David Petraeus resigns as CIA director

[loki81]

it wouldn't surprise me if this was kept under wraps until after the election, but that's not really a scandal... that's just Washington.

[Lostlover]

@Lostlover You are missing the crucial point here. His private escapades could have been used as blackmail in his public office. Surely you understand the gravity of this situation. Are you not familiar with recent spy cases involving CIA employees between US and China where personal info was an invaluable asset in coercing potential spies to come to the fold. The head of the CIA should be the last person to be vulnurable to those kind of tactics and yet here he is.

And how would he (or we) be vulnerable to blackmail?

Please explain that one to me.

I truly don't understand.

Public officials have private lives. I guess I just don't find it that hard to respect the man I'm with. I question the mentality of someone who has difficulty staying loyal to his spouse.

I don't. I think people have weaknesses and as long as these weaknesses don't affect job performance or loyalty, I see no need for disciplinary action.

Petraeus is just another cheating dog who wanted to put his wiener in a warm place.

[Rolyo85]

I think what AngolaZee is saying is that when you're in such a sensitive position, a secret you'd be ashamed to reveal would be too dangerous if used against you. So you shouldn't have those or you wouldn't be fit for the position any more.

[Lestatnj]

In other words, if someone threatened to tell his wife, & he was afraid of that for ANY reason, he's open to blackmail.

In the 50s, one of the reasons given for firing gay people in the government, pssible blackmail by the Soviets. Never happened TMK, but it was a possibility in such a closeted era. McCarthy & Roy Cohn used it to fire & persecute many gay men. (Why Cohn's death by AIDS was seen by many people, both gay & straight, as poetic justice).

[Kulindahr]

Whether it's true or not,as head of the CIA you can't hold yourself open to allegations like that.

Or you come clean and stand tall.

Terrible loss for the nation. He provided great insight on Mideast. This will be a sputter in the family machinery, but it always grinds on.

Disturbing for many reasons. No one ready to replace him, IMO.

This. They should give him a year doing something else, then Obama should tap him for SecDef.

[loki81]

interesting... Petraeus didn't want to resign and hadn't planned on making the affair public.

I don't really blame him, it doesn't sound like he breached security or broke any laws. the only reason the FBI were even poking their noses around was because of some emails sent from his mistress to a family friend. I'm kinda confused at how/why the FBI would jump from that to reading the emails in the personal account of the director of the CIA...

CIA Director David H. Petraeus did not intend to resign from his position until it became clear that his extramarital affair with his biographer would become public after a federal investigation of his e-mail accounts, according to two longtime military aides who admire the retired general.

But some of his closest advisers who served with him during his last command in Iraq said Monday that Petraeus planned to stay in the job even after he acknowledged the affair to the FBI, hoping the episode would never become public. He resigned last week after being told to do so by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. on the day President Obama was reelected.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...b7a_story.html

I'll give Eric Cantor some credit, though. he was informed of the affair a few weeks ago by an FBI "whistle blower" and didn't make it public even though it may have helped Republicans in the election.

[Lostlover]

I change my mind. They say that Petraeus had sex with that heifer at work under a desk.

I've asked this question numerous times before: they say we have a professional military, where's the professionalism?

[Kulindahr]

I change my mind. They say that Petraeus had sex with that heifer at work under a desk.

I've asked this question numerous times before: they say we have a professional military, where's the professionalism?

Are you claiming it left him unfit for duty?

[Jack Springer]

The more I read about this, the more upset I get. It appears he was just your typical slime-ball politician.

Hard to believe that he still has his top security clearance even after resigning -- not sure what that really means and what he has access to in the government.

Hope he somehow loses a good part of his retirement and that she gets brought up on morals charges in the Army and is given a dishonorable discharge with no pension.

I still have feeling he was fooling around with the other lady too.

Good riddance.

[opinterph]

Hope [Petraeus] … is given a dishonorable discharge with no pension.

I don’t think an honorable discharge can be changed when the conduct in question took place after military service ended.

Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army on August 31, 2011.

Timeline of the Petraeus affair (CNN)

[JayHawk]

Actually Opi while it is not standard the retirement isnt actually a retirement in the normal sense. It is a retainer for securing the future service if necessary... yet Patraeus was past the required retirement age for the military. SO they could probably eek it out but I have never heard of a case where they have done so.

