soundoff (703 Responses)

1. JamesW
   

   This is a sad day in America. A highly decorated soldier loses the confidence of the Commander in Chief. Anyone who has served knows the damage that has occurred. It is truly a shame when our political discourse has seeped so deepely into our military where it has become incapable of accomplishing its mission. The General "DID NOT" get what he truly deserved for his actions. He violated a strict codes of conduct and he knows it. Disrespecting his superiors

   1. made it impossible for the leadership to continue to work together. Can you imagine James Jones (former Commandant of the USMC) sitting across the desk from General McChrystal knowing he thinks he is a clown. What would your boss do to you if he read in the local paper you said he was a clown.

   2. many of these comments were voiced by the Generals staff, which means he either supports their beliefs or has lost control over his staff and that this is a problem which festers through out the command. These soldiers and Marines are fighting a war that requires 100% dedication and focus at all times. If the General and his staff are not sold on the mission, how can you expect PFC John Doe to be sold on the mission. One of the reasons we have the Code of Conduct is to maintain unit cohesiveness which is essential to success on the battlefield. After this fiasco, there is no way you can get me to believe that our military is focused on winning this war.

   The President did the right thing. Lives are on the line and the spike in casualties over the last few weeks is clear indicator of a leadership and morale problem. General Patreaus is going to have to "CLEAN HOUSE" or there will be alot of widows made before Christmas. UNITED WE STAND..... DIVIDED WE FALL

   June 23, 2010 at 10:21 pm | Report abuse |
2. Ramjet
   

   Let me first say that i am not a fan of this administration and i hope to see it change in 2012. However, like it or not, President Obama was elected and deserves our respect. The Gen of all people knows what he said is wrong. It is a violation of the UCMJ. He knew he was wrong and that is why he offred his resignation. However, reguardless of what you think about the man he does deserve our respect. He served his country for a majority of his life, and like all of us have done at one time or another, made a stupid mistake. Whether it was intentional, like some on here have said, or not doesnt matter. He knows he wasnt jsut going to get away with it. I am not trying to look at this from a Right side or a Left side, just a common sense side.

   June 23, 2010 at 10:48 pm | Report abuse |
3. Conqui
   

   Clearly insubordination. One does not make those kinds of comments publicly, even in gest, about the chain of command. One does not make those kinds of statements to persons outside one's own rank, unless to a personal aide and out of the presence of others. Comments like that could be handled with a severe scolding or warning, but this general already had that warning when he spoke about trop builldups and other confidential matters in plans he submitted to Obama but which had not been accepted. His aides leaked stuff to the press, too. Ike relieved Patton of dutries and removed him from command several times in WW2. Truman fired McArthur. Obama fired McChrystal. That's how it works.

   June 24, 2010 at 4:06 am | Report abuse |