Posted on 05/13/2009 9:20:59 AM PDT by SonOfDarkSkies
Every British officer I talk with asks what in the world happened with General McKiernan, and why was his relief performed so publicly. I do not know. And I do not personally know General McKiernan. I do know that these ears have never heard someone speak a foul word about him, and I talk with lots of interesting people. If he, McKiernan, was a bad general I would have heard about it.
However, General McKiernan did make some statements about additional troops to Afghanistan, and when he made those statements I remember thinking, “He’s going to get fired.” And so those statements were the first thing that came to my mind. McKiernan has been saying we need more troops than are already on the way.
...
But another clue is something that Secretary Gates said to me privately. Actually, LTG David Rodriguez was there, and Rodriguez is tapped to take the number two spot in Afghanistan. Secretary Gates said that his number one concern for Afghanistan is that we will lose the support of the Afghan people. The recent loss of a great number of Afghans was undoubtedly upsetting for Secretary Gates and many others. If we lose widespread support from the Afghan people, the war will be lost.
(Excerpt) Read more at michaelyon-online.com ...
Singlaub was a MG (two star).
My complaint is not about the new guy. He is the second coming of Petraeus from what I’ve read.
My complaint is with Gates.
Again, Yon doesn't share that complaint.
The fact that Gates replaced McKiernan with an excellent officer -- possibly one who is better qualified for this particular job than the man he's replacing -- strongly suggests that Gates' motivation is something other than "wanting to be loved." And it certainly doesn't justify your saying that "all is lost."
As to the nature of this firing, there's almost certainly a deeper game afoot; possibly it's not a very intelligent game (most likely is not intelligent, if it originated from Obama himself). Or it might be a very useful move, designed to send a specific message. We'll see.
OK. Including 3 stars when was the last time we had a public firing like this?
Agree. If the Taliban can't kill any civilians, then their dead bodies become civilians by self described lawyers and ME press which reports to U.S. press and officials.
You do not know what you are talking about.
Right. Not thinking. (and he was a ways from 4-stars.)
People are saying that MacArthur was the last 4-star to be fired>
GEN Kevin P. Byrnes - TRADOC
GEN Wesley Clark - NATO
Gen Joseph Ralston - VCJCS
Most civilians do not understand the significance of “loss of trust and confidence.”
A teaching moment
Also Adm. Richard C. Macke — head of the U.S. Pacific Command
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael J. Dugan in 1991
Yes, he was moving in that direction, but not to the same extent and with the same skills and abilities that McCrystal brings to the fight.
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