Afghan Tragedy

Yesterday, as the various media sources reported the recall of General McChrystal from Afghanistan, I listened intently wondering how such a state of affairs could develop. I also had to ponder how a liberal rag such as Rolling Stone Magazine could undermine and threaten the course of our war on terror. Today, we will see just how much of an impact that article will have as McChrystal meets with President Obama for what may be his last day in command of the effort in Afghanistan.

Of course this situation dominated the news talk-show circuit last night with various commentators and experts weighing in as to how the situation evolved and how they believe it will play out in the end. For those who thought McChrystal would remain in command with only a slap on the wrist from the President, the rationale came from the General’s important role in the progress to date as well as his keen understanding of the Afghan situation. Unfortunately, the continuous occurrence of death in mankind has proved that no individual is unexpendable.

From the other perspective of experts, the General is a “goner” just on the principles of basic military decorum and respect for the commander-in-chief. For these folks, I would recommend a visit to the battlefront before espousing the principles of good management over situational judgment. If Eisenhower had employed the same “idiology” then Patton would have likely been lined up in front of a firing squad and executed. Patton’s abilities as a tactician, his drive for the objective, and his all out dedication as a soldier brought something to the battlefront that Eisenhower couldn’t buy in a can and Ike knew it. At the same time, I have no doubt this faction is correct in their assessment for Obama lacks much of the ability and wisdom of Eisenhower.

There was much speculation about this incident and a lot of discussion as to how this reporter from Rolling Stone had been granted almost unrestricted access to the General and his battle staff. The reporter also was privy to a number of official sessions in which the General was involved. Obviously, after this guy had been around for a while, he probably came off just like “one of the boys”. That was probably no accident on his part but a serious error in judgment on the part of the General’s staff.

During the discussion, one of the media sources reported that the General was under orders from the Pentagon to keep his mouth shut and not make any comment on the Rolling Stone fiasco to anyone. I find that a rather interesting turn of events considering the Rolling Stone reporter was granted almost total access and now everyone wants to say nothing to no one. I find myself continually asking questions that don’t seem to come up on the talk shows. For one, who set this whole thing up with Rolling Stone? I am sure the General didn’t call them up and invite them over. Surely the General did not do all of this on his own and not report that it was going on to at least his direct report at the Joint Chiefs. Surely not, I ask? The second question that gnaws at me is “Did the General get set up?" "Was it an inside job designed to undermine his position and at the same time threaten our progress in Afghanistan?"

Given the current state of affairs here at home with oil spewing into the Gulf waters and illegal immigrants lining up to cross over our southern borders to come to the land of milk and give away money, and given we seem to have a President and an administration who is bent on doing less than humanly possible about either situation. Given that we have a President who has turned his back on Israel and essential spit in the face of the British; given that we have a President who is doing everything in his power to prosecute the State of Arizona for attempting to enforce a federal immigration law; given we have a President who is bound and determined to shut down drilling efforts in the Gulf and who knows where else in the waters of America; given we have a President willing to bow and bend to the likes of Iran and North Korea while smiling and shaking hands with a dictator from Brazil; given we have a President who is leading the charge to spend America into financial oblivion; given we have a President who openly shuns our military and avoids ceremony and respectful rituals in honor of our war dead; Given all of that! How the hell could anyone come to any conclusion other than the General has been set up?

President Obama will likely fire General McChrystal today although it will be reported that the good General openly volunteered to step down in light of his poor judgment and leadership. Thus the President will grant the wishes of the good General and move to appoint a lesser commander to his role. He will assure the American people that our efforts will go on unabated in Afghanistan knowing full well that the entire timeline associated with our current efforts will suffer at least a six month delay if all goes well in the transition.

This will be just one more instance in which Obama will be absolved of doing anything wrong. This will be a moment for the President in which he can look “Presidential” and “decisive” in the decision-making and leadership process. This will be a sad day for America and a proud one for those at Rolling Stone Magazine who have done their job in bringing down a damn fine leader and a great warrior.

© Copyright WBrown2010. All Rights Reserved.