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Loose Canons
The Petraeus Affair
His infidelity with his biographer is the least of it.
It’s such a cliché. A powerful man, away from home for years at a time, in jobs that put him under enormous emotional strain. A younger woman, attached to him by her job, spending endless hours with him on and off duty. That they fell into a love affair is so ordinary as to be boring.
What makes the sudden fall of CIA Director David H. Petraeus different? Nothing, really, except perhaps the timing of his defenestration, and even that is only mildly suspicious.
Petraeus had almost disappeared from sight after his move to the CIA last year. After winning high praise for his counterinsurgency commands in Iraq and Afghanistan — about which more in a moment — Petraeus was looked upon as an almost historic figure. No one knew his politics well enough to predict how the ambitious and still-young general would pursue the next step in his career. Before he took the CIA job, there was talk that he’d oppose Obama in the 2012 election.
But at the CIA, Petraeus seemed either to have changed or have revealed his inner political mind. Too many reports of his political acquiescence to Obama and Hillary Clinton were rumored, his reputation as a non-political player evaporated almost immediately.
Remember, this is the man who got from then-Senator Hillary Clinton a public thrashing in which she said his testimony required a “willing suspension of disbelief.” Clinton thus called him a liar around the time the MoveOn.org crew had taken out a full-page ad in the New York Times, the headline of which read “Petraeus Betray Us.” And then we learned some months ago that Clinton’s State Department was barring CIA agents’ access to several nations. Why Petraeus put up with that remains a mystery, but it confirmed rumors of his political descent.
And then we had the 9-11 anniversary attack on our consulate and CIA outpost in Benghazi, Libya. When it was revealed that the people under attack — the former SEALs working for the CIA and possibly the diplomats as well — were pleading for military aid during the attack, Petraeus’s spokesman issued a very specific statement which sounded as if he had drafted it personally.
The statement said that no one in the CIA chain of command turned down those pleas for help. Which could only mean two things. First, it confirmed that the pleas for help did come, and were heard at the highest levels of government. Second, that someone higher than Petraeus had to have turned down the requests for help from Americans under fire. In the executive branch of government, the only person who outranks a cabinet member such as the CIA Director is the president.
Petraeus was supposed to testify at a closed — i.e., classified — congressional hearing on Thursday about the Benghazi incident. What would he have testified? Now we won’t know, at least until Congress subpoenas his testimony, which it should do forthwith.
Which inevitably raises the question of timing, but in as small a way as his affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, was a cliché. Why did he resign just now? The FBI had investigated the correspondence between Petraeus and his lover, and between Broadwell and another woman. At first concerned that Broadwell had been given too much access to Petraeus’s email, the FBI determined that no law had been broken.
So why, just days after the election and less than a week before the congressional hearing, were we informed that Petraeus has resigned over the affair? The announcement, made late on Friday afternoon in the forlorn hope of minimizing news coverage over the weekend, was met with much tut-tutting among the pundits, none of whom, I’m sure, has ever been unfaithful to their spouse.
None of that faux-piety has any real bearing on the question of whether Petraeus’s removal was timed to deprive Congress of his testimony. We know — after Fast and Furious, after shoving the new arms control agreement through Congress — that the Obama administration will go to any lengths to stonewall congressional investigations and deliberations.
Petraeus’s testimony on Benghazi would have been of much more value than any other witness’s, and thus more potentially damaging to Obama. We know that Americans were under attack, and that both the CIA and the State Department were aware of it in real time. We also know that U.S. aircraft stationed at Sigonella, Italy, could have flown to their aid in less than an hour to suppress the attack and possibly save American lives. And we know that Petraeus — a former top commander who knows how to use air power, special forces, and all the other tools of war — would have been pressed by the committee on why those aircraft weren’t ordered in during the course of a seven-hour attack.
In short, Petraeus was in a position to know more, and explain better than anyone else other than Hillary Clinton or President Obama, what precisely happened here while the Benghazi attack went on. If he were honest — and that has to be presumed — his testimony could have blown the Benghazi affair sky high.
And it still may, but not soon. The Obama administration, in addition to its expertise in committing contempt of Congress, is skilled in delaying events to prevent political damage. But if Petraeus was forced out to prevent his testimony this week, Obama’s team will have only delayed and not prevented the damage that his testimony will eventually do. Unless congressional Republicans are complete idiots, they will get his testimony early next year.
Petraeus leaves as an historic figure whose legacy is not as bright as many people say. His counterinsurgency strategy didn’t defeat the enemy in Iraq or Afghanistan. It merely propped up tinfoil regimes that will either turn to be our enemies — as in Iraq — or will fall quickly and be replaced with enemies we’d fought before, as in Afghanistan.
