LITTLE ROCK — After allowing a Rolling Stone reporter into his inner circle for about a month, General Stanley McChrystal was allowed to resign for comments incredibly unbecoming in an officer. But the general had served his country well for more than 34 years, and was instrumental in the Surge’s success in Iraq, what with his special ops forces raiding enemy strongholds at all hours day and night. If he retired in disgrace, he had served honorably for decades.
Yesterday the White House announced that General McChrystal is to retain his four stars in retirement, eventhough a general usually has to remain in his rank three years to do so.
President Obama made the right call. It means a difference of about $8,000 a year in retirement for the general but, more important, he keeps that coveted fourth star. He deserves it as much as he deserved being relieved of command. The president has taken the high road and, once again, as he has throughout this whole sad episode, he’s made the right decision-and deserves to be commended for it. This is the way a president and commander-in-chief should act.
Editorial, Pages 16 on 06/30/2010