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Throw the Book at Him
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Obama’s Imbroglios
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My Rahm Reunion
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The Current Crisis
Sex and the Generals
Beyond the sexapades there is something deadly serious going on.
WASHINGTON — Sex remains the surest prop for all that is funny… and sad. In the first instance we often call the result ribaldry. In the second instance it is always called tragedy.
General David Petraeus has, in war, been a hero. In public service too he was a national asset. But toward the end of his soldiering his life is now cast in doubt, and as the head of CIA the doubt has increased. Almost certainly as director of central intelligence he was no Dick Helms or Bill Casey. Those names from a better era illuminate the drear of this tawdry episode, and I hope it is merely tawdry, not anything more than that. Certainly it could not be the national betrayal spoken of by Ben Stein this week at Spectator.org, could it?
For now, at least in the case of General Petraeus, this leggy scandal is a tragedy, particularly when it comes to his children, his wife, and his, as the news accounts term it, “storied career.” In the case of Paula Broadwell, the general’s inamorata, it was a disaster waiting to happen. All that running, performing push-ups (partial), the graduate work in a fictive study at Harvard State University, the stylish dress (usually out of place), the “competitiveness” — egads! I could have put General Petraeus in touch with a seasoned international playboy who would take one look at this perfumed stalker and counsel caution. Get out, general, while you can. This woman is trouble and, not to betray my sources, she has been trouble for years.
We live in an era awash in sex or what another generation called sexual hygiene. There is sex education at an early age. Continuing sex education goes on through adolescence. When life begins for young adults, Americans have more information about sex than almost any other discipline, and most of it is useless. They still get pregnant in vast numbers out of wedlock, have abortions, and suffer all the other calamities associated with sex. Who doubts that General Petraeus, when he is asked to reveal the details of his sexual adventures in public, will get the shouted question, “General, did you practice safe sex?” The question has been asked before.
Frankly I relish the American educator or health professional — usually female — who serves as the know-it-all advisor to society on sex. Remember Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Bill Clinton’s surgeon general? She was agog on the topic of sex. One of her forward-looking specialties was masturbation. She thought it should be taught in schools as an alternative to, I am not sure what, group sex, sex with a household pet, his and her sex? At any rate, her pontifications on masturbation got her fired from her job as surgeon general but not before she had held forth on contraception too.
She was for it, and made as much a pest of herself on contraception as the delusional women in the recent election. They seemed to see themselves as irresistible to the male of the species, and thus it was a matter of national security that they receive all manner of free birth control from intrauterine devices to extra-uterine devices to ad-hoc ergo-propter-hoc uterine devises. Dr. Elders doubtless agreed. For sheer hilaritas give me sex any day.
Now Mrs. Broadwell’s father has stepped from his home in Bismarck, North Dakota, and informed the New York Daily News that his daughter is the target of “character assassination.” This I cannot conceive, but I agree with him as he went on to say, “This is about something else entirely, and the truth will come out.” He added, “There’s a lot more here than meets the eye.” Ben Stein says the eye should be on Attorney General Eric Holder. Yes, perhaps, but I would keep an eye on Benghazi, and forget not Mrs. Broadwell’s revelations about Libyans being held prisoner in Benghazi by our CIA.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (146) | Leave a comment
More Articles by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
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Kitty | 11.15.12 @ 6:26AM
I expect for from a general. Is there nothing sacred left in America? General Betray-Us indeed.
Aristocat| 11.15.12 @ 6:56AM
How do the troops in Afghanistan feel about their leader pumping a married woman with three small children while they are separated from their wives and families?
Kitty | 11.15.12 @ 7:21AM
And how do they feel knowing that their general's testimony on Benghazi & the 4 dead is now owned by Obama? Who's got their back now? What General David Petraeus did to the troops and the country is far worse than 'simply' betraying his marriage vows (which is bad enough).
Von Mises Jr| 11.15.12 @ 7:36AM
You get the brass ring, Kitty. If Petreaus was sleeping with Obama Czar Kevin Jennings, it would be trivial compared to what has happened to our country.
We just had the equivalent of Jonathan Swift's "Yahoo's" take control of the country. They are reduced to biting and stealing from each other gazing at shiny objects and opining when another yahoo steals their trinkets.
We had "Fast and Furious" and Mexicans vote for the guy who gave the drug cartels AK-47's. We had half the Military vote for a guy whom won't let them shoot back at terrorist and abandoned 32 of their own in Libya. People in NY and NJ voted for a guy that made a two-hour photo op and then flew to a fundraiser and went golfing. So when high taxes, a market crash, local terrorism and perhaps a depression come to them, they own it.
CJW| 11.15.12 @ 8:10AM
We all seem to say the same. Why would Gen Petraus work for Obama and with Mrs Bubba, who called him a liar. Maybe we should have listened to Hillary since she knows liars. Petraus testified within days of 9/11 that the video caused the attack. Nobody believed that, not even obama and susan rice, but they all said it as part of Axelrod's re-election campaign. If Petraus was a real general he would have been concerned about the four dead American heros, and not concerned about his so called reputation that he sold to help re-elect obama.
SUBVET| 11.15.12 @ 10:28AM
Petraus a war hero.....the best general since sliced bread......?
