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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
Debt-Happy US Faces Payback Time as Rates Rise

Cost of debt to skyrocket $500B in next 10 years

4 hours, 10 minutes ago
First State Dinner to
Reveal Obama A-Listers

Mad scramble for invitations

9 hours, 57 minutes ago
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

South Carolina senator throws weight behind conservative insurgents

3 hours, 51 minutes ago

|NEXT STORY »

Obama Lashed McChrystal in Tense Faceoff

Prez reads commander riot act over his 'Chaos-istan' dig

By Mary Papenfuss| Posted Oct 5, 09 4:13 AM CDT|

(Newser) – President Obama's talk last week aboard Air Force One with Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal wasn't merely a meeting, as was widely reported in the press, but a dressing down over the general's "shocking" recent comments calling for more troops, says the Telegraph. McChrystal was called on the carpet for outspoken remarks in a speech in London, where he ripped an alternate strategy advocated by Vice President Joe Biden to rely on drone missiles and special forces strikes at al-Qaeda targets.

In the speech, McChrystal scoffed that such an approach would result in "Chaos-istan." Asked if he would support the strategy, he responded: "The short answer is: No." McChrystal was quickly ordered to report to his commander in chief on the tarmac at Copenhagen, where Obama was pitching Chicago's bid for the Olympics. "People aren't sure whether McChrystal is being naïve or an upstart," a source tells the Telegraph. "He doesn't seem ready for this Washington hard-ball and is speaking his mind too plainly."

President Barack Obama meets with Gen. Stanley McChrystal aboard Air Force One in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/White House, Pete Souza)

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the 121st International Olympic Committee session at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Chicago, Madrid,... (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

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49 comments

VIEWING:

SilenceDogood
Oct 5, 09 3:40 AM CDT

So McChrystal is trying to deal with global hard-ball and his boss is a Chicago style hard-baller that doesn’t want his pitcher talking to the press. We’ve got a rookie pitching coach named Biden calling shots that won’t work, and a pissed off General manager named Obama that had to leave a cocktail party in Copenhagen to bark at his pitcher. I think the pitcher is going to quit and the troops are going to get demoralized with our new GM. Reply

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Oct 5, 09 4:39 AM CDT

No matter what you mouth off there is one simple fact and you can shove it straight up your retard answer, the President of the United States is EVERY soldiers Commander and Chief and they are the ultimate authority. NO soldier speaks to a President or VP is such a manner and gets away with it. The same thing happened to another General long ago, you may remember his name? George S. Patton, his mouth cost him his position and Monty got the glory while Patton was put out to pasture, or would have been until he died of a broken neck. Get over yourself stupid

IN RESPONSE:

SilenceDogood
Oct 5, 09 5:21 AM CDT

A neo-liberal explaining to me how the military works, that’s actually sort of cute. Listen cupcake, the General needs troops and supplies for his people or he needs an order to retreat. The Commander in Chief is sitting on his hands doing nothing and indecision is a killer on the battlefield. The Commander in Chief has chosen other priorities, Golf, Copenhagen, health care and other meaningful issues that have taken his time away from being Commander in Chief. We now have an understanding how Obama handles subordinates, he cuts their nuts off rather than supporting them. Chicago style politics rather than Commander in Chief leadership.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 5, 09 6:21 AM CDT

Silence, 6446 is correct. You seem a bit naive yourself on this matter. You want to talk about Presidents golfing? "I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive." Aug. 5, 2002 George W. Bush.

+15

IN RESPONSE:

UrUndertaker
Oct 5, 09 7:16 AM CDT

Before you war mongers go and toss any more troops into harms way (I know damn well your far rears are not going to fight) you may want to check history of Afghanistan. Check and see how they tricked Russia into invading (it turns out that wasn't an invasion after all but the US called it that even though Afghanistan invited the Russians in) Russia kept pouring in troops and they lost their a$$ over there, the ones who you think are your friends are really helping fight you... Go read for yourself, if indeed you can read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan

IN RESPONSE:

foodchain11
Oct 5, 09 2:01 PM CDT

silence only dogood when it is silent. Ah, golden!

