MCCHRYSTAL RELIEVED OF COMMAND

[CIAA-FAN]

CNN REPORTS THAT GENERAL MCCHRYSTAL WAS RELIEVED OF COMMAND OF U.S. FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN.   GENERAL PETRAEUS TO SUCCEED MCCHRYSTAL.  POTUS TO SPEAK AT 1:30 TODAY.

[CIAA-FAN]

Obama to relieve McChrystal of command
AP reports Gen. David Petraeus to be named as top Afghan commander
NBC: Obama to relieve McChrystal of command
 
NBC News and news services
updated 7 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has decided to relieve Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his command over all U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, sources tell NBC News.

Obama is scheduled to make an official 1:30 p.m. EDT announcement about the general. Meantime, the Associated Press reported that Obama has chosen Gen. David Petraeus to replace McChrystal as top Afghan commander.

Earlier, McChrystal was seen leaving the West Wing and climbing into a van after his nearly half-hour private showdown with the president.

Summoned to Washington to explain himself, McChrystal arrived from Kabul in the early morning and met first at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. After his next face-to-face, with Obama, the general was not seen returning to the White House for a scheduled Afghanistan strategy session, as had been expected. It was not known where he went, as he did not appear at his Pentagon office, either.

Even before their showdown, the White House's rebuke of the general suggested it would be hard for him to save his job.

Story continues below ↓
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Before facing the president, McChrystal met with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen at the Pentagon.

On his arrival at the Pentagon, he denied to NBC News that he's offered his resignation. "Come on, you know better than that. No!" 

"I think it's clear that the article in which he and his team appeared ... showed poor judgment," the president said Tuesday at the close of an unrelated Cabinet meeting. "But I also want to make sure that I talk to him directly before I make any final decisions."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed his confidence in McChrystal during a video conference Tuesday night with Obama, Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar said Wednesday in Kabul.

"We hope there is not a change of leadership of the international forces here in Afghanistan and that we continue to partner with Gen. McChrystal," Omar told reporters.


McChrystal also said he was "betrayed" by Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, the man the White House chose to be his diplomatic partner in Afghanistan. He accused Eikenberry of raising doubts about Karzai only to give himself cover in case the U.S. effort failed. "Now, if we fail, they can say 'I told you so,'" McChrystal told the magazine. And he was quoted mocking Vice President Joe Biden.

If not insubordination, the remarks — as well as even sharper commentary about Obama and his White House from several in McChrystal's inner circle — were at least an indirect and extraordinary challenge and one that consumed Washington on Tuesday. The capital hasn't seen a similar public contretemps between a president and a top wartime commander since Harry Truman stripped Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his command more than a half-century ago after disagreements over Korean War strategy.

Notably, neither McChrystal nor his team questioned the accuracy of the story or the quotes in it. McChrystal issued an apology.

Remarkably revealing reaction
Military leaders rarely challenge their commanders in chief publicly. When they do, consequences tend to be more severe than a scolding.

Indeed, the presidential spokesman's prepared reaction to the article was remarkably revealing, even for the normally coded language of Washington. Press secretary Robert Gibbs repeatedly declined to say McChrystal's job was safe, and questioned whether McChrystal is "capable and mature enough" to lead the war.

"Our efforts in Afghanistan are bigger than one person," Gibbs told reporters, a formulation typically used when one person is about to leave.

Gates, for his part, said in a statement Tuesday that McChrystal had made "a significant mistake."

A senior U.S. military official in Afghanistan told The Associated Press that McChrystal — who had not spoken with Obama on the matter before Wednesday — has been given no indication that he'll be fired but no assurance he won't be. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions between Washington and the general's office in Kabul.

Obama raised the issue of McChrystal's future in a phone call with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday night, Cameron's office said Wednesday without disclosing what was said. Britain has about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, the largest international force after the United States.

History of making waves
McChrystal was viewed as a visionary with the guts and smarts to turn around the beleaguered, 8-year-old Afghanistan war when he was chosen to take over last year.
 
But despite his military achievements, he has a history of making waves. This is not his first brush with Obama's anger. Last fall, the president scolded McChrystal for speaking too bluntly about his desire for more troops.