Gee...... wonder what Patton, McArthur, and Pershing are thinking looking down on this mess.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 11:09AM
Vet, two of the three you mention above are rumored to have had their own little thing on the side, but that's not the issue. Methinks the real question is, did Obamarx tell Petraeus "This is what your gonna say or I'll make this a scandal big enough to land your ass behind bars. Go along, and you can resign and this will all go away."? I'd bet the farm on it. Obamarx's jackboots would have tied him to the classified docs his piece has in her house if he didn't be a good little boy and do as he was told. As to his generalship, though, one point. I've said this here before, my son, a combat tested Special Forces Lt. Col. and my nephew, equally combat tested CSM, Special Forces know him very well and both say he is, by far, the best General they ever worked for (with the possible exception of one recently retired 3 Star). I think he did what a lot of men do when the years start catching up to them and some young thing gives them a look at it. That's a damned dangerous weapon they have, you know.
CJW| 11.15.12 @ 11:38AM
Kjack
You just described the Chicago way. Remember Obama forced one of his opponents to drop out of the race in Chicago when they leaked some sex stuff from supposedly sealed divorce court records. And remember, Herman Cain's accuser just happend to surface in Chicago. Axelrod is dirty.
SUBVET| 11.15.12 @ 4:21PM
Ya....just ask eve.....she stood there and said just take one bite it will be OK.
If my memory serves me I think she was naked.....so what's a guy to do.....I think gravity took over and the blood went south.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 4:24PM
Ain't that the truth.
Gary B| 11.15.12 @ 11:53AM
This so-called general revealed who he really is when he forced dangerous rules on engagement on the troops in Afghanistan and played cozy with that reptile, drug-dealing murderer, Karzai. Those rules of engagement killed a lot more Americans than died in Libya, which is another scandal he owns. The guy is a disgrace to the uniform.
Notice they pulled him out of Afghanistan before he could be blamed for the failure there?
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 12:05PM
Gary, I may be wrong, but if I recall correctly, the rules of engagement come down from SecDef and the Joint Chiefs. Petraeus had no choice but to implement them. I agree with you that the ROE have killed a lot of our guys but don't know if you can lay the blame for that at Petraeus' feet. Like I said, I know what two highly decorated men who worked directly for him say about him so, I'll go with that.
Gary B| 11.15.12 @ 1:18PM
Odds are you're not wrong. Sending our troops overseas with rules of engagement like that is immoral. We're asking these young people to be diplomats, not soldiers, then we charge them with a crime when a problem occurs. What the hell is that? Viet Nam was the same way. The only lack of patriotism was at the very top.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 1:31PM
You are sooooo right. It was that way in Nam and it's still that way today.
SUBVET| 11.15.12 @ 4:25PM
Some guys got even.....ever heard of friendly fire.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 4:44PM
As in fragging?
Maxwell| 11.15.12 @ 8:21AM
Von, with all due respect, this is one person in Jersey that is not in the corner of 'The Magic One'. Well, the rest of the family is not either... As for Chris Christie, he was never high on my 'like meter' but now even less so.
Von Mises Jr| 11.15.12 @ 8:57AM
Perhaps we should be neighbors in South Carolina or Tennessee? There are not many of us in New Jersey.
I had pity for the people affected by Sandy, but not so much as the situation unfolds. I know a liberal that loves Obama and has no power until after Thanksgiving. While he and his wife voted to raise their own taxes, he is afraid to leave his house for fear of being robbed. There is actually something funny about that.
Maxwell| 11.15.12 @ 9:07AM
Von, sounds good to me. South Carolina & Florida have great gun laws. No snow to clear out come winter time. Property tax HAS to be better than Jersey.
Where is the press after Sandy? If 'W' was still in office they would have a field day. I know, not telling you anything new.
Von Mises Jr| 11.15.12 @ 10:34AM
My most liberal friend is without electricity after he and his wife voted for Obama. He is afraid to leave his house unattended since apparently there are robberies in the neighborhood. After he voted to raise his own taxes, he still could not buy security. There is something funny about that.
My liberal cousin has a well off ex-government executive father. If he makes it past December 31 and has any money left, wait until she finds out half of her inheritance goes to DC for redistribution. While I miss my parents, I didn't pay a dime in taxes and actually wrote off lots of expenses inheriting a house. Almost makes it enjoyable to see them get what is coming to them.
Dining in Charleston a few years back, the waitress told me she pays $500 property tax per year. In Jersey, we pay 10, 20 and some 30 or 40 times that and Christie just announced taxes are going up due to Sandy.
RCV| 11.15.12 @ 12:41PM
Do you ever think about things other than taxes and money?
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 11:10AM
Georgia ain't so bad, either, Max. Come on down.
Maxwell| 11.15.12 @ 11:49AM
KennesawJack, if I could right now, believe me, I would be gone in a New York nano second! I have about three more years to go before me & family can leave Jersey. I said to the wife, my requirements are very few, place to ride (Harley & Ducati), warm, places to dine out, of course good gun laws, place to shoot....you know, the usual that any man would want. Two car / truck garage & a house big enough for a pool table. Life would be GREAT!
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 12:38PM
Given your requirements, when you get here you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. You forgot to mention college football, but when you get here, you'll understand. BTW, if you're gonna have two vehicles, it isn't written in stone, but one of 'em SHOULD be a truck (preferably 4x4) and definetly NOT an import.
