Tonight on Larry King Live!

The biggest mistake in the McChrystal fiasco was for President Obama to let the Pentagon pull a man from directing extremely black Op's in a dark cubicle in the Pentagon for the past FIVE years and push him onto President Obama as their best man with a 'winning' strategy in the Afghanistan War to become the Afghanistan field commander.

The Pentagon set-up President Obama to fail. From day one, the UK and fellow NATO commanders stated McChrystal's 'shake and bake' strategy would FAIL. And in the only test of McChrystal's strategy which was in Marjah, after temporary removal of the Taliban, the strategy appears to have failed and the Taliban are returning.

The residents in Marjah largely reject the shake and bake Afghanistan police and regional governors forced on them as utterly corrupt and by and large trust and support the Taliban whom they see as the lesser evil of the two choices!

Afghanistan is not going to become America's 53rd. State.

The US soldiers are not going to in mass become Afghanistan citizens.

There is no total removal of the Taliban soldiers and fighters from Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan residents are the Taliban soldiers and fighters.

If the goal of America's Occupation of Afghanistan was to root out the Al Qaeda members, Mission Accomplished, they moved to Pakistani ISI-CIA safe-houses years ago.

Time to declare victory and bring the US troops home from Iraq and then in Afghanistan.

The Hidden Agenda is the one to look for in this unfolding episode, namely a push by The Pentagon, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Joe Lieberman to pull a double down Bush-Cheney double surge in Afghanistan with another 30,000 troops instead of pulling out the previous surge and many other troops from Afghanistan on July 2011.

President had no other choice but to accept the General's resignation or fire him. You cannot speak about the President or his staff etc. like the General & his staff spoke in the article in Rolling Stone Mag.

Now its over & the President has put in the right man to replace the General.

Mr. President you did the right thing firing General McChrystal, the U.S. Armed Forces can not tolerate insubordination and disrespect. Thank you for sending a strong message to the military. You ‘re the Commander in Chief you are to be respected as such.. Great JOB!! Sir.

In regards to the Gulf Oil Spill, why is FEMA not mentioned in your coverage?

If this isn't a federal emergency, then I'm very confused.

Frankly, I personally care more about the environment and the countless
number of animals that are being slaughtered, but surely the government
can do something to help those whose income and way of life have been decimated.

Comparing Gen. Patton to Gen. McChrystal is a gross misrepresentation of Gen. Patton's many accomplishments and duty's to his fellow soldiers.

The Pentagon had Gen. McChrystal parked for FIVE years in a dark cubicle directing extremely Black Op's for the Pentagon. The Pentagon knew that man would fail when they took him out of his cubicle and pushed him onto President Obama as the best man with a winning strategy as the new Afghanistan field commander.

It's clear Gen. McChrystal was in over his head and he snapped at his superiors for putting him into that position, 'outside of his box' of comfort. This outcome is rather predictable and just as likely 'expected'.

President Obama should be wary of people that the Pentagon push on him without the oval office doing it's own due diligence on who that individual is and what background and service he/she has done.

YES, ABSOLUTELY, THE PRES. MADE THE CORRECT DECISION !!...

President Obama made the only decision he could....how could anyone dispute his actions.

I would have been disappointed if Obama hadn't accepted the General's resignation. Even at lower levels of government, personnel can get fired for bad-mouthing their boss. This General certainly knew better, and had a major lapse in judgment. I'm glad we got the right outcome to this story.

Here's to McChrystal's right to Free Speech. He's the one in the field and he's calling it like he sees it! Good for you Stanley! Here's to having your life back and maybe some well deserved time with your wife!

I am glad that President Obama accepted the resignation of McChrystal. He was so unpatriotric. I don't care that he exercised his first amendment rights, and he may have been drinking, but he had no right to talk about his commander in chief the way he did. Getting rid of him shows that the President will not tolerate such unprofessionalism. Furthermore, it shows that Obama has backbone and morals and McChyrstal does not. His comments show what a unpatriotic American he was and also that you must watch what you say because you don't know who's listening. It also shows when you talk badly about someone it will bite you in the butt and it did to McChrystal. This was a learning lesson to all. I hope parents use this as an example with their children to not bad mouth others. This was probably the most positive thing that Obama has done thus far in his administration.

CNN should do some in-depth investigation themselves and find out how far Gen. Stanley McChrystal's treasonous comments went to the other soldiers in Afghanistan.

Hollbroke was repeatedly mentioned in the Rolling Stones investigative in-depth article as a 'problem' for Gen. McChrystal. Recently Hollbroke's helicopter was shot at with rockets or missiles by the Taliban twice!

Did that result from US troops knowing Gen. McChrystal was very unhappy with Hollbroke and backed off on their security on him?

That's to bad that Mc Crystal got fired before doing an interview for High Times .

Outstanding, LKL has the Rolling Stones investigative journalist Michael Hastings tonight on his show!

It sounds like Gen. McChrystal was literally spewing treasonous comments entirely unbecoming that of a Army Private much less a 4 star General!

I think that Mc Crystal done this on purpose to get out of this looser war .

This General should never have been giving command of anything after the way he totally bothched the Pat Tillmann issue. Not only did he screw that up they gave him more stars to where he was a HUGE deal.

This was his 3rd screw up that we KNOW about.
He and his staff should be drummed out of the military. But, that will not happen they will be allowed to retire and go away to live on we the people's money.
DISGUSTING

Judith
WAC 1964 -1967

It seems the rise of the New Right across America's News Agencys forces American's searching for actual facts and at least a kernal of truth must further depend on publications like 'The Rolling Stones'. It seems like a very sad day for new's media services not bought and paid for by the New Right extremists in America.

Micheal Hastings is an American Hero and will be remembered as one in journalistic circles and speaking engagements for many years to come.

There's more then likely a bunch of enlisted people that would like to be interviewed by Rolling Stone so they can come home .

