What business is it of ours if Petraeus had an affair?
Yes, he occupied a public post. But he has a right to a private life, private interests and private judgment calls. Yes, the affair came to light during an investigation by the FBI into a potential security breach, but the investigation concluded there was no breach and the “classified information” that Broadwell allegedly came into contact with is not thought to have come from Petraeus.
Sure, it wasn’t wise of him to grant his paramour access to his personal Gmail account (apparently so they could send messages to each other). But this should be of no concern to us other than amusement at the results of his naive trust in his mistress. She went on to use it to send catty “back off” messages to another woman she suspected was a love rival. She should have known better. Drama is the last thing any high-profile married lover wants in his mistress.
For sure, the story is gossip-worthy. But worthy of a formal inquiry, which is what some congressmen are now demanding? No. The story is more human interest than public interest.
There have been too many cases where we have lost competent professionals, not because of a failure in their duties, but because of puritanical judgment over their irrelevant personal lives.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Ummmmm…. Blackmail?
brewcrew67 on November 13, 2012 at 8:34 PM
It wasn’t the affair. It was the messy fluids they left all over the place.
Paul-Cincy on November 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Yeah, blackmail.
For instance, the administration making him claim that the attack in Benghazi was not organized Islamic terrorism but merely a mobs response to a video.
hepcat on November 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Personally – I agree – it’s none of our business what he does in his private life.
We’re killing this nation with morality. Who cares if a Secret Service Agent can protect the POTUS? We don’t care – we just want some castrated eunuch who thinks pure thoughts all the time protecting the leader of the free world.
People need to wake up. There are HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS of military men who died in the service of this nation who had …
AFFAIRS.
And dare I say it? Many even visited prostitutes on occasion.
They are still heros to this nation – but apparently not to the Christian right.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM
It’s never happened – can you name any major spy case that involved an American who was blackmailed over an affair?
No?
Okay – thanks for your input – you’re welcomed to sit down now.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Did Bill Clinton ever offer to pay to have that dress cleaned?
hepcat on November 13, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Do these people live in a reality where marriage and loved ones is just a contract and no big thing?
rob verdi on November 13, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Bull. First, you’re lying to your wife, which is the biggest promise of your life. But when did a discrete affair ever find its way into the public arena? No, they’re reckless, and not responsible.
Paul-Cincy on November 13, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Petraeaus has displayed an astounding lack of rational judgment when something that jiggles walks by. For the head of the CIA, entrusted with a whole lot of national secrets… that might just lead to problems.
sharrukin on November 13, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Because it speaks volumes about his character? Because it’s unwise to entrust those with poor character with great power? Because there’s no reason to think he’d be more loyal to his country than to his family? Because he’s willing to use other people for his own personal ends?
Any of ‘em. All of ‘em. Get him out of there.
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 8:40 PM
It’s not the Christian right who is trying to take out a General.
txhsmom on November 13, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Top Spy in the country opens himself up for compromise? Ain’t that breaking rule # 1?
Also, as a Company and Battalion Commander in the Army, presiding over NJP’s of enlisted men, hammering them and in some cases ending their careers for doing the same thing.
He should have known it was the wrong thing to do.
Want a private life, get out of government service.
Which is what he did. Now he can have all the affairs he wants, and only his wife will care.
Hog Wild on November 13, 2012 at 8:43 PM
If he wasn’t blackmailed why did Petraeus perjure himself over the cause and nature of the Benghazi attack? It was either blackmail or CYA because he dropped the ball on security.
Basilsbest on November 13, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Ah, shove it, Honda.
Axeman on November 13, 2012 at 8:44 PM
If we’re killing this country with morality you lefttard douchebag, why do I always hear we have a duty to pay for the listless moochers because “it’s the right thing to do”?
Oh, that’s right. Only progressive ‘morality’ counts.
catmman on November 13, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Honeytraps have been used many times to put spies literally in bed with a targeted agent. If you are sleeping with someone, that someone may be a civilian (an affair), or they may not (a Honeytrap).
sharrukin on November 13, 2012 at 8:47 PM
How come we never hear these arguments when the janitor loses his job? cry me a river lady. He should be canned simply for ying to sway a judge in a custody case he clearly had no real insight into or he would not have written a character letter for a nut job.
Rocks on November 13, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Word.
INC on November 13, 2012 at 8:49 PM
Sorry man – but I have to call you Christians out whenever your logic leaps into the twilight zone.
