Rock Reporter Shatters McChrystal: A man. A pen. A volcano.

I can't tell you how ashamed I am today of our news media, our government and our society.

The reputation of a military genius, and our nation's security have been compromised by a misused ball point and a misbehaving force of nature. That's right. Had it not been for that Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokull McChrystal would still have his life, and our country's safety in tact.

What was supposed to be a couple of short interviews in Paris became an extended month long affair for Rolling Stone writer Michael Hastings when the ash cloud enshrouded European skies. A note from Hastings' twitter confirms it.

So to McChrystal and his aides, this guy was inconspicuous and seemingly trustworthy after such an extended relationship. He must have seemed like one of the embedded reporters, who often realize that what they see and hear is sensitive information-- and that they should exercise caution to publicize only the most essential elements of what they witness. This Michael Hastings, this rock reporter, had none of that sense. He's probably in some trailer somewhere patting himself on the back while some musician snorts drugs off of an overeager, underage groupie. Stick to those stories Hastings. Leave our country alone. 

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I have no problems with General Petraeus, another true hero and Patriot with a proven record of service, taking over command. But what I cannot tolerate is the credence that the American news media have given to such a trifling story. If you read the headlines you'd think that the General had overtly undermined the President's authority. The President has done that himself. He hasn't even mentioned Afghanistan since his lackluster, watery words at West Point in December! What sort of Commander in Chief is that?? He's shown no leadership, and now he's been buffetted by the whimsical winds of Washington gossip and media hype. 

Where are the American people on this? I'm not seeing enough outrage at either this hack, pop journalist, or at the backbone bereft bureaucracy. I for one will make sure that the next candidate for president that I vote for has a history of truly supporting our military, and is a man of integrity who won't cave to tabloid media stories, crafted by dilettante donkeys wielding recording devices.

What a tragedy that volcano proved to be for America. If not for that, such a bloodsucking yellow-journalist would never have been able to sidle up and destroy a national hero with a few thoughtless strokes of a pen. But we, as Americans have to tune out of these stupid stories. Our intellectually devoid consumer culture permits our media to inundate and influence us with drivel fit for the lowest common denominator. Maybe if we stop watching, maybe if we write to them, maybe if we don't read trash mags like Rolling Stone, we'll be able to send them a message: stop feeding us shit. 

Stand Tall Patriots,

SP

Runaway General: McChrystal McMadness

By now you must have heard of the dust up over candid remarks made by General Stanley McChrystal and some of his aides  regarding top administration officials,  recently printed in Rolling Stone. Obama was reportedly "furious" and called him in to Washington to be reamed out today. Some are even calling for the General's resignation!

Now it's evident that the President is very reactionary. He's always on the defensive-- backpedaling like a terrified unicyclist in the lion's den at the circus. The most recent example is his handling of the Gulf Oil Crisis. His critics cornered him into posing for contrived, up-rolled sleeve photo ops, and making that "Jesus save us all because suddenly I'm born again, and oh yeah let's pass my energy agenda!" PR speech last week. So I wouldn't be surprised if he fires this Hero because he wants to be seen as a stern Commander in Chief. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't because the man suffers a severe case of spinless-itis.

I reserved judgment either way until I read the Rolling Stone piece, which I did not find to be at all damning of the man. All he did was make it clear that he didn't feel like dining with a bunch of fake, fair weather Frenchies who want to cut and run from fighting the war on Terror, and that he's not a fan of Joe Biden (honestly, Biden should take his lessons from McChrystal in tempering one's words). Plus, this is all he said when preparing for questions about his thoughts on Biden among his aides: "Are you asking about Vice President Biden?" McChrystal says with a laugh. "Who's that?" Big Deal. Those Rolling Stone scoundrels never quoted him criticizing the President at all! Period. And he should not be responsible for the words of his aides, which also were nothing disparaging about the President.

Now I think that chain of command is important in the military, but a leader must earn respect before he will command it from accomplished, fearless, patriots like General McChrystal. Let's be serious, as the RS article points out: under his leadership "the Joint Special Operations Command, the elite forces that carry out the government's darkest ops...killed and captured thousands of insurgents, including Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq." That is impressive, and it's no surprise that during their first meeting Obama "seemed 'uncomfortable and intimidated' by the roomful of military brass." And, with the President shaking in his penny loafers, their first one-on-one meeting "was a 10-minute photo op" and "Obama clearly didn't know anything about him" despite the fact that he was the man who would "run his f---ing war." 

Now the only thing that the General did that could ever been construed in an alternate universe as insubordination to his commander was pressing for more troops for the war last year in a report that was LEAKED. Hmmm, didn't thatwork in Iraq, and didn't Obama run on a platform of kickin some ass in Afghanistan? Well Obama dragged his feet for three months before deciding to make things happen and delivering that supremely uninspiring West Point speech on December 1st of last year. Since then the administration has provided no leadership where it should: political and diplomatic matters,  leaving the General and his men to do double and triple duty when they should be focused on winning a war.

Are you kidding me? Why should this man be fired? So that Obama can look good? No. That's not a good enough reason. He's done nothing but do his job, and has tried to bravely lead his men in the most abominably impossible circumstances for a "Commander" that won't even use the words "VICTORY" or "WIN". This man loves his country, and he's proven it by putting his life on the line and being a LEADER.

Obama is no leader, and I hope that he recognizes that the only credibility he retain will be due to surrounding himself with true patriots like General Stanley McChrystal. Even if he prefers Jack in the Box to arugula. Even if he flips the bird occasionally with the guys. Even if he's not some Ivy League Professor.

General Stanley McChrystal should not be fired, and the guys that wrote the article should think twice before capitalizing on America's insatiable appetite for inflated, unfounded controversy--- especially when it involves the men that protect us-- especially when we're at war.


Stand Tall Patriots,


SP