Gen. McChrystal should have been relieved of command. He embarased the United States, his troops and himself. I'm a U.S. Veteran and I'm sorry he did what he did, but open your eyes America, this is the tip of the iceberg. He falls and the structure falls and if Americans got more of this real journalism they would find out the waste, fraud and abuse that has taken place since the begining of this "War on Terrorism". I've seen it first hand and was devasted by just that. The waste of resources, money and since day one, Lives.! Just in the past week, in a town that I just retired in, two lives have been lost. A soldier from my town, Lake George, N.Y., and about 30 miles north in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. For What? This has gotten out of out control and thanks to the journalist who wrote the story in Rolling Stone, all Americans will start to expect more of the truth and nothing but the truth.

I do hope they screen the General for PTSD. I can't even imagine the stress related to that position. He is a great American hero and let's now let him leave the position with nothing less than dignity and respect.

Mr. Hastings, it is inexcusable to end the lifelong military career of a man far more brave than you will ever be, just to increase circulation for Rolling Stone or get yourself in the limelight. If you worked for me, you would be the one without a job.

HEY LARRY, ROLLING STONE DUDE, YOU SOLD the GENERAL OUT for money, you get your check but the general will not!!!

What will happen to General McChrystal you ask. He will publish much more and have many more speaking engagements than Hastings no doubt. There is no comparison between what the two have stored away to share.

I served my country for 24 years before retiring from the Army. Each enlistment I signed, I swore that I would follow the Commander and Chief of the time before I signed my papers. I swore with my right hand up. There were several Presidents I didn't respect or like but I did my duty because I was in charge of many soldiers. My duties was to get me and them home alive. I didn't get into politics because we were infantry soldiers trying to survive. This General I believe was probably losing it awhile ago. There should be a time when soldiers are forced into retirement. He was headed that way, unfortunately he drug afew of his officers along the dirty trail because I believe that is the way they felt in their hearts. I don't feel sorry for him or his staff. I hope it will open the eyes of the US and remind them there is no freedom of speech while serving in the military.

The President did absolutely the right thing. He is the Commander-in-Chief.

Larry Mike is wrong about the General he can never be in charge of troop in the army. I also think the president should have court martial him under the UCMJ art 88.

WE have a general now that can pass out during a charge couldnt we find someone in better health .

I would like to respond to the comments of Tara Andrews. I take it that you have never served in the military. Because if you had, you would know that as a leader you don' have the freedom to express yourself like a civilian. As for the General he had no other choice but to resign.As for myself, i retired from the ARMY after serving my country for 20yrs. As a leader many times i didn't agree with the way things were done. But I would have never ever talked about my Commander in Chief or any other leader above me.

I would expect McChrystal to find a position in an Army PX somewhere selling toy guns and G.I. Joes and writing excerpts on company time to his first book, a novel idea he picked up from the "Bear Scat Mouthed Palen".

The damage unseen to the future missions in Afghanistan will be displayed coming off of aircraft at Dover AFB in Maryland in the coming weeks and months. How many of those flag draped coffins will be attributed to the remarks of McChrystal that emboldened the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces?

McChrystal should have paid a little attention to the cause and effects of a similar act by, none other than the 'Queen of Treason', Jane Fonda.

LKL asks if the president made the right choice. There was no other choice to make. McChrystal made it himself when he opened mouth and inserted his career and jeopardized the command and control structure and the lives of 140,000 U.S. and 64,500 NATO troops, 6 of whom were killed just today.

McChrystal disgraced his uniform, therefore, I do not address him by rank, He disgraced his troops and those from over 40 NATO countries. He disgraced the U.S.A.. He disgraced the U.S.Army and all the other branches of service in theater. He disgraced his family. He disgraced the country he was sent there to support and defend and neighboring nations supporting the efforts of the U.S. in Afghanistan, and most important to him, he disgraced himself. Nice way to end what was camouflaged as a stellar career.

I would be curious to see if the sympathetic "Tea Bagger's" find a ballot somewhere to put him on a new career path....NOT!!! Someone commented yesterday on the' LKL Tonight' site to keep politics out of McChrystal's affairs. I don't think they quite understand where he is coming from and what he shouldn't have embroiled himself into. I know that Fox News has a place for his 'Pundit' ass.

Is the far left so connected to the MSM that they need to make quite unimaginable excuses for their not breaking this story.

No he should court martial him.

I salute President Obama for his resolve in removing the general.
You can't keep an officer who undermines your leadership.
This wil lead to a chain reaction among the troops on the field.
All the best, Gen. Petraues.
May America win n fighting the Talibans and Al-Qaeda for a safer world.

McCrystal should have been fired and not allowed to resign. McCrystal has destroyed his reputation, compromised the mission in Afganistan and put a huge blemish on the military of the USA! Further he should be courtmarshalled just like a pfc/corporal/sargeant/ leutenant/etc would be should they have said such horrific things per the military code.

Were comparing Mc Crystal to Mc Arthur today and maybe be comparing Obama to Nixon tomorow .

Reporting what is going on is what a journalist should do/ Hastings did his job, report the facts. It is a lesson the media could learn from Hastings. Instead of all these talking people in the studios adding what they think report the facts and let them speak for themselves without the media deciding if it is a good or bad and deciding what the American public should think.

Makes me sick that a General of 30 years would lose his career because of Hastings. Hastings was looking for him 30 seconds of fame. Well you got it. Hastings knew what would happen to this mans career but didn't care. As they say every dog will have his day and hopefully soon it will come to bite you in the ass.

While I don't condone what general McChrystal did, and he should have been reprimanded, it is absolutely disgusting that a reporter found it necessary to write an article that is basically gossip and as a result, an American General, soldier, and defender of our great country ends up humiliated on a global level. Michael Hastings should be ashamed. Yes, President Obama made the right decision.

I WHOLE HEARTILY AGREE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ACCEPTING GEN MCCHYRYSTAL RESIGNATION. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE GEN SHOULD HAVE JUST BEEN FIRED. AS A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE U.S. ARMY, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ACTIONS LIKE THE GEN AND HIS STAFF. IT UNDERMINES EVERYTHING WE AS SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN TAUGHT AND BELIEVE IN. YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND MAKING SILLY COMMENTS ABOUT OUR BOSSES, AND THINK THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK. EVEN IN FRUSTRATION, AS SERVICEMEN, WE DO NOT BRING DOWN BRING DOWN THE MORALE OF OUR TROOPS IN BATTLE WITH STUPID WORDS AND SILLY COMMENTS, EVEN IF YOU ARE PRIVATE OR A GENERAL.

