McChrystal Is Not the Only General In Need of Reprimand and/or Resignation

The airwaves are alive tonight with coverage of the debacle Gen. Stanley McChrystal created for himself through his comments in Rolling Stone article. McChrystal's cardinal sin: violation of a central tenant of U.S. democracy: civilian control over the military. McChrystal's contempt spoken for President Obama, Vice President Biden and other civilian authorities indeed would appear to possibly violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice and, if so, warrant his forced resignation if not court martial. Keith Olbermann had an interesting take on why Obama should take McChrystal's resignation and table it for the time being. Whatever Obama decides, McChrystal is not the only senior military officer who has publicly challenged the civil control of the U.S. Military. In the context of the repeal of DADT, members of the Joint Chiefs are not far behind McChrystal in terms of their insubordination. It is imperative that Obama reassert who is in charge and who reports to whom. Whether or not Obama has the spine to do so is the big question. Here are highlights from Jonathan Alter's piece in Newsweek arguing for McChrystal's forced resignation and retirement from the U.S. military:
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The most important issue at hand in the furor over Gen. Stanley McChrystal's acerbic comments in Rolling Stone is the central one in a democracy: civilian control over the military.
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As upset as certain military officers have been with the Obama White House—as much as they like McChrystal's can-do spirit—this was a seriously can't-do moment. No one can quite believe that McChyrstal would be so stupid as to give this interview, which McChrystal himself this morning conceded in a statement was "bad judgment." One retired but informed military source I reached speculates that McChrystal will offer his resignation and President Obama is likely to accept it.
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The reason McChrystal must go is that this isn't his first time in trouble for talking out of school in a way that can fairly be described as insubordinate.Last fall, McChrystal gave a speech in London and afterward was asked if he could support the Biden Plan: fewer troops for Afghanistan, with a stepped-up use of Predator drones. He said "no." In other words, the commanding general in the region was saying that if the president sided with the vice president, he couldn't support the policy. Many in the White House last year viewed this as insubordination.
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Having been burned once by Stanley McChrystal, the president probably will not allow himself to be burned again. The military code—and American democratic traditions—all but demand that he accept the general's resignation of his command.
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Regardless of how Obama handles McChrystal, one can only hope this whole episode will be a wake up call to all of the senior military brass who need to start following White House and Congressional control or resign NOW. That includes all those speaking out against the repeal of DADT.