Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Petraeus Debacle

By Alan Caruba



















© Alan Caruba, 2012


Bubblechaser said...

The title "All In" is about as funny as it gets in this sort of situation. It is not to be laughed at, but one cannot ignore the implications of the title and what happened.

Alan Caruba said...

Bubble, it's a poker term that has entered general usage and, yes, it does add a touch of humor to the Petraeus mess.

Dave's Daily Day Dream said...

"...but we expect men granted power and prestigious positions to maintain a higher degree of morality."
When was the last time you observed that, Alan? Jimmy Carter?

Alan Caruba said...

Dave it is only an "expectation." Humans are flawed creatures.

Harry Dale Huffman said...

Charles Krauthammer finds it "completely inexplicable" that Petraeus should have been fired immediately after Obama was re-elected, just when there was no longer any reason to fear someone would threaten Obama's re-election through outing Petraeus. But I think there is an essential childishness to Obama (what I will call a TRIBAL childishness, and which, specifically, Obama shares with Muslims around the world). I don't think Obama liked the success of Petraeus's "surge" strategy in Iraq, because any American success is disliked by Muslims (think about it!). While his firing (he didn't just resign) was a petulant act, it makes perfect childish sense to a man who wants to side with Muslims against American intrusion into their part of the world, and a successful intrusion particularly. Obama wants Muslims to be able to hold their heads up, by casting their enemies in a bad light, especially in a largely symbolic (and cowardly) way so that he can deny any allegations that he has himself acted badly, when of course that is exactly what he has done. So it is not "inexplicable" at all, Mr. Krauthammer. We are dealing with a childish dictator in Obama, getting personal satisfaction out of double-crossing a despised (by Muslims) American hero, a supposed "friend" to any true leader of America. Plus, as you and many have noted, Obama and his enablers want 1) to distract from their treasonous actions, or lack of positive action, in Benghazi, and 2) to put up any obstacle they can to further testimony by Petraeus about Benghazi (they say his replacement can equally well give such testimony -- another childish nonsense, of course).

I think Hillary is glad to get out of that "Lord of the Flies" environment with a whole skin.

Anthony Hopper said...

It will be interesting...

Alan Caruba said...

Spot on, Harry, as usual.

Anonymous said...

After Bill Clinton, why anyone would resign due to "inappropriate sexual behaviour" is ridiculous. This was NOT due to an affair. Besides, the government ethics department only considers affairs a problem if one or more parties complains, meaning the general's wife or the biographer's husband. I have a relative engaged in serial adultery whose disabled wife cannot complain and the ethics people were fine with it. You over estimate the moral leanings in this country.

Alan Caruba said...

@Alice. I do not over-estimate the nation's moral state, I mourn its loss since the 1960s.

Unknown said...

The fact that Americans put up with the lies of Clinton & Obama is inexcusable. As the quote below from Prague states, it is us who are to blame for the state of the nation. However, I disagree that we can repair the damage Obama will do in the next 4 years.

From Prague, The Perfect Quote:

Occasionally people have the vocabulary to sum up things in a way that can be quickly understood; this quote - from the Czech Republic. It was translated into English from an article in the Prague newspaper, Prager Zeitungon


glendamay said...

As of just a few moments ago, I have read that Petraeus has OFFERED to testify and will begin doing so to both houses of Congress. Now, this could get so very interesting...can we dare hope that this will lead to the complete unraveling of Obama's house of cards? Watergate SEEMED at first blush to be 'much ado about nothing' and led to a proposed impeachment and ultimate resignation...

Bubblechaser said...

Alan, I see you too mourn the loss of the nation in the 60's. This is where I put the great divide at. I could see in the 70's that this trend of disobedience and rebellion was entrenched and we would be punished by it. Only those who wear blinders or are too young cannot see the damage done. At 70 I can see it all and am quite disheartened by it all.

Bubblechaser said...

You hit the nail right on the head. Thank you so much. I am not so articulate nor educated, yet I know the truth when I see or hear it.

Alan Caruba said...

@Glendamay...one can only hope.

Alan Caruba said...

Bubblechaser, just visit my blog and you will become educated! :-)