Inside the Pentagon, feelings are mixed. The Rolling Stone article was a mistake, sure. But mostly, it was a bunch of macho-talk by anonymous assistants. The expectation is that Obama will simply let McChrystal twist in the wind to satisfy a D.C. media frenzy — and then send the general back to Kabul. The hope is that the White House won’t have fatally undermined McChrystal in the process.
Barring spectacular success, McChrystal is "see you in September" if he eats enough dirt now and Petraeus, Mullen and the other guys who rec'd him go the extra mile.
I'd be very glad if McChrystal hasn't actually resigned and, more respectfully, waits for the meeting with the President to be instructed as to what he should do.
You can fault JED for a certain lack of clarity or specificity in that post, but she implicitly adopts the war aims as laid out in the McChrystal strategy, which I believe are the same as yours.
I'm also happy to think that JED and I have common aims , but I will not attempt to guess at her meaning on something of this complexity and on assumptions vaporous.
I've no idea what she sees as a win and whether "even using McChystal's strategy" means an identification with McChystal's reputed war aims.
Rex, how the heck can you argue with Dyer about "winnable" when she doesn't give any indication of her meaning?
She's just being a mope complaining about a perceived failure of Obama to thunder about this series of skirmishes in the language befitting of a holy war.
@ False Witness:
not merely sans navel,
it's weird without end
around here.
(your not clever, Sully? you do jes' fine. it's another nice one)
@ narciso:
see comment #6
it's not that I've somehow grown sensible,
you guys are out-weirding me.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/
@ CK MacLeod:
Barring spectacular success, McChrystal is "see you in September" if he eats enough dirt now and Petraeus, Mullen and the other guys who rec'd him go the extra mile.
@ CK MacLeod:
"Gen McChrystal has offered his resignation and it is on my desk. He will be returning to his duties for the present time.
I'll now return to my own duties while the General makes a statement. Please hold your questions until he finishes speaking."
@ CK MacLeod:
I'd be very glad if McChrystal hasn't actually resigned and, more respectfully, waits for the meeting with the President to be instructed as to what he should do.
I'm also happy to think that JED and I have common aims , but I will not attempt to guess at her meaning on something of this complexity and on assumptions vaporous.
I've no idea what she sees as a win and whether "even using McChystal's strategy" means an identification with McChystal's reputed war aims.
and he's gone.........
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/22/latest-mcchrystal-developments/?hpt=T1
I pride myself on being the weirdest creature in the room.......
but this is an awfully weird room.
@ Rex Caruthers:
Rex, how the heck can you argue with Dyer about "winnable" when she doesn't give any indication of her meaning?
She's just being a mope complaining about a perceived failure of Obama to thunder about this series of skirmishes in the language befitting of a holy war.