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McCHRYSTAL “CRACK’D”!!!

General Stanley McChrystal, in charge of our military efforts in Afghanistan, is certain to be fired, in short order. In the most explosive commanding general / commander-in-chief debacle since MacArthur-Truman, McChrystal, in an exclusive “Rolling Stone” magazine report, vehemently and personally has trashed the president, his staff, ambassadors – and some senators, to boot. Since being informed by the magazine of what to expect in print, the general has issued several pro forma, but seemingly unrepentant, apologies. He is under immediate summons to the White House.

“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” muttered the king, with “C.Y.A.” significance. His tormentor was duly dispatched, sans attribution. Although not lethally, President Obama must be just as subtle in ridding himself of General McChrystal. President Truman was fairly throttled by his political opposition after he cashiered the popular General MacArthur. The pompous general spoke to a joint session of congress and wowed them all with his, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.:

The Constitution of the United States gives the executive, who heads one-third of our government, absolute control over all armed forces. Each  and every person who enters the military service must swear to uphold the Constitution. The Uniform Code of Military Justice requires all enlisted personnel and officers to follow the chain of command. It passes from the field to the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President of the United States. All officers, regardless of their personal feelings, are required to be respectful to their superiors. General McChrystal, who already had had a runway face-down with the president aboard Air Force One in London, could have resigned at any point along the way. Instead, he chose to take the MacArthur way out. However, there is a difference. MacArthur voiced his military differences with Truman; he did not publicize the fact that he despised him personally.

Whatever direction McChrystal make take, politically, after all of this is over, we can only surmise. There is no way the Right Wing will come down on Gen. McChrystal’s side, seeing as how they are so in sync with the Constitution; however, without a doubt, after the resignation or firing, the Republican Party will conserve  this and add it to the fodder already being hurled at the president on a daily basis.

It is doubtful that Barack had any inkling that his presidency would grow to Biblical proportions of problems. Job became an example of unconditional piety. Obama’s patience seems similarly to be tested. Alluding to the tiresome “Lincoln” comparisons, yes, he too had his “generals” problems, but was able to finish in triumph. Will Obama hold up – or will he become, “The Mirror Crack’d”?