President Obama fired on general and demoted another on Wednesday. After a Rolling Stone interview, in which Obama was criticized for not being prepared and intimidated in a strategy meeting, the president made the decision to relieve General McChrystal of command. In doing so he also demoted General David Petraeus from being McChrystal's boss to doing McChrystal's job.
For the record, I understand why General McChrystal said what he did but I also understand why he can't say it. Whether we like it or not President Obama is our Commander and Chief and regardless of how unprepared, unqualified and unprofessional he is when it comes to addressing the war, or anything else for that matter, any person who serves in the military under his command should refrain from speaking in such a manner. Unfortunately, I also agree that this is a decision that had to be made.
Now, what I disagree on is Obama's statement that this wasn't personal and was what is best for our national defense. Please, Mr. Obama, don't continue to believe that we the American people are stupid. This was totally personal because McChrystal exposed you for who you really are. Obama is a president who could care less about the war effort. In fact, that what led to the frustration behind McChrystal's comments. Obama balked on getting him support and very rarely gave him face time or any time for that matter. Its hard to win a war without the support of your president.
That brings me to my final, and initial, point. The difference between these two men is just a matter of priority. General McChrystal was trying to win a war but unfortunately for him he had to work for a president who was trying harder to form a public image of himself.
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