The emails of the CIA were viewed because it was using a stealth account on google not his cia.gov account. They were investigating the threats made by Broadwell and searching her emails for any other indication of criminal activity after here threatening emails opened the door. They found a fake account used by both her and Patraeus to post draft emails and not send them and therefore be less likely to be intercepted. It was determined to be the CIA directors anonymous account. SO they weren't really just digging into CIA email without a warrant.

It is funny to see the pristine palace folks around here. I personally could give two flying fuck who Patraeus is fucking or not fucking. I guess ya'll are the same folks that agree birth control should be an aspirin between the girls knees.... lol.

[Lostlover]

Are you claiming it left him unfit for duty?

I've been hinting that it's a culture problem in the military. I have been hearing about soldiers having sex in the latrines, leaving the base to smoke weed, returning high with no consequences, and other unprofessional conduct.

A fish rots from the head down. (I hope I'm wrong, but the fact that no one wants to talk about it makes it seem that there could be something to my hypothesis.)

I hear that charges could be filed against Petraeus. Evidently, in the military there is a code against cheating on a spouse but there's also dragging of the feet in dealing with soldiers that rape and kill innocent civilians.

[JayHawk]

Are you claiming it left him unfit for duty?

No he just isnt qualified to serve so is on a perennial bitchfest about the military.

[Kulindahr]

The only sort of behavior in the military that should be counted as unprofessional is something that renders a person unfit for duty. If a soldier wants to go out and join an orgy, get drunk and stoned, and howl at the moon while dancing naked around a bonfire, it's all irrelevant so long as he shows up for duty bright and alert and energetic.

If Petraeus had been in any post but the CIA, this would have been no big deal. So I think he should just lay low till the midterms, then Obama can make him SecDef.

[bankside]

The only sort of behavior in the military that should be counted as unprofessional is something that renders a person unfit for duty. If a soldier wants to go out and join an orgy, get drunk and stoned, and howl at the moon while dancing naked around a bonfire, it's all irrelevant so long as he shows up for duty bright and alert and energetic.

If Petraeus had been in any post but the CIA, this would have been no big deal. So I think he should just lay low till the midterms, then Obama can make him SecDef.

The trouble is, he may well have had an affair with an irrational security risk.

[loki81]

If Petraeus had been in any post but the CIA, this would have been no big deal. So I think he should just lay low till the midterms, then Obama can make him SecDef.

even without this scandal, I'm not sure that would have happened (and with this, definitely not... I don't think Obama's demonstrated much of a tendancy to try and weather a storm when he can just throw the offender under the bus instead)

the next Secretary of Defense seems likely to be John Kerry, a fact that fills me with utter dread (although, it's marginally better than Secretary of State Kerry).

[GiancarloC]

I don't see the problem with John Kerry. He has definite experience and is a bit of a technocrat... but it would interest me to see Colin Powell included in the cabinet. There was some talk of that. There was a lot of experience lost with Petraeus, but I'm sure they'll find a suitable option.

[loki81]

Kerry is "owed" something for everything he's done for Obama (if it weren't for Kerry selecting him to give the 2004 convention speech, he may have never been catapulted into the national spotlight like he was)... sounds like it will either be Secretary of State or Defense.

between the two, I could see him not being terrible running the Defense department (but dear god, I can't imagine him as Secretary of State... what's his primary diplomatic asset, talking until world leaders fall asleep or get so annoyed at listening to his voice that they say yes to whatever he's asking?)

personally, I feel like the punishment for losing to GWB in 2004 should have been exile (or maybe imprisonment in the most backwoods Texan town imaginable)

[GiancarloC]

I think Susan Rice is probably the favorite for Secretary of State, but at this point considering the irrational hissy fits Republicans are putting up about her, Obama may go for someone else. Kerry will probably be the Secretary of Defense... he's a technocrat... and would be valuable.

And as far as 2004, Kerry's campaign had problems, but at that point this nation settled for stupid (GWB) over logic and reason. I kinda blame the American public for voting GWB in a second term... but that's the past. Kerry still has extensive experience and could be valuable for Obama's administration.

Any thoughts on Powell potentially being included? I'm sure he'll want to serve in a different position other than Secretary of State or Defense... but if Susan Rice isn't selected, he could always be called in.

[justdra]

Looks like another top official is mixed up this scandal and now I'm betting there will be others who get exposed because of the fallout. All because he couldn't keep it in his pants. His image or legacy will be tarnish over this. It reminds me of John McCain. His legacy of being a POW is also marked by his pick of Sarah Palin as his VP. She completely overshadowed him and almost seemed as if she was running for POTUS.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2120609.html

[GiancarloC]

Gen John Allen risks his own legacy now? What is going on with these guys? Keep your dignity and your d*k in your pants. Really it's not worth it.