There is only one reason that anyone would disagree with the decision by President Obama to accept General McChrystal's resignation and that is that some people just dont like anything Obama, especially in the Gulf states. some of the comments reflect a whole lot of ignorance.....

It doesn't matter how many time the president visit the troops. If he seen paying more attention to the war then he's not paying enough attention to the ecocomy or the oil leak. what should be said is that he has gone and more than likely will go again. The question that we as American should be asking is not how many time he has gone but when will we get the hell out because all these folks that are talking about the debt you need to be protesting this war because it is bankrupting us.

Ari Flescher, Afghanistan is not going to become America's 53rd. State.

The US soldiers are not going to in mass become Afghanistan citizens.

There is no total removal of the Taliban soldiers and fighters from Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan residents are the Taliban soldiers and fighters.

If the goal of America's Occupation of Afghanistan was to root out the Al Qaeda members, Mission Accomplished, they moved to Pakistani ISI-CIA safe-houses years ago.

Time to declare victory and bring the US troops home from Iraq and then in Afghanistan.

American's should be on the watch for a hidden agenda by the Pentagon in pushing and pressuring Congress, US Senate and The Obama administration to supply another 30,000 troop surge to Afghanistan to 'keep the war' going until after the 2012 election.

The Pentagon and The entire Republican Party lawmakers do not want the War's in the Middle East to STOP. They'll have to reinstate the draft for their new wars as fewer and fewer Americans are willing to commit themselves to these 'Oil Wars' which pour Trillions of dollars into the hands of weapons designers with nefarious purposes.

America's going to go broke supplying oxygen bottles and smelling sauce to keep our new general awake over there I hope there's a back up plan .

Just like the rest of us veterans, with dignity and respect, but not treated and paid for his or her services like Gen. McChrystal will. If the military works the same for everyone, then he should have been relieved of command and kicked out of the military for his insabordination towards the President, Commander in Chief. Treat him like everyone else in the military, becuase this is a good lesson to other troops. Keep your mouth shut and do what your there to do. He shouldn't get the same respect as the military who retire under honorable conditions.

Mc Crystal can take over Oliver North's job on Fox new's .

I believe General McChrystal just wanted out and this was the quickest way to do it and I agree with his decision. He has received no support from the White House for his expertise, only arrogance.

Even though it is a set of unfortunate circumstances, Gen. McChrysta needed to be relieved of command due to his comments. It is most unfortunate that McChrysta is at the top of the monumental hanging cliff of waste relating to the war in the middle east better known as the war on terrorism. Americans should be privy to the mess and loss of lives both American as well as other.

I, for one, have grown tired of' 'selective' media..

Want to help the Gulf? Encourage Louisiana to invest in more Ethanol plants which produce more useable fuel than any currently producing Oil well that Louisiana earns pennys from. Ethanol is carbon neutral and won't poison Louisiana's drinking water nor foul the marshlands and beaches in Louisiana.

Larry,
Thanks for having Ari Fleischer on tonight; always appreciate hearing his thoughts.

The war is not going well. McChrystal did exactly what poor leaders do when they fail. He blames everyone else but himself for his failure. Certainly, he knew what would happen. What would he have done if one of his subordinates expressed similar criticisms about him? Perhaps his strategy was to get himself out of this war before things get worse and he takes the fall.

America needs that 1 Trillion dollars per year it gives to the Pentagon for its shadow programs, black op's and both wars AND pour that immense money into domestic programs across America.

Shut down the endless drain by the Pentagon on the American taxpayers sweat, blood, tears and hard earned money.

MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEMOTED ?...HE'LL MAKE TONS OF RETIREMENT MONEY ..DOES HE HAVE A FAMILY ?..

Why isn't anyone talking about the main impediment to Afghan victory, Pres. Karzai's corrupt regime?

Lol, I imagine bible thumpers across the bible belt in America are burning books, screaming and yelling about Gary and Tony having a baby.

Thanks to General McChrystal for his service to our country and I wish him the best.

I think that barrack should realize that the time has come to get out of the situation of general maccristol but to also realize that it may happen again as people think it,s time to withdraw soon and not have another vietnam to contend with as the kia are mounting and people are worried about our mission there.I servied in the services for twenty years and think it,s time to come home now .It,s just another general desert storm had general,s Iraq had general,s when is enough enough

Those dudes have that hot chick next to them and have no idea what there missing .

President Obama did the right thing in relieving General McCrystal of his command and accepting his resignation. There is no place for this type of behavior in our Armed Forces. His comments undermine good order and discipline that the men and women of the Armed Forces take pride in. Everyone in the Armed Forces must take an Oath of Enlistment, I'm quite sure that Officers takes some kind of oath once they are Commissioned that clearly states that "I will obey the orders of the President of the United States." Like it or not President Obama is the Commander in Chief and if there was a problem between the two it could have been handled differently. As a 22 year Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, I applaud the President, he has sent a message that it doesn't matter what your rank or status is in the Armed Forces, behavior like this cannot and will not be tolorated.

After at least 150 Million gallons of poisonous, toxic and carcinogenic crude Oil has gushed into the Gulf of Mexico from BP's blown crude Oil well, what's up with all the excitement from Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper with adding another 1 Million gallons today?

The cap is missing 1.5 Million gallons even in place, and on its best day the cap diverted 1 Million gallons of crude Oil in a single day. What's the difference really? A huge region of the Gulf of Mexico is Dead, another 1 Millions gallons is going to make it more dead than dead??

President Obama made the right choice in allowing McChrystal to resign. Concerning BP, President Obama has to follow Some in the senate and congress know this President's hands are tied by those contracts and laws. Yet they pretend it is not so and continue to criticize the government for the laws many of them voted.

I believe PRESIDENT OBAMA did the right thing. I think McCrystal and his staff were totally in the wrong. They keep talking about the PRESIDENTS time line on pulling out the troops in Afganistan and what type of message this is sending to the enemy. Well what type of message do you think McCrystal and his staff were sending to the enemy when they made those comments? McCrystal and his staff have disgraced and embarrassed our Country with their distasteful comments. Whether the soldiers agree or disagree with the PRESIDENT'S handling of any military issue; they have an obligation to ensure his orders are being carried out without trying to undermine his decisions.

