CBS Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan certainly did herself and her fellow war correspondent no favors with her inept defense of war zone ground rules, even as she may have been right about a few things. In defending the press corps, against charges they are too chummy with the military, Logan wounded them grievously with misaimed friendly fire. She unfortunately reinforced the worst stereotype of reporters who “embed” with senior military officers but are actually “in bed” with them.

Let me make one thing “McChrystal clear:” My job as a journalist is to uncover truth, not cover-up it up. I have an unambiguous duty to do that to the best of my ability, while acting in an ethical, honest, and impartial way. And at times, agreeing to witness important, even historic events, “off-the-record” can be an invaluable tool in doing that job.

Two unfortunate consequences are likely to flow from the demise of Gen. Stan McChrystal because his incautious, career-killing over-sharing with a reporter for Rolling Stone.
1. Opportunities for reporters to witness the inner workings of military commanders firsthand will dry up, at least in the short run.
2. The credibility of mainstream defense media will take an unfair hit, as critics pounce on the “revelation” some journalists have are not been reporting everything they see and hear, in return for continued access.

The Rolling Stone reporter has speculated Gen. Stanley McChrystal exhibited “a sort of natural kind of recklessness.” I have another theory: Gen. McChrystal might have been under the misimpression Hastings would protect him, in return for the great access and candor.

It’s hard to see how the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan can keep his job, given his admitted “poor judgment” in publicly airing his misgivings about his dealings with President Obama and members of his administration, while fostering a command climate in which his “profane, irreverent aides” as the Washington Post described them, mocked Vice President Joe Biden.

if you are wondering why the Obama administration is suddenly having serious second thoughts about poring more troops into Afghanistan, here’s the short version. A lot has changed in the past few months.