Sen. John Kerry Urges Calm Over McChrystal Interview

[tekisui]

Source: kmov St. Louis/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John Kerry is urging everyone to "stay cool and calm" and not let comments by Gen. Stanley McChrystal interfere with the mission in Afghanistan.

In an interview in this week's Rolling Stone magazine, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan badmouthed President Barack Obama and others. McChrystal issued an apology today.

Kerry, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says he has "enormous respect" for the general. He says he spoke to McChrystal today about dealing with those comments.

The general will be dealing with them tomorrow. McChrystal has been called back to Washington for a meeting he usually attends by video teleconference.

http://www.kmov.com/news/national/96884849.html

_______________________

Will the General be staying put?

[joeybee12]

1. In answer to your question...that's my bet after these comments by Kerry...n/t

[DearAbby]

4. This isn't the first time the General has done something like this

I would not think as highly of the President if he allows this to pass without any reprimands. This type of insubordination should not be allowed to stand. Period.

[joeybee12]

6. You're right...he did it as Obama was pondering the Afghan options...and

it's not simply stating he disagrees...it is the ultimate in disrespect.

[pinboy3niner]

14. No President can tolerate insubordination from a senior general officer

There is nothing in what Kerry said that telegraphs his views on what should happen or is likely to happen.

My bet: McChrystal will be relieved by the President.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[tekisui]

7. What does it have to do with troops in harms way?

[seabeyond]

8. what does the highest leadership of the troops have to do with them? well,

about everything.

and how they handle this situation in an adult manner, in a calm manner, in a precise manner.

resolution

how ever it may come about.

throwing hissy fits isn't an option

[tekisui]

11. I don't see what any one's comments about Kerry or McChrystal

have to do with troops in harms way.

Are you suggesting that only McChrystal is in the position to protect our troops? That a replacement wouldn't be able to? Or, that criticizing him or Kerry somehow makes the troops less safe?

None of it has any bearing on our troops' safety, as far as I can tell.

[seabeyond]

12. nothing said on du matters. that is not what i was responding to. what i was

responding to is saying what kerry is doing is kissing ass. what i posted to you was kerry's behavior, obama's behavior and whoever the dude is matters to the troops. for kerry or obama or even the general to throw hissy fits, or pump chest, or whatever, MAY not be the best way to handle this and how the resolution matters to the troops.

a poster saying shit about kerry in a flip manner, means nothing. but to suggest because kerry made that statement is kissing the generals ass is bullshit

[katandmoon]

15. Let's ask Pat Tillman how well McChrystal protected him..

[seabeyond]

17. i know pat tillmans story. i respect the hell out of this man and his family

it is horribly shameful the people that use him.

i think your post is kinda an example of this.

[katandmoon]

19. Do you think it's horribly shameful that McChrystal covered up the circumstances of his death?

[seabeyond]

23. yes i do. my post is not to defend mcchrystal, nor to argue his job.

my post was addressed to how kerry is handling the situation and a wait see, without fits...

[katandmoon]

25. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[seabeyond]

27. are you calling me a liar. because i think that is against the rules, right? nt

[seabeyond]

24. and here is the rest of kerry's statement that reinforces what i see the man saying

that we didnt have an opportunity to see in that small quote before accusing him of kissing ass and stfu kerry posts.

When General McChrystal called me this morning, I emphasized that my concern is our policy in Afghanistan and what it will take to be successful there. I respect General McChrystal as a soldier and always have. What’s most important is the 94,000 American troops serving in harm’s way in Afghanistan. Their safety and their mission should be the priority we stay focused on above all else. The Commander in Chief and his national security team, including his top commander on the ground, must have confidence in each other and confidence in the path forward in Afghanistan. It would be a grave mistake to allow this unfolding news drama to distract anyone from the mission at hand. Now is not the time for Washington to be sidetracked by chatter. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and give the President and his national security team the space to decide what is in the best interest of our mission, and to have their face-to-face discussion tomorrow without a premature Washington feeding frenzy.

[katandmoon]

26. Kerry's statement is ass-kissing bullshit. There is nothing to respect in McCrystal. He's a fucker.

[Inuca]

22. Are you actually trying to say something

or do you simply enjoy being asinine?

[mikelgb]

3. Leave Stanley Alone!

[Mass]

9. AP is missing the point in Kerry's statement.

When General McChrystal called me this morning, I emphasized that my concern is our policy in Afghanistan and what it will take to be successful there. I respect General McChrystal as a soldier and always have. What’s most important is the 94,000 American troops serving in harm’s way in Afghanistan. Their safety and their mission should be the priority we stay focused on above all else. The Commander in Chief and his national security team, including his top commander on the ground, must have confidence in each other and confidence in the path forward in Afghanistan. It would be a grave mistake to allow this unfolding news drama to distract anyone from the mission at hand. Now is not the time for Washington to be sidetracked by chatter. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and give the President and his national security team the space to decide what is in the best interest of our mission, and to have their face-to-face discussion tomorrow without a premature Washington feeding frenzy.

The point is that Obama should decide, not the MSM and their frenzy (which is not going to go our way anyway). Why would anybody disagree with this?

[BeFree]

16. What is this 'Mission' Kerry so fondly speaks of?

Do you have a clue? Can you tell us what it is and be able to debate this mission?

[Mimosa]

21. I wish Kerry could have been President! n/t

[gratuitous]

10. Quite a lapse in judgment, no?

But more to the point, what exactly is the mission in Afghanistan that we don't want to interfere with by looking too closely at Gen. McChrystal and his body of work there? And is that mission enhanced or damaged by reckless comments by the general? Is the mission enhanced or damaged by indiscriminate killing of civilians? Is the mission enhanced or damaged by torturing people?

At least they all have enormous respect for one another. So, Sen. Kerry, who should be the last man to die for the mission in Afghanistan? Has he even been born yet?

[malaise]

13. Kerry should STFU n/t

[kenny blankenship]

18. LoL. Run Central Asia? Police and umpire the World? The U.S. can't even run itself anymore.

Come maggots and carry off this carrion.

[leftynyc]

20. I don't think he should allowed to resign

I also don't think he should be fired (it's his war plan, let him sink or swim with it) but however many stars he has on his shoulder should be one less after tomorrow.