McChrystal/Petraeus..something stinks

[SoCalDem]

Petraeus claims that he and Stan were the best of friends..longtime friends. Does anyone think that Stan's views on Obama & the others were a "surprise" to Petraeus?

Why would Stan open up to a nebbish cub-reporter from Rolling Stone with earth-shattering opinions that "shocked" his nearest & dearest?

and if they were truly his "best friends", did they ever take the time to shut him down when they were in private..and perhaps warn him about saying stuff like that? or did they go along with it too, and agree with him..in private?

Perhaps that's WHY he was so comfy tossing that stuff around so casually. Maybe he thought his opinions were commonplace and would be no shock to anyone...and that his "friends" would back him up..

[sendero]

1. This whole farce of a "war" stinks..

... but there isn't much we can do about it.

[babylonsister]

2. How does anyone back up some of the things he said?

I think Petraeus is a lot more politically savvy than McChrystal is/was and wouldn't be caught dead saying some of the stuff McChrystal did.

Stan just seems to have gotten way too comfortable with 'Scribbles' from RS.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/opinion/24collins.html?src=mv

[Kokonoe]

3. It seems McCrystal was surrounded by his friends.

And if you didn't agree with him you were not his friend.

[Robb]

6. I think you've nailed it there.

JSOC community is kind of like that.

[jody]

4. IMO McChrystal is pure warrior while Petraeus is studious and skilled in DOD politics. n/t

[USArmyParatrooper]

5. Although I cannot comment on GEN McChystal

I think GEN Petraeus's personal or political opinions are irrelevant. What matters is that the General can set his personal opinions aside, act as a professional and put the mission and the troops before all else. This is something that is expected of Soldiers of all ranks, and I have no reason to expect anything less of GEN Petraeus. He is notorious among the ranks of being a brilliant and creative Commander who can think outside the box and that's exacty what we need in Afghanistan.

In other news GEN Petaeus has also backed President Obama's plan for a July 2011 deadline for withdrawal.

[jody]

15. You say Petaeus backs Obama's planned July 2011 withdrawal but Obama said "not a change in policy”

Current policy uses the COIN strategy with two goals defeat al Qaeda and build a government in Afghanistan.

Do you have links where Obama has changed those two goals?

Thanks :hi:

[shotten99]

7. It doesn't matter if General X doesn't like the President

His means of expressing these views screwed him (and all of us) as a result.

[stray cat]

8. My opinions are not a big deal if I keep them to myself - putting in print

is another story

[jody]

16. Re "putting in print". To which specific opinion(s) attributed to McChrystal do you refer? n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. It's the new racism, so to speak.

The blatant stuff they usually keep to themselves. But in their inner circles, if they think you're one of them, man do you get an earful.

[snot]

10. I've also been puzzled. Either McChrystal did this for some strategic, politic reasons,

or he's not as smart as everyone said he is, which means this whole thing's being run by incompetents.

I think the latter's more likely, but no less scarey.

[unhappycamper]

11. You don't get to be Commander of JSOC (the killing teams) if you're stupid.

I vote for hubris and incompetence in the political area.

But one thing nags me: McChrystal isn't stupid and I'm sure he figured his neo-cons friends like Cheney and the Rumsfield holdovers would save him.

[Ghost Dog]

12. Which one is most likelñy to be planning a future run for the Presidency,

McChrystal or Petraeus?

[uponit7771]

14. I agree with your logic but think its more probable that this was done on purpose, he CAN'T be that

...stupid

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Kinda like trading Westmoreland for Abrams. We lost. Get out. Get over it.

[Sebastian Doyle]

17. Yes, something stinks

It's called "wars for resources" and "making up filthy stinking lies to excuse them".