Kucinich got it right on McChrystal back in December.

[Karmadillo]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/73623-kucinich-generals-who-spoke-publicly-on-afghan-strategy-should-lose-their-jobs?tmpl=component&print=1&page=

Kucinich: Generals who spoke publicly on Afghan strategy should lose jobs
By Jordan Fabian - 12/26/09 11:30 AM ET

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) this week said that U.S. generals who spoke publicly about the nation's Afghan strategy during the president's deliberations should lose their jobs.

Kucinich, who is known for his anti-war views, told Russia Today in an interview Wednesday that Congress should be making the final decision on whether to go to war, not the president or his generals.

“Some of his generals made remarks publicly, which is really unheard of," he said. "You know, generals are subordinate to the president who is the commander-in-chief. He’s the boss. And when generals start trying to suggest publicly what the president should do, they shouldn’t be generals anymore."

Kucinich's comments come weeks after he introduced a resolution in Congress calling for American forces to withdraw from the war-torn country.

U.S. and NATO commanding Gen. Stanley McChrystal was known for speaking publicly about the need for more troops in Afghanistan. The top general in the country made several media appearances after it was reported that he requested that President Barack Obama send 40,000 additional troops or face "mission failure."

more...

[tekisui]

1. DK should be listened to more.

[gratuitous]

12. But he's "known for his anti-war views"

How can anyone possibly trust such a far-out dreamer?

[Oceansaway]

2. K&R...n/t

[MineralMan]

3. I agree. In fact, the President should issue a General Order

forbidding all military officers from making any public comments regarding the war in Afghanistan without prior approval.

[harry_pothead]

24. What about General Abizaid and others who publicly opposed Bush's Iraq plan

and got fired? Would we apply the same standard then?

[eridani]

25. They did that knowing they'd get fired. An honorable thing, IMO n/t

[Scuba]

4. Kucinich is right. Again, and again, and again.

[G_j]

29. but he's short

so being right doesn't count

:sarcasm:

[Enrique]

5. I'd love to see photos of a President Kucinich chewing out these old generals

I'd vote for him just to see that.

[Forkboy]

6. K&R

[bvar22]

7. Kucinich....right again.

If we only had 500 more like him.

”Unlike the other candidates, I am not funded by those corporate interests.
I owe them no loyalty, and they have no influence over me or my policies.”
---Dennis Kucinich


On Edit:

[kenny blankenship]

10. Yes, but he was PREMATURELY correct. Timing is everything.

[LWolf]

22. Thanks for posting my favorite primary poll.

I wish I could make it a sig line.

[EFerrari]

8. Yes, he did. n/t

[amborin]

9. K&R McCrystal was out of control way back then...yet allowed to continue

[defendandprotect]

31. Noticed also his very odd comments re Obama being "intimidated" by the brass....

in the room!!

Is that what McChrystal has been telling his troops?

I'd compare this guy to General Edwin G. Walker who President John F. Kennedy

fired --

He was a right wing nut distributing KKK/Nazi/John Birch stuff to military.

Walker also led the racist riot at Ole Miss -- to stop James Meredith from enrolling.

Arrested there and "psychiatric" help recommended.

This is also the Gen. Edwin G. Walker that Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot at thru

the window of his house.

[NorthCarolina]

11. You're going to anger the DU anti-DK crowd with posts like this. The rule here, I think, Is you are

allowed to stick only to DK topics that condemn him for a specific vote without the slightest hint of the thought behind that vote, since that would unfairly define the argument and detract from the negativity impact. Oh, I almost forgot, you can also talk about his change of heart in the abortion debate as long as you clearly define it as "hypocrisy". That is all.

[mikelgb]

13. you mean I can't talk about his height or ufos?

shucks.

[NorthCarolina]

19. If that's what floats your boat, then go for it I guess. eom

[VMI Dem]

14. K and R.

[Greyhound]

15. K&R, again

[Cleita]

16. Dennis usually is right, yet he's

like Cassandra, no wants to believe him.

[Robb]

17. Has DK ever *endorsed* a general officer?

[Hissyspit]

18. Beside the point. nt

[sabrina 1]

21. He was very proud of his sister

Beth Ann Kucinich


Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Proud Army Veteran, Beth Ann Kucinich, beloved youngest sister of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, died today, Veteran's Day, at Veteran's Hospital in Cleveland, after a battle with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She was 48 years old. Her family was at her side throughout the three week ordeal, as she struggled to survive while on life support.

Beth Ann Kucinich served in the US Army at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. A talented musician as well as an artist, she sold many of her works of art to her fellow veterans at the Brecksville Veterans Center. Her specialty was drawing famous cartoon characters for friends and loved ones on special occasions.

An avid heavy metal fan, she attended many local area concerts and practiced her own music with a guitar, with an extraordinary impression of Janis Joplin.

"She was pure love. Every action, every sentiment, every piece of art, every word she spoke was an expression of love. Beth Ann was our family's angel, our 'Heavy Metal Angel', said her eldest brother Dennis.

"Our brother, Perry passed away last December. "Beth Ann never got over Perry's sudden passing. The two had been inseparable. She talked about Perry constantly and she longed to be with him," Dennis said.

She was the beloved mother of Asher; treasured sister of Dennis, Frank, Gary, Teresa, Larry, and the late Perry Kucinich; and dear aunt and a great aunt.

He has spoken quite often about his admiration for those who serve in the military and because his admiration is sincere, he fights in Congress to make sure their commitment to their country is not abused, as it has been and still is fighting illegal and unnecessary wars. His support for them is much appreciated in military circles according to my friends in the military as there are not many in Congress who actually care much about them one way or the other.

Endorsing Generals is easy, being a real advocate for the well-being of the troops is an uphill battle for any member of Congress in this war-crazy country.

[JonLP24]

30. Bravo

Great post and I especially love your last sentence. "Endorsing Generals is easy, being a real advocate for the well-being of the troops is an uphill battle for any member of Congress in this war-crazy country."

I had no idea about his sister. Thanks for this post. :thumbsup:

[sabrina 1]

32. You're welcome

Kucinich lost two brothers and his sister over the past two years. Still he kept on fighting for the people he represents and never said much publicly about what had to be an incredibly sad period of time for him.

I am sure having a sister in the military helped him understand the needs of the troops.

I hope it answered the question about 'endorsing Generals' ~ :-)

[VMI Dem]

20. Kick for centrist DK haters.

[fascisthunter]

23. that's because he's not a pragmatist who embraces today's corruption

working with something that is corrupt is the same as supporting corruption.

[defendandprotect]

26. McChrystal was a poor choice for many reasons -- Kucinich is right --

Kucinich got it right on McChrystal back in December.

There's also the TORTURE issue -- not sure if Congress ever got into that --

and the side issue to the TORTURE of Obama not only appointing McChrystal but

stopping the release of the TORTURE pics/tapes, which IMO keeps the nation asleep.

Kucinich, who is known for his anti-war views,

Did we ever hear that Bush was "known for his pro-war views" -- ???

Or Cheney, or any of the right wing PNAC'ers?

This acceptance of Bush's wars and the refinancing of them by the Democratic leadership

is something too little discussed here at DU. Are we still known for our "anti-war views"

or has that time passed, having gotten blurred with support for the new president and

a Democratic Congress?


At the first news of McChrystal's comments to Rolling Stone he should have been recalled

and dismissed. Why the big deal, anyway. How many Generals did Bush get rid of? Half dozen?

[redqueen]

27. K&R

[Moochy]

28. Dennis needs a team of rivals

Who can advise him on how to make his enemies love him! This 'being right' stuff is overrated!

[Greyhound]

33. As usual. n/t