The entire legal system in the US is now a complete farce. That is now abundantly clear. Am I shocked that Patraeus skates while our disgusting prisons are stuffed with low income drug addicts? Yes, but only because I will never get used to the fact that we live in a country where justice is meted out according to wealth and status.
33
And Martha Stewart went to prison for some insider trading.
22
Shameful, so if you blow the whistle for moral reasons, like Kiriakou, then you are punished, but if you are incompetent and let your mistress have access to secrets, like Petraeus, then you are celebrated. Obama disgusts me.
17
"Heckuva job, Davey!"
14
The White House thinks he is an expert on Iraq, eh? Does Valerie Jarrett think we "won" in Iraq, rather than get booted out by our "friends."? He cannot be trusted for anything.
22
Any of us who were ever in the ranks knows what would happen to an enlisted man in the same situation: jail, plain and simple. As for Petraeus' military acumen, he wrote the book on counter-insurgency, and we have yet to win one.
30
Why not change his surname to Betrayus? As Jonathan Swift noted, "The law is like a spider's web: it catches the small insects, whereas the larger insects break through."
27
Definition of anti-democratic, anti-constitutional behavior: you want in prison the patriot Snowden who showed us what all these CIA, militarist, government sneaks, and corporate weapons liars were doing to subvert freedom in our country, but you support Petraeus passing secrets to his lover and biographer--Petraeus, the PR champ whose publicity machine covered up the disasters of his policies.
28
While not wanting to defend Petraeus, Rob, there is a distinct difference between he and Snowden. The person Petraeus shared the classified material with did not, and will not disclose that material to anyone else much less the public. Snowden gave it to the whole world including our enemies. There is a law against recieving stolen goods. Are you suggesting that we sentence someone who receives stolen property, realizes it and returns it to the rightful owner the same as someone who receives stolen property, realizes it and then sells it all on EBay to the highest bidder??? Petraeus admitted his wrong, pled guilty, negotiated a plea deal and accepted his punishment. Snowden admitted what he did, but didn't accept it was wrong, and ran to live with Vladamir Putin. Who knows, maybe Putin has spent the last 10 days missing, reviewing all the unreleased documents that Snowden has. You would be good with that... Wouldn't you Rob.
4
Actually, Rupert, do you know Paula? I don't think you can attest to her integrity. Many who do would not agree with your assessment. History is replete with "honey pots" and Broadwell has hardly had an admirable career save for the fact that she seduced a high ranking officer (which helped her get into her doctorate at Harvard since he was her thesis). She has bragged to many in professional associations that she was a spy, yet no spy would be so openly boastful. Snowden acted out of conscience while Broadwell operates out of self interest and vanity. Petraeus showed his weakness. The most important quality in being a leader in his position is judgment and character. He should be held to the standards of those he has condemned.
15
Everybody loves a good tale of a 'honey trap'. And if national security is at stake, so much the better. Ian Fleming....where are you now?
5
Petraeus was among very bad men - the whole lot., e.g., Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz... who also have seemingly escaped Justice.
Since when is claim of "bad intelligence" a valid defense?
Since when is claim of "bad intelligence" a valid defense?
24
Petraeus' light punishment should not be compared with that of whistle-blowers and deemed insufficient because the whistle-blowers were treated so harshly. It is indeed evidence of a double-standard and one that should be fixed.
Mr. Petreus is a household name for his efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His failures as a husband are his own to deal with, but the mishandling of classified information should face a common sense check. The rules in place are to minimize the leaking of information to individuals and governments that do not have our best interest at heart. It should be noted that we intend to minimize the leaks, nothing can plug them entirely. His impressive accomplishments surely matter more than his poor judgment with Ms. Broadwell, both in the affair and in the handling of classified info.
No classified info is in the book, and surely the intel community made sure nothing got out before it publicized the issue. Information security is important, but it must be balanced against the value of the information. Every secret is not vital to the survival of our way of life or truly a danger if exposed. His achievements far outweigh his failures here. The country needs to take a step back from the idea that "secrets are paramount," even if a couple of terrorists learn about how we do things.
Mr. Kiriakou should be punished, but years in prison is hardly befitting of an exemplary CIA officer with no malicious intent and where there was no harm done.
Mr. Petreus is a household name for his efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His failures as a husband are his own to deal with, but the mishandling of classified information should face a common sense check. The rules in place are to minimize the leaking of information to individuals and governments that do not have our best interest at heart. It should be noted that we intend to minimize the leaks, nothing can plug them entirely. His impressive accomplishments surely matter more than his poor judgment with Ms. Broadwell, both in the affair and in the handling of classified info.
No classified info is in the book, and surely the intel community made sure nothing got out before it publicized the issue. Information security is important, but it must be balanced against the value of the information. Every secret is not vital to the survival of our way of life or truly a danger if exposed. His achievements far outweigh his failures here. The country needs to take a step back from the idea that "secrets are paramount," even if a couple of terrorists learn about how we do things.
Mr. Kiriakou should be punished, but years in prison is hardly befitting of an exemplary CIA officer with no malicious intent and where there was no harm done.
7
What are his impressive accomplishments in Iraq and Afgh? We did not meet our national objectives in either place, and were booted out by the Iraqi government after understanding hundreds of billions and a few thousand American lives and ending perhaps a few hundred thousand Iraqi lives and destroying large part of the infrastructure and governmental structures? What are his contributions in Iraq. Will Afgh be any better?
9
Too big to fail?
