A Few Good Men

The ax has fallen on the fate of Gen. Stanley McChrystal; His insubordination has cost him his job. This is not the first time a general has been called on the carpet by the president. History is full of examples where presidents and generals have clashed.

The most notable examples of history are the famous clashes between Pres. Abraham Lincoln and General George B. McClellan. General McClellan frustrated Pres. Lincoln more and longer than any other general during the Civil War. He was eventually replaced by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. We all know how the story ends.

During world war II President Harry Truman and Gen. MacArthur clashed to the point that he was removed from the Pacific for insubordination. However something appears to be different with this current clash. In the previous examples neither General questioned the legitimacy of the president.

The case involving general McChrystal not only involves him, but also numerous staff under his charge. This situation is particularly egregious which shows total disrespect for the office of the president. In previous clashes between presidents and generals there was a rift because of difference of opinion on military tactics, not politics or personal attacks.

The journalist from Rolling Stone magazine who had traveled with general McChrystal and his staff was appalled at the lack of decorum. In an interview with NPR radio the journalist was asked if general McChrystal was aware that he was on the record and was being taped, the journalists said unequivocally; yes!

As the interview continued with the journalist from Rolling Stone he make constant reference to the lack of respect for the office of president and the candor at which he discussed the Obama administration and key staff members.

General McChrystal’s rogue attitude is nothing new. He has been called on the carpet on at least on two occasions by this president. Going back to his days at West Point he was always pushing the envelope as far as he could. He’s an expert at pushing the envelope up to the point where he could compromise himself. It won’t work this time.

Chris Matthews on hardball is saying pretty much what a lot of people are thinking. This situation is almost surreal in that the total lack of respect and decorum for this president is appalling. It’s unprecedented. Unfortunately, there is a large section of the American population who does not recognize the fact that president Obama is the president. These are the people that will not accept his presidency as legitimate. It appears that Gen. McChrystal maybe one of these people.

Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower did not tolerate insubordination, insolence or disrespect from their generals; history is on their side as having made the right call. President Obama is no different in the final analysis history will be on his side for making the right call.

The New Jim Crow

I first heard of Michelle Alexander while listening to a podcast of Bill Moyer. I was riveted by what she had to say about the new Jim Crow. I was always aware of the disproportionate incarceration rates of young black males. The pathology and statistics she quoted were bone chilling. I was especially disturbed by her research on the complexities of the laws that have been enacted in order to keep black people, particularly black males in their place.

Here are some of the tragic realities she describes. Seventy percent of black males from 18 to 25 are more likely to go to prison than attend college. Drug use between whites and blacks are almost even. However, blacks are 40% and in some cases up to 90% of those incarcerated for similar offenses.

During the Regan era the “Southern Strategy” was formulated to attract poor southern whites who felt animosity and disenfranchised due to integration, busing and affirmative action. These were the same people who were Roosevelt democrats during the “New Deal.” The strategy worked! These were the Regan democrats who swelled the ranks of the Southern Strategy. It worked like a charm!

Alexander Haig was the architect of this strategy. They used code words that would appeal to white’s racial fears and resentment of African Americans. Such phrases as “The war on drugs” the “War on crime. African Americans were targeted in this war. Later in the evolution of this strategy, the three strikes law was passed. The results have devastated the black community.

Ms. Alexander has a grim prediction that will come to pass if this continues. African Americans will systematically be disenfranchised in areas of American life; particularly in the area of the right to vote. If we continue at this rate, blacks will be no better off than we were fresh out of slavery. This has epic consequences.

Her premise is that once you are labeled a felon, you can be legally discriminated against and marginalized in American society. Most southern states banish you for life from voting! You can’t get a job, public housing, food stamps or any other government assistance. The implications are sobering. Most felons are returned to prison within three years of their release because they have no viable options for sustaining any livelihood.

Most of the disenfranchised are inner city blacks and poor whites. Of course, Latino’s are part of this equation as well. All of these dire predictions beg the question; so what do we do about it? Having two sons one in college and the other in high school, I’m very concerned. I say prevention, intervention and mentoring is the answer. We are losing a whole generation of young black men to crime, drugs and high incarceration rates. If we don’t try to stop it, who will?