Mutiny on the Bounty

by Dennis Green

In some Third World countries, military coups against a civilian government are still common. In America, the balance of power between the military establishment and civilian government has always been contentious, going back to General/President Washington’s support for the Federalist Papers, which encouraged a powerful central government and a very strong military, versus Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, James Monroe and the other Anti-Federalists, who didn’t want so much power vested in a potential “monarchy.”

Chain of Command is vested in America in the hands of a civilian Commander in Chief managing the military, but that scheme of things, settled in our Constitution, is being challenged. It’s not just General McChrystal who is out of bounds, but the entire Military/Industrial Complex. And the threat to our democracy is very real.

Many Americans want us out of Afghanistan, not just Iraq, and I’m one of them. But after long deliberation, President Obama was persuaded, or pressured by the Generals, to commit more troops in a Surge in Afghanistan instead of getting out now. All reports are that the Anti-Terrorist campaign against Al Qaeda is fairly successful, the Anti-Insurgency campaign to unite and stabilize Afghanistan championed by McChrystal is a dismal failure.

Afghan President Karzai has threatened to join the Taliban, and has been at times alienated from Ambassador Holbrooke and Vice President Biden, both of whom were targets of McChrystal’s unfortunate insubordination during combat operations in the field. The story in Rolling Stone reveals that the General encouraged the same insubordinate spirit among his own subordinates toward civilian oversight.

Combat encourages a certain “Hot Dog” spirit among troops in the field. Moreover, 7,000 casualties in ten years make Afghanistan a nightmare of frustration for the warriors serving there. Up against a deadline for troop withdrawal, a failing strategy, a hostile or indifferent U.S. public, it is understandable that such sentiments would arise. But a General who broke military code sets a precedent for rebellious, even treasonous attitudes that our democracy cannot tolerate.

So now, it’s even more important that we get out of Afghanistan. Obama should shorten the time-table he imposed on the Generals. That country and culture does not lend itself to the so-called “Anti-Insurgency” strategy developed by General Petreus and pursued by McChrystal. Even more so than Iraq, it is a tribal country ruled by village and regional war lords that never have and never will be faithful and loyal to a strong central government. Even our allies know that, and are leaving.

None of our Generals make any sense when they say that we must make a “long-time commitment” of twenty years or more to Afghanistan. You hear in their voices a narrow, military perspective that is neither strategic nor tactical, but merely self-serving. “War is Job One!” they seem to be saying.

“No, it’s not!” we citizens reply. “Freedom is Job One, and that means freedom from the kind of foolishness that got us into the Middle East up to our asses in the first place.” We’re fighting for oil, and neither Chevron nor BP is picking up the tab. As for Israel, after 50 years of maximum U.S. support, let them fend for themselves.

Mutinous thoughts, I know. But Mutiny is as Mutiny does. I cannot be loyal to a government that is controlled by a powerful military in cahoots with arms manufacturers and such mercenary units as Blackwater or Halliburton. Even General/President Washington warned us against a standing military, as General/President Eisenhower warned us against the burgeoning military/industrial complex. They should know.

©2010 Dennis Green