15
Let's see: led two lost wars, oversaw bribing tribes for support without a plan for dealing with them after we left(as if anyone was surprised by Maliki's methods for dealing with the same tribes). Basically he bought a graceful exit in Iraq with money and bodies. And we are expected to respect his military judgment? All the rest is just dust in the wind.
34
I won't defend him on this, you can't. That said, you are off the mark otherwise. He got the best deal he could with the surge, etc. given the political environment at the time. Same, same leaving Iraq given that the current administration had zero interest in staying. Without any forces on the ground in a region where the currency of power is military, there is no way to influence things when you are gone. All advice to the contrary was ignored. Go in the Frontline archives and find the episode covering the exit.
1
He was a general. Therefore nothing he does is totally out of line. The same goes for those who have tons of money. They are always right. No matter what they say or do, no matter how much they hurt others, they are always right. It's only the unwashed masses who are penalized for committing crimes, for being sick, having health problems or family members with health problems. The high and mighty can get out jail and still find jobs, still have their pensions, and still have a place to live.
30
Several years ago, Jane Harmon, a Democratic member of the House from Southern California was recorded by the NSA committing what amounted to treason. What happened to her? Bush wanted her vote on some issue, so she delivered her vote and then was allowed to resign and become the head of some foundation. The passing of classified information has become a joke with both the administration and members of Congress routinely disclosing secret materials to make political points and no one party has an exclusive on these practices.
7
Completely shocking and sadly so unsurprising!
9
What about General Powell and his long TV session complete with diagrams of trailers and other sites that all turned out to be an erroneous tout to an unnecessary war where thousands have been killed and countries devasted because of General Powell's false information. And what of the generals in charge of Abu Graib who went scot free while a young lady of minor rank was saddled with the whole thing? Mr. Obama himself needs to shoulder the blame for much of the loss and suffering for his "not point any fingers" policy of letting the Bush/Cheney/Powell bunch go without charge for their deliberate acts of dishonestly leading the country into a disastrous war that has never ended. It is about time we started pointing fingers and holding the people responsible for the disasters they have brought about.
25
"What about General Powell and his long TV session complete with diagrams of trailers and other sites that all turned out to be an erroneous tout to an unnecessary war . . . ."
It wasn't "erroneous," it was a deliberate deception designed to fool the American people into supporting the invasion of Iraq. Gen. Powell and the Bush administration knew Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, which were used as the justification for the invasion.
It wasn't "erroneous," it was a deliberate deception designed to fool the American people into supporting the invasion of Iraq. Gen. Powell and the Bush administration knew Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, which were used as the justification for the invasion.
25
That the "hero" of the "surge", which led to conditions which allowed ISIS to take over large areas of Iraq and terrorize the region, is not being punished is neither new nor it is news. Americans love a "Mission Accomplished." They don't want to know that the mission was really a colossal failure, and they care even less about knowing why the mission was predictably going to be a colossal failure even before it began.
21
As long as he and Paula practiced safe sex, he's "good to go."
6
Paula Broadwell scores. David Petraeus and Barack Obama loose. This is like a soap opera that got too sloppy, and no one has the guts to clean it up.
4
Disgraceful conduct by Obama in even talking to Petraeus.
Our President -- yes, I voted for him twice -- is so incompetent as a military commander in chief (now he wants to drag out the Afghan withdrawal even longer) none of this actually surprises me.I just adds to my deep disappointment in him.
Obama never met a general he didn't like.
Our President -- yes, I voted for him twice -- is so incompetent as a military commander in chief (now he wants to drag out the Afghan withdrawal even longer) none of this actually surprises me.I just adds to my deep disappointment in him.
Obama never met a general he didn't like.
6
I learmed all about the peckimg order in government long ago when I served in Vietnam. Never trust the brass and even more so the suits that sent us there. The enlisted men are always getting hammered by the brass. And the brass are always getting a slap on the wrist. The military and CIA are just corporations in the military/industrial/ ( and now the ) intelligence complex. Their business is making war, and business is very good. It will never change despite this NYT editorial. Of course, I could have dodged the draft and therefore Vietnam. But that decision would have taken courage.
36
I am always amused at the (apparent) lack of understanding of how our system really works. The 'average' person is more or less treated with the letter of the law. The 'exception' person is treated in a manner that depends on their leverage in the system. Your 'average' person lacks leverage. Stop for a moment and think about the volumes of 'leverage' the General must have! The secrets, the skeletons, the dirt ... where do you think it stops? While it may not seem fair, and probably isn't in some idealistic worldview, it's reality and that reality has a LONG history.
15
"Stop for a moment and think about the volumes of 'leverage' the General must have! The secrets, the skeletons, the dirt ... where do you think it stops?"
Some may recall the Bobby Baker scandal. The late, great Bill Mauldin drew an editorial cartoon of a large, parrot-like bird with Baker's smirking face, sitting on a perch with the label, "The Bobby Baker Bird." To this Mauldin appended the caption:
"They're afraid to cage me. I might sing!"
I'm sure that Robert appreciates the relevance.
Some may recall the Bobby Baker scandal. The late, great Bill Mauldin drew an editorial cartoon of a large, parrot-like bird with Baker's smirking face, sitting on a perch with the label, "The Bobby Baker Bird." To this Mauldin appended the caption:
"They're afraid to cage me. I might sing!"
I'm sure that Robert appreciates the relevance.
9
"{Gen.Petraeus is} regarded as an expert when it comes to the security situation in Iraq.” . . . After all that has been revealed about the man, one wonders if that is truly the case
12
I don't seem to have read where anyone has questioned his credentials about the security situation in Iraq.
