dagblog - Comments for "McChrystal's Failures"

Two more! Canada just lost

acanuck — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:41:00 +0000

Two more! Canada just lost its 149th and 150th soldiers.

It drives me batty that these young, smiling, courageous people looking out from the pages of my newspaper are dying for nothing.

The real mistake is assuming

Andrew — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:06:22 +0000

In reply to McChrystal's Failures

The real mistake is assuming that the war in Afghanistan is "winnable"

In their joint statement,

acanuck — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:10:42 +0000

In reply to McChrystal's Failures

In their joint statement, John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman basically acknowledge the general's behavior is a firing offense: "The decision concerning General McChrystal's future is a decision to be made by the President of the United States."

Given that political green light, Obama needs to assert his authority: hand McChrystal a letter of resignation to sign, then immediately announce the appointment of his successor (remembering to thank the general for his years of service, etc.). He really has no choice; leniency would be seen as backing down, reinforcing the meme of Obama as indecisive pushover. I'd argue his entire presidency is at stake.

McChrystal's Afghan strategy has so far failed, and will continue to fail. This is Obama's chance to put in someone who accepts the goal of beginning a U.S. withdrawal next year. Canada just lost its 148th soldier in this misbegotten war, but but we are at least sticking to our timetable to bring the troops home.

Oh gawd, another comparison

Atheist — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:43:40 +0000

In reply to McChrystal's Failures

Oh gawd, another comparison of Obama to Lincoln.

(Sure, it's apt, but still, I wouldn't try floating it with my conservative friends.)