There is no Schadenfreude here. I’ve met with Petraeus and talked at length with him six or eight times in the company of other military-oriented talking heads and journalists. He was a frequent participant — in person and on video conferences — with the military analyst group then-Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld created and of which I was a part.
Petraeus is brilliant, a congenial talker, and a very ambitious man. That those ambitions have been thwarted by this cliché of an affair evokes only a yawn. He departs, not with a bang or even a whimper.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
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Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 6:48AM
Yesterday was Veterans day, so let us remember all our veterans from the inception of this country till today, who have faught bravely and with valor. GOD Bless them and their families who also sacrifice every moment while their love ones are on the line. Always keep them in your prayers and always fight for this country as they fight - with honor and dignity - so that their service may never be in vain.
chuck| 11.12.12 @ 8:09AM
You know Joellen, there is a part of me that want to go the the local National Cemetery, and apologize to all the brave souls interred there for this country willing pissing away the freedoms too many of them died for.
Jack in Wi| 11.12.12 @ 8:12AM
Petraeus said an an open hearing that Israel was a strategic liability for the USA. We all know what happens when someone does that. See how the Neocons turn on their fromer hero, who they wanted to run for President.
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.12.12 @ 10:45AM
Leave it to Jack to use Petraeus's resignation as cover for an attack on Israel.
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 3:27PM
What's the problem?
Did he Pull his Pants down and tell some Gal to Kiss his Willey?
Did he RAPE anybody?
Did he have an 11 Year Extra-Marital Affair during his first 12 Years of Marriage?
Did he LIE to a Federal Grand Jury?
Was he using one end of this Broad as a Humidor for his Cigar, while he used the other end for something else?
Were his Actions any more BLACKMAILABLE, then those of PRESIDENT Bill Clinton, and his Phone Sex Partner?
General Petraeous needs to be left alone so he can go back to doing the work of the American People.
I'm sick the Fck to Death of the Double Standard.
Petraeous Fckd Up. He also saved our Ass in Iraq.
JFK Fckd Around. Right?
He gets a Pass.
Bill Clinton is a RAPIST. He's a Pathological Liar, and a Serial Misogenyst. He Violated our Campaign Finance Laws, and he gave out a Waiver to his Best Buddy - Bernhard Schwartz - and his Company - Loral Space - so that he could sell The Red Chinese, the Super Secret Navigational Technologies that they now use, as we speak, to Target our Cities with their ICBMs.
Last I looked?
Bill Clinton was STILL the Toast of the Town, and the other cause of any Erections Chris Mathews might have.
I'm not gonna throw one of our Greatest Generals under the bus for falling prey to some Young Piece of @ss, with a Nice Rack, and a Pretty Face.
That's why we call'em B*tches.
From Lilith, to Matahari, to Kim Khardashian.
I'll say it, again: I'm sick the Fck, of the Double Standards.
vtwin| 11.12.12 @ 11:41AM
The Neocons turned on Colin Powell to.
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 1:55PM
Actually, you've got that BACKWARDS.
Why am I not Surprised?
spike59| 11.12.12 @ 2:05PM
you wouldn't know a 'neocon' if you caught one coming out of your mom's bedroom, zipping up his pants; but keep spewing the nutjob rhetoric
Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 4:08PM
I fail to see how Bibi pulled down his pants and made him fornicate with a world class athlete, Jack. By the way, the IDF has a message that I think was intended for you, Jack:
"IDF [on twitter OT]
✔@IDFSpokesperson We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead."
Damn those pesky JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
By the way, Jack, Clint told me that you had the roster list telling me when it was time for me to take my turn in Bermuda's JewCave where the world's money supply is controlled. I forget...am I before or after the Rothschilds this year?
Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 4:12PM
By the way, Jack, you can't get around infidelity complaints by screwing Vietnamese potbellied pigs....thought I'd give you a friendly piece of advice.
Jews won 3 Nobel Prizes this year in the Sciences. Muslims---zero. For the last two years, Jews won 8 Nobels in the sciences, Muslims zero. As a matter of fact, 13 million Jews outscored the entire Muslim world's science Nobel score over the past 100 years in just 2 years.
And we killed the bastard who kidnapped Gilad Shalit today.
Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 8:13AM
I understand, however, for their honor stay in the battle.
Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 8:57AM
"I understand" is in response to Chuck NOT to Jack in Wi, who cant seem to understand who the bad guys are. Earth to Jack in Wi - it is not the constitutional American Jack, its the left who makes a mockery of everything that is good and right.