[Lostlover]

Looks like another top official is mixed up this scandal and now I'm betting there will be others who get exposed because of the fallout. All because he couldn't keep it in his pants. His image or legacy will be tarnish over this. It reminds me of John McCain. His legacy of being a POW is also marked by his pick of Sarah Palin as his VP. She completely overshadowed him and almost seemed as if she was running for POTUS.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2120609.html

Another top general is busted in this investigation? That one trashy woman that alerted the FBI was screwing this guy too.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AC05Z20121113

Where's the professionalism in our army? Conservatives get on the post office's case for delivering mail slow. I'm going to love to hear what they have to same about this growing scandal.

[EastMed]

It's a case of the surveillance state eating its own children.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...ance-state-fbi

[Jack Springer]

I don’t think an honorable discharge can be changed when the conduct in question took place after military service ended.

Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army on August 31, 2011.

Timeline of the Petraeus affair (CNN)

The timeline is not in concrete yet.

[Jack Springer]

even without this scandal, I'm not sure that would have happened (and with this, definitely not... I don't think Obama's demonstrated much of a tendancy to try and weather a storm when he can just throw the offender under the bus instead)

the next Secretary of Defense seems likely to be John Kerry, a fact that fills me with utter dread (although, it's marginally better than Secretary of State Kerry).

The word on the street is that Kerry will be Defense Secretary.

Hard to believe that Hillary will give up SOS -- she'd have to move back home -- could Bubba and her live together?

I think Petraeus is done as a public figure. His indiscretions now appear to be worse than just an affair -- he may have exposed himself to blackmail or even worse exposed our country's secrets.

[opinterph]

The timeline is not in concrete yet.

Agreed. The timing of the affair noted in the CNN article is “according to a Petraeus friend.”

[Jack Springer]

It's a case of the surveillance state eating its own children.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...ance-state-fbi

Sex-starved generals and their bimbos involving themselves in junior high school drama.

[BostonPirate]

This is delving into a pool that people ought not. Years of work... all getting ready to get shredded.

This is an inter agency squabble between the FBI and the CIA.

It needs to be left alone.

[GiancarloC]

The word on the street is that Kerry will be Defense Secretary.

Hard to believe that Hillary will give up SOS -- she'd have to move back home -- could Bubba and her live together?

I think Petraeus is done as a public figure. His indiscretions now appear to be worse than just an affair -- he may have exposed himself to blackmail or even worse exposed our country's secrets.

I think Hillary wants to take a break. I can see Colin Powell joining this administration just not sure where.

John Kerry is a big time technocrat (technocrats don't always make the best presidential candidates) so he would be useful for the Obama administration.

Petraeus has only himself to blame. He should have kept it in his pants. He disgraced this country and his family.

[Lostlover]

Does anyone know what happened to the professionalism in the army?

[TX-Beau]

What the whole army had an affair with that woman?

Damn she must have been sore.

What does adultery have to do with professional competence? Plus he wasn't IN the army when he banged her.

[maxpowr9]

What the whole army had an affair with that woman?

Damn she must have been sore.

What does adultery have to do with professional competence? Plus he wasn't IN the army when he banged her.

Security reasons for one. Thought that would have been obvious...

Paula Broadwell, the biographer revealed as the woman having a secret affair with the now-former CIA director, gave a talk at the University of Denver on Oct. 26 in which she appeared to reveal sensitive, maybe even classified information about the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. The most interesting revelation is her claim that the CIA was holding several Libyan militia members prisoner, which may have prompted the attack.

After giving a bit of background, [Broadwell] mentioned that the 'ground forces at the CIA Annex were requesting reinforcements'. Then she added: I don't know if a lot of you have heard this but the CIA annex had actually taken a couple of Libyan militia members prisoners. She told her audience that the attack was thought to be an effort to get them back. Oops. U.S. officials have not made reference to that possible motive in numerous accounts of the Benghazi attack and for good reason. 'The CIA has not had detention authority since January 2009, when Executive Order 13491 was issued. Any suggestion that the Agency is still in the detention business is uninformed and baseless', said a CIA spokesperson in a statement issues on Sunday night.

Broadwell, who attended the university's Josef Korbel School of International Studies, spoke at length of her career ambitions. 'My longterm goal had always been to become national security advisor,' she said. That's probably not going to happen now.

I think the affair is mostly smoke and mirrors for the interdepartmental fighting going on between the FBI and the CIA.