Maxwell| 11.15.12 @ 1:23PM
Already have the truck, nice Dodge. It may be old but it does the trick! I guess I'm good to go! Mama (may she rest in peace) would be so proud if I moved back South.
Alan's Girl| 11.15.12 @ 12:42PM
Sounds like you're talkin' TEXAS!
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 12:59PM
Free people and great minds think alike, do they not?
chuck| 11.15.12 @ 5:21PM
Yep, north Georgia is pretty damned nice! Not as cold as PA(grew up there), not as hot and humid as Texas(spent 9 years there), friendly people.
I'll buy the first round to toast your escape from the People's Republik of the Great Frozen Northeast.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 9:14PM
Chuck, want to get together at Taco Mac one of these Fridays?
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:54PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Rhoetus| 11.18.12 @ 12:11PM
Blind, did they invest with Madoff too?
Rhoetus| 11.15.12 @ 8:23PM
NJ is as close to Hell as any state. I admit that I have a prejudge against politicians from the NE of the US even the ones who claim to be Republicans. The Fat man was a bad man in the Maltese Falcon., what about NJ?
Jack in Wi| 11.15.12 @ 7:59AM
In 1938 the German General Staff was highly skeptical of Hitler's plans for war that year. They thought that it was the wrong time to push for a war that could become a general war. Hitler intimidated the General Staff by eliminating the 2 top officers, General Werner von Bloomberg, and General Werner Von Fritsch, on morals charges. The American Joint Chiefs of Staff and the American intelligence services have been very outspoken in their not wanting another war in Iran. They have had enough of the Neocons and Neolibs and all their lies. Obama is the boy, of the Zionists. They bought him again in this last election. Is this an attempt to intimidate the officer and intelligence services to keep thm quiet. Is General Dempsey and Admiral Mullen next? The presence of Erick Cantor in this intrigue is very troubling. He knew about most of this at least 2 weeks before the election. Why was this not brought out earlier?
RCV| 11.15.12 @ 12:43PM
Jack, how do you manage to fit "the Zionists" into every story?
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 1:00PM
Practice, practice, practice. It DOES get old, doesn't it?
Jack in Wi| 11.15.12 @ 5:12PM
Cantor and the Neocons have thier finger prints all over this operation. Petraeus in an open hearing was quoted by someone else as thinking Israel is a strategic liability to the USA. It is no secret that the intelligence services and the senior military in the USA are in open revolt with any idea about attacking Iran. Such an attack would be a serious war crime. How better to intimidate them into line then by dragging down 2 of the biggest in a morals scandal. Most Generals are gone from home a lot in their careers. How many of them do you think have stuck their willies in the wrong hole? RCV: You are nothing but a zionist flack here to police the site. How is the weather in Haifa?
gene| 11.15.12 @ 1:31PM
Was it not President Obama that bowed left and right to Arabs and publicly stated that Israel should return to its 1967 borders?
Jack in Wi| 11.15.12 @ 5:04PM
Israel could of had peace decades ago if it wanted to be reaonable and treat it's neighbors with respect. Instead it continues with terror, torture, theft, and murder. It is a crime that we have ever given this bunch a penny of our hard earned tax dollars. Just end it don't mend it. Integrate Israel now with equal rights for all, just like the American South. If it's good enough for us it is good enough for you.
CJW| 11.15.12 @ 5:13PM
Jack,
Why this obsession with Israel?
Alan Brooks | 11.15.12 @ 5:44PM
Tell us why you demonize all of Islam-- this isn't 9-12-'01, and we aren't fiscally solvent.
Rhoetus| 11.15.12 @ 8:24PM
Are you nuts? Obama is a card carrying member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Jack in Wi| 11.16.12 @ 1:34AM
Obama has been a bought and paid for lackey of the Jewish branch of the Chicago Machine since he first got started in politics. He is owned by them and they have rewarded him well. He will retire to a large mansion in Hawai and make his 100 million just like Clinton and Gore 2 other bought and paid for guys. The Likudniks hanging around this site are in a small minority in the Jewish community in America. Israel has been a disaster for the Republicans. It is best for the Republicans to give Israel nothing and concentrate on our own vast problems. Think America first and last.
Alan Brooks | 11.15.12 @ 5:42PM
Moral of the story: put saltpeter in the mess hall.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.15.12 @ 6:31AM
Yes, all these married women hanging around with strange men miles from home is all part of the new mind set which is destroying marriages and the women themselves. I'm surprised Paula Broadwell's husband hasn't thrown her out. She's high energy, high maintenance trailer park trash.
Gary B| 11.15.12 @ 11:54AM
Exactly!
RCV| 11.15.12 @ 12:50PM
Hardly a "new mind set" as General Eisenhower could tell you. Indeed, it's as old as the country itself. The turning of General Benedict Arnold hinged on the tawdry trio of British Major Andre, Peggy Shippen (Andre's former paramour and Arnold's Loyalist wife). Sexual dalliance during war is no new phenomenon.
Suzyqpie| 11.18.12 @ 7:39AM
Paula Broadwell is also a West Point graduate, educated and trained compliments of the US taxpayer. A true American warrior out to defend American interests and defend our values. West Pt needs to reevaluate their filter/screen process for cadets.
WaffenSS| 11.15.12 @ 7:15AM
what's going on is, in Stalinist verbage, a purge.