Wisconsin Democratic Rep. David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, called for McChrystal to resign. Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, was among three prominent Republican senators to criticize the general and say a decision about his future should rest with Obama.

Several names circulated among Pentagon and Capitol Hill aides as potential successors, including Gen. James Mattis, Joint Forces Command chief; Lt. Gen. John Allen, the No. 2 at U.S. Central Command; Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, McChrystal's No. 2 in Afghanistan; Gen. Martin Dempsey, commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command; and Adm. James Stavridis, the top NATO commander in Europe.

Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the White House meeting, said the administration had not reached out to possible successors but might do so Wednesday.

[NovaSkegee]

President Obama replaces Gen. McChrystal with Gen. Petraeus

Associated Press

By Jennifer Loven And Anne Gearan
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A senior administration official tells The Associated Press that President Barack Obama has accepted Gen. Stanley McChrystal's resignation as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and is replacing him with Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command.

McChrystal was pushed out over his blistering remarks about administration officials quoted in a magazine interview.

After an Oval Office meeting with McChrystal in the morning, Obama huddled with his war advisers and planned to announce his decision on the general's fate to the nation at 1:30 p.m. EDT in the Rose Garden.

The official spoke only on condition of anonymity, because the president's announcement was not yet public. Petraeus now oversees the wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

[j1908]

That's why I don't say sh*t about my Commander in Chief. You never know who is listening. Well, Mr. Obama theme song " On to the next One"

[CIAA-FAN]

That's why I don't say sh*t about my Commander in Chief. You never know who is listening. Well, Mr. Obama theme song " On to the next One"

GOT TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR STATEMENT.  AS CITIZENS IN A DEMOCRACY WE OWE IT TO EACH OTHER TO CRITIQUE AND CHALLENGE OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO ENSURE THEY DO OUR BIDDING.  IF THEY DO NOT DO AS WE DIRECT THEN WE HAVE A LEGAL RECOURSE, THE BALLOT BOX.  REMEMBER, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A SOLDIER AND BEING A CIVILIAN. 

[uchighlander]

That's why I don't say sh*t about my Commander in Chief. You never know who is listening. Well, Mr. Obama theme song " On to the next One"

GOT TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR STATEMENT.  AS CITIZENS IN A DEMOCRACY WE OWE IT TO EACH OTHER TO CRITIQUE AND CHALLENGE OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO ENSURE THEY DO OUR BIDDING.  IF THEY DO NOT DO AS WE DIRECT THEN WE HAVE A LEGAL RECOURSE, THE BALLOT BOX.  REMEMBER, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A SOLDIER AND BEING A CIVILIAN. 

WOW !!!!! I can't believe you wrote that....WOW. GO VIKINGS!!!

[j1908]

Have to disagree with you CIAA. You're retired. MAJ Lewis  isn't. Big difference.  Pres. Obama is my Commander in Chief and sometime my inner circle include some TOP BRASS. If I say something you better believe it's behind close doors with other military officers within my intimate inner circle

[CIAA-FAN]

Have to disagree with you CIAA. You're retired. MAJ Lewis  isn't. Big difference.  Pres. Obama is my Commander in Chief and sometime my inner circle include some TOP BRASS. If I say something you better believe it's behind close doors with other military officers within my intimate inner circle

I AM NOT ENTIRELY SURE I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT.  PLEASE CLARIFY?

[j1908]

I'm not going to speak my mind or say anything about my Commander in Chief or any other top official while wearing this uniform. If I disagree with one of his policies I will talk among my intimate (fellow officers) behind close doors. Some of my inner circle of friends include TOP BRASS, in which cell #s are saved in Blackberry don't talk ill about the Commander in Chief, because they like me don't bite the hands that feeds you. I hope this is clarification enough.

[CIAA-FAN]

I'm not going to speak my mind or say anything about my Commander in Chief or any other top official while wearing this uniform. If I disagree with one of his policies I will talk among my intimate (fellow officers) behind close doors. Some of my inner circle of friends include TOP BRASS, in which cell #s are saved in Blackberry don't talk ill about the Commander in Chief, because they like me don't bite the hands that feeds you. I hope this is clarification enough.

