it

+1

kuzi16

The Sniper