-2

IN RESPONSE:

proud_prude
Oct 5, 09 2:23 PM CDT

Does anyone rernernber what happened to General Eric Shinseki and Adrniral Williarn Fallon when they dared to disagree with Bush and Rurnsfeld? http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0313/p99s01-duts.html

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Oct 5, 09 4:01 PM CDT

Obama doesn't deserve to unlatch McChrystal's boot. I'm glad the chicago thug finally decided to talk to his commander in Afghanistan though. It only took 7 months. Weak.

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Oct 6, 09 3:50 AM CDT

I dont think so

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 5, 09 6:24 AM CDT

What's a Harvard ACORN lawyer? Obama never worked in any capacity with that organization. He's also advised by other Generals and doesn't rely on a single opinion to make decisions. Go figure.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 5, 09 9:19 AM CDT

Voting present in the illinois stae senate doesn't mean what you think it does. It means you are willing to vote yes on the bill but there is something in it you don't like. More mountains out of mole-hills from the right.

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Oct 5, 09 9:32 AM CDT

That's pure spin, zaius. Pure spin.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 5, 09 2:20 PM CDT

No, it's pure truth. If you knew anything about how the Illinois state senate worked you would know that. It's a procedural measure that has been in place there for around a hundred years.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 5, 09 2:21 PM CDT

And for the record it counts as a no. But it signifies that there is an explanation to your no vote, usually signifying that you might change your mind if certain aspects of the bill were changed.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Oct 5, 09 4:02 PM CDT

Yes, it works just like saying "nolo contendere," avoiding the stigma of taking a stand. I know exactly how it works, thank you.

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 5, 09 4:34 PM CDT

No, you don't, you just think you do.

IN RESPONSE:

KurtRambis4va
Oct 5, 09 8:27 PM CDT

Stop bitching...You're both right and wrong, in a sense. True, voting present is supportive of a bill, while holding onto an alternative. However, this can still be used to show how a representative used this to keep negative publicity at bay for future campaigns. NPR breaks it down here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18348437

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Oct 6, 09 3:55 AM CDT

I think historians know more about war than generals ,.... if I want to know what its like to have cancer , I'll talk to a cancer patient ,.... if I want to know about cancer , I'll talk to a cancer specialist

| 0 minutes ago

RogerMohajir
Oct 5, 09 6:10 AM CDT

This is a simple chain-of-command issue, and it doesn't matter what one's opinions are of the people involved or their relative competence. McChrystal is Obama's subordinate and speaking out publicly against him is no different than a private telling his local newspaper that his lieutenant's orders were wrong. It is insubordination and intolerable in any disciplined organization. McChrystal knows this, and you can bet it won't happen again. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Oct 5, 09 7:44 AM CDT

how do you know that, stop? show us evidence. oh yeah, just your OPINION, and a poorly formed one at that...

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Timinator2K
Oct 5, 09 7:49 AM CDT

That's the beauty of retiring from the military, you can rip this Presidential Phonie a richly deserved new one...and the Pantywaste-in-Chief has to bend over and take it like the non-man he is.

| 0 minutes ago

MarkMcJackoff
Oct 5, 09 6:12 AM CDT

What I'd like to know is how the UK's Telegraph has this story and the US press does not. Did it really happen as reported? If so we probably will have a resignation at a time when we just cannot afford to demoralize our troops further. The thought of someone like Biden having a say in Military strategy would be quite amusing if it wasn't so damn serious. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 5, 09 6:27 AM CDT

It could be by design that the UK Telegraph had the statements, possibly with the hope that Obama would be busy with the Olympic bid.

IN RESPONSE:

proud_prude
Oct 5, 09 3:50 PM CDT

Is it possible that the last minute decision to go to Copenhagen had more to do with the need to confront this upstart general than any real attempt to sway opinion on the IOC. If so it was a classy way of doing it, rather than calling him back to the White House for a dressing down.

IN RESPONSE:

KennyBoy
Oct 5, 09 5:53 PM CDT

Because the telegraph isn't in the bag to republicans the way the US press is.

| 0 minutes ago

divetrader
Oct 5, 09 6:31 AM CDT

Let's train the damn military of Afghanistan to do their jobs and get the hell out of there. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

piyrwq
Oct 5, 09 2:30 PM CDT

Hell yeah. This is the only solution. More US troops in a foreign country = more people hating us and more insurgencies all round. Pull out now, and we have Chaos-istan. What have we been doing for 8 years?!? Where has our leadership been on this? Aircraft carriers off Iraq? Clearing brush in Texas?