It seems as though his security recommendations for Iraq didn't work out the way I guess he thought they would.
So why is he an expert?
It seems as though his security recommendations for Iraq didn't work out the way I guess he thought they would.
So why is he an expert?
6
"Gen." Petraeus was never a soldier, he was and is a corporate manager. I'm sure that in his career he has gathered many pieces of "intelligence" that serve him well in this sham trial. Lessons learned, favors accrued. Just another example of how our "justice" system has failed us. Good God the man was a staff officer of the highest level and head of the C.I.A. If his conduct is not misconduct and a gross deriliction of duty then what is? I wonder how he would fare if he were tried in a military court under the uniform code of justice We'd all be better served if he were caught with an ounce of marijuana in Texas..
26
Then, it is logical to assume Mrs. Clinton gets a free pass... :)
1
But of course. To act otherwise would be discriminatory. :-) The political class makes and enforces the rules that keep us under their thumb.
3
My politics run left of center. I opposed the war in Iraq. I think David Petraeus is a patriot and a man of honor who wasn't thinking with clarity in his dealings with Ms. Broadwell. Ms. Broadwell had some security clearances, though I doubt for all of the material, did remove them from Federal Buildings, but never shared or published any of those secrets. She also fully cooperated with authorities.
The truth is that this was not an attempt at espionage, embezzlement, extortion, or any other malfeasance. This case was not about leaking a nuclear issue to a political station like FOX News.
Frankly, General Petraeus (and Ms. Broadwell, if necessary) should be pardoned.
President Obama, for whom I voted twice and still support, needs to ease up on this "leaking" vs. "whistleblower" dilemma and have Justice adjudicate these cases according to merit, not for maximum effect.
The truth is that this was not an attempt at espionage, embezzlement, extortion, or any other malfeasance. This case was not about leaking a nuclear issue to a political station like FOX News.
Frankly, General Petraeus (and Ms. Broadwell, if necessary) should be pardoned.
President Obama, for whom I voted twice and still support, needs to ease up on this "leaking" vs. "whistleblower" dilemma and have Justice adjudicate these cases according to merit, not for maximum effect.
4
Petraeus is certainly not a man of honor, since this paper's reporting on his leaking shows that he lied to the FBI about sharing classified information with his lover.
I'm baffled about why anyone thinks a man who leaks classified information to his lover should be treated more leniently than someone who provides such information to the media because he believes that wrongdoing will otherwise go unreported, which is the motive in a number of cases that have been prosecuted.
I'm baffled about why anyone thinks a man who leaks classified information to his lover should be treated more leniently than someone who provides such information to the media because he believes that wrongdoing will otherwise go unreported, which is the motive in a number of cases that have been prosecuted.
13
Don't forget that the man is also an adulterer which is illegal under the code of Military Justice and it happened while he was still in uniform.
I don't believe he was ever tried for that offense.
I don't believe he was ever tried for that offense.
9
The NY Times is engaging in pure gender politics here! If everyone in the service that allowed some one to get access to some level of classified info went to jail 1/2 the military and government leadership and children and spouses of service members in this nation would be behind bars. Everyone who has been in the service knows that information and files that are necessary for routine operations are frequently way 'over classified' by the billions so one can not do any work in an office or at home without being in danger some witch hunter digging up an excuse to put you in jail, because they are unhappy with you for something else or higher told them to get your scalp to please the press or some government official. Obviously the courts marshal found this breach to be trivial and acted accordingly. If they had not judged the way they did, most of them would be liable for prison also. And its enlightening to see that this instance the editors are not advocating for the woman involved to spend a long jail sentence either. Why not? Because it would discourage other women from making vengeful harassment complaints after the end of an affair? The editors should give all of us a break! Stop this he said she said sex scandal sheet nonsense, and spend ink on things that matter like the jobs that Americans will be cheated out of because of the next "fast track" secret trade agreement.
3
I guess Petraeus never heard of Mata Hari.
2
To them that hath, it shall be given!
3
Sad as it is, I don't quibble with your concerns about Petraeus. He showed an extraordinary lack of judgment.
I look forward to your recommendations about Hilary Clinton, especially if it becomes clear she broke the law or even, if we can ever determine, sent classified info over her "private" server.
I look forward to your recommendations about Hilary Clinton, especially if it becomes clear she broke the law or even, if we can ever determine, sent classified info over her "private" server.
3
What was the punishment for Sandy Berger who stuffed highly classified documents stolen from the National Archives into his socks and underwear, I forget?
5
Terrible example of "equal" justice.
7
Martha Stewart went to jail for lying to a FBI agent. Federal Rule 1001. Betraeus's gets probation. The criminal justice system in this country needs some fixin don't you think?
16
And you have not even mentioned Petraeus's possible involvement in Benghiz. Clearly leak justice isn't equal but then very few things in this country are equal and the inequality is only growing.
4
March 17, 2015
Editorial redemption in the arts of living, loving, and war is way beyond the verdict and penalty annunciated by the Editors. In fact in life the ability to navigate the romantic topology and then engage in the highest military authority is a calling that the great warrior epic have explored and enjoyed in historic justice - and ultimately the restitution is in the heart and minds of going forward in service to the nation and the moderate world’s seeking to rule in the era of Johnny Jihad’s and as well in the era of saturated in the Middle East retro Middle Ages or Dark Ages that imposes the range of tactics and strategy that is for only the highest General Commanding for a better world – and those who will not be rehabilitated will always be killed in battle for love of truth and humanity universal. I for one as a Vietnam military Veteran would serve with great honor anywhere his leadership directs.
