Editor:

John McCain was right when he described the comments of General McChrystal as “inappropriate.”

Any person who wears the uniform knows they answer to civilian authority. It is clear from the Rolling Stone article that the general was not setting the example as the senior officer in the room when his staff made very inappropriate comments about the civilian leadership they answer to.

For them to disparage the National Security Advisor, Jim Jones, as a “clown” is simply unacceptable. General Jones, a retired four-star Marine Corps general with 40 years of service, had served our nation as U.S. Marine Corps Commandant, to then follow that service as both Supreme Allied Commander Europe (the highest NATO military position) and Commander, U.S. European Command; the first Marine to ever hold these two commands. That is hardly the track record of a clown.

They also disparaged Vice President Biden. We may not always agree with our politicians, but we should respect the office they hold regardless of party. This is especially true for those wearing the uniform. The Vice President has served our nation most of his adult life and saw his son deploy to Iraq. Regardless of his politics, he enjoys my respect and should also enjoy the respect of General McChrystal’s staff. General McChrystal well knows that being the highest ranking person in the room carries with it the responsiblity of that rank.

One of those responsibilities is to set the example and put down hard the wisecracks of someone who is speaking “out of line.” To not do so is to condone such behavior.

That act, his silence, cost him his job, and so it should. Some nations couldn’t handle this change. Our nation can because we completely accept the control of our military by the civilian leadership. To have it any other way would spell the end of our cherished republic.

Good luck to General Patreus in his new role.

He’ll need it.

David Lattin,Lientenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retired

Wallowa