How the Obama McChrystal meeting MAY have gone:

[MineralMan]

President Obama: "Look, Stan. You're not too bad a General, but you don't get to dis the Commander-in-Chief the way you did. Turn your resignation in to Gates as soon as you leave. Now, I have things to do. You can stay and finish your coffee. When you're done, this Marine will show you out."

It may have gone something like that...

[lonestarnot]

1. Sounds good to me.

[Enrique]

2. i'm picturing Obama giving the LBJ treatment

specifically, calling the general into the Oval Office bathroom and discussing the matter while taking a dump.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. And he'll show him his gall bladder scar for good measure

[WeDidIt]

3. I was hoping it went something like this

Stan, you know I have to take action. First, I will not accept your resignation. You retain your commission. Second, you're relieved of command. Fhird, pull off two stars. Finally, you will be manning a desk in the sub basement of the Pentagon.

You're dismissed.

[Gaedel]

6. It doesn't work that way

McChrystal has over thirty years of service. He retires at highest grade held.

[WeDidIt]

7. But he can be busted two stars

and kept on active duty.

Obama does not have to allow him to retire.

When he retires, he'll get the pay grade, but he does not have to be allowed to retire now.

[Gecko6400]

8. Not unless

Obama Court Marshals him which will never happen!

[MineralMan]

10. Actually, that is not correct.

As CiC, the President can simply use an Executive Order to reduce an officer's rank. There is precedent for that.

And it's "Court Martial," not "Court Marshal." Just so you know.

[wmbrew0206]

9. McChrystal can retire at any time. He is over 30 years and has the right to drop paper

Whenever he feels he wants too.

[Gaedel]

11. They can hold it up, but there has to be a pretty good reason eom

[JBoy]

4. I hope there were sharks with frickin' laser beams on their heads