Jja Manhattan, N. Y.
Editorial redemption in the arts of living, loving, and war is way beyond the verdict and penalty annunciated by the Editors. In fact in life the ability to navigate the romantic topology and then engage in the highest military authority is a calling that the great warrior epic have explored and enjoyed in historic justice - and ultimately the restitution is in the heart and minds of going forward in service to the nation and the moderate world’s seeking to rule in the era of Johnny Jihad’s and as well in the era of saturated in the Middle East retro Middle Ages or Dark Ages that imposes the range of tactics and strategy that is for only the highest General Commanding for a better world – and those who will not be rehabilitated will always be killed in battle for love of truth and humanity universal. I for one as a Vietnam military Veteran would serve with great honor anywhere his leadership directs.
Jja Manhattan, N. Y.
1
The establishment cannot but be generous with its membe rs. Many of. Whom are liable. To effect a. Comeback any time .
American Justice is neither stupid nor blind...a pity for a nation that can afford the best there is.
American Justice is neither stupid nor blind...a pity for a nation that can afford the best there is.
2
The hypocrisy! Kim and Kiriakou get jail terms while the General does not even get a slap on the wrist. Not only did he get a "misdemeanor?" charge for behaving irresponsibly when Our country was at war, with his soldiers' lives on the line, he also committed treason sharing state and war secrets with his lover. If it was an ordinary soldier he would have been court-martialed. The soldier would have been discharged in disgrace and his life would be ruined. But not with this four or five or six (whatever!) star General who moves on to become a private citizen to join an Equity Firm being richly rewarded. For doing what? I did'nt know a General has necessary skills to work in an Equity Firm. And now he is being sought for advice!! I want to let the White House know that I am available and would my advice would be way more valuable. I am not distracted and I don't tweet, e-mail while I am at work. Besides, I don't share my work secrets in bed.
22
I've been in the Navy a long time, and yearly plus every time one of these security breaches occur, we are all forced to go through Information Assurance and similar training to be certain that we know how to protect classified data. Meanwhile, we see the 4-star basically skate by after disclosing classified data and committing adultery, both of which we more junior (below flag officers and enlisted) would get slammed for. And how does he get to keep a high security clearance after being guilty of these UCMJ crimes? It's a bit frustrating.
68
Considering the heroic job the celebrated warrior Petraeus did in prosecuting the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing peace and stability to these barbaric and anarchic places, it is well deserved that he should get a slap on the wrist for this minor transgression in intelligence protocol, so that he might offer our feckless government more advice on how it may again bring peace and stability to these warring regions. For all his heroic efforts, not much has changed over the course of a decade and half.
To the naive observer, it appears Petraeus failed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. To the cynic, he clearly succeeded, if the aim of the engagement was to believably exhibit to the American people that it was diligently seeking to pacify and democratize and stabilize the region, while actually being only concerned with finding ways to keep the military engaged indeterminably.
In short, the politicians love Petraeus because he's a sleazy liar just like them.
To the naive observer, it appears Petraeus failed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. To the cynic, he clearly succeeded, if the aim of the engagement was to believably exhibit to the American people that it was diligently seeking to pacify and democratize and stabilize the region, while actually being only concerned with finding ways to keep the military engaged indeterminably.
In short, the politicians love Petraeus because he's a sleazy liar just like them.
10
He could just as well provide advice from a jail cell, eh Mr. Earnest?
5
Petraus lives within the beltway bubble that all of the DC insiders reside. They protect their own, believe that they are invincible and are not subject to the rules and laws that the rest of us are and they are right. The problems of the Snowdens, Kims and Kiriakous of the world is they don't have "General", "Senator", "Congressman" before their name.
7
Ironically, Senator Obama voted against confirming Petraeus just to make the point that he was opposed to anything to do with Iraq. Now, the fallen from grace warrior is Obama's consultant on how not to get entangled in Iraq.
Politics, not principles.
Politics, not principles.
4
This is a shameful act, and the President should be ashamed.
5
Not surprising from an administration that does not seem to want to charge Bowe Bergdahl with desertion or Hillary Clinton for retaining or destroying government records.
3
International relations would be so much simpler and healthier if all nations would openly share their secrets.
Where are the aggressive journalist harassing Hillary Clinton for NO transgressions? Why are these savage right wing vultures giving Gen. Petraeus a pass? Justice seems to be in decline in America.
8
He is getting a "pass" because he is potentially a political candidate?...
1
No. As Robert has pointed out, the former head of the CIA knows many secrets "vital to national security" that would have to be revealed in open court, were he to be tried.
Unlike what would be the case, were Edward Snowden tried.
Unlike what would be the case, were Edward Snowden tried.
1
you think his punishment is light, wait until you see how Queen Hillary gets off for violating security regarding her emails....
1
what does he "know" and about "whom"
4
First it was the banksters who were rewarded rather than jailed for crashing the economy with their extra-legal schemes while average Americans lost their homes. Now it's the politically powerful who are rewarded for their perfidy with White House advisor positions instead of going to jail. This administration has no one to blame but itself for the hatred of Americans who feel that they are playing in a high stakes craps game with loaded dice that let the house always win.
11
If the "good General" had been "good 'ole Dave," he'd be in the slammer, no question about it. He'd have had to forfeit everything else besides his liberty and he would have no cushy job in a NY firm, much less be advising the White House. Are there really no competent military leaders still feeding at the public trough for Obama to consult? (Then why do we still have to pay them?)
