McChrystal Out; Patraeus In

So great, Rolling Stone magazine (this week's cover at left) is now a major player in our war policy in Afghanistan. Why doesn't O just give RS a seat at his Cabinet table?

General Stanley McChrystal has been relieved of his command by President Obama. General David Patraeus has been put in his place. Actually, Obama just came to the Rose Garden and said that he accepted McChrystal's resignation. "War is bigger than any one man or woman." O thinks it's the right decision for "our national security." O says "I've got no greater honor than serving as commander-in-chief for our people in uniform." I guess we'll just have to take his word on that one. "Hold ourselves accountable to standards to uphold our democracy"--that's his reason for giving McChrystal the boot. "I welcome debate among our team, but I won't tolerate division." Then some real tough guy words from O about our "clear goals" in Afghanistan. Where has this been? "This is a change in personnel, but it is not a change in policy." O says "it was a difficult decision." Of course O took no questions--just turned his back and walked off.

Standing beside O in the Rose Garden was his VEEP who came in for some mocking criticism in the Rolling Stone article. Biden was blink-blink-blinking--Morse Code? Who knows. Patraeus was also standing beside O. Frankly, he looked like crap--pale and haggard and exhausted. The man has recently been treated for prostate cancer. Last week he collapsed while testifying in front of the Senate. Great.

And just for grins, here's a little trip down memory lane during the Bush administration, when leftists characterized generals who criticized Bush and his policies as "courageous whistleblowers."