Joe Klein reporting to CNN that Gen. Stanley McChrystal has submitted his resignation. Awaiting confirmation from a “real” news source.
In a related story, The media consultant who arranged the interview that got Gen. Stanley McChrystal summoned to the White House has become the first casualty of the general’s candor.
Duncan Boothby submitted his letter of resignation to the International Security and Assistance Force in Kabul early Tuesday morning. The civilian senior adviser played a critical role in arranging the interview Rolling Stone reporter Michael Hastings conducted with McChrystal, America’s top commander in Afghanistan, and his staff.
-LTB
Smash Mouth Politics 
LTB is alive! HE’S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing… Ditching a general that is AMERICAN for a prez that is a usurper.
Aint it though?
The world, upside down.
While I disagree with McChrystal’s interview and commentary, I give the guy credit for never taking his eyes off the real enemy – in the White House.
-LTB
And yes, JD – I’m alive: sorta, kinda…
-LTB
-I give the guy credit for never taking his eyes off the real enemy
I so agree. Patton was never politically correct. What military men of high rank do and say is none of my affair. They earn their right to say whatever.
Thats just m.o., having grwon up with all of the men in my family as SGTs and MST SGTs
TMJ:
“…What military men of high rank do and say is none of my affair. ”
Here’s the thing: A military leader still answers to his civilian leadership. This is one of the checks and balances which protects our way of life and prevents us from becoming another junta-controlled banana republic. Our military – as designed- does not work effectively when criticism and back-biting is done in public.
Yes, even when it’s justified.
Many in the Blogosphere are drawing parallels between Obama/McChrystal and Truman/MacArthur. And while IMHO neither of todays players can but stand in the shadows of their predecessors there is commonality in the cases – failure of civilian leadership to hear the plight and needs of those who have boots on the ground which triggers public rebuke by the military leadership.
By all accounts (I never met McChrystal) he is a proud – perhaps arrogant – man who carries substantial disdain for those in “suits” along with rabid respect for his troops. Fair enough, but in my career I also worked beside other proud leaders with similar traits – and famous last names such as Abrams, Patton, White, Westmoreland and Powell – who had similar concerns about civilian leadership but (mostly) checked their public voice at the door. Because it’s what the job demands.
And let’s not forget McChrystal has his share of valid criticism to bear. His restrictive engagement policies have led to demonstrable increases death and injury – specifically for Infantry and Marine “first contact” teams. This for the sake of soothing the political beast. One would have thought Korea and Vietnam taught us better but alas, I fear not.
IMHO, McChrystals greatest tactical blunder is speaking his mind for a dumb-ass liberal wonk rag like Rolling Stone which would never give account for “this is how military guys speak privately” and filter accordingly.
Today’s MSM in general looks for the dirty laundry – the killer sound byte – instead of the depth of the story. Being a reasonable good tactician. McChrystal should have know he exposed himself and his team to a PR flanking maneuver. Even if he is correct (which by all accounts he is) their snarks should have remained behind closed doors and in privileged company. And in the end, such open disrespect weakens morale and military discipline. It cannot be allowed. Showing public disdain for the chain-of-command would get a private or sergeant UCMJ punishment. Like crooked politicians, Generals cannot be “above the law”.
If I were a betting man I’d put money on McChrystal bringing his resignation to the WH for the meeting today. Cannot say with the “Colon-In-Chief” will accept it. Obama’s best move would be to censure McChrystal and put him back to work. However, should Obama act on ego (his MO), McChrystal will be gone, the Afghan government relationship with the US will fall further into disrepair (McChrystal is about all holding that alliance together) and troop morale will bottom out for the remainder of the year while new leadership is found and installed. Troop deaths and injuries will rise. The mission will flounder rudderless.
Obama will blame it on McChrystal – and of course, Bush.
-LTB
SSG, US Army SpecOps (Ret.)
Obviously I have my own opinion…this backgrounder is included for you civilians and possible draft dodgers out there; that may have occasion to read this post and are not familiar with the term, chain of command.
I will be stating my opinion shortly…
To perhaps the dismay of the uninitiated, I must inform you that any soldier, airman or marine that makes it to the rank of general must often be as adroit at politics as he or she is with respect to military science and operations.
From what I’ve read and heard about McChrystal; he had good relations with Karzai and may have been his only friend in the official US contingent. Karzai’s government and even his own brother were and are notorious for unbridled graft and corruption and misappropriation of funds. McChrystal while being the total pragmatist realized this was just another means to elicit and cajole cooperation from a mercenary ally.
Gen. David Petraeus had early success using the ploy of bribery, to enlist the Sunni, Sons of Iraq in his battle against al Qaeda in Iraq.
Despite his pragmatism with respect to Karzai; his comments concerning our NATO allies in Afghanistan, especially with respect to dining with the French and others were more than indelicate.
His remarks of disrespect for the civilian contingent and thus directly reflecting on President Obama’s choice of those persons were beyond the pale with respect to the military chain of command.
It’s exactly as LTB stated…
Gramps…
SGT. US Army Special Forces, Vietnam, 1962-1966
Since the other shoe has fallen, I guess we can move the post-mortum to the proper post…
-LTB
DaaaaaYAM! Gramps kin write when he isn’t into the Wodka! Or is that somebody posing as Gramps??
Maybe Ms. Gramps got his password…
-LTB
Ms Gramps is better known as SWMBO…[She Who Must Be Obeyed] around these parts…
That’s her password…I’ve fergotten mine long ago…!
Here’s the thing: A military leader still answers to his civilian leadership.
AMAZING, they never see the sting of battle, yet must answer to civilians.
You know,T- Bagg, I am just a gal. It just does not bother me when military men speak out of ordinance. Probably just my upbringing, dont know.
I wanted to be a Marine, and my Nana and Mom refused me, so I entertained troops at Fort Ord 7th Inf. Div.
Im used to hearing soldiers, even officers talk and speak worse than me 😀
tmj..
The finest soldiers that were, ever briefed or stood with me in battle were your county folks…
I’m not privy to your personal “he and she” battles…
Yah can’t kid a kidder…
How do yah keep yer “skinny jeans” on… with a sweatshirt or sweater, when the weather gets cooler…?
tmg…
Hey soldier… I’m totally aware you aren’t copacetic with me.
That’s your problem…not mine…!
Olde Wisconsin…. “box-o-rocks…!”
KISS…!
Yaw such a ladies man 😀
Hey tmj…
I liked yer olde web page much better than this new “Ya Ya Sisterhood” thingy…xoxoxo…Hehehe!
How’d you know I was a “ladies man”…?
BTW: is your olde page that showed yer “raw side” still up..that was very cool…!