“Our effort in Afghanistan is flailing, and letting the top general twist in the wind to settle a personal pique is not most people’s idea of leadership.”
I agree, benson (waters part, etc.), he needs to act quickly, and in a way that makes clear to all that Afghanistan takes primacy over pique (whatever course he thinks is correct over there), but that also strongly reaffirms chain of command. That’s why I lean away from firing. So many pundits are saying he has to fire to look strong, which is part of why I think it might actually make him look less so.
I saw pull out and when teh Afghan government needs some assistance then we can send in the drones.
Isn’t it rich?
Are we at war?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the drones.
Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can’t move.
Where are the drones?
Send in the drones.
Just when We’d stopped
Fighting the Taliban,
Finally knowing
That we were never to win,
Making our entrance again
With our usual flair,
Sure of our strategy,
It just won’t work there.
Don’t you love farce?
No one’s fault, I fear.
I thought that you’d want what I want –
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the drones?
There ought to be drones.
Quick, send in the drones.
“There is nothing in the history of Afghanistan that suggests that this region is controllable on an ongoing basis by any western power.”
I believe Alexander the Great had a very successful campaign in Afghanistan.
I agree, DIBS, talking to reporters with anything other than a clear strategic objective you wish to accomplish by talking to them is a pretty stupid move. Many moons ago, I did a bit of media relations, and reporters are tricky beasts to feed.
Would you can McC? Wasder says yes. I say no, sort of, unless Obama wants to change course at the same time. But arkady’s question is a good one — can McC function on as short a leash as he’ll need to be on if he stays? He may not be capable of it.
I firmly believe that there has got to be more to this McC story than we’ve heard to date. I find it hard to believe that a seasoned general would allow his staff to mouth off to a member of the press who is known to be hostile to their cause. If indeed that is what happened, he should be canned for sheer stupidity in letting this happen.
Donatella: I doubt that this is a gift to President Obama. As I’ve said before, many of his problems, be it with the oil spill or Afghanistan is the perception that he is not – in poker terms – “all in”. His academic background is showing. Our effort in Afghanistan is flailing, and letting the top general twist in the wind to settle a personal pique is not most people’s idea of leadership.
By DeadCatBounce on June 23, 2010 11:20 AM
I believe Alexander the Great had a very successful campaign in Afghanistan.
The same cannot be said for his boy lover, Bagoas, whom he threw into the Nile.
Bravo, DIBS, Bravo.
Did you write that?
“Our effort in Afghanistan is flailing, and letting the top general twist in the wind to settle a personal pique is not most people’s idea of leadership.”
I agree, benson (waters part, etc.), he needs to act quickly, and in a way that makes clear to all that Afghanistan takes primacy over pique (whatever course he thinks is correct over there), but that also strongly reaffirms chain of command. That’s why I lean away from firing. So many pundits are saying he has to fire to look strong, which is part of why I think it might actually make him look less so.
I saw pull out and when teh Afghan government needs some assistance then we can send in the drones.
Isn’t it rich?
Are we at war?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the drones.
Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can’t move.
Where are the drones?
Send in the drones.
Just when We’d stopped
Fighting the Taliban,
Finally knowing
That we were never to win,
Making our entrance again
With our usual flair,
Sure of our strategy,
It just won’t work there.
Don’t you love farce?
No one’s fault, I fear.
I thought that you’d want what I want –
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the drones?
There ought to be drones.
Quick, send in the drones.
“There is nothing in the history of Afghanistan that suggests that this region is controllable on an ongoing basis by any western power.”
I believe Alexander the Great had a very successful campaign in Afghanistan.
I agree, DIBS, talking to reporters with anything other than a clear strategic objective you wish to accomplish by talking to them is a pretty stupid move. Many moons ago, I did a bit of media relations, and reporters are tricky beasts to feed.
Would you can McC? Wasder says yes. I say no, sort of, unless Obama wants to change course at the same time. But arkady’s question is a good one — can McC function on as short a leash as he’ll need to be on if he stays? He may not be capable of it.
“How can people follow all these sports things and think they are all that exciting and important?”
It’s not too difficult actually.
thanks Donatella!
I firmly believe that there has got to be more to this McC story than we’ve heard to date. I find it hard to believe that a seasoned general would allow his staff to mouth off to a member of the press who is known to be hostile to their cause. If indeed that is what happened, he should be canned for sheer stupidity in letting this happen.
Donatella: I doubt that this is a gift to President Obama. As I’ve said before, many of his problems, be it with the oil spill or Afghanistan is the perception that he is not – in poker terms – “all in”. His academic background is showing. Our effort in Afghanistan is flailing, and letting the top general twist in the wind to settle a personal pique is not most people’s idea of leadership.