Kitty | 11.12.12 @ 6:54AM
Unless congressional Republicans are complete idiots...
JoeS| 11.12.12 @ 8:57AM
Kitty,
I was encouraged but brought back to reality by this one statement.
RandyH| 11.12.12 @ 9:49AM
ditto. no faith the republicants will be able to make anything of this....just like Fast and Furious and so on...
Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 6:57AM
Every thing about this administration is wrong. Obama, Pineta, Clinton, Holder, Big Sis, Pelosi, Reid, and now Petraeus. I never doubted Petraeus's allegience to Obaman and not the country when the likes of CNN; MSNBC, etc. from the first minute of reporting his resignation, got very emotional reporting the affair and emoting such adoration and concern as to what this would do to him, not to his wife, not to his children, not even what this would do to his county, but how this would effect him. If you doubt me, just go into the first reporting with Andrea Mitchell, she actually looked and sounded like she would start crying. Remember, this is a so called reporter - getting choked up about a high level Administrator for Obama, who cheated on his wife - and her grief is for him. The Media needs to be held for Treason - they are blantly working against this country and its survival.
chuck| 11.12.12 @ 7:59AM
Nobody cares any more, they just want their "free stuff".
Besides, it's all Bush's fault, it will take 20 years to reverse the damage.
America 1776-2012 RIP
Rational| 11.12.12 @ 11:22PM
No and Yes.
truthseeker| 11.13.12 @ 8:45AM
Chuck, I am in total agreement with you. Twenty years to reverse the damage; sadly I don't think we can reverse it. No one does care anymore and I truly don't know how anyone can change that. Years of government dependency has created what we have now today. Not only are we plunging over a fiscal cliff, but we are plunging over a moral one as well.
Von Mises Jr| 11.12.12 @ 6:58AM
Breitbart is reporting that the mistress Broadwell suggest that the attack was to free insurgents from a secret CIA prison. If this is the case, then not only did Obama not close Gitmo, but he set up his own rendition on foreign soil.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-G.....forcements
Al Adab| 11.12.12 @ 8:29AM
His own rendition. That is quite an indictment Jr.
Answer me this though, Why did Petreus need to resign over an affair when the former C-in-C did not? He was excused by claims that its only sex and everyone lies about that.
How did the general become a darling of the Left when not so long ago he was "General betrayus" to them?
Von Mises Jr| 11.12.12 @ 9:16AM
Since everyone is clamming up just like “Fast and Furious,” the details are sparse. But if what Broadwell is saying is true, I don't know what else to call it. Listen for yourself: http://www.breitbart.com/Breit.....CIA-Prison
As to why the left would ravage Petraeus as General "Betray Us" and now throw him under the bus even though he is one of their own tells you everything about the Liberals. Clinton was the President and leading the Party. It was critical that nothing take him down. The General was expendable and they needed a distraction and fall guy.
pogybait| 11.12.12 @ 9:39AM
.... a good choice, after all they could destroy his pension/benefits and silence him without having to snip his vocal cords.....
Mike in N.C.| 11.12.12 @ 4:51PM
Breitbart, as usual, is quite behind the story.
MelvinNC| 11.12.12 @ 7:03AM
The General's behavior is completely inexcusable, as well as the trollop biographer.
That trollop lives in North Carolina and her neighbors are rolling out the pity party for her.
"Oh, people make mistakes, oh the General was under allot of pressure." yadda, yadda, yadda.
I to was in the military and for seventeen years I was faithful to my God, my wife, my family, and my Marine Corps with the men that served under me. I expected no less from my men that were married.
Am I tooting my own horn? Well yes I suppose I am, because it is a worthy virtue, of strength, and dedication of not only the woman that a man choses to spend the rest of his life with, but the men who follow this man into combat.
The General and his trollop, do not deserve our pity or sympathies, but they deserve our scorn.
Stormzeye| 11.12.12 @ 7:36AM
How noble of you Melvin.
You cannot judge a person's infidelity to their spouse. There may be many reasons for staying in a bad marriage. Was Eisenhower a dog and Kay Summersby a "trollop"? Was he deserving of scorn for his lack of virtue, strength and dedication? Hardly.
Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 7:53AM
Stormzeye - your judging Melvin - but you dont see it because you want to perpetuate what is wrong with this country - Relativity.
Well guess what Stormzeye Melvin has EARNED our respect, but you cant see that, possibly because you have your own agenda.
Thank you Melvin, and all those who served our country honorably. GOD bless and keep them safe.