Pecos Pete| 11.15.12 @ 7:36AM
WaffenSS: You are spot on! Exactly the same as Stalin's purge of his military. Rid the military of patriots and fill the ranks with those dependent upon King O for their future.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:29PM
Contest, tomorrow PP.
It's on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky.
CrackerHound| 11.15.12 @ 3:15PM
The other thing going on?
A proliterian revolution to usher in Marxism.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:54PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Joellen| 11.15.12 @ 7:16AM
Yet, when you read other articles in AS, we are told to blame the "conservatives" for not being HIP to the new world. Cant make any sense any more for right is wrong and up is down.
Warrior| 11.15.12 @ 12:38PM
Because the AS is just as bad as the NYT. Instead of continuing to dig up facts and report on F&F and Benghazi they continue to post tabloid journalism. What needed to be reported on today is that Mrs. Petraeus has apparently landed a nice government job paying almost $200k annually. The good General is testifying behind a closed door. Holder is still in contempt, if you speak about Susan Rice your are a woman beating racist. Hillary and Panetta are on vacation. Please also don't forget that the Marxist started off his medial love affair yesterday blaming Bush for this bad economy. Ignore all the layoffs and blame Sandy for the jump in unemployed. Magically that mythical 7.9% rate is again rising because of a hurricane and a president 4 years removed. Let's worry about the General having sex.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:54PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Dodd2| 11.15.12 @ 7:33AM
"General David Petraeus has, in war, been a hero. "
What!
When? Where? Was it in another life, perhaps?
CrackerHound| 11.15.12 @ 8:43AM
Exactly,
Shwarzkopf was the last hero general. Wish Colin Powell hadn't rode his coat tails to fame.
loulou| 11.15.12 @ 12:26PM
Exactly right!
Affirmative Action Powell glommed onto Stormin' Norman.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 5:35PM
Affirmative Action Powell? No, you're thinking about Affirmative Action Clarence Thomas.
BShep| 11.15.12 @ 9:40AM
“General David Petraeus has, in war, been a hero.”
In 1974 David Petraeus graduated from West Point
Almost 30 years later, “in 2003, Petraeus, then a Major General, SAW COMBAT FOR THE FIRST TIME when he commanded the 101st Airborne Division during V Corps's drive to Baghdad” (preceding quote from Wikipedia). He was a major general and, I am sure, safer during this “combat” then he would have been at home driving himself to the grocery store for bread and milk.
I reserve the term HERO for the guys in uniform who risk and, in sad cases, give their lives for their country and their families and their buddies. This term is not one that we should give to someone whose two major injuries received during his military career were when a soldier tripped and accidentally shot him and when his chute failed during a civilian sky dive.
General David Petraeus always was a political officer who never fired a shot in anger and NEVER SHOULD BE GIVEN THE TITLE OF HERO!
Sorry for the rant but this is one of my pet peeves. Liberals change the meaning of words. We never should.
2Anglico| 11.15.12 @ 11:35AM
BShep, I concur, I have a personal friend who was Petraeus's commanding officer in the late '70s. He told me Petraeus was a fine officer but he was not a "combat" commander.
He also mentioned he did not know Petraeus had a problem keeping his fly zipped.
wukong| 11.15.12 @ 11:37AM
You are so full of crap. There are plenty of warriors who exist in battle and battle zones that never fire a shot yet exert great influence on the outcome at risk of their own lives. I flew a C-130 in the Southeast Asian games. I'm no hero, but I felt no shame when I approached the paymaster. Petraeus was in the hostile environment of a war zone and led the 101 Div in spetacular action. He may have human failing, but he is a warrior that deserves respect for his soldiering.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:56PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
J.C.Eaton| 11.15.12 @ 12:25PM
Hugely correct.
J.C.Eaton| 11.15.12 @ 12:28PM
That was for Bshep. Wukong, I think you sell yourself short and Petraeus too long.
Alan's Girl| 11.15.12 @ 12:48PM
As the daughter of a WWII Vet, my definition of a true hero is, "one who spends the battle in a foxhole, not a tent".
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:45PM
Everyone who Wears The Uniform is a Hero.
War, or No War.
I served from 75 to79, at a First Strike Air Force Base, at the Height of the Cold War.
I worked on the C-141's, as did the Guys and Gals in The Chow Hall, the Laundry, Supply, the Plumbers, the Barber, and everyone else that SERVED on the Base.
Never forget that famous statue that has on it This Inscription - They also Serve, who stand and wait.
We were there.
Just because No War came up, doesn't make us any Less Heroes.
KennesawJack| 11.15.12 @ 5:07PM
Exactly.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 6:53PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
benny havens| 11.15.12 @ 7:34AM
And while the MSM runs with the sex scandal, they will not have to pursue the issue of Benghazi. Like all of the other scandals of the past four years, nothing has changed.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:55PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
sharms| 11.15.12 @ 7:40AM
so that is how you people get paid? write an interesting headline then put NOTHING in the article? THis was the worst example I have ever seen. YOu alluded to in one paragraph that you knew more on Broadbutt, but gave us NOTHING even on that. I may never read you again.
Dai Alanye | 11.15.12 @ 8:11AM
sharms seems to have the aims of AmSpec confused with those of National Enquirer.