[TX-Beau]

The army isn't exactly full of celibate teetotalers, and while I MIGHT buy that excuse at the CIA I don't buy it at all for the army.

It's the standard fig leaf for the witch hunt.

What did he do that was illegal?

[BostonPirate]

It's not about what it looks like. This is about methodology, Humint S.A. versus gray psyop plant.

The sex is the distraction. It's the shiny object for everyone to stare at while something big happens.

[maxpowr9]

The army isn't exactly full of celibate teetotalers, and while I MIGHT buy that excuse at the CIA I don't buy it at all for the army.

It's the standard fig leaf for the witch hunt.

What did he do that was illegal?

There actually are bylaws against adultery in the military: Article 134, Paragraph 62.

[TX-Beau]

But he wasn't in the Military.

- - - Updated - - -

I can't believe I'm defending a Bush Republican.

[White Eagle]

I'm sitting here watching Chris Matthews try to explain what is going on and he can't. I think Petraeus is being a pimp for other generals.

[TX-Beau]

I want to know why that one woman was cyber-stalking the adultery woman in the first place?

You just know it's juicy - I suspect frustrated, unrequited lesbian obsession - or maybe quited lesbian spurning.

Inquiring minds want to know!

[Kulindahr]

Maybe we should just do what a umber of armies ion the past did -- have a "pleasure corps" to handle sexual needs.

[TX-Beau]

I believe that's a Falcon video.

[loki81]

I want to know why that one woman was cyber-stalking the adultery woman in the first place?

You just know it's juicy - I suspect frustrated, unrequited lesbian obsession - or maybe quited lesbian spurning.

Inquiring minds want to know!

it seems like the woman Petraeus was having an affair with was crazy... she was jealous of the other woman (a family friend) and sent her threatening emails.

the family friend also happened to be "friends" with an FBI agent, who got the investigation started into the threatening letters.

unrelated to all of this as far as I can tell, the family friend is also "friendly" with the General overseeing the Afghan war.

[Lostlover]

What the whole army had an affair with that woman?

Damn she must have been sore.

What does adultery have to do with professional competence? Plus he wasn't IN the army when he banged her.

The top tier of the army had an affair with the woman. I can totally understand if he fucked the shit out of her behind closed doors. But under a desk and using government email accounts and computers for hook ups?

NOT VERY PROFESSIONAL.

[Jack Springer]

it seems like the woman Petraeus was having an affair with was crazy... she was jealous of the other woman (a family friend) and sent her threatening emails.

the family friend also happened to be "friends" with an FBI agent, who got the investigation started into the threatening letters.

unrelated to all of this as far as I can tell, the family friend is also "friendly" with the General overseeing the Afghan war.

wonder when the photo of the shirtless FBI agent will come out, lol

Petraeus' GF is a member of the Army Reserve -- she will for sure face charges.

[maxpowr9]

Not really related but Paula's husband seems a bit swishy or as my brother put it to me once, "only fags wear scarves"...

[Kulindahr]

The top tier of the army had an affair with the woman. I can totally understand if he fucked the shit out of her behind closed doors. But under a desk and using government email accounts and computers for hook ups?

NOT VERY PROFESSIONAL.

Did it render him unfit for duty?

[Lostlover]

Did it render him unfit for duty?

It makes me question his judgement and his ability to to act in a rational way.

Sex under the desk? Seriously? Couldn't wait to get a motel?

[loki81]

where is that "sex under a desk" thing coming from?

I don't think I've seen that reported in any legitimate news source.

[BostonPirate]

reminds me of kids looking at shiny pennies.

[JayHawk]

Yes Loki that is all utter speculation. What has been reported is that the email was done on Google's Gmail. Last i checked that was private. Patraeus was also a civilian at the time and OH BY THE WAY the second General from the Marines... General Allen has no allegation of sexual misconduct. He was simply too candid with a family friend which was uncovered as the FBI went on a easter egg hunt after they got access to the complainant's email account.

But dont let the facts get in the way of fearing a loathing by others as they obviously have some issues to get off their chest.

[maxpowr9]

where is that "sex under a desk" thing coming from?

I don't think I've seen that reported in any legitimate news source.

Sadly, The Daily Show where Jon expounds his own journalistic ingenuity over the whole affair.

Yes, using work stuff for non-work related things is against many company's policies. Hell, I remember at my old job that when my own mom sent me an email to my business one, IT guys intercepted it and I got an email back from them saying that I shouldn't use my work email for "personal endeavors".