Stormzeye| 11.12.12 @ 2:35PM
Eisenhower served our country honorably and was banging Kay Summersby like a screen door. BTW, I have no agenda but the truth.
fmm| 11.12.12 @ 9:21AM
Yes
vtwin| 11.12.12 @ 11:54AM
Or, Melvin is just ugly and the opportune never arose.
MelvinNC| 11.12.12 @ 1:53PM
What the you mean by that comment?
Curtis Rasmussen| 11.12.12 @ 2:08PM
Power is the aphrodisiac, not appearance. You would know this if you ever had or worked with someone in a position of authority.
Vtwin, don't go away stupid, just go away.
MelvinNC| 11.12.12 @ 1:52PM
It is not the fidelity, but the character of the man that makes up the fidelity.
If a man knowningly and willfully cheats on his spouse, he will cheat on anyone or anything.
"Eisenhower a dog and Kay Summersby a "trollop" If they had an affair absolutely.
There is an old saying. "If the shoe fits, then they should wear it."
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:38AM
yes, Eisenhower WAS a dog, and deserving of scorn for his infidelity-
Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 4:14PM
No, I judge Betrayus by the fact that he thought that Nation Building the Muslim world would work.
By the way, he betrayed his military oath. I stayed faithful to my wife so far through 17 years and two malignancies. Screw Betrayus.
Joellen| 11.12.12 @ 7:49AM
Thank you for your service Melvin - you are just one reason why we must fight for the soul of this country.
chuck| 11.12.12 @ 8:05AM
Thanks for your service, Melvin.
I've always believed that the most scared vows we take, are when we stand in front of family and friends, in the presence of God, and pledge ourselves to a single person. When any individual breaks these vows, a certain amount of trust is lost forever.
Al Adab| 11.12.12 @ 8:33AM
Inexcusable Mel? It was OK to The Left when their C-in-C did it. They excused him with, "Its only sex" and "everybody lies about that". I am certain that you are not numbered among them nor am I, but it does demonstrate their complete adherence to moral relativism and hypocricy. At least The General was a man of honor and did not lie for the sake of his power and position.
benny havens| 11.12.12 @ 9:36AM
Duty, Honor, Country.
A Cadet will not lie, cheat or steal. And will not tolerate anyone who does.
If you cheat at The USMA, you are obligated to turn yourself in.
Once a member of the Corps, always a member of the Corps.
Maybe this is why he turned himself in and resigned.
PJ| 11.12.12 @ 10:28AM
He turned himself in because classified information was leaked under his watch from his computer with his permission.
benny havens| 11.12.12 @ 12:02PM
The FBI has already stated that no classified information was released.
There is a report that a family friend of Petraeus was receiving negative e-mails from the biographer. The FBI was alerted and started an investigation. He got caught.
Sounds like the biographer is Evelyn from “Play Misty for Me”.
spike59| 11.12.12 @ 2:06PM
"The FBI has already stated that no classified information was released."
----------------------------------------------------------
and you actually believe that...how pwecious is THAT??????
Elle| 11.12.12 @ 3:17PM
The media are now reportin that Broadwell "outed" the CIA annex as a prison for at least 2 Libya militia men and it is believed this may have been the reason for the attack. She said this in a speech on 10-26-12. So it appears that classified info may well have been released as part of intimate conversations with Petraeus.
As for your reference to the neighbor, Jill Kelly, there is no indication that she was stalking Petraeus. All indications are that Broadwell became jealous of Kelly and made a serious effort to intimidate her.
Bill8472| 11.12.12 @ 1:30PM
So he lied, cheated, and stole. And after he broke up with his illicit lover, then he did not tolerate himself.
And both of them went to West Point, I might point out. Where was her honor code in all of this? I guess because she's a woman, honor isn't as binding, right?
Elle| 11.12.12 @ 3:22PM
I had the same thought. She was in a less important position but was equally dishonorable.
wukong| 11.12.12 @ 4:54PM
How do you know what position she was in?
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:41AM
he didn't 'turn himself in'...had it not been for the FBI investigation, he'd still be the CIA chief whose unknown mistress divulged classified information in a speech in October
Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 4:15PM
Was he a man of honor? I don't know that.
Liberals are moral vermin. They hold Conservatives to a higher standard. That's OK.
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 9:36AM
and when it's over he will lay next to that drunk pos in arlington......I say no respect.
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.12.12 @ 10:53AM
Thanks for your distinguished service Melvin. I guess the feeling some have about this is that because adultery is understandable given the circumstances, it's therefore excusable. Of course, the one doesn't follow from the other.
