tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post8170701883135693817..comments2024-03-19T08:42:58.953-05:00Comments on Althouse: "If the president fires McChrystal, we need a new ambassador and we need an entire new team over there."Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-73173377500489527692010-06-23T19:37:25.896-05:002010-06-23T19:37:25.896-05:00Milwaukie guy said...
The corner was turned in Ir...Milwaukie guy said... <br />The corner was turned in Iraq when the tribes became confident that the U.S. was there to stay and would kick ass until the job was done. Until the Military/Diplomatic/Political structure in the U.S. unites behind this goal, Afghanistan is just a quagmire.<br /><br /><br />1. Currently, even McChrystal admits, the Taliban has fought us to a draw after 300 billion and 6800 casualties.<br />2. The Kharzai narcokleptocracy has virtually no popular support. Compared to Kharzai, the Soviets communist puppet was wildly popular, competent, not corrupted, and was not dealing behind the Soviets back. Great if he was still alive, maybe we could use him...but alas, the Noble freedom-loving Afghans killed him rather gruesomely.<br />3. Staying another 10 years requires a rationale.<br />A. Help nation-build the "noble" Afghans who hate us?<br />B. Find the two "Arch-Evildoers" with another 300 billion? When they are hiding in a different country?<br />C. Check Pakistan, even though the "Heroes" could not exist in Afghanistan without the continued permission and heavy bribery of the Pak government AND the Pak Taliban????<br /><br />Nope - this war is unwinnable and likely to be over soon. Then the neocons can get back to demanding other people's sons invade and fight urgent new wars in Iran, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan - "lest the Evildoers be allowed to remain in all those nations America must rebuild so that they are not safe havens for Evildoers".Cedarfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602418702398818596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-22629126832234250382010-06-23T17:15:50.466-05:002010-06-23T17:15:50.466-05:00The corner was turned in Iraq when the tribes beca...The corner was turned in Iraq when the tribes became confident that the U.S. was there to stay and would kick ass until the job was done. Until the Military/Diplomatic/Political structure in the U.S. unites behind this goal, Afghanistan is just a quagmire.Milwaukie guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07276868915863915913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-33409389807816398392010-06-23T16:46:38.901-05:002010-06-23T16:46:38.901-05:00MadMan,
I don't get the idea that McCain is s...MadMan,<br /><br />I don't get the idea that McCain is saying that McChrystal is indispensable. I think what he is saying is that the whole structure over there is screwed up and needs to be replaced top to bottom and workable ROE need to be implemented. That is something I can agree with. The whole atmosphere between the civilians there, the military leadership there and this benighted administration lends itself to SNAFU's of the worst kind. I think we need to revamp the whole setup and determine what the goals and strategies are going to be. I shudder to think that Bambi would be a part of that planning. He is sure to pick the exact wrong choices as we have seen from the rest of his administrative policies. <br /><br />How soon can we get rid of him!!dickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976498133597991337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-42839663346713528612010-06-23T15:23:02.350-05:002010-06-23T15:23:02.350-05:00McChrystal's whole entourage is infected, and ...<i>McChrystal's whole entourage is infected, and the rot must be cut out.</i><br /><br />The wonderfully accomplished Obama administration vetting process chalks up another victory, no?Scott Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08871331702531675368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-37983947530399742532010-06-23T14:02:19.400-05:002010-06-23T14:02:19.400-05:00Daniel: the solution is obvious--put us in charge...Daniel: the solution is obvious--put us in charge and get those other folks out of the way ;)Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-89724500784825811242010-06-23T13:59:20.481-05:002010-06-23T13:59:20.481-05:00Roger, I think Obama already did embrace the surge...Roger, I think Obama already did embrace the surge/COIN strategy. And the choice of Petraeus, as you say and as I agree above, is great short term strategy, but definitely represents a continuation of the surge/COIN. I agree with you about Afghanistan, and am depressed about the direction we're headed in. <br /><br />Check out that Ben Smith <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0610/McChrystals_departure.html?showall" rel="nofollow">point</a>, which shows how surge/COIN/nation building hawks wanted McChrystal fired so he wouldn't undermine the strategy, while those wanting to scale back in Afghanistan wanted him around in weakened state.Daniel12https://www.blogger.com/profile/01626727628294417922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-14644963354610635352010-06-23T13:46:42.933-05:002010-06-23T13:46:42.933-05:00Daniel--as an old Col Blimp type I have not kept u...Daniel--as an old Col Blimp type I have not kept up with current COIN strategy--I have my doubts that has apparently worked in Iraq will work in Afghanistan-as ragged as the tribal landscape was in Iraq, it is far more ragged in Afghanistan.<br /><br />More uninformed guesses follow: what if Gen Patraeus advocates a surge strategy (please God no)--Mr Obama has put himself in the position of having to support such a strategy, no? I dont see any upsides to our involvement in Afghanistan that are easily resolved by purely military tactics.