@Lynda Clark

So you would kill the messenger? I am rather proud of the fact that hidden motives, aspirations, true intentions were uncovered and the unexposed agenda was revealed before the men in uniform in Afghanistan became cannon fodder for a rogue General. I remember two reporters for the Washington Post that exposed a situation in the White House a number of years past and were deeply chastised. Get the drift? This current situation involves the distinct possibility that many lives could be lost as a result of McChrystal's loose lips and may already have. Who allowed the reporter to be encamped with McChrystal? Duh?

Any person live in a pressure cooker environment of war for years will lose perspective. A general probably has to be detached but yet involved viewpoint while in the midst of war. Unfortunately the general started looking at the trees and not the forest.

Sun Tzu in 6 Century BC in his book the Art of War mentions "What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations". We unfortunately just do not learn from history...we revisit it every few decades.

I wistfully think what all this waste of lives, money would have taken this great country if utilized in the correct fashion. The debt we have collected primarily for funding these wars will drag this country down... History will not look kindly on this waste...alas

President Obama did the correct thing to accept McCrystal's resignation. Under the circumstances, he could not continue in the Army under the jurisdiction of President Obama. You know the saying: "Who knows what lurks in the heart of man? He was disrespectful to President Obama and his administration. It appears that he wanted to operate the Army as if he is the boss and as Mr. Know-It-All and could end the war in Afghanistan on his terms. He did much harm by confiding in the Rolling Stone person.
A person's face projects what is imbedded in the heart and McCrystal's face tells that, a man who was not liked and insincere in carrying out his duties.
An oath is an oath, to adhere to the Army regulations. He failed to adhere to it and this is insubordination. He made a grave error in revealing such personnel information, Army matters and policies to the Rolling Stone Magazine and this cost him his job. In time pay the price for their actions and careless ones.
As Michael Armstrong, a bloger stated, he did this to be released of his Army duty. If so and it could be proved he should be court martialled. He got out too easy.
Here is what President Obama should have done when McCrystal entered and sat down. He should not have given him an opportunity to explain himself for he already knew what McCrystal said as printed in that Magazine which the entire world either read or heard of and through other Media outlets.
President Obama should have immediately addressed the issue and informed him how unethical it was of him to divulge such pertinent information to this Media and without much ado inform him that "he is immediately releasing him of his duties". McCrystal would not be on his high and mighty horse of tendering his resignation rather than the US President releasing him of his duties. Do you see the difference? I do think that President Obama is just too much of a nice man/boss.
To be fair and just, Rolling Stone Magazine, you cost a man who entrusted you with confidentiality his job. You were deceitful and he should sue you.
As the saying: "A rolling stone gathers no moss." In the end, you will not. Time will tell. Just wait and see. What you have done is unforgivable.

I am sorry to see the actions taken by the President regarding General McCrystal, which showed that Obama is at best a mediocre commander-in-chief who lacks the magnanimity and appears narrow-mineded. He acted just like an Emperor–my way or highway.
Did he take a moment to think that had he retained the General, McCrystal would have been so grateful that he would have remained Obama's 'failthful' soldier forever?! Maybe Obama did not read Sun Wu.

How come the military is making their ultimate sacrifice, yet they don't ever have the basic freedom of speech, guaranteed by our Constitution!

Michael Hastings, regardless of the genuine intentions you attempt to convince us that you had in authoring this story, and the duty you feel you had in acting as a journalist, I doubt you will ever be trusted again to portfolio anyone. You were a pawn, and you don't even realize it. I doubt you will ever gain access to anyone of substance again. I personally would never trust you and I can't imagine anyone else would.

The only obligations you think you had in telling any story – were self-serving. Nothing good came of your writing. Nothing. Do you honestly think we (Americans) were not aware of the frustrations in Afghanistan?

There is absolutely NO honor in gaining access to someone – anyone – and in turn exploiting them for your own personal or professional gain. I think you have alot to learn.

To the civilian leaders that so boldly stand in defense of this resignation/firing/whatever you wish to call it – take a long hard look in the mirror. At some point in time – and in the company of people you trusted – you vented your frustrations too. Some of you did much more than that so please, spare me the satire of your honor and duty and integrity and just shut up. I personally am growing weary of your unblemished records.

And finally, Mr. President – love you, but I think we went back about 20 years! I believe you had an opportunity to follow the problem down the line – instead you started at the top and opened fire with hopes of disseminating fear into the rank and file of our armed forces. I'm sorry, but I doubt you will ever have an opportunity to solve any animosity that exists at this point. By design, your actions have created an environment in which people will carry out the mission in fear. Is this truly what you wanted?

Personally, I just think everyone blew it ! I couldn't be more frustrated and disappointed !!!

THE OTHER HAITI

By: Léontès Dorzilmé

A Giant of the Haitian politics is gone. His eloquence and his culture of tolerance should inspire the new generation of politicians.
Beyond all quarrels of chapel, Marc Bazin has been equal to himself. He knew the realm of pure Haitian politics, and how to deal with opponents with respect. He was a real gentleman of the Haitian contemporary political arena who dealt with class with both military putschists and extremist lavalas. He used to say that only the well being of the Haitian community matters to him. But, for his detractors, he was severely judged as some kind of unsteady politician whose should not be taken seriously and should not be trusted. However, in long range, we can all understand that he was one of the rare Haitian leaders capable to honestly say what he thinks and to tirelessly try to convince his opponents. I was a young journalist when I started to observe his moves walking through his political journey. We use to have a frank, open and well balanced conversation. Sometimes, he had a hard time explaining his political choices, like being the Prime Minister of the military Government issued from the putsch of September 30th, 1991. But, as always, with class and eloquence, he found a way to articulate his strategy.

