Aubrey Tirri: Generals have been political since the Revolution. In fact, there was one Presidential Candidate who's campaign trail ended at the Greasy Grass River. You know him as General George A. Custer.
Matt Tiry: It might be if it were possible to be a General and be apolitical, however, the reality of the job is you cannot get it without being a politician. There has never been, and never will be a General of any level that is apolitical because it is politicians that appoint the people that do the promoting. You don't even make it to full bird without political support. The best you can ever hope for is a case such as when Bill Clinton became President. Rather than serve under him and Les Aspen, 29 members of the General Staff resigned and retired without comment.An aside: I don't know where you got your information on German Generals, however, you are soooo incorrect. Generals who were not of the same ideological persuasion as Adolf Hitler were killed by the! SS....Show more
Vickie Sterbenz: The soldiers are supposed to obey their civilian commanders and keep their political to themselves, unless asked...Remember, military defends Democracy, but does not practice it...
Craig Virani: I didn't make the laws that would take away his benefits. I personally think, the man should stay on since Afghanistan and its leader wish it. Its their country. The last time I checked, we the people hold power over the Military and politicos.
Mario Stricklan: In a Democracy the military serves under the civilian leadership. Would you want your boss to hear you telling someone he is a clown? Do you think it might impact your reviews?I do think the political leaders should listen more closely to the military leaders, and behind closed doors there should be off the record frank discussion that include the military guys explaining just how little the political morons understand about fighting wars and keeping a unit functioning under! military conditions. So the answer is that in public the mili! tary should be very apolitical. The General should have just stated that he will implement his legal orders as given by the civilian leadership. If he felt the orders were illegal then there are options open to protest those orders. Options that might and probably will cost him his position and get him removed from the military, but that is sometimes what you have to do if you want to stand up for what you believe in....Show more
Jannette Kotz: Oh dear, rebuttal. Rolling Stone is a well known publication for providing up close and personal articles. The ex-general will do fine in the future. The thing, that made Obama go off, reportedly, was not the comments made about him, but the insensitive behavior made towards the French and our other allies. All those involved should receive a reprimand or be removed from their positions. This sort of behavior should have been said in private to the President or kept amongst McCrystal and his aides. It showed poor taste and stup! idity in talking publicly about their POV's given the volatile situation we all find ourselves in with the wars. We'll probably lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban can smirk all they want. One thing to be said regarding the transfer of military command is that it went peaceful and that says something about Democratic principles. I had fun too. It proves another thing in that we can disagree and still respect one another....Show more
Shan Lanen: It's not a matter of "is it better".... but rather a matter of it's REQUIRED to be neutral.And how predictable for Reichtwingers to try to sensationalize this issue by referring to what was going on in "Germany in the 1930's and 40's.'There is no comparison. But nice way to try to politicize it.I find this whole McChrystal thing to be highly fascinating, and a good indicator of where the Reichtwingers' true priorities are.You guys give lip service all the time, all day long, 24/7, day in and day out -- -- about "national secur! ity".And yet here we have a really good example of what that actually m! eans, and you guys are pulling in the opposite direction solely because it means you get to attack Obama.That's very dangerous. You are willing to actually undermine the core of what it means to belong to the military - YOU OBEY ORDERS - for the fleeting rush you get from attacking Obama.Oh, how the mighty have fallen....Show more
Robt Heemstra: For the record, I do not consider myself a right winger, nor a liberal. and, Gerry, I would so like to know what you speculate as my opinion is in this matter. Other than, its best politicians and military keep to what they know best and its the job of civilians to keep them both inline.
