General Stanley McChrystal, head of our forces in Afghanistan, has been reprimanded for comments he publicly made impugning the ability of some of our civilian leaders, including Vice President Biden, to be involved in the conduct of a military operation. And certainly, during a period of war, undeclared or not, a case can be made that the making of those comments was inappropriate, indiscreet, and demoralizing to the troops.
But that is not the main issue here...which is whether the comments made by General McChrystal, an esteemed and experienced military strategist, were correct or not. That is the hard core issue, and one that should be addressed and investigated. For if he is right, changes ought be made immediately to save the lives of our fighting men and women and expedite our victory.
But not a word can be heard about that issue. The focus of media organizations and, seemingly, the Administration, has been 100% on the General's apparent impropriety. Whether our civilian advisors to the President, and the President himself, are equipped to fight this war, goes unquestioned.
Apparently, the Image is Everything slogan of Andre Agassi's Canon commercials 15 years ago, has taken hold. Substance has gone by the wayside. Too much work to figure out who is right and who isn't (assuming there is a right and wrong to anything). Look good, say the right things, get the girl, get the job, get elected.
And get what you asked for. Or, rather, what you didn't ask about.
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