McChrystal Has Some 'Splainin' to Do....

[The Bread Guy]

This from the Associated Press:

The author of the Rolling Stone article that ended the military career of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the former top commander in Afghanistan, has been denied permission to join U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Defense Department spokesman Col. David Lapan told reporters that freelance writer Michael Hastings was rebuffed when he asked to accompany, or "embed," with American forces next month.

The rejection came as the Pentagon ramped up an internal investigation into the circumstances behind some of the most salacious material Hastings used in his article in Rolling Stone. The Army inspector general is interviewing current and former McChrystal aides, The Associated Press has learned.

The inspector general's review began shortly after Rolling Stone published the article that torpedoed McChrystal's three-decade Army career ....

 

[George Wallace]

I wonder if Hastings and Lassange went to the same schools?  They really don't seem too bright.

 

[SeanNewman]

For right or wrong, the US Army is in a bit of a jam with this one.

The "optics" of this story are already appearing like they're taking it out on him instead of accepting responsibility that someone in the Army may have said too much.

It doesn't matter what the actual reason for his denial was (could have been something as simple as an expired passport), the perception is what is coming out.

I am all for banishing reporters when they break the rules with OpSec violations or not respecting time lines, but when someone quotes soldiers/leaders and then you ban them for it, it's going to go south.

The damage control way to handle this could have been to say "Well, you want to see some Army stuff, we're putting you out here on some completely isolated combat outpost".

 

[Spanky]

The quoted article did indicate the Army was ramping up their investigation into the situation.  Keeping Hastings away from their pers seems like a prudent thing to do, at least until their investigation is complete.

 

[George Wallace]

Interesting development that has gone fairly much unnoticed, except by conspiracy theorists:

June 18, 2013, Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, United States

Michael Hastings, Died

 

[Inquisitor]

Regardless of how one might feel about his role with McChrystal, He was one of the few true investigative journalists remaining.

His loss further weakens the profession at a time when a functional "Fourth Estate" would be most helpful.  Given the other impediments that are being placed in the way of those wishing to "Speak truth to power"  e.g.  general media spinelessness, the timing could not be worse.

Matt Taibbi at Rolling Stone posts an obituary for him link here  http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/michael-hastings-reporter-20130619

Comment: I thought like most others think that the latest Rolling Stone cover was in incredibly bad taste. That said if you really want to find out how the Western Financial system is being ummm manipulated then you might find Taibbi's  column's a very interesting, incredibly depressing, humorous read.  The two journalists had much in common. Some Taibbi is  the spiritual successor to Hunter S. Thompson, father of "Gonzo" journalism.  I tend to agree. Shamelless plug ends here.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I thought like most others think that the latest Rolling Stone cover was in incredibly bad taste.

Bad taste is wearing crocs with socks. Rolling stones putting that motherf*cker on their cover goes well beyond "bad taste".

 

[Journeyman]

Bad taste is wearing crocs with socks.

    :nod: