An early, disguised hint of Petraeus affair?
UPDATE deserving of a “Seriously?!”
From the Washington Post:
“The collapse of the dazzling career of CIA Director David H. Petraeus was triggered when a woman whom he was having an affair with sent threatening e-mails to another woman close to him, according to three senior law enforcement officials with knowledge of the episode.
The recipient of the e-mails was so frightened that she went to the FBI for protection and help tracking down the sender, according to the officials. The FBI investigation traced the threats to Paula Broadwell, a former military officer and a Petraeus biographer, and uncovered explicit e-mails between Broadwell and Petraeus, the officials said….
The identity of the woman who received the e-mails was not disclosed, and the nature of her relationship with Petraeus is unknown. The law enforcement officials said the e-mails indicated that Broadwell perceived the other woman as a threat to her relationship with Petraeus.”
——————-
Back in July, the “Ethicist” column in the New York Times Magazine published a strange, anonymous letter that in hindsight probably set many a tongue wagging in Washington, D.C., and is doing so again in light of recent news events.
Here’s the letter:
My wife is having an affair with a government executive. His role is to manage a project whose progress is seen worldwide as a demonstration of American leadership. (This might seem hyperbolic, but it is not an exaggeration.) I have met with him on several occasions, and he has been gracious. (I doubt if he is aware of my knowledge.) I have watched the affair intensify over the last year, and I have also benefited from his generosity. He is engaged in work that I am passionate about and is absolutely the right person for the job. I strongly feel that exposing the affair will create a major distraction that would adversely impact the success of an important effort. My issue: Should I acknowledge this affair and finally force closure? Should I suffer in silence for the next year or two for a project I feel must succeed? Should I be “true to my heart” and walk away from the entire miserable situation and put the episode behind me?
NAME WITHHELD
As Chuck Klosterman, author of the ethics column, noted in his perceptive response, “The fact that you’re willing to accept your wife’s infidelity for some greater political good is beyond honorable. In fact, it’s so over-the-top honorable that I’m not sure I believe your motives are real. Part of me wonders why you’re even posing this question, particularly in a column that is printed in The New York Times… I halfway suspect you’re writing this letter because you want specific people to read this column and deduce who is involved and what’s really going on behind closed doors (without actually addressing the conflict in person). That’s not ethical, either.”
– Jay Bookman
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785 comments Add your comment
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
“I’m not calling you stupid, you’re leaving that yourself as an open question, but I will call you evasive”
That was NOT a better try. Maybe you need to get some rest so you can get back on your game.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
I’m not calling you stupid
Well THAT is certainly good…because 9 out of 10 bloggers have already closed the question on you. The 10th is just plain insane.
Jm
November 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
Colin Powell on
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:26 pm
Cantor’s spokespeople said they didn’t know if the information was creditable. They wisely declined to publicize that information. Of course we’ve learned it was indeed true.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
November 11th, 2012
8:26 pm
Gen Petraeus- (D) caption on Fox in 3, 2, 1…
Jm
November 11th, 2012
8:26 pm
The discussion here is so trite relative to the real world
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:28 pm
“Well THAT is certainly good…because 9 out of 10 bloggers have already closed the question on you. The 10th is just plain insane.”
Well now that is most certainly a stupid remark, but typical.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:30 pm
Jm,
The libs haven’t provided and cogent argument as to why this issue isn’t serious and relevant.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:32 pm
“The libs haven’t provided and cogent argument as to why this issue isn’t serious and relevant”
See, we don’t have to. YOU claim it is…it’s up to YOU to provide the evidence.
paulo977
November 11th, 2012
8:34 pm
Josef…”Somebody fill me in. What is “it” relative to an affair and sitting on “it?”
______________________________________________________
Help ..I’m confused ….who sat on whose what ?!!!!!!!!!
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:38 pm
“it’s up to YOU to provide the evidence.”
No, it’s up to congress and it appears that both sides of the aisle recognize their reponsibility to seek out the evidence and make a determination.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
“No, it’s up to congress ”
You vastly overestimate your importance. Last time I checked it was not the responsibility of Congress to verify OR refute you conspiracy theories.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:43 pm
” Last time I checked it was not the responsibility of Congress to verify OR refute you conspiracy theories.”
Unfortunately, you have by that comment proven yourself stupid to the extent I now must accept that as fact. End of discussion, have a pleasant evening.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
8:44 pm
del,
You need new gop leaders.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:44 pm
“End of discussion, have a pleasant evening.”
Yep, declare victory and then run like a beaten dog. Sleep well, maybe your game will be better after a good night’s sleep.
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
8:46 pm
Carlos Gutierrez, the former secretary of commerce, blamed the Republican primary process, which he said forced Romney to harden his immigration stance in an appeal to the far-right wing of the Republican Party.
I think the disease is the fact that the far right of the party controls the primary process.”
Yep…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 11th, 2012
8:47 pm
No, it’s up to congress and it appears that both sides of the aisle recognize their reponsibility to seek out the evidence and make a determination
To recap: Well now that is most certainly a stupid remark, but typical.
Congress provides evidence now too? I guess that will make their hearings easier. We know Issa refused to hear evidence contrary to his position before, so now he can just make it up (or has already done so)
You don't say
November 11th, 2012
8:47 pm
“Unfortunately, you have by that comment proven yourself stupid to the extent I now must accept that as fact. End of discussion, have a pleasant evening”
Comments from a bitter individual. I’m sure the week has been tough, especially if he had been touting a Romney win as many gullible right wingers were doing leading up to the election.
Jm
November 11th, 2012
8:49 pm
“Yep, declare victory and then run like a beaten dog. ”
Oh just let it go
For once
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:50 pm
“Comments from a bitter individual”
Yeah, it’s harder than usual right now for them to take that we can see through their smoke screens.
Mick
November 11th, 2012
8:51 pm
Funny how some people always seem to want to get to the bottom of every situation with the angle that there’s a coverup lurking?
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
8:51 pm
(CNN) — In 2009, we wrote a book, “40 More Years: How Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation.” Building on Ruy Teixeira and John Judis’ 2002 tour de force “The Emerging Democratic Majority” predicting the 2008 election, we argued that America’s diversifying and increasingly liberal youth voters would secure a lasting Democratic majority.
Some analyses have tried to make 2012 about single women or educated white women or some other narrow slice of the electorate. They’re thinking small. The big picture is this: Democrats are continuing to win big with the demographic groups that are growing; Republicans are still struggling to increase support with shrinking base voter groups.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/opinion/carville-buckwalter-poza-election/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:51 pm
Doggone, proved an inadequacy for debate is there anyone else that thinks that the Petraeus revelations are unworthy of congressional investigations?
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:52 pm
“Oh just let it go”
Why should I? Did I call him stupid? No, I didn’t. And he’s the one who ran off, not me.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 11th, 2012
8:52 pm
Oh just let it go
For once
Your elders are talking now, sonny.
Best you should stay at the children’s table now.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
8:53 pm
Would have been an excellent October surprise.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:53 pm
“Doggone, proved an inadequacy for debate is there anyone else that thinks that the Petraeus revelations are unworthy of congressional investigations?”
Awww, isn’t that sweet. He just can’t tear himself away after all. And then has to lie about what I said. As I said babe, you need a GOOD night’s sleep to get back on your game.
Mick
November 11th, 2012
8:53 pm
**Oh just let it go**
“He who exalts himself shall be humbled, while he who humbles himself shall be exalted”…
Jm
November 11th, 2012
8:54 pm
Doggone 8:52
No, you just called him a dog
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
8:55 pm
Doggone, I’m terribly sorry for you but this too shall pass.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
8:56 pm
“No, you just called him a dog”
Since I call myself that too, am I supposed to be upset about it?
getalife
November 11th, 2012
8:56 pm
del,
They will play politics with it.
You should know that.
Jm
November 11th, 2012
8:57 pm
Recon
I frankly could not care one iota about Petraeus’ personal failings now that he’s gone
We have far more worrisome events on the horizon that our prez is likely, though not definitely, going to fail on
Such as a nuclear Iran and the fiscal cliff
Save your ammo, there will be plenty of better shots to take
You don't say
November 11th, 2012
8:57 pm
Someone must be on a weekend bender.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:00 pm
“Save your ammo, there will be plenty of better shots to take”
Jm, I’ve always take them where I’ve seen them but this one was too easy and in my mind very important. Having said that on balance you’re right.
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
9:01 pm
(CNN) — As televised theater, it was hard to beat. As political prognostication, it was a head-scratching moment. As partisan warfare, it was nothing short of audacious.
But Karl Rove’s insistence that Barack Obama had not carried Ohio — despite the call by his own network, Fox News, that the president had done just that — represented something larger. It captured, for some long and awkward moments, the refusal of some in the media-and-politics game to accept reality.
As if his reputation was not already sullied enough?
The man is matched only by the equally bizarre Donald Trump and his childish “disgusting injustice” observation about the results of Tuesday night…
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:01 pm
del,
Do you feel any shame that this republican General did something to resign in disgrace?
Lord Help Us
November 11th, 2012
9:03 pm
Well, this is, i suppose, more important than the ’scandal’ about Obama’s birth certificate…
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:05 pm
“Well, this is, i suppose, more important than the ’scandal’ about Obama’s birth certificate”
it is, at least, more titillating
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 11th, 2012
9:06 pm
Anything to cover up that drone attack on that Wisconsin wedding party.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:08 pm
I bet del’s first thought was how will this get our President.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 11th, 2012
9:08 pm
Speaking of birthers…. The petition to fire Trump from Macys”
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:10 pm
“I bet del’s first thought was how will this get our President”
That was pretty apparent
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
9:11 pm
Moderates, who comprise 41% of the electorate, voted against Romney by a very considerable 15%.
BHO – 56%, WMR – 41%.
You don't say
November 11th, 2012
9:14 pm
Some want this scandal to sink the President, but do not have the intellectual honesty to come out and say it
As long as their narrative doesn’t come to fruition; the conspiracies, implications and crying will continue.
Just glad that isn’t my life. Those people are sad and pathetic
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:16 pm
getalife,
This is an American shame as Petraeus was put into the leadership position of an agency principally tasked with providing intelligence gathering critical to our national security by President Obama. General Petraeus failed this country with his indiscreet dalliance just as Clinton did while functioning as president of the United States. Both their actions left the door open to potential compromise that puts into jeopardy our national security.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:19 pm
del,
It is not about President Clinton so don’t drag his name into this scandal to make you feel better.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:22 pm
“It is not about President Clinton so don’t drag his name into this scandal to make you feel better”
It won’t surprise me if this turns out to be the embarrassment that Clinton was, and not the shame that Recon thinks it will be.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
getalife,
Like it or not the analogy is there of two high level government officials who put into jeopardy our national security by their indiscreet actions.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:24 pm
“Like it or not the analogy is there of two high level government officials who put into jeopardy our national security by their indiscreet actions”
Not quite. Both had that potential. One has been proven not to have. It remains to be seen if the other has or not.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 11th, 2012
9:27 pm
Hmmmmm… The Speaker of the House (Newt), third in line, to the Presidency does not count, right?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
Hmmmmm… The Speaker of the House (Newt), third in line, to the Presidency does not count, right?
IOKIYAR
Tundra Dude
November 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
I bet del’s first thought was how will this get our President.
I think he’s frustrated, that entire R party suffers from ED, (electile dysfunction)
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
del,
It is about General Patraeus and you played politics like congress would do.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:31 pm
“Not quite. Both had that potential. One has been proven not to have”
Not so fast as we really don’t know and best possible case is that he didn’t but his selfish narcissism could have potentially done so. Presidents like CIA directors must have self discipline at a much higher level.
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
November 11th, 2012
9:31 pm
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/11/rep-king-says-petraeus-story-just-doesnt-add-up/?hpt=hp_t1
Jm
November 11th, 2012
9:32 pm
Tundra
You live in Alaska or drive a gas hog?
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:33 pm
Mindless deflection of blame to the other side to make yourself feel better is called deflectabation.
Don’t do that in public del.
How about some accountability instead?
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:35 pm
getalife,
Bloviating doesn’t win arguments. You should have learned that by now.
Recon 0311 2533
November 11th, 2012
9:38 pm
Of course bloviating did win an election, so we have to acknowledge that fact. Taps, y’all
You don't say
November 11th, 2012
9:39 pm
Bloviating doesn’t win arguments
Yet you have been doing all evening
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:39 pm
del,
Why didn’t cantor call for his resignation in October?
Did he follow procedures or prolong them until after the election.?
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
9:39 pm
getalife
I told you the prez was a tricky man. He has Dems defending a Republican
and Repubs attacking a Repub. That is more tricky than gennifer flowers
was for Clinton.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:40 pm
“Of course bloviating did win an election”
And lost one
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:44 pm
“He has Dems defending a Republican and Repubs attacking a Repub”
That’s an amusing way to put it, but actually I’ve seen very little “defending” of the General. Mostly it’s been more along the lines of “let’s wait for all the information to come in”
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:45 pm
frog,
He knows how to play the game.