I wonder why these people aren't making the same excuses for Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair. I already know the answer: because Sinclair, in pursuing his adulterous liaisons, violated feminist codes of behavior while there doesn't seem to be any indication of that from Patraeus -- not yet at least.
Bob K| 11.12.12 @ 11:55AM
He is in the process of proving to everyone that he is an idiot.
He is an idiot if he engaged in the behavior alleged. And if he did not, he is a bigger idiot for not denying it and fighting for his reputation.
He never had any talent beyond self promotion. Obama recognized a like soul in him.
One thing we know is that he was always a media creation. After he mastered the art of Political Connections, starting with marrying the daughter of the Commandant of West Point, he mastered the art of being a celebrity and the media loved him for it. He used the media to get his 4 stars and his political appointment to the CIA. Now that he has embarrassed the media it is in the process of destroying him and his alleged girlfriend.
It is a great media event! A feeding frenzy and American Spectator has laid out a table of goodies to feast on.
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 7:02PM
Bob......there's my take they hate betrayus, but they put him in a position to get even with him.
FF now he is incharge of the CIA...."they" the CIA are running guns...oops David doesn't like it.
Now they got him by the ba**s with this sex deal so now he won't tell the truth about FF2.
Elle| 11.12.12 @ 3:07PM
Thank you so much for your comment. I am partnered with a fine, conservative, man who has proved his loyalty. I was beginning to think he was the last one that held these values. God bless you and your family.
Glen H| 11.12.12 @ 7:56AM
My understanding is that not only is the CIA Director not a cabinet member, but the person he reports to, the Director of National Intelligence, is also not a cabinet member.
OP4| 11.12.12 @ 7:57AM
I wonder how long it will take for the whole truth to come out? So far 2 General Officers and the CIA Director have been relieved under strange circumstances.
axbucxdu| 11.12.12 @ 8:39AM
"...I wonder how long it will take for the whole truth to come out?"
Till hell freezes over, you can count on that. And what's Babin got to say? Ho hum. The rethugs deserve their sh**t up nest.
Frank Drackman| 11.12.12 @ 8:52AM
General Petraeus was rude, lewd, and displayed conduct totally unbecoming of a Flag Officer, I mean who does he think he is, a DemoKKKrat Congressman/Senator/President?
But hey, I missed the part where he left Ms. Broadwell(ain't nuthin Broad about that Broad)to asphyxiate(not drown, there's a difference) in an upside down Oldsmobile...
In conclusion, Shame General Petraeus, Shame..
and YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!
Frank "I need some sweet young thang to write my biography"Drackman
Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 4:17PM
By the way, I played with much better looking women than he did in SoCal.
c. j. acworth| 11.12.12 @ 8:52AM
If Petraeus really does know something that would damage President Empty Chair then he will exercise Executive Privilage to prevent Petraeus from testifying. Remember Holder? And of course, instead of outrage from the press, there will be a collective yawn, move along, nothing to see here.
PJ| 11.12.12 @ 10:33AM
It's not that Petraeus knows something; it's that classified information which happens to be very damaging to the incumbent was leaked to the public. If this leak was exposed before the election, it could have elected Romney because the progressive peace-niks would have stayed away from the polls.
itsy_bitsy| 11.12.12 @ 8:56AM
The Petraeus Affair is being used by the President and the "putrid" press to detract from Benghazi and a fraudulent election. Both are very serious with very long lasting results! First the stolen election (as per Clinton Curtis, former NASA programer and Democrat candidate, who wrote the program that would allow for voter fraud, electronically, that is undetectable unless immediately spotted) which could make the results every election from now on suspect. Second, the Benghazi incident, which is an example of a treacherous administration that appears to be working against the best interest of this country!
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 9:41AM
see video "Hacking Democracy"
can you say voter fraud........
Russel| 11.12.12 @ 9:07AM
I don't wish to sound like Perp ( who's prob still sleeping ) , but who really cares ? . When this country is in so much deep s*** and it gets deeper by the day . What I'd give for someone to come up with the dirt on the Tapeworm Reid , who has used his office to finagle land deals , taken kickbacks from casino's and who knows how many bribes to push on-line gambling . THAT is only what is common knowledge . He obstructs any common sense bi-partisan legislation and hasn't offered any budget ( much less balanced ) since we can remember . He held the vote on Obamacare Christmas eve so no one would be in a postion to offer ant sort of rebuttal and his presents to senators were ____ ( pick your word ) in their unConstitutionality . Now he wants to raise the debt ceiling once again and blatantly admitted his willingness to work with us is a pipe dream . No author , THIS is what I'd like to see on these pages . An expose ' on how many real crooks are in charge of our well being , not another stupid sex number .