IT IS AND I AGREE TOTALLY.   I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE CURRENTLY IN THE ARMED FORCES.    I POSTED YESTERDAY THAT WHILE I WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY I VEHEMENTLY DISAGREED WITH MANY THINGS PRESIDENT NIXON AND REAGAN DID AND SAID.  HOWEVER, I KNEW BETTER THAN TO PUBLICALLY VOICE MY PERSONAL FEELINGS ON THEIR ACTIONS.  NOW THAT I AM A CIVILIAN IT IS MY DUTY AND RIGHT TO SPEAK MY MIND AND TO ALSO EXPRESS MY OPINION AT THE BALLOT BOX.

[Ken]

Iam retired military and I agree with CIAA on that.  Hell at one time I had to take orders from a commander who had a confedrate flag in his office.  He got promoted to one-star.  He got Reassigned  then got kicked out of the Army on a discrimination complaint.

[oldsport]

CNN REPORTS THAT GENERAL MCCHRYSTAL WAS RELIEVED OF COMMAND OF U.S. FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN.   GENERAL PETRAEUS TO SUCCEED MCCHRYSTAL.  POTUS TO SPEAK AT 1:30 TODAY.

Barry grills and lectures Gen Petraeus in 2007.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpfHNRJtNlM&feature=PlayList&p=39B15D819A4190B8&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=12

I am surprised Gen. Petraeus even went to work for this guy. However, Gen. Petraeus is a professional and he has the interest of the troops at heart not Barry.

[soflorattler]

I'm not going to speak my mind or say anything about my Commander in Chief or any other top official while wearing this uniform. If I disagree with one of his policies I will talk among my intimate (fellow officers) behind close doors. Some of my inner circle of friends include TOP BRASS, in which cell #s are saved in Blackberry don't talk ill about the Commander in Chief, because they like me don't bite the hands that feeds you. I hope this is clarification enough.

I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE CURRENTLY IN THE ARMED FORCES. 

  Where you been, son? We've been trying to kick her up to brig level...
 

[oldsport]

Iam retired military and I agree with CIAA on that.  Hell at one time I had to take orders from a commander who had a confedrate flag in his office.  He got promoted to one-star.  He got Reassigned  then got kicked out of the Army on a discrimination complaint.

Sure.....A likely story.... Will a movie be made of this BS soon?

[CIAA-FAN]

Iam retired military and I agree with CIAA on that.  Hell at one time I had to take orders from a commander who had a confedrate flag in his office.  He got promoted to one-star.  He got Reassigned  then got kicked out of the Army on a discrimination complaint.

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE.  IN MUENCHWEILLER, GERMANY IN 1978 MY BATTALION COMMANDER WAS FROM PENNSYLVANIA.  I WAS INVITED ALONG WITH OTHER COMPANY OFFICERS TO HIS HOME FOR SOME SOCIAL EVENT, THAT I HAVE LONG SINCE FORGOTTEN.  WHEN GOING TO THE REST ROOM I NOTICED THE LARGEST CONFEDRATE FLAG I'D EVER SEEN ON A WALL IN A BEDROOM.  THEN IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY CLEARER TO ME WHY I ALWAYS HAD NOTHING BUT THE HARDEST TIME WORKING FOR HIM AND GOT THE WORST EFFICIENCY REPORTS I EVER RECEIVED FROM HIM.  I RAN IN TO HIM A FEW YEARS AGO, HE HAD SINCE RETIRED AS A LTC AND WAS WORKING AS A DEFENSE CONTRACTOR FOR CACI IN THE PENTAGON.  HIS NAME WAS DENNIS KOSHETAR.   I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE FLAG IN HIS HOME BACK THEN IN GERMANY AND HE REPLIED IT WAS NONE OF MY FUCKING BUSINESS.   I PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT OF HIM, HIS FLAG AND WHICH PART OF MY ANATOMY HE COULD KISS. ...AND THIS IS NO BS AND I INVITE ANY INVESTIGATORS TO CHECK MY STORY FOR TRUTHFULLNESS.