A centrist capitalist trying to level the playing field so others have a shot at the American dream is a pretty good President.
The easy way out is just govern for the wealthy to make sure they get everything they want like spoiled children.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
November 11th, 2012
9:46 pm
‘ that entire R party suffers from ED, (electile dysfunction)’
but they didn’t have an election lasting more than 4 hrs
it was over sooner than that
ahhhh, i think we may be onto something here…..
St Simons - he-ne-ha
November 11th, 2012
9:49 pm
deflecterbation – dude, you should be in hollywood
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
9:50 pm
getalife
He will massacre the repubs with this especially if Cantor or others was
covering it up. I suspect Petraeus was visited and told he could reveal or he would be revealed.
Georgia
November 11th, 2012
9:52 pm
Broadwell could be this total out of control monster who came on so strong to Patraeus, that he was skin deep within minutes of their first private meeting, and there simply was nothing he could have done to get out of it. We’ve all been there. Some babe suddenly and without warning deliberately takes her clothes off in our office, or garage, or the back seat of our car at the drive in. I mean, it’s not our fault, is it? hell no. I can’t wait till we get more news about this.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:53 pm
“I suspect Petraeus was visited and told he could reveal or he would be revealed”
That wouldn’t surprise me either. What’s going to be interesting is to see if they play games with approving the nominee for the post.
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
9:55 pm
Georgia
Yes I know. It has happened to me but i am much better looking than
the General.
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
9:57 pm
doggone/gA
it is full time games in DC.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
9:57 pm
Thanks St Simons.
frog,
The facts will drip out so lets see what happens.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2012
9:59 pm
I’ve got an early day tomorrow…night all
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
10:00 pm
getalife
drip is becoming a gusher.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
November 11th, 2012
10:07 pm
Recon:
“Jm,
The libs haven’t provided and cogent argument as to why this issue isn’t serious and relevant.”
I have to disagree. It might tarnish Obama’s legacy. Therefore, it has to remain irrelevant.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
10:10 pm
scout,
So, he is a good President with no scandals.
Get over it.
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
10:10 pm
getalife
the prez used the cryin indian trick to put him over the top.
tricky.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
10:14 pm
frog,
The one tear move?
Nah, the gop are horrible and deserved to lose.
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
November 11th, 2012
10:17 pm
NOTE: The Republican points out that reports indicate the White House learned of this at 5PM on Election Day, upon receipt of a phone call from the FBI.
(CNN) – The top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee said Sunday that the length of the FBI’s investigation into David Petraeus’ extramarital affair raises serious questions about the government’s response to potentially comprised intelligence.
Rep. Peter King, who made the remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union,” joined Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in expressing concern over how the FBI and other federal agencies handled the investigation into the former CIA director’s affair, and specifically why members of Congress with oversight over intelligence and homeland security weren’t briefed on the discoveries.
“I have questions about the whole matter,” Rep. Peter King told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley, pointing to reports that the White House first learned of the affair in a phone call from the FBI to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper at 5 p.m. on election night.
barking frog
November 11th, 2012
10:19 pm
getalife
yep. the repubs are o.k. they just didn’t get quite enough votes.
all the campaign rhetoric was just rhetoric. many people like
obamacare.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
November 11th, 2012
10:29 pm
THE PLOT THICKENS
HEADLINE(NEWSMAX): “FBI Suppressed Petraeus Scandal to Protect President”
“Ronald Kessler reporting from Washington, D.C. — FBI agents investigating CIA Director David Petraeus’s affair were shocked when told by bureau officials that despite the national security implications, no action would be taken on their findings until after the presidential election: Only then would President Obama ask for Petraeus’ resignation.”
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/petraeus-affair-fbi-investigation/2012/11/11/id/463697
Rabbit
November 11th, 2012
10:30 pm
Marital infidelity is a detriment to families when there is deception. Many marriages, however, are more like roommate arrangements and infidelity is pretty much inevitable. Hard to pass judgment without knowing the inner workings of the relationship. I think we are way too interested in the common case. That said:
When a member of the intelligence community adds a secret relationship to his resume, that is a matter of national security. Families of intelligence officers are generally well known to the community before a clearance is granted. Petraus knew better and his judgment shows a level of incompetence we heretofore did not know. He wants a new partner, divorce and introduce the new partner. Spies can’t keep secrets from their fellow spies. Bad for business.
