Civilian control of the military

General McChrystal and his undoubtedly large force of PR people are working to undermine a basic principal of the Constitution. I'm sure he doesn't intend this, but knowingly or unknowingly, the General seems to be stepping outside the role of a United States military commander.

I am not debating the General's call for more troops. That is the information and opinion he is supposed to give his superiors. I do however, question the sophistocated campaign to pressure the President to bend to his will. This sort of thing should be discussed behind closed doors and when the decision is made, he says "Yes Sir" and carries out the order.

Civilian control of the military has worked exceedingly well for 233 years. In this day of instant and far reaching communications, anyone can try their hand at media manipulation and public opinion control.

Whether McChrystal is conciously doing this or not, he should re-think his place in the chain of command and the media. If he's not careful, he may have a forced retirement on his hands like another well known general ... Douglas McArthur.