Marc Bazin demonstrated a particular type of leadership for which he was labeled "Mister Clean". It was ironic, but also significant. He was seen has an external player remotely controlled by the American administration led by George Bush (father)in order to prevent the country to walk its way through the "democracy"- (as it was defined back 1986). It seems that the Haitian youth, at that time, was lost in translation by a prophetic voice, which the complex nature, since the beginning, left some advised Haitian leaders like Victor Benoit perplexed. Then, it was election time, and the Haitian population had chosen Jean Bertrand Aristide over Marc Bazin, the preacher over the economist, thus the populist over the "reformist".

Why should we like Marc Bazin? His honesty and his truthfulness! Unlike many fake leaders, he has chosen to preach what he believed in instead of what the crowd applauded. What should we learn from the recent Haitian history and its chronic underdevelopment? Haiti needs more people to stand up for what they believe in, even though their ideas might sound unpopular. Indeed, the one who was rejected because of his faith in the capitalism wasn't the one who concluded the deal. The preacher did! The economic reform was poorly and maladroitly executed in 1995. It was politically packaged and economically presented as the "modernization of the public enterprises." What modernization? Could it be less painful and more efficient if the reform was led by the economist?

@Jean Jean Jean Jean Jean....

What do reporters do? Who allowed Hastings to be encamped for over 45 days with direct access to McChrystal and his immediate subordinates? Who spoke openly and on their own volition to criticize their superiors? Who pulled the pin on his career and fragged himself? Look for the tail feather's that are singed and the feet grasping onto his career...Who? Never kill the messenger....

@Patrick: Perhaps he beleived his own press. Maybe he became arrogant and a bit egotistical. Either way in America the rules and regulations keep the military from assuming power as in some other countries. Power remains in the civilian hands and the military serves.

@Cajazz,
And what those two reporters uncovered back then in hindsight was about as meaningful as a General suggesting the President was not engaged during their first meeting.

Joe Yao,
Excellent comments. Thank you.

@Joe Yao: As other military persons have stated, all military persons raise their right hand and take an oath to serve. Civilians donot, however, if you donot like things in the company you work for, complain publically to a reporter who prints what you said., you will not have a job either. Freedom speech also is knowing when to have freedom of shut up.

@Joe Yao

If you by chance read Sun Tzu you would certainly have done exactly what the president did, execute the actions as prescribed in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In the 6th century I believe insubordination was dealt with by execution also. The type where the offender did not walk out a side door. It was something you didn't want to lose your head over.

Oh, you must mean you have read Sun Wu Kung, 'The Monkey King'. Don't be a chimp, chump. The military has stricter venues of discipline because it can keep them around to walk and talk freely after they complete their length of service. If you read Sun Wu you would understand that he did not survive his career. Thus, there was an ultimate failure in his command and control. Pick the peanuts out of the poo and appreciate the humor and valid assessment I have of your opinion.

The Cry
Our Nation is in financial turmoil
The common man is financially stressed
Homes and jobs are being lost in record number
The government is trying to accommodate the masses with no avail
Where are the marathons for the common man?
Why won’t CNN and Larry King gather the Stars to raise money for the common man whose losing his home, job, and feeling hopeless to the point of murder-suicide on their family?
We need the Hollywood Stars to gather together and raise money for the common man to help him/her self to a few thousand dollars without penalty.
Kerry

@James

I can tell your military career never got airborne. It may be because you your crippled "right wing" leaves you in a 360 degree spiral and spinning in circles on the ground. Those two reporters exposed a corrupt president, thus ending his career. He wasn't in direct command and control of thousands of ground forces who lives may be in jeopardy because his mouth went south and could be a driving force for the enemy. Bottom line as the OIC, McChrystal has to be a leader and not a pundit. The military as a whole is under the command and control of civilian leadership. But you totally missed my point to @Lynda Clark. Exposing a closet rogue general could save the lives of young men and women who someday want to return home safely.

@Kerry

Are you implying that those whose lives are being destroyed in the gulf states are not common men and woman. Read the morning papers and you will find that today one of them did commit suicide today. I hope you are not financially troubled and are just letting off a bit of steam. Take care Kerry..

One of the basic things I was taught as a draftee many years ago was that any type of insubordination was not to be tolerated. For a commissioned officer of his rank to do such a defiant act seems to suggest once again that he was trying to push the envelope. The President had little choice but to take action, The chain of command was put in place for a reason, and no one is too big or too small to be exempt from the rules, If they want to be in the military. The military is not for everyone, which was why I served one hitch, and didn't like the atmosphere, and gladly left.

@ Cajazz 76:24:8 – Its you again! Nice hearing from you through Larry's blog. While in Starbucks, have you seen people in Texas shooting themselves this time? 🙂 Enjoy the coffee when you are there. I have never been to Starbucks in the area I reside in and do not know what their coffee tastes like. Maybe sometime I will. If I do, I will remember you. However, I do not think I will see any gun-totting people around there and hope that I never do.
Let us face it and the truth. I do possess some compassion. After all McCrystal is a human being with feelings. The Rolling Stone reporter did much harm to him. What we really have not found out or did I miss something, did McCrystal really know that what he said was on the record. Was he aware who this man was? If he did, "Oh foolish man!" How could he have been so stupid to speak about President Obama and his administration in such a manner, to a reporter, and to jeopardize his position which cost him his job?

Micheal Hastings was doing his job as a journalist. That is the type of story a journalist would long for. The General didn't exercise the judgement of someone of such a high rank is expected to exercise. The President acted the way he had to, given the divisive nature of the breach in military decorum, by a high ranking general.

@jack

I couldn't have said it any clearer. How have you been jack? It's a bit of refreshment for the soul not to hear the 'right wing' political elite be critical of the actions the president had to take today. The right got us into this mess and you know damn well they won't buck up against it. One day the damn thing will stop and everybody can get off. I know there will never be a resolve to what we are mired deep into, but hopefully a decision can be made that won't take another 10 or 20 years. Same old scat we were in 40 years ago. No winners, no parades, just blood and tears and pain. The old fighting for peace and fornicating for virginity.. Take care jack..

I don't understand why no one is questioning the credibility of Michael Hastings in this fiasco – his past writings – including his book – have been panned because of his inability to substantiate claims that he made. it is entirely possible that Hastings has fabricated a story around what everyone knows is the burning question around Afghanistan (and, of course, any other conflict: how long do you stay and how much money and resources get expended)
It's unfortunate that no one is questioning the messenger – obviously McChrystal had no choice but to resign because of the challenge of being on the defensive

@Jean

The only reason I go to Starbucks in Dallas is for the coffee called Kopi Luwak. I don't know what is in it, but is the best I have ever had. Jean could you do me a favor and look it up online and find out what makes it so dang good?

Jean, I do my homework, at times, when I respond to comments and it is true that Hastings, the reporter for Rolling Stone, was encamped with McChrystal for at least 45 days. Why did McChrystal allow him there for so long? Did he think he was there as the coffee boy?

As I said before the nation and especially the troops, under McChrystal's 'former command', are better of with him being exposed for what he had camouflaged for too long...political aspirations. The troops on the ground don't need nor deserve that type leadership when they put their lives on the firing line.

Jean, after you research the coffee called Kopi Luwak, could you get back to me? I just cannot stop responding to these blogs because it keeps me wired tight to the keyboard. Thank you....

Is there still a war going on? I was unaware. I look around and it doens't seem like there's a war going on anywhere. You certainly don't get the idea from the President that his people are putting their lives on the line for his country. If that's the case and we are truely at war, then the time to punish men of vast experience should come later after the war is over and our people are safely home.

This whole thing with General McCrystal is a set up. Why would a reporter from Rolling Stone be allowed such unfettered access to the most powerful military personnel in the war? I think that Obama set this up so that the reporter would gain the confidence of the general's staff etc. so as to create the situation that occurred today. Obama failed to address the urgent need for additional troops for the surge for - what - over 50 days or longer - because he was going to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - . He couldn't accept the prize just after ordering a troop surge so -- he waited. This is the type of politicing that reasonably scares the hell out of military personnel who are charged with the responsibility for our troops - and for advancement of the mission. No one can actually say just why Obama was awarded the peace prize - and the media just glossed over the award. His personnal gain was more important than our troops or the mission. If I was a four star general in any high profile position - I would be looking over my shoulder - and would avoid, if possible, ANY reporter being involved. It is one thing to "report" what is going on - it is entirely another thing to create conflict for those already up to their eyeballs in conflict. I understand the necessity for our military to be aware of the fact that they are governed by civil authority. I don't want, however, seasoned military men in the heat of battle to cowtow to "civil" authority who defer making necessary decisions for the purpose of advancing their own political positions or who surround themselves with "advisors" who are more intent on asserting their power - than on addressing the mission. Lets put a Fox news reporter in the west wing for a prolonged period of time and see what they "dig" up.

Gen. McChrystal signed his own "death" certificate by what he stated to Micheal Hastings. He placed many people in jeopardy with his careless statements along with his staff. When you are at war, you cannot have a breakdown in the chain of command. It not only undermines the troops, but also gives power to others. Gen. McChrystal should have been relieved of command. I wonder if Gen. McChrystal likes the taste of his toes.....

Mr. President you did the right thing firing General McChrystal, the U.S. Armed Forces can not tolerate insubordination and disrespect. Thank you for sending a strong message to the military. You ‘re the Commander in Chief you are to be respected as such.. Great JOB!! Sir.

Cajazz76:24:8...Hi, fine thanks. Nice to see you back and in top form. Seems like some people think that the current President is always wrong. I can't help but thinking, that if President Bush had done the same thing they would be all over themselves saying what a great dicision he made. The military is held to a different standard than civilians. If he wants to be subordinate, all he has to do is quiit and get rich after writing his memoirs. This incident will make his book even more sought after. Silver lining for him.

Speaking about opening one's mouth and shoving their foot in it... I could not even believe Joe Barton the Republican from Texas apologizing to PB. I was thrilled Anderson Cooper from CNN stated he received $300,000 from PB. The corruption sickens me. Oh, and he will keep his seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee! I am so tired of all this crap!

@Marianne...Apparently this wasn't the first time the General was caught being critical of the leadership. He apologized, and didn't deny the conduct , did he?

Good evening Jack, Cajazz76:24:8 and Smith in Oregon

Ok OK Mods... you don't like a word I used... lets try this again

Gen. McChrystal signed his own "d" certificate by what he stated to Micheal Hastings. He placed many people in jeopardy with his careless statements along with his staff. When you are at war, you cannot have a breakdown in the chain of command. It not only undermines the troops, but also gives power to others. Gen. McChrystal should have been relieved of command. I wonder if Gen. McChrystal likes the taste of his toes.....

I am not happy with our Presidents discission on McCrystal if he is the best why are we replacing him? We didn't replace our VP when he was out spoken. Obama wasn't in the military and Iam afraid that he does not listen to the important facts from our military advisors that have all the experience. Is he truely thinking of our country an our boys. If the president wants respect he should act in a manor that makes people feel secure that he knows what he is doing. Stop playing games with all our lives in this country and our boys who are fighting for us.

@Dodie...Hi, my nice friend. Your opinion, as usual, reflects that you are someone who has done a lot of thinking on many subjects. There is a danger of making heroes out of generals, especially when they engage in conduct unbefitting a high ranking officer. How long do you think a non com would get away with making critical remarks to the media about officers?

Michael Hastings mader nice to General NcCrystal to gain his interview.
Did he ask himself if his article would help the american people, the
effort against terrorism, the general, the army ,the President. I sufggest
he thought he had a coup!, this will create a stir and my name will be out
there.

I am old school and remember the days JFK's peccadillos were not
published as it would not help the american people, the President or
the white house agenda.

At the hint of a local scandal, there is always someone to rush
to the neighbors to be the first to tell the delicious dirt. Does Michael Hastings rise much above this level?

@jack

Thanks jack..You can definitely see the fly poo in the pepper. McChrystal needed his ass salted months ago and finally he has been submarine sandwiched.

@Dodie

You just find the 'puter? Where was it? Behind the MAYO?

I am glad you brought up 'Puddinhead' Barton. He lives about 15 minutes from us and his nephews went to the same school my children did. His brother, the father of the aforementioned nephews, had died of cancer about 13 years ago. He publicly announced he would be the father figure to them, they barely know who he is today.