Perhaps, when all is said and done, the only real punishment David Petraeus will ever receive will be from Mrs. Petraeus.
He so richly deserves it.
Perhaps, when all is said and done, the only real punishment David Petraeus will ever receive will be from Mrs. Petraeus.
He so richly deserves it.
20
Color me not surprised by this latest instance of blatant hypocrisy from the Obama administration and the ignoble justice department under Eric Holder. If you're well-connected, part of the ruling class and/or rich - then the laws don't apply to you. That's been very well established for quite some time to anyone who pays attention to what's going on in this country. Commit financial fraud on an epic scale - not a problem. Carry a joint in your pocket - it's prison time for you. Leak some information about crimes that the United States is engaged in - Espionage Act. Torture "some folks" - let's all look forward and let bygones be bygones. The interesting thing about this latest revelation is that nowadays, just like with the overt bribery of our elected (and campaigning) politicians, they don't even bother to try to hide this latest perfidy. No shame, no embarrassment. And, of course, it makes so much sense that Petraeus would advise the White House on matters of war and counterinsurgency, he did such a great job previously - let's all admire the fruits of his labor. Yes, the rest of the world looks on as the United States leads the way in the rule of law and our exceptional democracy - what a wonder to behold.
8
This didn't start with the Obama administration.
2
I'm well aware of that. But much of what had gone on before has been given a hefty dose of steroids on his watch.
3
Becaose the so-called "Obama administration" is, in fact, controlled by the Republican Party.
1
Dont forget the biggest offender who totally got away with it. VP Dick Cheney who made available the name of a covert CIA agent and was able to escape completely.
38
It was not Cheney.
Check your facts.
Check your facts.
Cheney leaked it to (forget his name) who was convicted, then freed. Cheney was the bottom line.
5
In reply to Eric in NJ's reply: Do you really think that "Scooter" Libby's outing of Valerie Plame was done solely on his own? If you do, I have bridge pretty close to you that I can let you have pretty cheap.
3
I'm sure the good General Petraeus knows where a few bodies are buried. I certainly don't see anyone clamoring to lock him up or execute him.
2
There are two rules of law; one for he rich (which has access and money) and one for the poor. See Petraeus, Durst, Simpson and Straus-Levi etal.
7
Untrue, Petraeus is starting a column for the forlorn titled "Tell it to the General"...
3
That there are two systems of justice in this country, one for the elite and one for the plebes, is bad enough. The real disaster is that the financial elite have visited disasters on the U.S. economy, and the military elite have visited disasters on Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere; on our reputation; and on the grunts they sent to the front lines.
Petraeus is no great leader, no expert on the security situation in Iraq. His generalship helped destroy that country and gave rise to ISIS.
Petraeus is no great leader, no expert on the security situation in Iraq. His generalship helped destroy that country and gave rise to ISIS.
14
Making clear that the legal system is unfair is a fundamental crowd control technique.
If the people understand that they can be arbitrarily plucked by the executive and indefinitely locked in a concrete room with no genuine process, they will (justifiably) be afraid. This is good for control. This makes the abuse of power easy.
The real question is: How long will the people tolerate this?
If the people understand that they can be arbitrarily plucked by the executive and indefinitely locked in a concrete room with no genuine process, they will (justifiably) be afraid. This is good for control. This makes the abuse of power easy.
The real question is: How long will the people tolerate this?
3
First they'll have to believe it. It's true, but it boggles the mind. The president does indeed claim the power to take you or me from our homes, imprison us, torment us, and even kill us--all without trial, lawyer, anyone's knowing where we are, seeing the evidence against us--
Massive violations of our rights are said now to be "legal" and acceptable if the president (whoever that is or comes to be) mutters the word "terrorist". It's a descent into tyranny, no matter how you slice it. And people seem to be blind to it, want to be. For it reveals the desperate state of our now-nominally free nation.
Massive violations of our rights are said now to be "legal" and acceptable if the president (whoever that is or comes to be) mutters the word "terrorist". It's a descent into tyranny, no matter how you slice it. And people seem to be blind to it, want to be. For it reveals the desperate state of our now-nominally free nation.
2
"The president does indeed claim the power to take you or me from our homes, imprison us, torment us, and even kill us--all without trial, lawyer, anyone's knowing where we are, seeing the evidence against us--"
He does?! Where?! And if this be true, then why is the Republican Congress doing nothing to stop this blatant abuse of power?!
He does?! Where?! And if this be true, then why is the Republican Congress doing nothing to stop this blatant abuse of power?!
"Look forward, not backward" applies only to elite VSPs.
4
He's a general officer; he's supposed to know better; he has no defense. He should be doing significant time in the Ft. Leavenworth stockade. If he was an enlisted man, he would be....
It's not really too much of reach, since are at war, to charge him with treason, and Let him think about the possibility of death on a gallows.
It's not really too much of reach, since are at war, to charge him with treason, and Let him think about the possibility of death on a gallows.
8
Petraeus wrote a paper on counter-insurgency, and his strategy was to contain such insurgency by winning the hearts of minds of 'wannabe insurgents'. ISIL is not an insurgency within Iraq. It is more like an invasion, and I doubt that Petraeus has the competency to advise the WH on this matter.
If anything, it shows that the WH is worried that it is being dragged into the mudpit in Iraq, and that it desperately wants to avoid a legacy of starting a third war in that region. That Obama is insisting on Congressional authorization shows that he does not want to make this mess his own, and wants to distribute blame among all members of Congress who might vote to give him the authorization to escalate the conflict with ISIL.
