It has nothing to do with the Pres. being "thin skinned". When will you guys figure this out? Speaking as a lowly ex-Specialist from 1st Infantry, I can tell you with full confidence that the people in the military are taught from Day 1, not only to take & carry out orders, but to respect their superiors and most definitely not publicly mock them. So what does that tell us?
1. General McChrystal was well aware of that.
2. The soldiers he commands look to him for leadership. If he's opposed to the Pres.' war strategy, what are the ground troops supposed to do? This is a distraction they do not need and a decision they should never have to make.
3. The US has always been commanded by civilian leadership. The military works for
us. Even 4 Star Generals don't get to usurp that. This General has fucked up more than once, and been warned, more than once.
4. What kind of message does it send to our enemies when the General in charge of the theater disagrees with the President? I'll tell you... it makes us weak.
And for the record, I disagree with the Pres. too. I think we need to get the fuck out of Afghanistan. But it's not going to happen.