His campaigns have been largely funded by the oil industry and he is in their pockets continuously. We have been encroached upon by numerous gas exploration companies and 'Puddinhead' is doing all he can to insure they drill..drill...drill. Just today Arlington, Texas, the site of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, announced that the proposed drilling near the stadium would not happen. Hide and watch, 'Puddinhead' lives in Arlington...

Mary Mevoli: Did you listen to his speech? President Obama stated that the war was larger than a private or a general or president. When is the last time you heard a President make this statement? The war , the American government, the safety of the American people was more important than anyone including McChrystal. McChrystal did not disagree with President Obama's policy. After all, President Obama chose to follow McChyrstal's policy over Vice President Biden. The President did what he had to for the continuity of the US military.

What is up with the Republican New Right calling Gen. McChrystal a war hero?

Previously he was taken to the woodshed for caustic comments to his superiors twice which would have busted or court marshaled any Army soldier. He had been abraded by President Obama for insubordination twice before today.

And WHAT about Stanley McChrystal's role in the torture of Iraqi POW's who were Iraqi national combatants which the courts have ruled was illegal torture? There is little doubt that he was deeply involved in one of the worst torture outfits in Iraq, Camp "Nama", a well used acronym for "Nasty Ass Military Area".

At least two POW's were tortured to death, many of the torture sessions allegedly went far beyond the brief descriptions from Bush-Cheney. Interrogations using Power drills, Frozen to death, Constant Beatings and Applying air conditioning to frozen prisoners seems to have been 'routine'.

And WHAT about Stanely McChrystal's role in the abu ghraib dungeons? Even thou the Red Cross was fully aware of the tortures in NAMA, a colonel at the torture center told them that he 'had this directly from General McChrystal and the Pentagon that there's no way that the Red Cross would be allowed in'.'This facility was completely closed off to anybody investigating. Even Army investigators.'

Why would the Pentagon push a director of extreme Black Op's out of his dark cubicle after Five Years into the arms of President Obama so that Barack Obama would appoint someone whose line of command made him directly responsible for a place that made Abu Ghraib look like a child's daycare center?

General Stanley McChrystal oversaw one of the sickest most perverted torture dungeons in all of Iraq and yet the Republican-Tea Potty leaders are calling that man a 'war hero' ??

@Cajazz

Kopi Luwak comes from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is touted as the best coffee ibean n the world.
Since we are of the same roots as Indonesians, it's quite common in our country and sold in many coffee-houses..
I must have a kick of it every week.
Cheers. Do visit us.

Did Gen. Stanley McChrystal's treasonous comments and his staff's disregard for Richard Holbroke recently lead to the Taliban successfully firing two rockets/missiles at the V22 Osprey carrying Holbroke and the Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry who McChrystal also saw as a problem and major headache, nearly bringing it down?

Richard Holbroke was visiting Marja, a key town, to assess whether the new U.S. counter insurgency strategy is working or falling short. Did the soldiers protecting the landing area know of McChrystal's treasonous comments towards Richard Holbroke and Karl Eikenberry and go soft on their protection?

Taliban gunmen tried to shoot down Holbrooke's V22 Osprey as it approached for a landing, triggering a gunbattle with the insurgents that lasted for about 10 minutes. A trio of suicide bombers detonated themselves during an attack on the U.S. base as Holbrooke was leaving. Holbrooke, the White House's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, visited both Kandahar and Marja to see for himself what progress if any had been made by Gen. McChrystals shake and bake strategy. Richard Holbrooke was traveling with Karl Eikenberry, the former Army general who is now U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

It seems overly coincidental that two men that McChrystal hated the most apparently had several close calls in the security screen protecting them in Marjah. Thankfully the multiple attacks failed. It does seem someone very high up in command tipped off the Taliban that both Richard Holbroke and Karl Eikenberry were flying into Marjah that day.

Your show on the General McChrystal incident was generally good, but why waste your time (and ours) talking with a former captain?

Michael Hastings made nice to General McCrystal to fgain his interview. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts and reporters being nice.. Did he asked himself if his article
would help the american people, the anti-terrorist effort, the General, the President ,
the army? I suggest he thought: Oh boy! what a
coup! this will create a stir and my name will be out there!

I am old school and remember the days JFK's peccadillos were not published because it would not help the american people, the white
house or the President's agenda.

At the hing of a local scandal, there is always some one to rush to the neighbors to
relish telling the delicious dirt. Does Mr.
Hastings rise much above this level?

As for this, it is warranted. Consider UCMJ Article 88. It is the final authority, no gray area. We are the military, rules are final.

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Sorry to see him go, but the rules are the rules. You do not violate them. If you didn't like this, you shouldn't wear the uniform shipmate!

Why ist Larry asking Hastings about insights and the fututre of McChrystal?
This "news cast" is under a bad sign – populist, primitive, unprepared.
Larry has lost it again – trying to show the "world" a bad picture of a supreme US general who is in a league of the Best. That interview with Hastings was just dumb.

How quickly we forget our history. We should get back to basics:

Sun-Tzu “The Art of War” chapter II, “On Waging War”
“only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity bringing it to a close”

Ex.: Desert Shield

JZR-Brazil

diane is correct..obama's speech was super..let's end both wars, bring troops home ..enough,,this country is in bad shape..GWBush is laughing @ us..also cheney, rove rumsfels etc...

@ Jack

I completely concur with your educated opinion relating to “making heroes out of generals” ….. especially when they divulge information that can cause dissention in the troops. Can you imagine what it would feel like if you were placing your life on the line and hear your commanding officer make those statements? Always a pleasure to see you on LKL

Brent donot throw stones. You have a choice as every American man or woman, to go to the military or not. Either way one is not more superior than the other. The Constituition does not in any way or reference say to hold the office of President of the United States must have served in themilitary. You nor the military gives any American the write to speak, that comes from the Constituition also. There are many Americans who donot serve in the military, however they support the military both morally and financiaelly by paying taxes. The Constituition guarantees the military is always under civilian authority not former military authority. The military will never rule our democratic government.

@Petty Officer Grieco

First, thank you for the year's of service you have dedicated to support and defend our Constitution and the American people. As a nation, you and all the members of the Armed Forces are the catalyst for our existence from the time of the Continental Congress to our present day Democracy.

"Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions – it only guarantees equality of opportunity" (Irving Kristol). It is you, Petty Officer Grieco, and your fellow servicemen and service women that guarantee all opportunities that we too often take for granted and the conditions you are required to serve under are not always pleasant nor appealing. It takes special people required to do extraordinary tasks that have made this union what it is. Stand tall and proud knowing what your service means to us all.

Semper Fi...I guess that para-phrase exposes me as a former bellhop for the Navy. Good luck to you and keep your sea legs strong and stable. Once again I extend my deepest thanks for your service. caj..

Idzan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Thank you for letting me know the origin of Kopi Luwak. I want Jean to do a little research and find the specifics of how it is obtained. I think she would enjoy a few cups of it and get a kick besides. Take care and again thank you..caj...

@ Cajazz76:24:

‘puter’ was in the backyard and a resting place for a couple of birds. I thought they were looking to make a nest out of it!

Barton lives close to you? No wonder you have been discussing the putrid smell coming from that direction. The smell of brown oil caked $$$.... $300,000 worth. With pockets like those, his trousers must be very heavy and falling off with nothing exciting to view!!!!!! He wants money from the oil companies so badly, I wonder if he is willing to have his house covered with it? Then you could use him as a dip stick to check for amount of oil?

@ Dianne
I love your statement: “Freedom of speech also knowing when to have freedom of shut up.” That is beautifully stated. Freedom of speech does not necessarily mean others will like what you have to say, or that you may not experience repercussions for what you say…akin to divulging sensitive information or an off handed comment to a “reporter” McChrystal lost his filters somewhere ‘along the way to the forum’…….Silly man!!!

@Idzan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nice to see you aboard. Maybe you could tell me why Kopi Luwak has such a distinct color and aroma; which tantalizes the olfactory sense?

Folks, as usual the reason 'floated' for Gen. McChrystal's sacking is not necessarily the full reason he was fired as the Afghanistan field commander.

As I pointed out in this blog article earlier, Gen. McChrystal had long worked in directing extreme black Op's in the Pentagon prior to the Pentagon pushing him onto President Obama as the best man with the strategy to be successful in Afghanistan.

Gen. McChrystal's comments to Micheal Hastings that President Obama didn't know Gen. McChrystal's background was correct, otherwise President Obama would have realized the Pentagon was pushing a extremely sick, perverted and very cruel individual upon him to shock the Afghanistan people into turning away from becoming a Taliban fighter.

What is stunning is that no one in the Senate Confirmation hearings even had the guts and courage to directly ask Gen. McChrystal what his role was in overseeing the worst, most depraved torture camp in all of Iraq.

Torturing Iraqi POW's was clearly illegal by American and International laws and the torture that took place under Gen. McChrystal was far, far beyond that briefly described by Bush-Cheney. Power drills, blow torches, bone crushing beatings, POW's frozen to death, the use of air conditioners to freeze POW's. Photos of blow torch burn torture confiscated, Photos of POWs tortured to death confiscated, Photos of POW's with broken facal bones from beatings requiring hospitalization confiscated.

Army investigators themselves were turned away and told no admittance, Red Cross refused admittance, SEREs trainers had their blow torch burn torture photos they took of the POWs confiscated and felt their very lives were threatened, CIA agents were also ordered to stay away from that torture site.

Folks, the REASON Gen. McChrystal was sacked appears to have resulted from a high level leak to the Taliban that White House Richard Holebrocke and the US Ambassador of Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry were going to enter a Marjah shop on their schedule to determine how well Gen. McChrystal's shake and bake strategy was succeeding or failing in Marjah (it's first test). Both men were seen as major headaches and problems by Gen. McChrystal and his staff's remarks underscore how bitter Gen. McChrystal was towards both of those men that were sent to inspect his efforts in Marjah and Kandahar. With the advance notice, the Taliban attacked the V22 Osprey as it landed in Marjah, barely missing destroying them while they were most vulnerable.

It's clear the Taliban were told of both men's itinerary and staged a massive suicide attack in a specific shop that both men would be visiting and touring. INSIDE that shop were THREE suicide bombers who had assembled in the back of the shop, apparently tipped off in advance by a very high ranking official who 'knew' Richard Holebrocke and Karl Eikenberry's schedule. Thankfully, the Taliban failed to shoot down the V22 Osprey as it arrived, AND one of the suicide vests in the shop both men were just ready to enter exploded, setting off ALL three suicide attackers bombs prematurely!

Richard Holebrocke and Karl Eikenberry were inspecting Gen. McChrystal's work in Marjah and determining if he was failing with his strategy or not. Both Gen. McChrystal and his entire staff saw both of those men as major headaches and problems. It entirely appears a very high level leak to the Taliban took place from someone that specifically knew Richard Holebrocke's and Karl Eikenberry's entire itinerary during his Marjah visit. When they would arrive and where they would go in their inspections.

@Cajazz76:24:8...I have never drank that type of coffee. Does it taste especially nice? Will it give you intestinal fortitude?

General Patraeus,
I'm not sure if Boxer, excuse me, I mean Senator Boxer, will be part of the confirmation hearings. Can only hope not as the hearing should be about more than a good laugh.

@Dodie
@Jack

Hi Dodie. long time no hear.
I am a coffee lover, not a coffee connoisseur.
But it's got a strong aroma and strong flavor.
A cuppa will do to keep your adrenaline flowing,
I get a kick out of it once a week.
Please sample it at your nearest Starbucks and come back and tell us how you like it.
Some liken it to Colombian coffee. But for my family their coffee of choice is always Capuccino or Expresso.

Does it occur, that maybe McChristal wants out. This is the only face saving way for him to do so. The situation is not getting better, it is getting worse. The sacrifice of lifes is higher than ever. Maybe he sees the hopelessness of his and the Commander in Chief's strategy.
My humble suggestion for Afghanistan to have a relative small US-NATO "policeforce" of one third or one fourth of what we have now. The war there cannot be won. Whether we stay there one year or thirty years, the Taliban will be there longer! But we also cannot have time lines for troops pull out of course. We cannot control whole of Afghanistan. It is just enough to have a credible force to keep Al Qaeda safe havens out.