Should David Petraeus be asked to resume his job as CIA Director?

I think his judgement is far too questionable to be put back into that position.

rathi said:

Nope. Make me head of the CIA and it will be. Some jobs have serious responsibilities that require a greater commitment than others.

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That is true, and it is possible that at least one of the reasons he resigned is he wants to try and repair his relationship with his wife and family.

The man served his country for most of his life. If he now wants to focus on those closer to him, I say let him be.

mak2 said:

In my view the real problem with him having a girl on the side is simply his security clearance. When you get a security clearance they teach you not ot do anything you can be black mailed for. One of the things I remember them using an example was buying someone stuff from the PX. You pick up a guy a pack of smokes at the PX (for .45c back then) then the guy would ask for something else and elevate it until he starts blackmailing you to tell him secrets or he would report you. Same as having a gay lover or not gay lover, or girlfriend if you are married, or anything you can be blackmailed over. Gen P knows an affair would make him a prime target for blackmail.

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Thank you. I feel bad for Petraeus, I feel especially bad for his wife. But spies and spymasters have to be above these things. It wouldn't even have to be the person he is having the affair with... it could be some enemy who discovers the affair. Bad situation, and it doesn't matter if he didn't yet breach security.

No.

Not only is he a dumbass in his private life.

But he was (imo) WAY over rated as a general.

The 'surge' worked because the Iraqi's 'worked' things out amongst themselves - partially because al qaeda went too far. Partially for other reasons. The surge had little to do with it (imo).
And Afghanistan has been a flat out failure - and that was partially his baby too.

The military never should have gone away from the Powell doctrine. NEVER.

And Patraeus was one of the people (apparently) who helped do just that. And the result was probably a TON more U.S. deaths then would have been otherwise.

And all you Patraeus lovers can save your breath because there is NO WAY you are convincing me otherwise.


Imo, Patraeus is a very intelligent guy. But he is a product of a media that was desperate for a military star in a sea of bad news.


Besides, there are LOTS of qualified people that can run the CIA.

rathi said:

Do you understand that being head of the CIA has different requirements than your typical job? For example, a typical employee wouldn't face any penalties for chatting to his buddy about his co-worker named Bob who has a stapler obsession. If Petraeus had done that, he would be committing a federal crime and potentially putting someones life in danger.

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He has already stated that he did not pass along any information to her, therefore there is no problems.

I dont really care if he comes back or not.

Petraeus as best I can tell wasn't doing anything different from normal politicians. If women were threatening one another, that is hardly his fault, and if he put people in charge of projects who shouldn't have been due to favoritism rather than ability then that is par for the course, cannot get more status quo than that.

The only thing that matters is he capable in his role as CIA director if so then reinstate him if not then put him in a position he is capable with, it would be a shame to waste talent.

Every dollar that ever went into Petraeous' pocket, his wife or any trust - blind or not - should be audited.

The problem isn't the sex. The problem is all the money talk, massive unsecured loans, and boasting of the positions and economic benefits the women were bragging of by knowing him. Since at least of those women's bragging in the past specifically also goes directly into the White House and President, plus diplomatic vanity plates and boasting of to recieve millions in a foreign contract, THAT should be the REAL investigation.

The issue is not "sex," it is money and influence favoritism in exchange for sex (and possible as business partners illegally and corruptly.)

But it won't happen. Graft and bribery are now just how the Obama White House functions.