That is not the change we were sold.
If anything, it shows that the WH is worried that it is being dragged into the mudpit in Iraq, and that it desperately wants to avoid a legacy of starting a third war in that region. That Obama is insisting on Congressional authorization shows that he does not want to make this mess his own, and wants to distribute blame among all members of Congress who might vote to give him the authorization to escalate the conflict with ISIL.
That is not the change we were sold.
3
He is an officer - eough said
He who has the gold...
Does he have access to classified information? Is he reliable? I'm sure those closer to the subject will answer the questions.
"Does he have access to classified information? Is he reliable?"
Is he the former director of the CIA?
Is he the former director of the CIA?
Some of us remember the military adage:
"Different spanks for different ranks". Seems to still hold true.
"Different spanks for different ranks". Seems to still hold true.
2
Blind justice ?
Justice may be blind but that leaves her with the four other senses, through which, all kinds of pressure and influence may be brought to bear.
Justice may be blind but that leaves her with the four other senses, through which, all kinds of pressure and influence may be brought to bear.
1
There are two sets of double standards revealed in this sordid case. The obvious one, of course, is that officers are treated more leniently than soldiers, and that applies for the members of the elite in our society. But perhaps the more important distinction between General Petraeus and the other disclosers of classified information is that he did it for personal gain, financial or sexual, but not out of opposition to government policy. It's that opposition, or even hint of opposition, within its ranks that the war system, fully backed by the Obama administration, can't stand. So it's boys-will-be-boys for General Petraeus and prison for the rest. And the ridiculously inflated claims about the General's prowess, are just PR to cover an ugly story.
4
A perfect example of our democracy being undermined in favor of a growing oligarchy. The rich - the powerful - the well-connected - are not held accountable. But the rest of us better play by the rules - or else!
8
I am thoroughly disgusted by the treatment accorded Mr. Petraeus as a high ranking military man who betrayed his pledge of allegiance to the United States of America. According to published reports--if anything is to be believed any more--Mr. Petraeus is picking up a fine fee for advising and counseling on the role of ISIS in the Middle East.
To use the terms "mishandling of classified information" could be used for a clerk who inadvertently brought home the wrong computer from work. To use it in the Petraeus' case is ludicrous. Men and women in his position know very well when the lines are crossed, but their vanity and ego blind them to errors.
Little by little, standards of behavior are eaten away in the pursuit of expediency. Petraeus should be shunned and the White House should be humiliated by their collusion in this so-called "rehab". Don't tell me there is no one else who can't do the same job as the former General has done.
To use the terms "mishandling of classified information" could be used for a clerk who inadvertently brought home the wrong computer from work. To use it in the Petraeus' case is ludicrous. Men and women in his position know very well when the lines are crossed, but their vanity and ego blind them to errors.
Little by little, standards of behavior are eaten away in the pursuit of expediency. Petraeus should be shunned and the White House should be humiliated by their collusion in this so-called "rehab". Don't tell me there is no one else who can't do the same job as the former General has done.
9
Be honest. If Petraeus had disclosed classified information to a NY Times reporter, you would have bought him lunch and cheered him as a patriot.
3
You mean to say that if he had disclosed information he felt had to be revealed to the public, it would have been different than in this case, where it was revealed to a mistress for a vanity biography?
Why, yes, it would. He would be in prison in the former case, however lauded by impotent lookers-on, rather than comfortably clubby with his powerful pals who protect him.
Why, yes, it would. He would be in prison in the former case, however lauded by impotent lookers-on, rather than comfortably clubby with his powerful pals who protect him.
2
"If Petraeus had disclosed classified information to a NY Times reporter"
The problem with your "argument," Mookie, is that he *didn't* disclose classified information to a New York Times reporter. So, there is no basis, beyond a wild guess, for your assertion of what the Times would have done, in such a case.
The problem with your "argument," Mookie, is that he *didn't* disclose classified information to a New York Times reporter. So, there is no basis, beyond a wild guess, for your assertion of what the Times would have done, in such a case.
1
There is a line in society, and beneath that line errors, bad performance, and breaking rules brings punishment. That is how the gravity, as it were of things work.
Above that line, gravity works differently. There, you fail upwards.
Above that line, gravity works differently. There, you fail upwards.
6
Dark energy is another name for it.
1
Judging from the comments, it's official: the secret is OUT. The USA, as a nation, is perfectly OK with an unfair double-standard. On any subject or topic regarding society. The fix is IN for the wealthy or powerful. We have a two-class society: the Haves and the Have Nots.
So, why do we collectively keep mouthing utter nonsense about "rights", "equality", "fairness" et al?? It's all fantasy. If you're rich, you have MORE rights. Inequality is the norm. And fairness is a non-existent ideal....a "carrot" out of reach but incredibly distracting to most.
Instead, as a nation, we're bold and reckless with inequity yet, complete and total cowards with the truth!
So, why do we collectively keep mouthing utter nonsense about "rights", "equality", "fairness" et al?? It's all fantasy. If you're rich, you have MORE rights. Inequality is the norm. And fairness is a non-existent ideal....a "carrot" out of reach but incredibly distracting to most.
Instead, as a nation, we're bold and reckless with inequity yet, complete and total cowards with the truth!
11
When we hold our top leaders, generals and executives to a lower standard and do not apply the same degree of punishment to them what should we expect the rest of society to do?
I lived in a country that was openly corrupt by politicians and all those in power and it had been that way for decades if not longer. Thus all normal people ran their lives with the attitude that corruption was normal and treated each other in this way.
