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Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.
Another view?
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Thank you, Brian Greenspun, for your excellent column Sunday, “Real problems deserve our focus.” My prayer is that those in power take heed! What fools to make the sex lives of others a priority when our country has such terrific needs. Help!
Obama should have never fired Petraeus and caused this diversion from Benghazi
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The Obama government is in free fall due to Jill Kelley who runs a Tampa party house for entertainment of high level government employees.
-- No surprise that while all of this is happening Obama says that he knows nothing.
The heads of the CIA, FBI, STATE DEPARTMENT, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, and JUSTICE DEPARTMENT are in meltdown over national security breakdowns.
-- No surprise that while all of this is happening Obama says that he knows nothing.
David Petraeus was trying to salvage his job when he was forced to lie to Congress about the Benghazi terrorist attack - trying to say it was a spontaneous mob because of the Hollywood video.
-- No surprise that while all of this is happening Obama says that he knows nothing.
Paula Boardwell has indicated that the CIA Benghazi Annex was a secret terrorist Detention center for black ops interrogations. Obama issued an order to stop the EITs.
-- No surprise that while all of this is happening Obama says that he knows nothing.
American commander in Afghanistan Gen. John Allen under investigation for over 20,000 pages "inappropriate communications" with a woman. When does he have time to fight the war?
-- No surprise that while all of this is happening Obama says that he knows nothing.
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WHO IS IN CHARGE. We are in a meltdown and nobody is in charge
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In reply to Dorothy Turner; would you have said the same thing if Generals Petraeus and Allen had been serving under a Romney presidency? I don't think so!
People who make excuses for the conduct of trusted men like Generals Petraeus and Allen disgust me as much as these so-called leaders themselves do.
President Barack Obama accepted General Petraeus' resignation simply because he knew what the General did with Paula Broadwell was not only wrong, but as well, totally unacceptable as both a Commanding General and a CIA Chief.
Whether or not I've agreed with George W. Bush and Barack Obama's politics, (the latter much more than the former), the one thing I've respected about them is their absolute dedication to wife and family. If for no other reason, these two political leaders would never do what Petraeus and Allen have done simply because they respect and honor the position of public trust they hold, and would NEVER bring disgrace or embarrassment from a sexual scandal on their families.
This is much more than a distraction!
At least General Petraeus didn't try to lie about his sexual affair to the American public like Bill Clinton did with Lewinsky.
Letter writer, like Mr. Greenspun, is totally wrong. These peacock generals, and others before and likely after them, who fall prey to the myth of their invincibility, made their sex scandals the issues by being outfront and open with them. Some well placed discretion doesn't change the impropriety of their evil deeds but at least shows some modicum of respect, if not for them, at least for their spouses, family and friends.
CarmineD
I recall back during my active duty days as a prison officer where there was a young beautiful female who came to work as an officer in an all-male prison with predominately male staff.
Call it odd if you like, but there were a few other male prison guards, like me, who not only looked past her natural physical attributes and saw her for what she really was as a lady and an officer.
When male officers could not seem to put their testosterone levels aside in dealing with extremely violent situations, this female officer had both the skills of the occupation, and a kind of "motherly instinct" that was instrumental in diffusing vicious situations with inmates. I was extremely impressed with her job related methodologies. We both had become good friends. I would certainly relate her qualities as an officer in negotiating intense situations with inmates to that of a Hillary Clinton who helped broker a cease-fire between Hamas and the Israelis.
It was a shock to me some months later when a sex scandal broke out between my shift commander and this young female officer. Although my shift commander was known to sexually harass women, I found it hard to believe that she had given in to his advances.
If I were to make excuses for my friend, I would have said that she was a probationary officer and had to submit to the wishes of the shift commander's power. Although this has some validity, each officer was trained in the legal avenues and protections that the Department provided each employee should such an occurrence take place. I must say, at this stage in my career, the Department had an enormous amount of pending sexual harassment cases, but was, in the interim, protecting, quite well, the victims of such intrusions.
At the formal hearings at the Attorney General's Office, the female officer was terminated, as well, was the shift commander. I hated to see her go.
The same applies to Generals Petraeus and Allen. I hate to see them go. But, they must. It is much, much more than just a distraction.
Ms. Turner its a shame that people like you feel that what Petraeus did is a distraction. I do not feel secure in the fact that he could do this to his family and country and I find it ironic, you being a woman, that you don't find it offensive.
When younger shapely women are placed in the working environment with men. The possibilities of sexual encounters can escalate.But most women are not players, and neither are most men.
It has been said that some of these women are looking for fame and fortune with men.And it has also been said the some of these men are caught up with the sexual desire of a younger shaped women.
No matter what the reasons it still takes two to tango.
Obama erred. He should not have accepted Petraeus' resignation. And he knows it now. Another rookie mistake.
"Obama erred. He should not have accepted Petraeus' resignation. And he knows it now. Another rookie mistake." @ Joan Respondi
Interestingly, this was a view originally held by Senator Diane Feldstein, the Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. But within hours of learning more about the CIA General and former 4 star general changed her mind and said it was the right thing to do [President accept his resignation].
After Petraeus resigned he was recalled to testify aboiut Bengahzi. HE CHANGED his account of the sacking of the Consulate in Benghazi and the 4 American murders. From a spontaneous demonstration caused by a youtube video, as he originally reported, to a terrorist attack. He has received alot criticism for it most especially from Representative King and Senator Feldstein. SO... at a minimum the scandal is being said, right or wrong, to have been the reason for the change in Petraeus' testimony and the reason he did not, I repeat, did not correct the Admin [read Susan Rice] when she used the video story as the reason for the sacking and the 4 murders on 5 Sunday talk shows.
CarmineD
So how about charging BOTH or all parties with sexual harassment--the harassment and discrimination against the deserving employees / soldiers who were NOT given inappropriate treatment?
I have always found it interesting that people in the USA are so uptight about sex, as are many of these commentors. The rest of the world could care less and, in fact, they accept that most all men (or women) in a powerful position of some kind will have a lover (or two) on the side. It is natural to them. Yet we act ridiculous about it. The same for nudity. We are created in a naked act, we come into this world naked (supposedly due to "God") and yet we are never allowed to be naked! I have traveled all over the world including being to nude beaches ( including children) where nobody pays much attention to anyone else. Americans are generally laughed at as stupid and prudish in their so-called "morals" I much agree.
"Americans are generally laughed at as stupid and prudish in their so-called "morals" I much agree." @Old Bob
I get it, now. Americans should lower their moral standards to be more like the Europeans. Of course.
CarmineD