Obama Leaving Options Open on Firing McChrystal, Gibbs Says

[Hissyspit]

Source: Washington Post

Obama leaving options open on firing McChrystal, Gibbs says

By Michael D. Shear, Ernesto Londoño and Debbi Wilgoren
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, June 22, 2010; 2:33 PM

KABUL -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Tuesday that his top commander in Afghanistan "made a significant mistake and exercised poor judgment" in making dismissive and derogatory remarks to a magazine reporter about U.S. government officials involved in Afghan policy.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal has been summoned to Washington to explain a Rolling Stone article that includes highly critical comments by him and his staff about Vice President Biden, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry and other top Obama administration officials.

- snip -

"I read with concern the profile piece on Gen. Stanley McChrystal in the upcoming edition of 'Rolling Stone' magazine," Gates said in a statement, adding, "Our troops and coalition partners are making extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our security, and our singular focus must be on supporting them and succeeding in Afghanistan without such distractions.

- snip -

It is not the first time that McChrystal has been dressed down by Obama. Shortly after the general's assessment of the situation in Afghanistan was made public last year, McChrystal gave a speech in London in which he publicly criticized those who advocated a scaled-back effort in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/22/AR2010062200813.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

[politicasista]

1. Tell him to get to steppin' Mr. President

He don't need to be trash talking you, your administration, your allies, or escalating a war you are trying to end.

[KansDem]

3. Yeah, and be sure to have him "walked out"

You know, have someone there to make sure he doesn't take something from his desk, like a stapler, roll of tape, stamps, or folders, or make sure he doesn't do something like sabotage. You know, try to crash the server or piss in the staff breakroom coffee maker.

I think being "walked out" after you've been fired is deeply humiliating...

[politicasista]

8. Bingo n/t

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[Kittycat]

2. My only issue with firing him...

Is that he's be on faux news tomorrow running his mouth for $100K/month. I think he should be stripped of his rank, and receive the harshest penalty allowed, including completely silencing him - without actually discharging him. Being stripped of his rank will also impact his retirement, but before he goes - he should get a dishonorable discharge. And I think he should be reminded of who his commander is tomorrow.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. I tend to agree

I half laughingly said earlier to strip him of his rank and set him to cleaning toilets with a toothbrush.

I'm sure there's some practical, albeit less personally satisfying, version of my suggestion which they could apply.

[Lil Missy]

5. That would be tantamount to treason.

[RedCloud]

6. He cannot publicly insult the Commander in Chief. Court martial him!

Stop letting the military brass dictate to civilians. They are public servants, not masters. And have quite a cozy life thanks to our tax dollars.

[glinda]

10. Huge mistake if Obama doesn't strip him and Court-Marshal him.

[Greyskye]

7. Huff Post reporting he's offered his resignation.

That makes it easy for Obama.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

[pmorlan1]

9. Don't accept his resignation...

Fire Him!

[PSPS]

11. Sadly, I think Obama will keep him on.

I just can't see president milquetoast actually doing anything about ... anything! He lets the GOP have final say on all legislation. He'll let the tinhorn generals run over him too.

His milquetoast comments about the issue today clearly telegraphed that this is going to be his course. Obama said the only thing that will "drive his decision" will be the best way to "protect us from al qaeda" or some such nonsense. I take that as a signal that this will be just more bad theater consisting of the treasonous general getting some supposed "dressing down" after which it will be back to business as usual.

On the Ed Schultz radio show today, it was quite disgusting to hear that guy from the "Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of America" performing rhetorical somersaults to defend McChrystal. Utterly disgusting and, frankly, completely turns me against his organization. Apparently, he prefers we live in some kind of "khaki democracy." No thanks. McChrystal should be stripped of his rank and court martialed.

My money is on Obama just rolling over ... again. It's what he does best.

[PSPS]

16. I'm happy that my prediction was (partly) wrong.

Today, I see Obama "accepted McChrystal's resignation." He should have stripped him of his rank, though.

Of course, falling back on Petraeus was a mistake. Instead, Obama should have taken the opportunity to change his quagmire-forever policy.

[Skittles]

12. that was no mistake

it was deliberate

[dyingnumbers]

14. Loose lips.

1. He didn't maintain his objectivity, which jeopardizes the integrity of the mission.
   
2. Interestingly, government transparency allows the public to see hypocrisy in action.
   

[saigon68]

15. Gen McCrazy wants War with Iran

A shooting war will forever glorify this self admiring modern day Patton