<br /><br />I think Mr Obama--who I DO hope succeeds in Afghanistan--may have settled on a short term tactic to defuse a bad situation.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-2022763258434368592010-06-23T13:39:25.460-05:002010-06-23T13:39:25.460-05:00Very interesting point, Roger J.Very interesting point, Roger J.Daniel12https://www.blogger.com/profile/01626727628294417922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-67546336620542327042010-06-23T13:39:24.285-05:002010-06-23T13:39:24.285-05:00HD--to answer your question simply: yes McChrysta...HD--to answer your question simply: yes McChrystal owns those remarks, and those making them on the record will, I suspect have their careers ended--as well they should be.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-84835367484818167452010-06-23T13:32:34.327-05:002010-06-23T13:32:34.327-05:00Oh I agree John. Their heads have to roll. Their j...Oh I agree John. Their heads have to roll. Their job was to get the "journalist" senselessly drunk and leave them in an alley so they could get their heads cut off by Islamic terrorists.<br /><br />The only thing worse than a journalist is a lawyer.Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-24384284642426368842010-06-23T13:32:13.280-05:002010-06-23T13:32:13.280-05:00The problem is that this has always been a materia...The problem is that this has always been a materially different campaign than Iraq, more a SF/spec ops fight than pure conventional work. The issue is to enable a popular Afghan government to be able to defend itself against what's left of the Taliban.<br /><br />McChrystal may have been the right guy, but his CIC's stereotypical disengagement, until the issue at hand becomes a good crisis he can exploit, foredoomed the venture from the start.<br /><br /> Trooper York said...<br /><br /> <i>I for one would like to thank General McChrystal for his service to his country.<br /><br /> He needed to go but this will not end well for the Big O.</i><br /><br />I second your first and second points, sir, and tend to ruefully applaud your perspicacity on the thirdedutcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15589958656028023357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-16181272717677751862010-06-23T13:29:04.510-05:002010-06-23T13:29:04.510-05:00Daniel--good to know that I know what I am guessin...Daniel--good to know that I know what I am guessing!<br /><br /><br />Removing Gen Patraeus from CINC Centcom will require replacing that position with another four star--to which, at least technically, General Patraeus will be responsibile. <br /><br />As you suggest, the centrality of the Afghan war is analogous to the Viet Nam war where Gen Westmoreland was nominally under the control of CINC PAC (Ironically Adm McCain father of Sen John). And you are also correct that this is a congressionally approved position.<br /><br />All of which, in my opinion blurs the roles of the chain of command which is not a good thing.<br /><br />This command structure means that the CG of the Afghani campaign can bypass CINC Centcom, the JCS, and the SECDEF, and this structure then (IMO) really means Mr Obama has the con. Now putting my political hat on, were I Mr Obama, I would keep some command distance between me and forces on the ground--but thats just me.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-38946782310125743772010-06-23T13:28:33.099-05:002010-06-23T13:28:33.099-05:00Trooper -
As they should be. They let their bos...Trooper -<br /><br />As they should be. They let their boss down, their country down, their professionalism down, ...<br /><br />Why should "senior aides" ever let their guard down?johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08344824510190345160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-89032814252575729112010-06-23T13:22:46.670-05:002010-06-23T13:22:46.670-05:00It seems that most of these "remarks" in...It seems that most of these "remarks" in question were made in a bar while the general’s aides were drinking and had their guard down and treated the "journalists" like human beings and patriotic Americans. Big mistake.<br /><br />There is no doubt that they will be separated from the service as wellTrooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-44506124539404687152010-06-23T13:21:08.253-05:002010-06-23T13:21:08.253-05:00And by the way, McChrystal's senior staff memb...And by the way, McChrystal's senior staff members will also be demoted and transferred.<br />That's how the military works.Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10818855976358768057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10638030843858485252010-06-23T13:20:45.153-05:002010-06-23T13:20:45.153-05:00Roger J, there's no reason for us to continue ...<i>Roger J, there's no reason for us to continue interacting here; so how about you just stop. I wont be addressing your comments any further.</i><br /><br />Its amusing you use the term 'interacting' when you're initial comment was <i>checkmate bitches!!!!</i>.<br /><br />Evidently in your unbrideled hatred of conservatives you were blinded by the fact that Roger, me and the rest of us bitches actually supported Obama sacking McChrystal because he stepped over the line. <br /><br />I don't expect a response but you might consider your own poor behavior before spouting off next time. You'll look less like an uninformed fool.<br /><br />Have a nice day.Hoosier Daddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12872965118921894534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-9799265121693355712010-06-23T13:19:26.650-05:002010-06-23T13:19:26.650-05:00Just a question on all this...
