General McChrystal
President Obama was wrong to sack this man.
Yes he did a very silly thing to let a journalist trail around after him (and his aids) for a couple of weeks and spout off in a reckless way, normally reserved for close and trusted buddies. Remember this general was not caught in a wiring scam. This was open in your face stuff. Imagine one of ours saying the Queen was a disappointment and Cameron was a clown in open conversation with the Sun.
However America is different. In that country the military has always had a higher place in public esteem and is seen not as servant of the people but as saviour. Three of their most revered Presidents, Washington, Grant and Eisenhower were ex-generals, although only Washington was a political success. There have been many generals in the State Department. The American people admire ego as we admire eccentricity.
The torrent of derision poured out by General McChrystal and his aids required the President to assert his authority as Commander in Chief and Head of State. This would have best been done by a severe dressing down followed by ordering this military aesthete back to his command minus a star on his lapel and with a new press officer at his elbow.
Unfortunately what this sorry incident reveals is a waning confidence that the war can be won and that Afghanistan can be turned into a conventional State. Neither of these things can in fact happen and soon this humiliating truth will have to be faced. When that day comes a few rude remarks will be as nothing to the fur which will fly.