PJ| 11.12.12 @ 10:35AM
See my comment at 10:33 am. Also remember that Romney lost by 330000 votes & there are alot of peace-niks out there.
MisterNatural| 11.12.12 @ 9:08AM
congress has been about as effective as the reichstag after the enabling act when it comes to dealing with the current admin
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.12.12 @ 9:26AM
"He departs, not a bang or even a whimper."
Given that the departure is reportedly due to the extramarital affair, I can't believe that Frank Drackman didn't point out the inaccuracy of the former part of the above statement.
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 10:04AM
He's "banging" out a response as we sit.
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 9:35AM
Forget about Petraeus acting stupidly because of his failure to "manage" his urges. I mean, Geez, he's the head of the CIA, you'd think if anyone HE would understand how that can get you in trouble! But that's for another thread.
The point is who here doesn't believe The Chicago Machine wouldn't use this little nugget for political advantage if need be?
And then, poof, the Benghazi episode happens. They need the CIA chief to fall in line with The Story for re-election purposes so they use the nugget as leverage.
I know, you know, our pets know the obama administration would have no reservations about doing this.
pogybait| 11.12.12 @ 9:52AM
It's called preventative care...they still haven't finished waterboarding the rest of the story.... Chicago style
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 11:33AM
And all part of that "most transparent presidency in history" garbage he fed us.
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 7:06PM
bingo.....Bob
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 9:49AM
Come on Bob......the blood ran from the big head to the little head.
He was a victim.....she stood there.... ya know like EVE and said it's ok take a bite.
Was EVE naked ? I can't remember.......
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 9:58AM
The word is he took two bites...or was is a bite from another apple?...or were their two Eves? ....Heck, I don't know. I never was good at metaphors and analogies (that's why I never won TLP's Friday analogy game).
The point is, there's word on the street Mr. Petraeus had ANOTHER gal on the side.
Apparently, Satan was very busy with this guy.
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 9:59AM
cor: there, not "their".
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 11:01AM
Everybody wins, at The Contest, Bobby.
Just because you don't get one of the Prizes, doesn't mean you don't win.
We've gone from Strangers, from all over the place, into more than Acquaintances, and almost like Family.
So, quit your B*tching, learn how to Spell, and get You, and your Crap Analogies, over to The Contest this Friday.
I can't imagine that there's any way in Hell, that you have anything better to do, that day. Or, the next day. Or, the one after that.
And, don't write me back, lying that you do.
Bob Grant| 11.12.12 @ 3:24PM
Heh... in the unlikely event that I have a commitment I shall decline, for it would never cross my mind to miss the Best Analogy Game On The Net.
And that's no lie!
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 3:31PM
You mean: The Best Analogy Game on the PLAnet, don't you?
Of course you do.
mike 3/505| 11.12.12 @ 4:35PM
In the universe....Quit playing small ball
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 4:47PM
Good afternoon, Colonel.
Happy Veteran's Day.
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 10:51AM
Why can't you remember?
You were there, weren't ya?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.12.12 @ 2:10PM
Tim;
The shirts came in on Saturday. I wore the US Vet shirt proudly on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in honor of all who served. Thanks much.
TLP| 11.12.12 @ 4:50PM
My pleasure.
You deserve them, and I'm only glad that I had them to give.
Wear them well.
The long sleeve is Big, so just Dryer the Hell out of it.
Chicken Foot.
Dodd2| 11.12.12 @ 10:00AM
The guy's a rat. He sold out the Republic. He's covering for Obama.
Louis Jenkins| 11.12.12 @ 10:56AM
He's sold out the Republic? All considered we no longer have a Republic. The Republic is dead as of Nov. 6th. Now it's every man for himself, and if you can sell out your guilty neighbor for a slice of bread, or a big slice of cake, then go ahead. For some reason it was kept a secret until after the election, and once Obama was back in, well, the fat lady sang an astounding finish to the opera. Maybe it was Hillary, Obama, or perhaps it was Bite Me, but someone was standing on this secret until it became useful. Say, testifying on the Bengahzi episode. Nothing will become of this. It will all be swept under the rug.
Thank you for your sevice Melvin. Some people have principles, others have none, such as Obama or Petraeus.
PJ| 11.12.12 @ 11:01AM
What's wrong with everybody? Doesn't anyone see the real problem with Benghazigate?
A CIA Director gives access of classified information to a person with a minimum to no security clearance.------THE HEAD OF A SPY AGENCY breaches protocol for whatever stupid reason!!! Doesn't anyone see this as incredible?