I mean – Thomas Jefferson had affairs – you hail him as a great man and a founding father of this nation.
I’ve just pointed out to you that THOUSANDS of military men have died in service to this nation who were guilty of affairs and other things you consider “sins” … you choose to ignore that though – because facing the truth means you’d have to either remove those men from “hero” status – or face the fact that you’re wrong about the notion that good men are as pure as the driven snow.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Like shooting fish in a barrel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeypot_(espionage)
Clayton J. Lonetree, a US Marine Sergeant embassy guard in Moscow, was entrapped by a female Soviet officer in 1987. He was then blackmailed into handing over documents when he was assigned to Vienna. Lonetree is the first US Marine to be convicted of spying against the United States.
Roy Rhodes, a US Army NCO serving at the US embassy in Moscow, had a one-night stand (or was made to believe he had) with a Soviet agent while drunk. He was later told the agent was pregnant, and that unless he co-operated with the Soviet authorities, this would be revealed to his wife.
Take a seat idiot.
brewcrew67 on November 13, 2012 at 8:52 PM
No it’s not.
If you’re in the military the biggest “promise” is your oath to this nation. Your wife is secondary – as are your kids and the rest of your family.
24 years retired Navy here.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Let me make it easy for you. Petraeus is a genius military tactician. And a scumbag.
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 8:52 PM
I heard that he was fired by Dear Leader after his cooperation was no longer needed.
Plus, his girlfriend was out blabbing about CIA secrets in public.
But, other than that..
d1carter on November 13, 2012 at 8:53 PM
So which right wing Christian in the Obama administration heard about this and demanded the general’s resignation. What uptight conservative wacko in the Obama administration made this a resigning offense?
I think that a general resigned over it makes it kind of at least out there among our business.
Axeman on November 13, 2012 at 8:53 PM
Those cases don’t even take into account the ones we never hear about because there’s on saved their reputation by spying on those who blackmailed them. In the end they still lose their job.
Rocks on November 13, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Well done!
JPeterman on November 13, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Oh, and he didn’t occupy a “public post” either. He was the Nation’s top spy.
Rocks on November 13, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Those weren’t normal “affairs” doofus. Read close – those were traps set by the Soviets – using soviet agents to seduce Americans and then blackmail them. It’s quite a bit difference when you’re suddenly faced with being “outed” for sleeping with a Soviet spy there hoss.
Broadwell was no Soviet spy. It wasn’t an issue for blackmail. There is no indication that DP would have done “anything” to keep it from being discovered.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE TS CLEARANCES TODAY … AND THERE’S HUNDREDS OF AFFAIRS BURIED IN THERE.
It’s not the slightest security risk. It’s kind of an insult to believe that a guy who’s devoted his life to this nation would sh1t on it just because his affair was discovered by the other side. Give them some credit – they aren’t fraidy cats like you guys are. If someone threatens them with blackmail – they say … “Oh well, tell it if you must but you’re not getting the nuke codes!”
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 8:59 PM
I’d say the typical order is …
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has decided not to run for the presidency in 2012. In her statement she writes:
After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order.
And if someone puts country before family, it’s likely because they consider their country their family. As a conservative, I tend first to what I know best and what’s closest to me. It’s a good rule of thumb for everyone.
Paul-Cincy on November 13, 2012 at 9:00 PM
I heard DP wanted to stay on as DCIA and thought he was going to be able to stay and the affair would remain quiet…someone in the administration dropped it on him right after the election and before the hearings…who could that have been?
d1carter on November 13, 2012 at 9:03 PM
A few questions since I’m such an idiot …
1. Do you think a Secret Service agent who hires a prostitute in South America where it’s legal should be fired?
2. Do you think that anyone holding a TS Clearance who’s had an affair should have that clearance revoked?
3. Do you think that military men and women in sensitive positions who’ve had affairs should be removed from those positions.
4. If you answered “yes” to all those questions – JUST WHERE IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET PEOPLE TO DEFEND THIS NATION?
I used to recruit for the White House Communications Agency. Out of 150 interviewees – we MIGHT take 5 of them. The rest … they fell out because of a bunch of “boy scout” conduct requirements.
And guess what – some of those guys that we hired still got stung for hiring prostitutes in a country where it was legal.