It appears that th...Just a question on all this...<br /><br />It appears that there were others in the room subordinate to McChrystal who also made remarks. 1. Is McChrystal (was he) responsible for those remarks - not that he said them but that they went on without protestation or simply stopping them, and,<br />2. If mcChrystal, due to his rank and potential for "ownership" of any other remarks,.. do these subordinates face any issues as well?<br /><br />I'm curious and I can't find any place that makes this distinction clear.Opus One Mediahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04041788083619471630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-73226329043999440782010-06-23T13:17:00.693-05:002010-06-23T13:17:00.693-05:00Obama handled the removal well, the speech was exc...Obama handled the removal well, the speech was excellent and well balanced. He has set the required standard for respect for the office of Commander in Chief, whether Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative. Obama has actually enhanced his status as CIC.<br /><br />Now, if he can gain control of the civilian part of his team - National Security Advisor, Ambassador to Afghanistan, Envoy Holbrooke, and especially Vice President Biden, we might have a chance at actually succeeding in this war.Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10818855976358768057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-43664403558966507722010-06-23T13:15:48.231-05:002010-06-23T13:15:48.231-05:00Roger J, you have correctly identified your uninfo...Roger J, you have correctly identified your uninformed guess. As of right now it is being reported that, consistent with what Obama said in the press conference, Petraeus will be shifted from CINC of Centcom to Commander of the war in Afghanistan. This would in some technical way be a demotion, but given the centrality of Afghanistan right now, it really doesn't seem to be. Your argument that this is really nothing other than a firing of McChrystal and a gap waiting for Petraeus to appoint someone to fill it seems unsubstantiated by facts. I also wonder (really, because I don't know) whether what you're suggesting is even possible, since Obama actually "nominated" Petraeus for what appears to be a Congressional confirmation process.Daniel12https://www.blogger.com/profile/01626727628294417922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-82800884174908673552010-06-23T13:09:13.195-05:002010-06-23T13:09:13.195-05:00General McChrystal made the mistake of allowing hi...General McChrystal made the mistake of allowing his people to talk to "journalists." Now his long career of service and valor will only be remember by most by it's ending.<br /><br />He lost the chance to protect his men by speaking the truth as he saw it out of turn. He needed to be relieved for his remarks and those of his staff and this sad chapter will soon be forgotten.<br /><br />It's a very bad thing all the way around. Nobody wins. Except the scumbag journalists who will sell a lot of rags.<br /><br />The only thing worse than a journalist is a lawyer.Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-72886731251316768702010-06-23T13:08:01.669-05:002010-06-23T13:08:01.669-05:00Check mate, bitches !!!!!!!!!! might appear obnoxi...<i>Check mate, bitches !!!!!!!!!!</i> might appear obnoxious and cocky at first glance but only to wingnutsXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12133279828547003387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-33306372451944532552010-06-23T13:05:58.950-05:002010-06-23T13:05:58.950-05:00It was a hard decision to make. For the previous ...It was a hard decision to make. For the previous 14 months THE essential tool of my trade was both a sign of my progression from apprentice to journeyman, and, once the initial teasing turned into awe, a kind of talisman. The sense of distance created between me and my fellow coworkers as I approached my task was countered by satisfaction that not everyone could (or wished to) perform what I did as well as I did it. So as my employment contract eventually came to its end, the question - should I keep this tool or leave it for my replacement? - did not seem to have a satisfactory answer.<br /><br />What ultimately forced the decision was when that crew chief said no fucking way I'm bringing that shitty smelling stick on his Huey on my last flight back to Danang.johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08344824510190345160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-51189731206109266452010-06-23T13:03:30.579-05:002010-06-23T13:03:30.579-05:00Daniel--pray tell what are my uninformed guesses? ...Daniel--pray tell what are my uninformed guesses? Are you telling me I am wrong about the organization of the Department of Defense and the role of the unified commands? If so, how I am wrong? <br /><br />My strong words were directed at Ms Danielle (whom I duly note did apolgize in a half hearted way but still cited "obama hatred.")<br /><br />My only "guess" was that General Patreus will appoint an Afghanistan based general to actually run the war, will Gen Patreus will remain, as he always has, the CINC of Centcom. Thats actually a quite well informed guess.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-5160622017004005352010-06-23T13:03:28.829-05:002010-06-23T13:03:28.829-05:00"Empty cans make the most noise" .
Sist..."Empty cans make the most noise" .<br /><br />Sister Bernard Patrick, 1958.I'm Full of Souphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00241724007440718575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-73913434716384081152010-06-23T13:02:07.636-05:002010-06-23T13:02:07.636-05:00Daniel Foster, National Review, stupid bitch:
&qu...Daniel Foster, National Review, <a href="http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzUyMzBkMzdhNzdmMDIzNjdiMDE3Mjk4OTcyOWYzMDk=" rel="nofollow">stupid bitch</a>:<br /><br />"This is technically a demotion for Petraeus, who was until today McChrystal's commanding officer."Daniel12https://www.blogger.com/profile/01626727628294417922noreply@blogger.com