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY Obama could have lost the 2012 election. In the 2008 election he promised the naive, how about stupid, progressives that he would close the CIA prisons. And he supposedly did in Jan 2009. The progressives loved him for that.The CIA prisons were another big reason why they hated George with such venom.
Broadwell's public speech proved that he lied to his favorite subjects. The CIA ran a prison in Benghazi. Obama & gang had to know about it. Panetta certainly did.
If this information was revealed before the election the incumbent would have lost. Petraeus is not the important character here but only the scapegoat. It's this type of information that should have been made public somehow before the election so that his favorite subjects would be less inclined to vote for the son of a b*tch! And Romney would win.
Constance| 11.12.12 @ 11:10AM
Uh, folks? Congress should subpoena this man to testify NOW, not next year. Hillary should be forced to testify NOW, not next year when she has resigned her position as well. How stupid is our side? Just how stupid? Apparently, quite a bit.
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 11:34AM
We will see who serious they are this week...constance.
SUBVET| 11.12.12 @ 11:35AM
HOW.............SORRY
Who Knows?| 11.12.12 @ 11:13AM
Gunther Grass, author of "Tin Drum" and ex-Nazi under Hitler, penned a memorable way of understanding the male-female physical trip--
holes and stoppers.
As a normal male, who can't imagine going for a week without sex, it's always amazed me that military men are able to serve on ships for many months away from their wives, or in places of war bereft of "holes".
Must be a fair amount of masturbating going on.
Ah, I can still remember the time Bob Hope visited us in Vietnam, with the sexy babes almost naked babes to strut in front of us.
The angle of the dangle---
Bill8472| 11.12.12 @ 1:35PM
...is inversely proportional to...
Hardcard| 11.12.12 @ 11:19AM
Very very corrupt, is different from stupid. Almost all our leaders are dirty and morally bankrupt.
Dodd2| 11.12.12 @ 1:22PM
One other thing.
This is 2012. How incredible stupid must Petraeus be to essentially document his illicit affair in emails?
Come on. Emails are forever.
Bill8472| 11.12.12 @ 1:34PM
Interstingly, the biography the bimbo Petraeus was fooling around with entitled the biography "All In," which is what cadets are supposed to say to the guard cadet who comes around to do bed-check after Taps, under penalty of an honor violation.
Dr. Emilio Lizardo| 11.12.12 @ 1:37PM
Petraeus has disgraced his name, his family, his unit and his country. Supposedly a warrior, he has but one option to wipe away his transgressions. The Samurai knew what to do. But rather than adjourn to a quiet place with a trusted second, Petraeus will likely just lawyer up, take the 5th etc.
Mike in N.C.| 11.12.12 @ 4:47PM
Uh, Doctor, this is the 21st century. Hello!!!!
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:44AM
...and?
atilla| 11.12.12 @ 1:48PM
Jed Babbin has it exactly right.
There is something very distasteful and dishonest going on between Petraeus and obama and hrc, and I am inclined to believe that the dishonesty and corruption of government officials is part and parcel of this administrations makeup.
At some point, there must be an accumulation of enough evidence to impeach the entire executive branch of the o administration......let's git 'er done for the sake of OUR country.
MelvinNC| 11.12.12 @ 2:13PM
Some of you people just don't frigging get it do you. My initial comment was not about just getting the ass. In fact it isn't about getting the ass at all. Its about as some have noted Honor, the code, integrity, honesty, and dedication to ones convictions.
By reading many of the comments the above is in very short supply that is the problem with many civilian especially the Liberal ones, its all about getting the ass and that is all that matters, married or not.
The general during his career had the authority to stand in judgment of his soldiers that served in his command. If a soldier committed adultery he or she would be charged as such, and judgment and punishment would be passed down by the General at what ever rank he was, most as a Company grade officer.
During my career I have seen enlisted ranks get punished for adultery, I have seen tight disciplined units go to shit over a woman or women.
Its like a cancer that spreads distrust, anger turning Marine against Marine. I suppose of you who have made derogatory comments can't see past your own peckers, but then again that is why your a Liberal isn't it?
Thom| 11.12.12 @ 3:22PM
Melvin,
How many times while you were in have you seen RHIP in operation? Rank has its Privileges?
I saw it enough over 6 years to give me a good idea that such stuff is alive and well. I don’t think very many at the high end of latter would rise to our concepts of honor. The moment PET stood in for McK red flags went up on my radar. The day PET left AF for CIA I knew something was very wrong.