Chauncey Williama: I also stated this..If you’re employed by a company and spoke publicly or made critical remarks among co-workers or exposed private company information about the CEO, policies, and practices, then, most likely you’d be given a warning and then let go. The same can be said for this situation with McChrystal.Obama, d! idn’t start this war. He inherited this mess from Bush. Although, you would assume when deciding to run for President, he and his advisors, would have managed to have some answer in finding a resolution to ending it. Rolling Stone and the media - this type of journalism hurts the morale of our country’s soldiers not to mention our allies and all civilians including those in Afghanistan. McChrystal words may have further weakened an already unsteady foundation for all involved. IMO, his ego has caused his problem. What’s been written and brought to the world’s attention has reaffirmed what many here and abroad have already suspected,...Show more
Lilli Kochel: Inherited thing mentioned, not mentioned as an excuse for Obama. That time has passed. Nato is pleased with the President's decision, most of our allies are, and a Russian envoy on Twitter, poetically stated the following. "War wounds souls." Bloodshed and hardship at war often arouse soldiers' contempt t! owards politicians and diplomats." I seriously doubt, the majority of c! itizens took little notice of today's event.
Clemente Schoeck: What mattered most in this situation was the two major parties supported one another regarding replacing the General. Recognizing the fact, that no matter whom is the President and Commander in Chief, that they must be respected.
Hai Biggart: The Nazi German Command was not "apolitical" and never was. Good question; but, a questionable attempt to support your own answer I speculate that you hold on this matter.Gerry D.UPDATE: Mod here is what I speculate your thought to be based on, a statement by you:"Another thought: Military personnel know not to publicly badmouth their superiors, and this certainly includes the President." And, your reference to the UCMJ; Article 88, UCMJ "Contempt towards officials."Hope this clarifies for you words I referenced from your own reply to another question. Feel free to take away his retirement benefits while you are at it a la Maj. Gen. Billy Mitchell style.This ! was an official Resignation letter from one General to his country that cared less (and still does) about this war.Update:This isn't a company this is a Country; Obama may think he is a CEO but in reality he is a President (one who likes to bow), but still a President. Your thinking with the German Officers being "apolitical" is in line with your thinking on this event as well: off base and incorrect.Hope General McChrystal has a good retirement before YOU take away his benefits.Update: And on the "inherited" thing you mention? Blah, blah, blah...I am certain he will reference that too in his next press conference before he hits the "back 9" as he tells us all that "I have fired Gen. McChrystal today and have signed the new and improved Alternative Energy Bill"...."pffft"Update: "...we the people..." YES, we all know how "the people" care more for the collateral damage as told to us by the media.CONGRATULATIONS: He has just been removed; you must be EXCITED. Can't wai! t for the press conference now....Now to my "other" prediction for you?! Poll numbers will decrease in addition to the continuous indeciveness of this administration. Golf anyone?Ooopsss! Can you say: Patraeus, Surge, Bush Administration? Wow!Update: You're accepting of the bipartisan wrangle last night does NOT change my view (and only encourages yours). These were "observations" as written by an entertainment magazine. The pulitzer prize will go here now to RS on this matter and thereby the "30 pieces of silver" would have been awarded. McChrystal IS a warrior. A much stronger character in POTUS would have been displayed had he accepted an apology and refused the resignation. Ironic that he chooses now to place the man he voted against on the "surge", Bush Administration "thing". Where is the ACLU on the matter of "free speech" as "oberservation" reporting of staff member statements as well as McChrystals is considered as though spoken to the multitudes. McChrystal was/is entitled to his observations; The Economist would have loved! this opportunity. RS, reflections of "transparency" and "openness" so much for it to be only a "one sided" affair on these statements. See the poll numbers this morning? Already down another 5 points - my POINT was clear.We will lose Afghanistan - hope the forthcoming RS Pulitzer Prize gets a special shelf in their organization hallways. Heroic acts will still be overlooked by BS collateral damage reporting of the media.Have a good day - this was "fun".Gerry D....Show more
Renay Billiar: Respect the local civilian population of whichever country you are stationed in, remember that the world is not the United states. Don't view local women as objects to be left with your children in poverty while you return to the first world, taking no financial or emotional responsibility. Don't assume that everyone back at home should pat you on the back, they all have their own personal struggles, and it is essentially a career choice to join the military. Know that your natio! n is not superior to all others, because nationalism and being over pat! riotic is not to far a cry from racism....Show more
Coleman Petropoulos: The Framers of the Constitution were clear about that: we have civilian control of the military. The sorry record of military dictatorships suggests that they were right.
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