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Oct 5, 09 7:38 AM CDT

The President must have a good reason. Bombing could result in too many civilian deaths? Whatever it is, The President is looking at his credibility on the international scene. There's a lot at risk elsewhere - like Iran. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Oct 5, 09 7:44 AM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment. Reply

-4

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Oct 5, 09 5:33 PM CDT

And when the call for the draft is again calle upon, I hope that the numerous couch warriors will have no trouble reporting to their local recruiting station. Exactly where do you think these additional troops are going to come from? Our troops our battered by multiple deployments, their families are being torn asundered by the absence of their Fathers/Mothers. Before all you trolls chime in about sending more troops, hope your ready to join the fight

| 0 minutes ago

Corona_Kinq
Oct 5, 09 8:09 AM CDT

Stop feeding the trolls. Everyone knows godawgs is the only conservative on this site that can actually make an argument (until proven otherwise). Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 5, 09 9:20 AM CDT

Agreed.

IN RESPONSE:

Mia
Oct 5, 09 10:48 AM CDT

true

| 0 minutes ago

Rocket448
Oct 5, 09 8:41 AM CDT

Not to feed the trolls, but I just want to say that they show no respect for the Office of the Presidency. Having said that, I suppose I could add that it appears there are two sorts of commenters on Newser, the ones who genuinely want to comment about stories, and the ones who spread a thick layer of crap over the president and their country in general. I'm just wondering if that's a general observation about American society in general, or if its a condition limited to newser. I admit I don't get around much. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Cprizzle
Oct 5, 09 10:07 AM CDT

While I respect generals highly, there's no reason for behavior like this. Similar to what republicans think, shouting and mindless complaining won't resolve anything. You can disagree with Obama's policy, but show respect for the office and discuss alternatives like a decent person. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Oct 5, 09 10:14 AM CDT

Obama is the person that calls the shots and where the "buck stops"-maybe the commander realizes that now-he should wait until he retires will dignity so he can write his book and make some money like others o. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

BoZo
Oct 5, 09 10:34 AM CDT

Is this the beginning stages of a military coup? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

KennyBoy
Oct 5, 09 6:01 PM CDT

No, but wait 'til all of those soldiers come home.

IN RESPONSE:

BoZo
Oct 19, 09 8:34 PM CDT

A lot of us Marines/soldiers are already home...

| 0 minutes ago

cakoenig
Oct 5, 09 10:52 AM CDT

He can't play hardball with the big dogs in Washington? The guy is speaking his mind. Let him. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Oct 5, 09 5:35 PM CDT

If the General had a grievence, he should have spoke with the Secretary of Defense, or doesn't anyone think the General should have to abide by his chain of command? If a junior Officer did exactly the same thing the General did he would have him up on charges.

| 0 minutes ago

RobN
Oct 5, 09 11:24 AM CDT

I'm a conservative voice around here, but generals shouldn't be out running a media campaign. I assumed the appearance on 60 Minutes had been okayed by higher-ups. Apparently it wasn't. That isn't acceptable. There's a chain of command; provide the information, let the civilian commander make the decision or find a new job. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

SemperFI
Oct 5, 09 1:23 PM CDT

History proves that not one "Colonial" power has ever conquered the Afhanistan region.And generals who buck the system such as Patton and MacArthur did always get called on the carpet. Even those generals proved to be right later on in history. The problem is the Pakastan Government and their unwilliness to smash the opposition in those tribal regions. Whatever it is...its a mess, And when the U.S. gets in these situations it need to stop playing tiptoe. Go in a 100% and go out 100%. everytime I hear we are trying to win the hearts and mines of people I want to puke. It didnt work in VietNam its not working here. And these politians who love the military but hate the war. Whats that crap. I know, I'm a vet. I've seen people die. Walk in a soldiers shoes for one day in a war zone. You'll come back w/a differnt opinion Reply

IN RESPONSE:

proud_prude
Oct 5, 09 1:58 PM CDT

So, what is your opinion, SF?