Nancy in NC| 11.15.12 @ 8:22AM
Since when did we decide a four star general is a hero? So he was able to play the politics of the military and rise in the ranks. Big effing deal.
A true hero is the sargeant that falls on the grenade to save his buddies. A true hero is the LtCol who fights with his men against the thugs and gives his life instead of hiding behind his rank. A true hero takes risks for the sake of someone else. Unfortunately, we seldom hear about those. It's not sexy enough for the media to write about, especially in a war that has become unpopular.
Movies used to be made about our heros, but we've turned into a bunch of pantywaists who find the truth unmanageable. Remember how "Private Ryan" offended some people's sensibilities?
Perhaps if the public know about real generals like George Washington at Valley Forge they wouldn't be calling Petraeus a hero. Many in this country can't even recognize what a hero is. How far we have fallen as a nation and people.
CrackerHound| 11.15.12 @ 8:48AM
God knows you are right Nancy and I truly believe He is about to let our own choices, cowardice, and soulesness play out in REAL consequences.
Courage and patriotism will rise again but it will be out of the ashes
Stephie| 11.15.12 @ 11:02AM
Some Americans even look at basketball players as heros. The word has been bastardized and means nothing any more. Kind of like RAAAACIST
pogybait| 11.15.12 @ 9:16AM
Yes, with out a doubt we are watching a reflection of the new American hero who has emerged to fight the right of good intentions.....real or imagined
Joellen| 11.15.12 @ 9:38AM
Excellent Nancy, excellent.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:48PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
JimP| 11.15.12 @ 10:31AM
Speaking of "Saving Private Ryan", my sensiblilities were offended by that movie. Since it was a typical 'anti-war' movie- that as usual glorified the killing and maiming with grahic special effects-, of course the Ranger Captain HAD to use really bad tactics that ended up getting all his men killed (except the cowardly clerk) to block the Germans from crossing the river. Thus the, 'War is futile and everyone dies' narrative gets advanced. A real Ranger would have used his extra explosives to blow down the remaining buildings into the streets to block the tanks instead of making sticky bombs, and then set up on the other side of the river from the Krauts to force them to try to take the bridge with only infantry which could be held off much longer by a well entrenced smaller force. My sensibilities were very, very offended that such stupid tactics were displayed as if there were no other way to defend that bridge.
Stephie| 11.15.12 @ 11:03AM
Such is the way of Hollwood.
Stephie| 11.15.12 @ 11:04AM
I meant Hollywood.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:48PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.15.12 @ 4:45PM
I don't know if it was my sensibilities that were offended by "Saving Private Ryan", but I did develop a sense that I disagreed with the premise that the only good thing to come out of the Second World War in Europe was that Mrs. Ryan's fourth son didn't die in it (as opposed to the defeat of the Nazis, the liberation of the death/ concentration camps, France, Holland, Belgium, Norway etc.). Spoiler Alert: I also thought Ed Burns' character survived besides Opham.
I once suggested to a liberal acquaintance that the moral of the movie was "No good deed goes unpunished", as you may recall that the kill shot on Capt. Miller was fired by the German prisoner he wouldn't let his men kill.
The tactical choice that you present makes sense, but not having been a WW II Infantry Officer Course grad, I'm not sure that it was doctrine that was taught (I think Darby had resurrected the Ranger concept during the war, but I don't think the current curriculum at the US Army Ranger School had yet been developed).
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:49PM
Save it.
JimP| 11.15.12 @ 5:54PM
Thanks for the reply, Al. I appreciate you point of view. Sorry about forgeting that not every one of Capt. Miller's men got killed except the modern day Democrat voting clerk. Here's my point about Capt. Miller, and it doesn't just apply to the Rangers, then or now, or any particular doctrine taught by the Army.
JimP| 11.15.12 @ 5:54PM
The premise that a U.S. Army Captain that had survived combat for 2 years, especially a Ranger, would come up with tactics that would get his men killed is not realistic. Especially when there is a river they want to cross and you hold the bridge and you have explosives to stop or delay the tanks. Holding a river crossing is a very old combat tactic going back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It's not credible that Capt. Miller would not know how, or pretty quickly figure out how to block the Krauts' tanks and force them into using their infantry. Setting up ad hoc 'tank traps' by blowing down the buildings into the streets to block the tanks makes a lot more sense than sticky bombs that put your men at risk. The objective was to hold the bridge as long as possible. Not to use the most dangerous method for his men that he could think of to try and accomplish the objective. Anytime you can bottleneck the enemy you do it because it puts him at a great disadvantage and mulitiplies your own combat strength. Infantry soldiers learn this quickly, particularly if they've survived much combat. That's why I think the way I do. I wonder if the Hollywood writers understood they were making Miller into a suicidal moron or if it was intentional so as to send their anti-war message.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.15.12 @ 9:58PM
I think it was because the writer (s) had never studied small unit tactics, but read big picture strategic military history volumes. Consider the dialogue between Tom Hanks and Ted Danson about Montgomery being overrated, or the strategic daisy chain to Berlin.
LindaKaye| 11.15.12 @ 12:18PM
We need to be careful about putting people on pedestals.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:50PM
Quiet, Linda.
My wife might hear you.
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 3:29PM
And to think that the GOP was talking seriously about trying to recruit Petraeus to run for the presidency on the Republican ticket. Love the loyalty.
jmulcahy1| 11.15.12 @ 8:58PM
And you are going to vote Hillary in 2016. Love the stupidity.
When new facts emerge, we change our opinions, what do you do?
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 11:45PM
Oh, you mean like when you finally accepted the facts concerning the climate?
jmulcahy1| 11.16.12 @ 1:11AM
If you had any we might listen, but you got nothing.
eloris| 11.16.12 @ 5:53PM
It is a bit strange. It's plenty sexy enough, so all I can conclude is the media doesn't want soldiers in Iraq glorified because it was trying to hard to lose that war.
As far as Petraeus, he might not deserve the title "hero", but he did make a big difference in Iraq, where he sat at the top of the jihadi hit list for 2 years while helping to ensure that those brave sergeants' sacrifices did not end in defeat.
JP| 11.15.12 @ 9:30AM
I think the accomplishments of Petraeous in Iraq were a bit over stated. In the short run he saved Bush's butt. But the long term strategic goals were never met. And how could they have been? Syrian and Iranian agents still sent terrorists and operatives across the border at will. Petraeous just put off the day of reckoning.
His strategy in Afghanistan was a complete disaster. The so-called surge was a bust. His ROEs have cost us thousands of casualties, and his stress on counter-insurgency over combat operations have ceded 80% of Afghanistan to the Taliban.
SCPOret| 11.15.12 @ 10:39AM
I never considered Petraeous a hero. I did consider him a fine tactician.
His surge in Iraq snatched that war from defeat. His Surge in Afghanistan was not so good, but then we had the Apologizer in Chief, who did not give him the troops he asked for, and then bound his hands with the rules of engagement, and the announcement of a date certain when we would pack our bags and go home.
Hard to fight a war under those conditions.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:52PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Simon Templar| 11.15.12 @ 10:43AM
"Many in this country can't even recognize what a hero is. " - Nancy
That's it in a nutshell.
That includes conservatives, folks.
If this General truly understood principle and was a hero he would have never accepted the job from the Fraud in the first place. There was a clue there folks.
A true hero would take responsibility for his mistakes, put his nation first, and tell the truth above all else. Do you think that will happen this Friday?
This general thinks only of himself and how anything he does fits into his self promotion and self protection agenda. He is not even good at that, which is the irony. If he truly acted in his self interest he would not be cheating on his wife, playing loose and fancy with classified information, and be taking jobs from those that obviously are not acting in the interest of the United States.
Everything this guy was fighting for his whole life he will piss away this Friday. Count on it.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:52PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
OregonBuzz| 11.15.12 @ 10:45AM
And the slithy toves gire and gimbel in the wabe.
Dave Williams| 11.15.12 @ 11:03AM
It was right for Elders to get fired, but for gross STUPIDITY...if there is one thing you DON'T need to teach young teens, it's masturbation!
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 11:52AM
You want to know what the "something deadly serious going on" is Mr. Tyrrell. It's the idiots who have started the robocalls soliciting support for impeaching Obama and the clowns signing petitions calling for secession. These people will help to define the GOP in the off year congressional elections as well as the 2016 presidential elections. By your silence, you tacitly support them. Fine with me, but if you care about a viable Republican party in the future, instead of a marginalized extremist party, you might want to address this non-sense
LindaKaye| 11.15.12 @ 12:15PM
I agree that secession has no future, nor does impeachment (unless Benghazi definitely implicates Obama). But the mild and moderate Romney did not win the election either. There are plenty of loonies on the Left, but they still won, and they did so with bizarre ideas such as that Romney is a mean rich man, that conservatives want to keep women in the 19th century, and that they want to keep blacks in chains.
Stick| 11.15.12 @ 12:37PM
It might be time to invest in a long slog of character assassination of Obama. Such investments seem to pay off. Let the Clinton taxes return automatically and blame Obama mercilessly. How could the Dems complain?
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 12:45PM
LindaKaye,
One problem with Romney is that he changed positions on so many issues so many times that one could define him practically any way one wished. Too many defined him as a phony - a man with no core convictions other than he really wanted to be president. I'm not a woman, but it puzzles me why any woman would want to cede control of decisions about contraception and about whether she can access a safe abortion to men like Ryan, Akins, Mourdock and Santorum. They are not an aberration. Their views are embodied in the GOP party platform. Insulting Blacks by suggesting that they are being kept in chains down on the "plantation" by Democrats probably will not increase the GOP's share of the African-American votes any time in the near future.
Butch| 11.15.12 @ 2:18PM
"I'm not a woman . . ." Fooled me.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 3:25PM
Nothing to bring to the table I see.
spike59| 11.15.12 @ 3:36PM
"kept in chains"...nice of you to reference JOE BIDEN, who seems to be fascinated with chains...as for the rest of your bilge???? hmmm...let's see:
'cede control of decisions about contraception'...
translation: "find herself forced to PAY for her OWN contraception"...
'about whether she can access a safe abortion '...
translation: "about whether she can force others to pay someone to kill her baby at any time up to the moment of birth for such reasons as gender, not wanting to have to miss a planned sea cruise, broke up with 'baby daddy' and doesn't want a reminder, worried that partner will find out baby is the result of an affair..."
and finally, there is NO greater insult to blacks than affirmative action, quotas, and the Dem/Prog/Lib Welfare state that tells blacks "you're inferior and cannot possibly succeed in lifetime without the intervention of Massa Gubmint"
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 4:07PM
I'll see your Biden comment and raise you one Romney 47% comment.
