Let me know how that works for you..

GEN Stanley McChrystal.

Ninja Warrior by all accounts.

Apparently, not afraid to speak his mind?

The article goes on to paint McChrystal as a man who “has managed to piss off almost everyone with a stake in the conflict,” including U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, Special Representative to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and National Security Adviser Jim Jones.

Of Eikenberry, who railed against McChrystal’s strategy in Afghanistan in a cable leaked to The New York Times in January, the general said, “‘Here’s one that covers his flank for the history books. Now if we fail, they can say, “I told you so.'”

ADM Fallon walked away from CENTCOM for saying much, much less. And he was a COCOM.

I can’t imagine that GEN McChrystal will stay around much longer following this little bit of fun.

The big question is this… you don’t get to his level without knowing what you’re doing. There simply are no “Oh, I didn’t think that would get printed.” moments.

So, is he looking for an easy way out of a horrible problem as he tries to fight the Afghan war with the Iraq playbook and an administration that isn’t what you’d call 100% supportive?

or is he really this politically inept?

The Problem with Ego

I’ve been watching the BP interrogation Congressional hearing with interest for one reason and one reason only, to see the arrogance of American Congressmen and women.

Democrats and Republicans alike repeatedly accused the embattled British corporate chieftain of refusing to answer their questions, cutting corners on safety, and turning a blind eye to mounting scientific evidence of an unprecedented environmental tragedy.

Yes…. how dare you not make up answers to satisfy my egotistical need to prove that I am in charge.

“It’s clear to me you don’t want to answer any of our questions,” Rep. Waxman said. “I am amazed at this testimony. You’re kicking the can down the road. I find that irresponsible.”

Let’s face facts. He’s the CEO of the company. Do you think he knows the specific details of every single project going on? Of course not. No more than the Representatives know why the Wal-Mart in their district is raising prices on those sweet jars of pickles. It’s not his fault, it’s simply something that is far below his level and he’s waiting to hear the results of the investigation before making a determination.

That’s not avoidance, it’s just good sense. And it’s a refusal to pander to the Twitter-fed masses who aren’t interested in factual, effective resolution but are simply happy with a spoon-fed, sugar-coated, Jedi hand waving answer that everything is going to be ok. As long as you don’t, you know, look to closely.

That, and the company’s name is BP. They’re British. They probably don’t give a shit *what* you think they should answer, Congressman.

Amazing

Absolutely amazing.

A World War II Battlefield discovered in Papua New Guinea

untouched.

unseen by any but the Gods of those who perished there.

Although the site was known to local villages, jungles reclaimed it after the battle of Eora Creek. Although locals hunted on the plateau surrounding the site, they avoided the 600-square-meter battle ground because of a belief that spirits of the dead were still present in the “lost battlefield.”

Maybe now they can rest.

Quote of the Day

We are so proud of our guarantees of freedom in thought and speech and worship, that, unconsciously, we are guilty of one of the greatest errors that ignorance can make – we assume our standard of values is shared by all other humans in the world.

– Dwight Eisenhower

Selection Results

The FY-11 CO/XO selection board results are out.

It’s a very stressful time in the career of a submariner, as failure to screen leads to all sorts of things. Congrats to the folks who are selected from amongst the “best and most qualified”, including several guys I’ve had the honor of serving with!