Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?

Isn't arrogant for him to go around Sec of Def Robert Gates and violate the chain of command to speak with his directly generals?

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Obama has been spending a great deal of time on Afghanistan as of late. Am I doing a good job anticipating the baseless Republican talking points which are sure to follow?Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?That was perfect 10/10Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?
You realize that Bush constantly broke the chane of command, cutting his Sec/Def out of the loop when he spoke with his generals in Iraq? Probably wasn't the best move for the war then either.



Unfortunantly, though, the primary job of the president is to execute the will of the people, and everything I have seen says that less than 1/3 of the nation wants us to keep fighting in Afghanistan.



As a liberal, I must say that I would preferr to avoid war at all times, but as a foreign policy analyst, I must say that a pullout from Afghanistan would be disastrous. The Taliban are more than capable of retaking the nation and have made such deep inroads into an already troubled Pakistan, that I would give even money on the descent of Pakistan into a state of total anarchy were we to let up the pressure in Afghanistan. This would be a terrible threat to international peace and stability due to Pakistan's nuclear stockpiles.Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?The decision falls to the President - that's why we hired him. And he can't just say, "The Generals told me to so it's not my fault." I wouldn't like to have this one on my plate.



And further, I’m not sure I understand why we’re fighting in Afghanistan. If it’s to capture or kill Bin Laden, sign me up – I’m on board. But preventing a “safe haven” for Al Qaeda makes little sense to me. Their “havens” seem pretty safe right now. They don’t need a country to plan an attack, they only need a tent. None of the 757 suicide pilots trained for 9-11 in Afghanistan – they trained in Denver and at other flight schools. We don’t need to control a whole country to prevent a terror attack, we need intelligence and that needs to be world-wide. I’m not sure I understand.
It was General McChrystal who disobeyed the Chain-of-Command by speaking about his request for more troops. Obama could have fired him through Secretary Gates. Instead, Gates told everyone below the president to keep their mouths shut. That's the proper way. The President is the military's Commander-in-Chief. Truman fired McArthur, ya hear?Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?Obama is the commander in chief. Is not right to micromanage a war. It is correct however to set the goals of the war.



The goal is as stated by Obama himself. to defeat Al-Queda, dismantle it and rendered incapable of attacking the US and its allies.



If that can be accomplished with the defeat of the Taliban, be it.

If that can be accomplished without the defeat of the Taliban, be it.Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?
He's not listening to them so who cares? The problem is he's trying to play politics and keep his voters happy. The problem is he's indirectly getting our soldiers killed by not listening. They need support and they need it NOW. I have liked that Obama has talked a good game concerning Afghanistan, yet he continues to not act. He needs to act and stop politicking.
Concentrating? Sorry but he's had a request from General McCrystal for more troops since AUGUST and he's done nothing. Obama has to order more troops to fight and all he's done is state we aren't leaving. That's not dealing with the issue.



He focused on pitching the Olympics instead of dealing with Afghanistan. Look at the facts, dude. Nice rant!Obama has been concentrating on Afghanistan a lot lately. Do we really want a civilian micromanaging the war?
Micromanagement is a misnomer. How can anyone micro manage anything unless it's an assuage meaning they manage very little.



I guess you'd rather have a Dictatorship here in America where the Military rules everything from commerce to the government and the generals are answerable to no one.



It just so happens that our military is answerable to our highest government officials. That's one of the reasons America is a Democracy and not a Republic full of Republicans.
The problem is Obama is an amateur and has no clue what he is doing and his advisors are morons. Add that to the fact he won't even meet with or listen to his generals and then says it will take him weeks to make a decision on startegy makes for a sad situation and more American lives lost.
This really is shaping up to become another Vietnam. Why? Because a Socialist acting as Commander-in-Chief is setting rules of engagement that make it nearly impossible for our troops to win.



The media has failed to talk about the “new” rules of engagement that I first heard about last month when 4 marines died.



http://www.military.com/news/article/amb…



The U.S. troops had to wait more than an hour for attack helicopters to come to their aid and their appeal for artillery fire was rejected, with commanders citing new rules designed to avoid civilian casualties, the report said. o_O
Concentrating? Please. A trip to Demark to push chicago for the Olympics. Letterman, TV? Uh uh...yhr only reason hr's looking at it now is 'cause McKrystaal is spouting off about what he needs.

But youre right about the micro-managing, Just give the General what he wants. He knows a hell of a lot better than a jr senator or career idot Biden. But politics will win out.



I pity the soldiers.
I do not want Obama micro-manage anything.

Car companies, banks, insurance companies and for heaven sakes certainly not the military.



He is an idiot who has zero practical experience in everything and it shows everyday.
I'm sure we could cut a deal with the Taliban. We leave. You take over. You keep Al Queda out of Afghanistan and dry up the poppy fields. You get zero aid. If we leave and you don't hold up your end of the bargain, we come back and kill every living thing above ground. Deal?
The Obama has always had a deep distrust of the military. Read his books. Bush had the temerity to let the military manage the war. The Obama wants to manage it himself. After all of his experience as a community organizer, why would you question his judgement?
Civilian leadership in the government controls the military. That is the way our U.S. Constitution is written. Ultimate responsibility for the country's strategic decision-making in the hands of the commander in chief and funding from the congress rather than professional military officers.
Huh? He hasn't been "concentrating" on Afghanistan at all!! He was concentrating on socializing health care, then he decided to concentrate on getting the Olympic to his corrupt city. Gen. McChrystal's concerns are just an after-fart for the arrogant commander-in-chief.
The pres is the commander in chief. The issue you are trying to artfully dodge (fabricating lib that you are) is that Obama doesn't even do what his own general tells him.
And, uh I suppose the " professionals' that got us into Iraq did a good job themselves.



Otherwise, I suppose you are correct about the talking points.

This has me thinking back on how Truman had a few meetings with McArthur.
What might Obama add to military discussions? What does he bring to the table that Bush and Clinton didn't? Nothing.



All of them should have deferred to their betters on the subject.
The only time Obama pays attention to the military is when his face is shoved into it.
He will tell you, but he needs another cigarette first.
No he should review it periodically
You mean like Bush,Cheney and Rummy did?
Yes, a Head of State should never interact with the military they control
That is what our founding fathers wanted and it has worked so far. Peace