| 0 minutes ago

proud_prude
Oct 5, 09 1:55 PM CDT

Wtf up with the obnoxious Parnpers ad on this page -- can't turn it off or even turn down the volurne. And this is one story I'rn really interested in. Oh, I just realized -- there are two of the fucking things. This sucks !!!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

SemperFI
Oct 5, 09 4:22 PM CDT

Guess the point is. The military is there. I dont know why this Country is so afraid of the truth.The Goldman Sachs guy sends trillions to his friends on Wall Street. But,I'm still waiting for someone to take the blame. I believe this guy. When has Joe Biden become a military strategist? I can understand the President being ticked. But so was Truman during Korea, I just dont want Political figureheads making policy for the military. I might feel different if John McCain or someone else w/military experience made the call Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kaen019
Oct 6, 09 5:44 AM CDT

What all you feeble-brained Neo-Libs spewing vitriol & squawking non-sense failing to remember or failing to admit [either of which makes the whole lot of you either pitifully stupid or shamefully deceitful] is the fact that when President Bush, as our war-time Commander-in-Chief, had to endure liberals' non-stop verbal diahrrea demanding he do everything possible to speed up our troops getting the job done: ie) more troops/more weapons/more armer, etc., etc, etc........ At least President Bush, regardless of his title as "Commander-in-Chief" or having served in the military himself, never once publically belittled/demeanded ANY of his generals, rather he let THEM conduct the war, as logic dictates! And he had faith in their strategic assessments as tacticians to help facilitate an end to said conflict. Obama, quite disrespectfully, has done nothing of the sort. Rather he has revealed his thoroughly cruel his true ssssssdlllllkkkkkkkhe truly be: he req. Gen. Chrystal to assess the current tactical situation & any recommendations moving ahead. However, apparently Obama - w/ 0% military experience of ANY kind, thought himself qualfied to berate & belittle the General's validated opinion in view of the entire world. This behavior from our President should SICKEN any of you. REGARDLESS of your federal political views. This charlatan is no longer redeemable in my eyes, [His presidency is a testament to the depravity in over-all intelligence of Americans has plummeted to.] Keep up the good work of robbing braincells Libs! Never let the facts get in the way of the Truth! [Hitler & Himmler would be proud of your propaganda sklls & false political spinnings!] Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kaen019
Oct 6, 09 6:02 AM CDT

PS: Walter Reed Hospial is paging Vice President Biden: requesting he subit, unconditionally, to a thorough DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER'S screen & testing. [....just precautionary, he's likely just as absolutely ignorant as he portrays himself to be, given his running list of totally inane, gibberish-laced comments] LOL! I'm so UN-PROUD to be an American, because of you neo-Libs, the rest of the world thinks I'm a morbidly-obese, reality-show addicted, McDonald's eating, obnoxious, uneducated imbecile! But no worries, go ahead and keep up that image and "ALL" (ahem,lol) the great work you're doing now! hehe...... Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

1whocares4ourcountry
Oct 6, 09 10:07 AM CDT

It's the troops who fight and die every day and have been for many, many centurys! Who give us fools the freedom to speak in a free country. (For now) Now you who have become deaf dumb and blind to this so called commander (Leader of his own three ring circus) You have all but forgot why our fathers, grandfathers, mother, sisters and brothers etc.."YOURS & MINE" Have fought and died for! And it's not to stand by while our so called cmmmander lets our famlies, friend and neighbors die because he's NOT giving them the support the need! " THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE, RED, YELLOW, BLACK, BROWN ,WHITE, IT DOESN'T MATTER. THEY ARE ALL OUR PEOPLE!... And HE is just letting them suffer and die while he futhers his own agenda. And it's sad but in a very short time to come we will all see what our so called chief and his chosen few are really doing in the outer rings of this circus (saling us all out to the highest bidders) Trying to destroy our contury and our way of life. "YOURS AND MINE" The deaf, dumb and blind!... "MAY GOD BE WITH US ALL!..." We all need God more now than ever before. Please pray for our country, everyone! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 49 comments »

Afghanistan • Joe Biden • military • Copenhagen • Air Force One • President Obama • Stanley McChrystal

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