Gerneral McChrystal to say "were screwed now"? Of course he sold Obama's plan.. He would be derelect to do otherwise. His job is to solder on. Obama's job is to back them up and Obama has failed miserably to do that.

"A little matter will move a party

~Thomas Paine"

Obama's job is to "back them up?" Not decide?

Since when?

Now he will back them up if they follow orders.

Generals can resign if they don't agree with orders. They usually agree eagerly. There are at least 30 more in line for the stars!

"We made a great mistake in the beginning of our struggle, and I fear, in spite of all we can do, it will prove to be a fatal mistake. We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers." Robert E. Lee

I don't think Truman advertised his plan via the media when the decision was made to drop the 'bomb'. I feel confident that the extended meetings with our generals - and the development of a strategy - with a published time-line includes much that has not been divulged to the media 'editors'. At least it has been stated that if the ‘strategy’ is not working – it will be revisited. The important message is to the Afghanistan people – AMERICA DOES NOT INTEND TO STAY. . . and you (the Afghanistan people) have got to help stop the terrorists who are killing your own as well as Americans. Americans intend to bring those who killed 3000+ in New York and other parts of our American soil to justice. We are not there to ‘win’. We are there to stop Al Qaeda from continuing this war of fear and destruction throughout the world. (Don’t forget that we do have ‘units’ in other parts of the world also fighting against terrorists.) That is the message many hear. Stopping Al Qaeda and bringing those murdering thugs to justice is the mission. It is interesting to realize that no matter what this administration says – we can almost verbalize word for word what the ‘other side’ will say in rebuttal. Those who really believe that we have been given all of the aspects to the ‘strategy’ – and what the general was ‘teaching’ his troops is the actual detailed strategy – then I have a bridge I’d like to sell you. Let’s all pray that this mission will be accomplished with as little loss of life as possible.

"I don't think Truman advertised his plan via the media when the decision was made to drop the 'bomb'."

The difference was Truman didn't occupy the office when the world was immersed in a 24 hour news cycle. That and everyone now feels empowered to be strategical experts for our country.

"It is interesting to realize that no matter what this administration says – we can almost verbalize word for word what the ‘other side’ will say in rebuttal."

Why is this interesting to you now? Why are you realizing this phenomenon just now? Do you really believe it is any different for this administration? Did you forget that when you and yours were on the "other side" you had rebuttals for everything Bush said or did? Are you unaware that we could verbalize those in advance also?

"Your side" is getting a real good dose back of what you gave us for 8 years. It helps if you drop the emotional attachment to your hero and realize this is the nature of politics in these times. It is a cycle that you guys are on the other side of now. And if it makes you feel any better, this isn't even the hardball aspect of politics that JeffC frequently speaks of ....

You make some cogent points. It is time to realize that the 'dark side of radical politics' will be the destruction of our way of life if allowed to continue. Not everyone on the 'other side' adheres to this destructive element in American politics. If you are part of this phenomenon, (which I doubt), then you must realize that no matter how much one tries to paint the 'other side' with ugly verbiage, how the ' other side' conducts him/her self is what defines their contribution or non-contribution. This 'I gotcha' attitude with some elements on the 'right' will/is backfiring on the Republican Party of the past. History is the judge. Even conservatives are hopeful that the 'stimulus' economic approach seems to be working. (It's just been two years since we were officially in a 'recession' - and this present administration hasn't quite finished their first year and it appears that the economy is moving in the right direction - and some of that 'taxpayer' money is being repaid.)
I don't know too many people who include themselves in supporting the failed policies of the Bush administration - as was noted in the rejection of John McCain. I also admire you for your loyalty to the last four years of that administration. I stated earlier that if Obama were elected, I would join those who would hold him accountable. At least give him two years.

You are on a Train getting ready to cross over an Abyss.
You notice that the bridge is out.. You are headed for certain DEATH. You rush to the Trains engine.

Only to discover that the Engineer is allowing a 12 yoa to “drive” the train.. You yell for him to stop the train, that we are about to crash.. He calmly tells you “Give him some time.. he’s still learning”.

Do you just say OK and go back and sit down or do you continue to try to make them stop?

You see DM those of us that do not believe that Obama is a 21st Century Buck Rogers Savior of the Universe can see what he has done in less than 1 year. So why in heck do we sit back and let him do it to us for another year?

You are retired and already have yours.. The rest of us that have some years to go? Well we want something left for our kids.

"A little matter will move a party

~Thomas Paine"

So, all of a sudden, you're an expert on strategy and tactics in Vietnam. Were you there? I doubt it, because I'm sure we would have met sometime during the 2 1/2 years of my life I invested there. We could have won with much less than what we had if only the Field Commanders had been allowed to conduct operations as they saw fit and not have restrictions and demands placed upon them by Washington's politicians.And pray tell, what in the hell is a "Commanding Field General"?

Bonker$ fancies himself an expert on everything. Looks like somebody got exposed here.....

As YOU said a "field commander! Name invented by right wingers with which to criticize Obama when he wanted to think about what they wanted. In other words he has to be dumber than a Commanding Field General!

Well without civilian control those guys would run absolutely wild!

YOU invented. It is not a term commonly used in describing Commanders in any Theater. Try again.Tell you what, if you just stick with "Commanding General", you'll usually be pretty safe. Or you can try "Theater Commander" Hell, maybe you meant "Field Marshal",who knows?

So "Commanding General is OK with you---even Theater General---or should it be Theater Commander?
Most Theaters I know are in Newnan or Fayetteville. They have no general or even a corporal.
No, Field Marshall is only on golf courses in a golf cart with the word Marshall on the cart! Or, some WW2 Hitler Generals. Wasn't his name also Rumsfeld?

Now you said Field Commander, didn't you? Is that a pasture field or a battle field, or a battle desert or battle mountain in Afghanistan?
WW1 had Generalissimos, didn't they? Or was that just Italy and Mexico?
General of the Army seems to have disappeared---however if this war goes on ten more years we will have re-invented that title, I think.

I always was partial to "Fleet Admiral." "Commander in Chief," seems to gall many nowadays.

You really are trying.
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Yeah, he may be, but who knows what in the hell he's trying "for" or "to do". Do you? Personally, I'm just waiting for the initial "CySonnet" and I'm sure it will be a two-wheeled toe-tapper, just loaded with "Handlebar Hystronics" for all to enjoy!

What his poor teachers must have had to put up with? Whatever they were paid it certainly was not enough. I am sure they would have loved to lock him in a closet til class was over--and maybe they did. I won't even attempt to imagine what his mother went through. I cannot believe that he has gotten this way in recent years. Must have taken years and years to perfect.

Have you noticed that there are several 'new' bloggers who sound suspiciously like our own sweet Bonkie? I think maybe he is going through the alphabet. Should we be waiting for a blog from Zeus?

first for your service and for a little sanity imposed here.

I was going to respond to Bonkers with a classic Whitehouse screwing with a War will lose it example, but figured why waste the time.

Next Obama will be telling the Generals they can only fire when fired upon.. They can only leave camp on patrols during daylight hours and only after offically clearing it with them etc..

"A little matter will move a party

~Thomas Paine"

My pleasure--I favor facts, truth,and total disclosure. Some aroundhere haven't figured those out yet. And may I throw in common sense as a sweetner? Question: You have some of Mr.Calloway's sweet corn & tomatoes this year?

Kept meaning to go get some.. Just never did..

"A little matter will move a party

~Thomas Paine"