By the end of the week we will know more about PET's affair than we will ever know about BenG. Honorable men don’t work for lying bastards.
djn1313| 11.12.12 @ 2:30PM
Our nation is in the hands of our enemy in DC and half of Americans don't care. They re-elected obama for four more years of his lies, deceit, arrogance, race/class warfare rhetoric, and treachery. As long as they get their free stuff, four dead Americans don't really matter.
Anthony| 11.12.12 @ 3:19PM
Total and complete corruption from the president and his entire corrupt Democrat party.
Welcome to the new America. They make the Mafia look like boyscouts.
Mike in N.C.| 11.12.12 @ 4:52PM
Such a clever post. Did you think this up all by yourself, Sunshine?
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:45AM
no, all he had to do was open his eyes to the obvious
Mike in N.C.| 11.12.12 @ 4:44PM
Jed,
What about the FBI agent who, in the midst of the investigation, violated Bureau rules designed to protect the integrity of an investigation and the privacy of a person under scrutiny by leaking information to Representative David Reichert (R., Wash) who in turn passed the information to Eric Cantor? I would like to see this story investigated.
Andrew P111| 11.12.12 @ 11:12PM
That agent has apparently been caught, according to radio reports. This case just gets deeper and deeper.
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:47AM
maybe they'll let him share a cell with the UTube video creator/Benghazi fall guy
Marc Jeric| 11.12.12 @ 7:28PM
This analysis is 100% right!
rmadd| 11.12.12 @ 8:26PM
If I were you General, I would watch my back.
Pete Esq| 11.12.12 @ 8:48PM
Jed, this is sheer idiocy. Petraeus will testify. He will be compelled to do so if he is at all reticent. But, Petraeus will not be so and will come willingly. Thus, the premise for your article is poppycock. Us conservatives are never going to get anywhere if we go about making false conspiracy and scandal charges at every turn for political advantage. I fear for my country not because of Obama, but because our loyal opposition is so obviously irrational and out of kilter. Good God man, grab ahold of yourself and write something sensible. For the good of us all, let's loose the Obama derangement syndrome.
Rational| 11.12.12 @ 11:19PM
Petraeus issued a 'very specific statement', but you do not put it in quotes. So your implications are meaningless. What would have testified? Your right, we don't know. So you put words in his mouth. The hearing was going to be closed door, anyway. Personally, I want to hear what he has to say.
As to 'Fast and Furious', let me guess: if not for those weapons, Mexico would be a peaceful place. It is so hard to purchase a weapon in Arizona, that the Mexican drug lords would be disarmed. Conservatives were quick to jump on that Border Guard killing. They were prepared to link it to F&F. But damn, it turned out to be friendly fire. So you just moved on to the next trumped up 'scandal'. Obama isn't going anywhere. Get a life.
spike59| 11.13.12 @ 5:50AM
As to 'Fast and Furious', let me guess: if not for those weapons, Mexico would be a peaceful place. It is so hard to purchase a weapon in Arizona, that the Mexican drug lords would be disarmed. Conservatives were quick to jump on that Border Guard killing. They were prepared to link it to F&F. But damn, it turned out to be friendly fire. So you just moved on to the next trumped up 'scandal'. Obama isn't going anywhere. Get a life.
--------------------------------------------------------
the families of HUNDREDS of dead Mexican citizens, killed with guns purchased at Eric Holder's F&F Nortamericano Gun Emporium, might tend to disagree with you...elections have consequences; and quite often those consequences are deadly
Theo Prinse| 11.13.12 @ 6:10AM
Laura Broadwell, Jill Kelley and general John Allen are media intent maneuvres to distract from the main responsibility of frm General and frm CIA director David Petraeus from the Benghazi CIA arms smuggle operation leading to the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, frm seals Glenn Doherty and Tyrone Woods and intell. Officer Sean Smith in which Turkish Consul General Ali Sait Akin played a complicit role as well..
It now appears on top of the suspicion that the Russians forced to confiscate the illegal CIA weapon shipments in a Turkish port is surpassed by the fact that Manpads RPGs etc can be deployed against Israel, Turkeys Kurds and against the Jordanian monarchy.
Not only is the Benghazigate about treason by Obama in smuggling weapons to AL Qaeda but also to the endangering of several neighboring western friendly countries in the region ...
Via that route Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is back in the policital blame game ...
Benghazigate is an international scandal or betrayal of the level of the Hitler Stalin Pact
Pete Esq| 11.13.12 @ 8:59PM
LOL! What a bizarre load of nonsense. Get thee out of thy house for some fresh air man. You are suffocating in inane thoughts.