You’re just not realistic there idiot.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:04 PM
They were an affair to the guy…until suddenly they weren’t. That’s the security risk.
She has already revealed CIA information in that Denver speech and she had access to the CIA Director’s personal E-mail. How is that not a security risk?
You know what else isn’t a security risk?
Leaving classified documents on the kitchen table. It doesn’t harm anyone…unless some spy takes them, BUT THAT WOULD BE ESPIONAGE SO ITS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
Sleeping with the sexy thang carries with it the inherent risk that she isn’t who you think she is.
sharrukin on November 13, 2012 at 9:06 PM
No.
Were you ever in the military.
Let me lay it out to you. Before the iron curtain came down – our troops in Germany were facing the largest armored units the world has ever seen right across the border in East Germany.
Many of those Americans had families living in Germany with them. They were taught – if those tanks come across the border – you will forsake the safety of your family and you’ll fight those tanks.
That’s their immediate family – in a combat zone – and the code of military ethics dictates that every soldier do his duty regardless of what happens to his family.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:07 PM
I guess you meant Top Security clearances.
What you say is true, but if their behavior is found out and it opens them up for compromise, they are suppossed to lose that clearance.
Unless your name is Slick Willy and you happen to be President.
It doesn’t have to be sex. It can be excessive debt.
But aren’t you missing one point? Petraeus resigned. If he was forced to and wanted to stay, then he’s not the warrior we believe him to be. I’m thinking he did it on his own, I’ve met a few Generals, they do much of anything they don’t want to do.
Hog Wild on November 13, 2012 at 9:08 PM
If there’s a probability greater than zero, then it’s a risk. Prudence is the ability to reasonably anticipate possible scenarios or consequences, and to adjust one’s actions so as to control them. Here, we have a reason to anticipate that the man is not as loyal as he swears to be (marriage involves a set of vows, much like an oath to one’s country). We know that he is willing to use another person solely for his own ends rather than just for the sake of the national interest. That means we have a man who has demonstrated he can’t be trusted in a position where trust is of the utmost importance.
You can always promote from within. Do you really think that all of them are having affairs? If so, it would explain why people think government officials are so sleazy.
Worse comes to worse, I understand that around 8% of the labor force is unemployed.
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM
If Broadwell revealed secret information – then DP is guilty of giving it to her. However, an affair didn’t have to happen for that to happen.
DP could have given his wife secret information – or a family member.
And besides – how do we know she got that info from him? She may have gotten it from someone else while writing the book. You know – Tom Clancy had a lot of secret stuff in his books. He wasn’t having affairs – he was just talking to a lot of military folks and put things together.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:10 PM
So you think Thomas Jefferson was sleazy?
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:11 PM
And if he had, it would still merit his dismissal.
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 9:11 PM
A spook that gets caught isn’t a very good spook.
wolly4321 on November 13, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Yup. Ben Franklin too.
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 9:12 PM
From what I’ve read,, indeed Franklin loved the French libertine scene.
wolly4321 on November 13, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Do all Obama voters hate God? Or just you?
faraway on November 13, 2012 at 9:14 PM
It’s not that I hate God – it’s that you hate yourselves. You hate mankind.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:16 PM
No. And you’re overcomplicating this. You can do your duty to your country, and at the same time not lie to, or betray, your wife. In fact, I don’t see why these two principle should conflict. The only overlap is that both reflect on one’s character.
Paul-Cincy on November 13, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Helen Croydon is journalist specialising in relationships, health and woman’s issues. She is author of Sugar Daddy Diaries. British.
Well, that explains everything.
Scotsman on November 13, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Like I said, if he can’t control himself when some honey runs by, then he has no business being trusted to control state secrets.
sharrukin on November 13, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Glad you weren’t on my boat.
wolly4321 on November 13, 2012 at 9:19 PM
You can do your duty while doing your wife dirty. Are you denying this?
Character? Pray tell – you’re a man who’s been blessed with the ability to pass judgement?
Really?
I wonder how your life would stand up if the FBI went through your emails.
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:20 PM
Whatever … you’re putting your head in the sand though because there’s a long history in mankind of affairs and men in power.
And you’ll never change that.
Go ahead and try – run another Mormon candidate – second times a charm bro!
HondaV65 on November 13, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Do you have some reason to think that Paul-Cincy is a philanderer, or is this just something that you think is some kind of iron law of physics?
Stoic Patriot on November 13, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »