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Let McChrystal Make His Case to Congress

National debate is needed to build consensus

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2009 1:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama may not want to hear from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, but Congress certainly does, writes Peggy Noonan, and he should let them. Staying on in Afghanistan and withdrawing are both unappealing options that could have dire consequences, and even though the Pentagon doesn't want to do it, the country deserves to have congressional hearings on considered strategies, Noonan argues in the Wall Street Journal.

It's good that Obama has apparently turned his full attention to Afghanistan, but the debate shouldn't be limited to the White House, the Pentagon, and the op-ed pages. The commander, along with experts and other members of the military, should be called to testify and explain the facts to the nation. "Hearings would illuminate issues, air differences, broaden the picture, and make clear the stakes," Noonan writes. "All of those things would help spur decisions that spring from a thing badly needed: consensus."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Gen. Stanley McChrystal salutes ISAF soldiers during a changing of command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Ahmad Massoud)

US soldiers take position on a roof top of a mud house during a search operation for members of the Taliban in f Wardak province west of Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A shadow of an Afghanistan National army soldier falls on a barricade on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Why are we treating Afghanistan almost like an afterthought, interesting and important but not as urgent a question as health care? It's not as if the stakes aren't as high as they were in Iraq, and Vietnam.
- Peggy Noonan

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

SilenceDogood

Oct 9, 2009 12:30 PM CDT

Funny, I thought Congress had a say in this.

divetrader

Oct 9, 2009 12:06 PM CDT

I am pretty sure war was already declared by W. At this point, the President is in charge of following thru on Congress decision to declare war. Hopefully his decision will be to get us out.

SilenceDogood

Oct 9, 2009 12:04 PM CDT

In this modern world of instant communication, this would be the natural resultant; a more informed and motivated public. This is good; no longer the secret agendas of Political Parties; both Right and Left; no more pushing by a military establishment; open the windows, let in the sunshine so that all may see what is happening. This could work to improve our Democratic process.

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Politics • US • World

Afghanistan • Congress • Pentagon • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • President Obama • Stanley McChrystal

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Let McChrystal Make His Case to Congress