Obama and the Generals' Defiance

[autorank]

Obama and the Generals' Defiance

Michael Collins

In the midst of our economic crisis, there are elements in the military openly defying President Obama.

The head of the military commissions in Gitmo said no way to ending trials when Obama announced the
end of torture and freezing military trials. The Middle East area commander, General Petraeus, has
been dueling with Obama for months now. On Election Day, he said that he'd "stand firm" on staying
in Iraq "regardless of who wins the Presidency." And on Feb 2, 2009, announced he was going to
"reverse" Obama's withdrawal timetable.

What did Obama do? You may be pleasantly surprised.

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/20219


Can Gen. Petraeus and Gen. Odierno count?
Image: pursuethepassion cc

[Pryderi]

1. I hope he fired the sonofabitch.

[autorank]

16. One would think that would happen

We'll see. I'd expect that Petraeus is removed quietly but that he kicks up some dust on the way
out. This is still a citizen run government with war making powers reserved for Congress ... er the
president ... but NOT a general.

[autorank]

18. But it hasn't yet;)

Their fate will be obscurity and bitterness.

[MineralMan]

2. That blog is timing out for me.

Perhaps its bandwidth is used up for the day. Can you find another link?

[autorank]

5. gladly

http://www.opednews.com/articles/2/Obama--the-Military---T-by-Michael-Collins-090210-854.html

[MineralMan]

6. Thanks. I really wanted to read that one.

[autorank]

17. Welcome

Hope it was stratified to your satisfaction!

[ThomWV]

3. He should immediately order them to submit their resignations. Period.

[autorank]

7. Pretty amazing isn't it.

FDR had no problem with argument and debate at times by his military leaders.

BUT it was done in private.

[Me.]

4. You Might Be Interested In This Thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5022171

[autorank]

8. It's a great threat;) I gave it a big K and R

Thanks

[Hubert Flottz]

9. I'll give this one a big K&R...

Sounds like the general don't like his job anymore.

[DemReadingDU]

10. seems like a chess game

Obama always thinking, always contemplating the next move, and the consequences thereof.
Good article!

[autorank]

15. Excellent analogy

I'd say it's check mate Obama unless there's some apologies. The TimesOnline article was devastating.
Too bad it isn't being covered heavily here. But the words were said "Vietnam quagmire." I think
that is a fairly serious tag on the wall of defiance presented by the generals. Obama came out of
Chicago clean, clearly, but he learned a lot about hard ball.

[DemReadingDU]

21. We met Larry Korb last summer

Korb was mentioned in the TimesOnline article. It was a small group of veterans, for a political function. I went with spouse who is a veteran of Vietnam (also he knows many political people). We got to talking about the hearing in 2007 where Rep Mike Turner had a run-in with Korb. Korb is very intelligent, he knows what he is talking about the military.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/27/michael-turner/

Unfortunately, Turner was re-elected in November. Probably hopes he never has another run-in with Korb. lol

[EFerrari]

11. K&R and bookmarking for later. Thank you, autorank!

:kick:

[autorank]

14. It's a kicker.

Check it out. Real world intrigue involving foreign affairs;)

[formercia]

12. A cabal of SMOM?

They have to fulfill the prophesy that Russia will be converted(defeated first). How's that going to happen if Obama pulls their forces back?

[autorank]

13. That's frightening

These people act like they own the country. We'll tell you when the war is over, Mr. President.

Can you imagine!

I think Obama's handling of this is first rate. He effectively drew the line by dis'ing their
Afghanistan fantasy. Damn, this is getting serious.

[formercia]

19. They keep trying to ignite flash points

The 'War' in Georgia, and the attempted bad-jacketing of Iran over the bogus IED and weapons 'intelligence' are two good recent examples of their agenda.

[leftchick]

20. would that be called a

coup d'état? :scared:

[autorank]

22. ... "lite"

Since they're getting nowhere. I should have mentioned the MacArthur-Truman conflict over Korea. Both
great men, Mac didn't understand he worked for Truman and the people. He was fired and tried to
do a P.R. tour to get support for a run against for president and vindication. While the Truman
decision was unpopular at first, the public turned on MacArthur and he receded into the background.

Petraeus is barely known to the public. He has presidential aspiraitons. But he got the big smack
down, in a nice way (TimesOnline article which had White House written all ove rit).

Great response by Obama - insulted over time but his response -- calling them out on Afghanistan
as a "Vietnam quagmire" and a mission with no "exit" planned. Pretty harsh stuff. Obama knows for
sure we can't afford any wars and that the advice he's gotten, I suspect he knows this, is crap.

Great day for our side - the people.

Also, great skull and x-bones. Impressive.

[autorank]

23. Obama needs a Smedley right about now!