Taking a Stand: The McChrystal Situation

By Vice President/General Manager Nick Ulmer

All of us who have served in the military agree that President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates had no choice but to accept the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal, after his scornful remarks about the administration's handling of the Afghanistan war.

Most veterans and military know that as a soldier, you are bound by oath to protect and defend this country and obey our Commander in Chief, regardless of your own political beliefs.

If you think about it, this is exactly what makes our military the most powerful in the world.

This same lack of loyalty and code of honor is exactly why many strong nations cannot accomplish military task like the United States of America. Many of these countries have thousands of Americans buried in their soil.

General McChrystal broke the code.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen was stunned and confused by this action.

Something changed this great soldier in Afghanistan, so now that he has been fired ,where do we go toward ending this mess with the Taliban?

President Obama says he did not take these remarks personally, but that's not true. Look at his body language. Look at his track record when the media criticizes his actions. I say that there is a lot of truth in the criticisms that General McChrystal wrongfully shared with the Rolling Stone magazine. Regardless of that fact, he broke the code.

I would ask that our president swallow some pride and consider what was said about our failure in Afghanistan and make the proper adjustments.

That's my stand, what's yours?

To respond to this editorial, send an e-mail or call 812-253-0107.

You can send a letter to me at: Nick Ulmer, WFIE-TV, and P.O. Box 1414, Evansville, IN 47701.