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
10:36 pm
Scout, why do you think that the Republicans, especially the most extremist – Walsh, West, Allen, Akin, Mourdoch among other various and sundry tea party types – got shellacked so badly last Tuesday?
JamVet
November 11th, 2012
10:40 pm
“We sent (women) running back to the Democratic Party because they think we’re nutty,” Rep. Steve LaTourette (R – Ohio) said of comments about rape by Mourdock of Indiana and Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri, conservatives who both lost Senate races Tuesday in states won by Romney.
What War on Women?
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
November 11th, 2012
10:58 pm
Ronald Kessler, writing for Newsmax.com:
“In my recently published book, “The Secrets of the FBI,” FBI Director Mueller gave me unprecedented access to the bureau, including to agents who told me normally classified details of how FBI agents break into homes and offices to plant bugging devices in terrorist, espionage, Mafia, and political corruption cases.
In my opinion, Mueller is a man of impeccable integrity. He would not have acquiesced to delaying action on the bureau’s findings unless ordered to do so by the attorney general or by the president.”
A direct quote from a source cited previously.
The credibility train stopped when I read this.
getalife
November 11th, 2012
11:03 pm
scout still thinks rw media is the truth.
Still living in la la land.
Poor thing.
Banderson
November 11th, 2012
11:22 pm
The big question will be – What did Eric Cantor know and when did he know it?
Thank goodness for Vegas and legal gambling
November 12th, 2012
1:04 am
Thanks UGA for covering against Auburn!
Waiting in Vegas to catch my red eye back to the Atl! 2012 has been a great year! 7 wins @ 50k per bet minus IRS take. Got to make as much as I can before the new tax plan kicks in!
What a way to make a secondary income!
Bob
November 12th, 2012
4:00 am
Cantor lives in a log cabin.
stands for decibels
November 12th, 2012
5:50 am
mornin’.
If you want some idea of why I viscerally hate most of the shiny, pre-digested corporate media that has the audacity to consider its product to be “news analysis”:
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/11/11/sunday-shows-ignore-the-most-important-economic/191335
Four of the five major Sunday morning political shows ignored the issue of job creation and economic growth, which economists and voters say are the most important economic issues facing the nation. Instead, the economic discussion on the November 11 editions of these shows focused almost exclusively on the debate over how to achieve deficit reduction.
stands for decibels
November 12th, 2012
5:56 am
THE PLOT THICKENS
I guess the CIA director brouhaha will be good to keep the sore losers busy for a coupla-three weeks while their masters go back to work robbing them.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
November 12th, 2012
5:57 am
Good Monday morning everyone. I couldn’t resist this…
http://cheezburger.com/6745808384
stands for decibels
November 12th, 2012
6:04 am
Paraphrasing Wilde: One would have to have a heart of stone to watch this video of sad white people without laughing.
stands for decibels
November 12th, 2012
6:06 am
Corbin, I think we get one more business day of gloating and then that’s it, right? (Dunno about you but I suspended overt gloating immediately after the results were in and for the next couple days so’s not to be unseemly.)
Orange12
November 12th, 2012
6:23 am
Let’s see how well you like the “Snake Oil Salesman” after a couple of more months or better, years. If the country can last that long.
Jm
November 12th, 2012
6:32 am
“Frustrated residents joined lawmakers in calling for a shakeup of the Long Island Power Authority as 100,000 of the state agency’s customers remain blacked out two weeks after Hurricane Sandy.
The state-owned authority’s customers accounted for about two-thirds of the 166,500 homes and businesses still without power yesterday after Sandy and a subsequent snowstorm affected more than 8.6 million, according to the U.S. Energy Department.”
Government at it’s best.
You know, Jay says Republicans bash and destroy faith in government. Frankly, faith in government is not deserved.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
November 12th, 2012
6:53 am
Stands,
You are correct, of course, and I so do want to be a “good winner”, but I’m only human. We must spike no more footballs if we want bi-partisanship, right?
JamVet
November 12th, 2012
7:15 am
Let’s see how well you like the “Snake Oil Salesman” after a couple of more months or better, years. If the country can last that long.
Uh…………….. You guys have already been saying that for four years.
Time for a new lament…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikLlgs6GY9Q