Speaking about bilge, I see your are fully conversant on the right wing propaganda about women and abortions. Funny thing about forcing others "to pay someone to kill her baby." I assume you are referring to insurance. I wonder what benefit you have received or will receive that others will be "forced' to pay for some day.
Wonder how Blacks are feeling about the obvious attempt by the GOP to disenfranchise them during this last election. I suspect your grand pronouncements would ring a little hollow.
spike59| 11.16.12 @ 6:20AM
"Wonder how Blacks are feeling about the obvious attempt by the GOP to disenfranchise them during this last election. "
----------------------------------------------------
you actually BELIEVE that BS????? how pwecious is THAT? pray, tell us, who changes your diapers in the morning and spoons you your pablum?
delahaya| 11.19.12 @ 9:33AM
Mike, there was no voter disenfranchisement of blacks. There was, however, misleading letters sent to GOP voters in Florida and some states saw military ballots down up to 92% from 2008. One man found out his dead wife had voted and there were many precincts around the country where there were more voters than people alive - guess who won those precincts?
Alej| 11.15.12 @ 5:11PM
"Insulting Blacks by suggesting that they are being kept in chains " was BiteMe's quote.
And nothing will increase the GOP's share of the black vote. 95 % of blacks are black first, Americans somewhere down the list.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 5:37PM
Just like whites are white first, and Americans somewhere down the list. Right, idiot?
RCV| 11.19.12 @ 12:14AM
Something like you, Alej - definitely not an American first.
delahaya| 11.19.12 @ 9:34AM
No, Mike, you're just a woman trapped in a man's body apparently.
CrackerHound| 11.15.12 @ 12:46PM
Hey Mike, why would we care what you, the MSM, or anyone else thinks about the Republican Party? Really you are correct, the GOP are losers and cowards. I don't like them for the opposite reason you suggest.
When we ran the most moderate candidate possible without actually being a liberal, and played it safe with the rhetoric to the point of rolling over when Obama was a target rich candidate...and still got "lanslided" by idiot union and minority voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. It's hopeless. There is no rehabilitation possible without complete surrender. Which is obviously the goal of your side.
No thanks, we will seriously look at secession and hitting the progressives hard every chance we get. This election demostrated clearly that we have lost the country.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 12:54PM
Myth # 1: Romney was a moderate candidate. Who knows what Romney was or is?
Myth # 2 Played it safe with rhetoric. Yeah, the GOP super-pac money really played it safe.
Myth # 3 Landslided by idiot union an minority voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania etc. No. People looking out after their own interests like the "idiot" millionaires and billionaires who gave a lot of money to Rove.
Myth #4 No rehabilitation without complete surrender. Untrue. They way is called compromise.
Good luck in doubling down.
philippic| 11.16.12 @ 1:15PM
love your answer!
confirms what we've known all along: the ends justify means mindset that ultimately dominates Liberal thinking is perfectly willing to suffer incalculable pain and suffering (by others) along the way. well...stay tuned.......more to come courtesy of a political class that cannot see the righteous forest for the fallen trees.
57 million (plus 3 million who didn't vote) disagree with your tacit notion of compromise "our way or the highway". not going to happen. sad we have to march down this path.......but "it is what it is".
LindaKaye| 11.15.12 @ 12:11PM
My concern is that Petraeus would fear the Obama administration pressing charges against him if he tells the truth about them. This thing going public lets him know that something worse may be hanging over his head unless he keeps quiet.
loulou| 11.15.12 @ 12:28PM
Petraeus may find himself dead if he tells the truth about Obama. The Chicago way.
Stick| 11.15.12 @ 12:42PM
Doubtful. Petraeus sacrificed his honor by testifying in support of the YouTubeVideo made innocent muslims attacks us meme. I could care less that he was punching a tart. Most manly men need a piece now again. Having seen his wife I understand his needs perfectly. When you lie to Congress, even under orders, you loose all claims on my loyalty and admiration. The Oath really means something.
SUBVET| 11.15.12 @ 7:48PM
Petraeus = TEFLON
By the time this dog & pony show is over it will be so confusing that the general will say SHE made him do it......it's all a joke .....and the magic show goes on.
delahaya| 11.19.12 @ 9:31AM
The media and Obama admin will find a way for all of this to turn our to be a tawdry spectacle a la Monicagate in order to deflect from what truly happened in Benghazi. This is the start of the cover-up, because as tawdry as it is, its still better than the truth of Benghazi being known.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 12:46PM
loulou, your comment is, well, a loulou.
WalkingHorse | 11.15.12 @ 12:24PM
High maintenance women, high maintenance government - a troubling combination for everyone.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 4:53PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 12:47PM
Judging from the bleached blond hair, it appears that Republican women are not exactly low maintenance.
Paul A'Barge | 11.15.12 @ 1:11PM
2013 - Impeach Obama in the House of Represeentatives
2014 - Republicans take the Senate
2015 - Convict Obama in the US Senate
repeat for Biden, Hillary and Eric Holder.
Let's roll, as Todd Beamer said.
Mike in N.C.| 11.15.12 @ 1:18PM
You have a droll fantasy life, Paul A'Barge. But there are many voyeurs at TAS who will really enjoy it.
