The Spectacle Blog
CNN contributor and former Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene tells the story of a gracious act by Four-star Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli toward White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, after President Obama’s longtime friend mistook the General for a waiter at a dinner and asked him to bring her a glass of wine:
Rather than take offense, or try to make Jarrett feel small for her blunder, the general, in good humor, went and poured her a glass of wine. It was evident that he wanted to defuse the awkward moment, and to let Jarrett know that she should not feel embarrassed.
As Chiarelli wrote in an e-mail to CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr:
“It was an honest mistake that ANYONE could have made. She was sitting, I was standing and walking behind her and all she saw were the two stripes on my pants which were almost identical to the waiters’ pants — REALLY. She apologized and will come to the house for dinner if a date can be worked out in March.”
Greene cites a few other good examples of consideration and grace. However, he did not mention for contrast any examples of rudeness and disrespect, so let me offer one.
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Ken (Old Texican)| 2.13.11 @ 7:49PM
One question:
Did the REMF kiss her n the cheek with the delivery?
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.13.11 @ 7:53PM
_PS: If the General in the story is NOT a REMF, would someone correct me?
R E M F (Rear Ethelon Mo Fo)
J.C.Eaton| 2.13.11 @ 9:42PM
Ken, didn't have a lot of time to look, but he managed to make 0-7 without a CIB. Didn't notice any blue in the decorations[indicative of DSC,SS,BSM, or Soldier's Medal]. He did end up calling her sir though. Probably rather nervous.
JR_annapolis| 2.14.11 @ 12:13AM
There aren't any valid excuses for Jarrett's buffoonery. One either has the situational awareness (SA) or common courtesy to know the difference between a waiter and an Army 4-star, or one is too elitist or ignorant to make that distinction...but elitist and ignorant aren't mutually exclusive when it comes to the current Administration.
(BTW...the abbreviation for a 4-star General officer in the Army is "GEN".)
beebop| 2.14.11 @ 5:53AM
I guess generals are not seen much in the White House versus, say JLo and Hubby. No one would mistake him for the waiter ....
Richard Baker| 2.14.11 @ 6:57AM
At the very least, the General showed his manners. That's more than can be said for some of you above. So he's a REMF because he acted as a gentleman? Strange view of the world some of you have. Just because one wears stars doesn't mean that you leave your humanity at the door. And by the way, he commanded the 1st Cav in the Iraq War. Not much opportunity to get a CIB when one is a Division Commander. Get off his back. Jarrett's the one, along with many of her Democrat buddies, who showed poor behavior towards someone in uniform. Remember Hillary's contempt for them as First Lady?
JP| 2.14.11 @ 8:22AM
I could perfectly understand Jarrett's mistake if the General was in the USAF. Thier dress uniforms since General McPeak's tenure as Air Force Chief of Staff look more Brooks Brothers than military. In any event, the General did the honorable thing, REMF or no REMF (BTW, General Marshall saw very little combat as a younger officer, and he did a good job as our first Chairman of the JCS).
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.14.11 @ 8:26AM
Mr. Baker,
I was merely asking a question, hoping for enlightenment. The biggest enemy our forces in the field have to fight is the "political carreerist cadre" in the rear.
I've personally witnessed it all over the world.
grant1863| 2.14.11 @ 8:36AM
He does seem to have a Combat Action Badge,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Action_Badge
something I didn't even know existed.
PattyMor| 2.14.11 @ 8:59AM
Honest mistake? Really, the Demons are cool and calculating. She knew that this was a general, Jarett just wanted to demean him.
Clint| 2.14.11 @ 9:50AM
General Chiarelli oughta make Valerie Jarrett his housecleaner lady.
Bob K.| 2.14.11 @ 9:51AM
Did you hear the quick response by the officer who was dissed in the video for saying ma'am? He said Yes Sir!
J.C.Eaton| 2.14.11 @ 10:55AM
Richard, settle down a bit. I thought Ken was referring to the lad who got flustered in his tete a tete with Boxer. I'm pretty sure that fellow didn't command the 1st Cav. Best,
Albert| 2.14.11 @ 10:59AM
In Australia we have quite a few terms for people like Boxer. "Up herself" is about the politest that comes to mind.
Richard Baker| 2.14.11 @ 11:04AM
Ken:
The implied assumption seemed to be that he was one of the Perfumed Princes, as David Hackworth called them. GEN Chiarelli was unable to secure the CIB as a junior Officer because there was no opportunity for him in that time in history. Not being SF, Ranger, or Airborne further reduced those chances. Calling him a REMF is beneath y'all. He showed real class towards a contemptuous liberal. Applaud him for not getting down in the ditch with her. Never served with the man but he seems a straight arrow with a sense of humor. GEN Marshall was the Regimental Commander of the 15th Infantry in China in the 1930's as his only real command of troops, otherwise his service was as a staff officer. There are exceptions to the conventional wisdom. Perhaps GEN Chiarelli is also.