We should expect the continual uneven application of justice to erode people's sense of personal responsibility and watch as people continue to place the blame some where else.
I lived in a country that was openly corrupt by politicians and all those in power and it had been that way for decades if not longer. Thus all normal people ran their lives with the attitude that corruption was normal and treated each other in this way.
We should expect the continual uneven application of justice to erode people's sense of personal responsibility and watch as people continue to place the blame some where else.
2
As long as we refuse to properly reward military failure or even admit to that failure we will continue our downward spiral as a nation. This man was never good at his job.
13
For those who disclose classified information, the higher their rank the greater the betrayal of trust and punishment should reflect this.
5
This is about applying justice equally regardless of rank. He committed crimes that others have faced jail time for, and he has received nothing but some probation and a new high paying job in the private sector. Why? Because he is a general and has the right political connections. There is indeed two justice systems - one for the rich and influential, and another, harsher version for the poor slobs toiling in the rank and file.
It is appalling - and this administration, which has portrayed itself as so tough on leaks of classified information, should be ashamed for giving a pass to one man and throwing the book at another because he didn't have the fame factor working for him.
It is appalling - and this administration, which has portrayed itself as so tough on leaks of classified information, should be ashamed for giving a pass to one man and throwing the book at another because he didn't have the fame factor working for him.
5
This may be a story. Petraeus is being prosecuted out of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte, NC. The US Attorney there has been Anne Tompkins. At the same time that her office entered into the plea agreement with Petraeus, she announced her resignation. The plea agreement in the Petraeus case, which would ordinarily bear the U.S. Attorney's name, does not. Ms. Tompkins has been US Attorney since 2010. Normally, when a US Attorney resigns, the official announcement indicates where she is going. That is not the case here, suggesting that the resignation was not planned in advance. Also, the announcement doesn't reference the Petaeus case, the biggeest cas she ever worked on. Ms. Tompkins has been no ordinary US Attorney. She's got a history of working for "the little guy" and she is one of the very few women in her position who is openly lesbian. She recently brought down the Charlotte mayor -- she doesn't shy from a political fight. I see no indication that anyone has asked her about Petraeus. If she were next door to me, I would surely knock on her door.
36
I bet that if he was a general with more Democratic leanings, rather than his likely Republican leanings, the GOP Congress would be screaming to put him in jail.
14
I'll take that bet!
It's always laughable to listen to the President and Congress members talk about the rule of law. Clearly, that rule of law doesn't apply to Petraeus,the CIA, or Wall Street.
Petraeus should be held to a higher standard for leaking classified information since he was a four star general. Also, Petraeus initially lied to FBI investigators saying he had never provided Broadwell with classified info.
Petraeus should be held to a higher standard for leaking classified information since he was a four star general. Also, Petraeus initially lied to FBI investigators saying he had never provided Broadwell with classified info.
25
In these comments i have seen the words "hero" and "warrior" used quite often as applied to Petraeus. The man is neither--and if anything points out the need for universal military service the use of these terms for him does. He has a chest full of medals (embarrassingly so) none of which show that he was a warrior. In fact he has never led men into battle in the front lines. As for "hero" when i hear the word as related to the military, i expect some degree of physical action involving physical danger and risk- something the good general was never involved in----the civilian world needs to understand that combat --the folks getting shot at --are enlisted guys and junior officers---dont believe me look at combat deaths by rank from viet nam on.
As for his "punishment" --may i ask what punishment? So typical of the military---the little guys fight and die---the big guys become heroes and garner the riches with their books and consulting gigs
As for his "punishment" --may i ask what punishment? So typical of the military---the little guys fight and die---the big guys become heroes and garner the riches with their books and consulting gigs
180
No CIB, just a bunch of medals for 'ticket punching', like many senior officers.
1
Next to the President, the closest thing to being teated like and living like a royal is being a U.S. Army General. Pretty close to the same perks as Lord Grantham.
1
Thanks for reminding us that his chest full of medals consists almost entirely of flair.
He spent the closing four years of the Viet Nam War at the Academy.
He spent the closing four years of the Viet Nam War at the Academy.
1
So, in the interests of a purer equality the New York Times would like to see a greater humiliation of the only truly successful general in a new century that has thus far been dominated by military misfortune. General Eisenhower spent the evening prior to D-Day in his trailer with his mistress, Kay Summersby. Did he tell her the invasion plans? We do not know. And we do not care.
2
Hardly aspirational.
My reading of this article is that the Times isn't calling for greater humiliation for the General but for greater justice for others who have been convicted and more harshly punished by this administration of similar, even lesser, crimes. What Eisenhower did has nothing to do with this argument and the fact that you bring him into the conversation makes me doubt that you are an M.D. since doctors are known for clear thinking.
3
Pretty mindless comment "doc". Even if Ike gave up the invasion plans in a moment of passion, do you think he revealed as well the names of the Maquis
fighters on the ground in France? Methinks there's a distinction to be drawn and one should care.
fighters on the ground in France? Methinks there's a distinction to be drawn and one should care.
4
The most bothersome aspects of this to me are: (1) it is unclear whether "secrets" leaked to Broadwell were either real secrets (given the government penchant for labeling everything from the stupid to the absurd as secret) or ultimately harmful through revelation and (2) Broadwell could easily have been a well- backstopped foreign agent (for money, if nothing else) which is the reason for loyalty oaths and training given keepers of secrets, and (3) Petraeus walks around the block to a life of luxury at our expense facing the equivalent of a traffic ticket.