RCV| 11.19.12 @ 12:16AM
How'd that strategy work for you in 2012, Paul? Guess what, it ain't going to prove any more successful in the future. You guys are yesterday's news.
Third Army| 11.15.12 @ 2:22PM
Finally someone speaks the truth about Paula Broadwell. Her ripped biceps and halter tops told the whole story. Both she and Petraeus are made for each other -- vain body worshippers who spend most of their free time running and working out. Her push up demonstration/contest on Stewart's show was embarrassing and painful to watch. I'm not sure what's so great about this man -- everyone says he's such a great leader and brave and wonderful. Seems like a very shallow and vain person to me.
Theo Prinse| 11.15.12 @ 2:45PM
So far Petraeus is part in the Benghazi allegations for High Treason by having Russian Surface to Air missiles, RPG's ManPads etc captured by Al Qaeda from Gadafi smuggled by Stevens via NATO ally Turkey to Al Qaeda jihadis in Syria. until one of many shipments finally was confiscated perhaps by Russian proxies in a Turkish harbor a week before the Benghazi attack took place in which ambassador Chris Stevens (Smith, Woods & Doherty) died hours before Stevens as liaison met with the Turkish Consul General Ali Sait Akin (counter-liaison) who left that CIA mission, saw the Jihadi's but failed to warn Stevens.
2. Petraeus is part in the accusation that these Benghazi weapons smuggle perceivably most definitly will be used against Turkey via the Kurds, Jordan, Israel etc. thus jeopardizing the free international community and
3. Petraeus is leader in his growing militarization of the CIA by means of secret Drones attacks in Pakistan.
delahaya| 11.19.12 @ 9:29AM
Agreed, why did the Turkish General NOT warn Stevens and how are we going to handle that part of it? Answer: Obama will just ignore it.
cicero| 11.15.12 @ 4:59PM
Brave? Brave, when we are talking about people in power, or positions of authority, would be for them to resign when they are witness to misdeeds. When Petraeus became aware of the Bengazai fiasco, or the lies told, he had to either blow the whistle, or resign. He chose to protect the lie. He had some of his own people, in addition to those in the diplomatic corps, abandoned when help could have been sent. Not verymuch in keeping with American traddition, I'd say. If there was , in fact, help anywhere near during that 7 to 8 hour fire fight, and that help was either not dispatched or told to stand down, he needs to do more than resign. We shall see how brave he is.
TLP| 11.15.12 @ 6:57PM
Contest, tomorrow.
Go to Monday's Story on "Europe's Jerry Sandusky".
You're gonna need to hit the "Previously" Button.
Ralph Novy| 11.18.12 @ 12:33PM
Stop gullibly buying into that "Benghazi Debacle" bullshit, Cicero.
It's done been debunked, son.
The horse is dead. Stop whomping on it!
Bruce Mamont| 11.15.12 @ 6:34PM
I was waiting for my car to complete a service this morning and noticed a copy of Newsweek in the lounge. I'd thought it had suspended publication and wondered if it might contain a George Will essay. Turning to the back page, I saw a picture of GEN Petraeus with a list of his 'top 10' leadership precepts...by Paula Broadwell. This in the 12 Nov issue (I know it was published "before"). Good grief.
Padre Dave Poedel| 11.15.12 @ 6:41PM
Would it not make more sense to refer to Mrs. Broadwell as LTC Broadwell? She is, after all, a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. That adds fraternization to the situation. When I was a reserve Officer, I was briefed on fraternization and was careful to avoid it, even the appearance of it.
Emphasizing her marital status (married) and family (husband, children) emphasizes the adultery aspects of this tragedy. Reminding of her military status perhaps explains how she could be in Iraq or Afghanistan so easily, though out of uniform, which would have made the situation even more awkward at the time.
Rhoetus| 11.15.12 @ 9:31PM
Deje vu – Petraeus – Hillary 2016
SicSemperTyrannis | 11.15.12 @ 11:16PM
Petraeus is no hero. He is a bureaucrat. He has never been in direct fire combat, he has always sent others into harms way. Missing from his ribbons and decorations is the CIB, because he never earned one.
Petraeus is a PC clown that has never had the courage to call Islam what it really is; a violent, savage belief system intent on destroying the infidel. He has always fallen into the trap of the mythical "moderate" Islamists, who are currently assassinating our soldiers and marines in Afghanistan.
Rhoetus| 11.18.12 @ 11:52AM
Petraeus will be rewarded with the CFO position at the World Bank.
Ralph Novy| 11.18.12 @ 11:42AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11.....d=fb-share
Ba-da-bing, bang, boom.
Rhoetus| 11.18.12 @ 12:04PM
The article [sic] starts off with a specious attack on MacArthur who was a genuine hero and put his country first before politics.
Rhoetus| 11.18.12 @ 11:50AM
The groom's lament: "we had more sex before we got married." Hey, it's only sex and adultery nobody gives a damn except the cuckolding spouse. Bill Clinton did it and got away with it.
delahaya| 11.19.12 @ 9:26AM
I will get hateful responses for this, but here goes, and yes, Petraeus himself is to blame. But....ladies, if you don't want your husband to sleep with someone else then sleep with him yourself! And make it appealing - actually try to make yourself up a bit and put a little effort into it. That is all - this public service message has been endorsed by all men everywhere.