Well done. Your article did me much good. You have quality, sir.  Because I’m going through my introspective phase usually experienced by American teenagers, instead of 45 year old Dallas women,  I found it highly interesting that I, a mere wannabe writer, chose to comment on an article commenting on the Story, rather directly on the Story itself—just like you did.  You can see my post here: http://havothsthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/06/general-mcchrystals-folly.html ...and yes it’s my tiny bloglet.  It’s not special or unusal, just crap…crap…crap…GOLD…crap…crap. Hey, I’m learning.

And now I’ve gone and researched/joined/logged in to Project PM. And donated to you. So I have a history of putting my money (even though it’s not a large amount) where my opinions are.  By the way, the main reason I donated to you is for what you wrote here: I smoke Top rolling tobacco, which goes for around $3 a package and is sold in many prison commissaries. I eat oatmeal for breakfast rather than endangered condor eggs dipped in wasabi-infused veal compote like Christopher Hitchens does. Anyway, the tobacco is necessary for my work…” As it is for my work as well. And yes, because Christopher Hitchens is far too uppity to meet me at the local Waffle House and discuss healthcare or fashion or politics or other vanities.

Please tell me what else you’d like me to do to contribute to the Project PM – does PM stand for Pundits(-try) Managed(-ment)? Because I work as a consultant in Property Management and Project Management and I’m starting to wonder what is my fetish with the letters P and M…?

Although I do wish Mr. Hastings had used more quotes directly attributable to General McChrystal, that expressed the sentiments his staff seemed to reflect, I found his article to be completely and utterably believable.  I think Gen. McChrystal also has shouldered his responsibility as well, although I can’t help but wonder if he wanted this to happen so he could get out of the quagmire of Afghanistan with his reputation as a fighting general intact. After all he’s resigning/getting fired for comments his staff made, not how he ran things. 

 I used to subscribe to the National Review. About 1999 or so, it became obvious to me that the personality of the magazine had started to confine its opinions to dubious, albeit comfortable conventional wisdoms,  that shortly netted us George W. Bush and not-so-neo-cons in the 2000 election.  As for Thomas Friedman, well, let’s just say that I do not recognize him anymore. 20 years ago he had great language AND integrity.  I trust the journalistic integrity of Jon Stewart on the Daily Show more for consistency. And I’m 45, white, educated female, not the typical Comedy Channel demographic.

I used to subscribe to the Rolling Stone, but after about 2002-03, it seemed that they had given up trying to expose or opine faithfully or with demonstrable facts upon anyone’s politics and stuck to the music/video/pop culture/infotainment world as the only safe topics to pander to the readers, with only occasional coverage of hard news. It was understandable what with Cheney, the wars, 9-11, Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, loss of Habeas Corpus, and pretty much, the scariest White House Administration ever visited upon this nation in terms of devastation to the environment, the economy, the Constitution and the confidence in the American Republic for which it stands.  I must admit, I’ve only checked in with them a few times since about pre-election period of 2008.  Other than the economic crisis coverage it seemed that RS was getting comfy with the new guy in the White House, before getting back on its course of outstanding journalism.

Mr. Hastings has renewed my faith in the Journalist as the beacon of integrity.  So I renewed my subscription to Rolling Stone today.  I’ve taken Vanity Fair all along…

If you can pass my praise on to Mr. Hastings, I’d be much obliged. Can’t seem to locate his email address…

Kari Bunch

469.321.1586 (cell)

972-220-9580 (office)

817.977.6630 (fax)

mailto:karibunch@yahoo.com

 “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; & suddenly you are doing the impossible.” St. Francis of Assisi