The New Guy

Perchance by now you've heard of the ouster of the top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernen, in favor of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a favorite of CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus, who it is hoped will bring a new and innovative approach to the war in Afghanistan. Certainly we will need the military's best and brightest if we hope to have a chance to stabilize Afghanistan, but McChrystal's resume is somewhat blemished for accusations of detainee abuse made against his soldiers during his time in Iraq, and his involvement in the Pat Tillman cover-up. McChrystal's appointment as commander of the Afghanistan forces must be confirmed by the Senate. While I think we're behind the curve in Afghanistan, I'm also skeptical that a mere change in personnel is going to dramatically improve our progress against the Taliban, so I don't see why now isn't as good a time as any to get to the bottom of McChrystal's knowledge and or involvement of detainee abuse and the Tillman cover-up.