It might (certainly would) look and smell stinky for the truth to come out in a trial, but it's a truth that needs telling (and not in the next "Revealing New Book: "I Did It for Love" on The View.)
Many critique the expense and effort in giving the Boston Bomber his day in court but the victims, bystanders and the justice system want the entire truth to be told under oath. Why is Petraeus being given a lifetime pass? Is there other truth the administration doesn't want known?
It might (certainly would) look and smell stinky for the truth to come out in a trial, but it's a truth that needs telling (and not in the next "Revealing New Book: "I Did It for Love" on The View.)
Many critique the expense and effort in giving the Boston Bomber his day in court but the victims, bystanders and the justice system want the entire truth to be told under oath. Why is Petraeus being given a lifetime pass? Is there other truth the administration doesn't want known?
18
The truth about "oaths" is that those who will tell the truth don't need one; those who lie pay no attention to one.
With a life on trial, show me the one (assuredly a singularity) who will not lie to save oneself.
With a life on trial, show me the one (assuredly a singularity) who will not lie to save oneself.
"With a life on trial, show me the one (assuredly a singularity) who will not lie to save oneself."
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution was added by the Framers to cover precisely that contingency, Petronius.
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution was added by the Framers to cover precisely that contingency, Petronius.
From the double standard of justice to political lobbying and access, is there, at the end of the day, any difference between the US and any other so-called less than democratic countries? The answer is sadly none.
10
"....but Petraeus was an honorable man." [with apologies to Mr. Shakespeare]
5
The operable term here being the verb. Now we must ascertain how honorable he ever was.
3
I don't really understand this editorial nor the comments that smear Petraeus. "All In," the book about Petraeus is a competent military biography done by a competent military woman. And as is pointed out, the book doesn't reveal any national secrets. But it does reveal the essence of Petraeus' military thinking, his counter insurgency studies and his commitment to his many tasks. He had a consensual affair with the author. So? Is all this outrage some sort of Neo-Puritanism.
I believe that what happened to Petraeus came about because Obama perceived him as a credible political threat. There was period when the Obama administration distrusted the military command in its entirety. Think: General Allen, General McChrystal, and others. Remember the 'Don't Betray Us' Petraeus internet campaign? This recent decision to let Petraeus come back in from the cold begs the question: Why did it take so long? We do need Petraeus and his knowledge because of the situation in Iraq precisely because of what he knows about Anbar and the Sunni awakening. Now this idea that what's happening in Iraq is his fault is nuts. All of the military brass that were canned by Obama's minions all recommended a strong American presence after 2011 as necessary in Iraq. The person responsible for the difficulties we have in Iraq is Obama himself. He didn't like the advice the military gave and he decided to harass Petraeus after his mistake because he was perceived as a political threat.
I believe that what happened to Petraeus came about because Obama perceived him as a credible political threat. There was period when the Obama administration distrusted the military command in its entirety. Think: General Allen, General McChrystal, and others. Remember the 'Don't Betray Us' Petraeus internet campaign? This recent decision to let Petraeus come back in from the cold begs the question: Why did it take so long? We do need Petraeus and his knowledge because of the situation in Iraq precisely because of what he knows about Anbar and the Sunni awakening. Now this idea that what's happening in Iraq is his fault is nuts. All of the military brass that were canned by Obama's minions all recommended a strong American presence after 2011 as necessary in Iraq. The person responsible for the difficulties we have in Iraq is Obama himself. He didn't like the advice the military gave and he decided to harass Petraeus after his mistake because he was perceived as a political threat.
1
Charges are not about his affair, although as an officer this was unacceptable behavior. Charges deal with sharing top level military secrets with someone not cleared to receive this information.
These are the charges that must stand and for which he must serve time.
If he does not, then Snowden should be allowed to return to the US and should receive the same sort of wrist slap--no jail time.
These are the charges that must stand and for which he must serve time.
If he does not, then Snowden should be allowed to return to the US and should receive the same sort of wrist slap--no jail time.
13
Well you know he led the admirable Iraq War which further enriched so many billionaires.
26
in order to make a limited point or 2, the times seems to be glossing over many important issues here. (in writing this i'm limited to 1500 characters; i understand the times editors have the same restrictions in its comments as well.)
first and foremost, G. Petraeus is associated with many policies that seemed to work during the Iraq era, which include successful occupation and cooperation in Kurdistan (the basic flaw in the bush-cheney policy was in sticking to the british mandate--we should have been dealing with 3 separate countries here representing sunnis, shiites, and kurds, from day 1), also the rewriting of army manuals dealing with insurgencies (very important), and the point man in dealing with day to day operations on the ground in 3 wars being conducted simultaneously. You might ask how could we have possibly gotten ourselves into such a situation. And i would respond, because those responsible for this had no clue what they were doing at the time, or how to get out of it, only that some of their friends were profiting. Mr Obama inherited this and it's still a quandary; hence the need for G Petraeus' advice.
Other issues: G. Petraeus was snagged by a DHS search of emails, a new Big Brother program put in by the bush fanatics (law and order and white supremacy)--no change in this law; why are we cooperating with iranians who gratuitously were blowing up American soldiers; new that Ms Broadwell shared top secret info--right thing to resign at the time.
first and foremost, G. Petraeus is associated with many policies that seemed to work during the Iraq era, which include successful occupation and cooperation in Kurdistan (the basic flaw in the bush-cheney policy was in sticking to the british mandate--we should have been dealing with 3 separate countries here representing sunnis, shiites, and kurds, from day 1), also the rewriting of army manuals dealing with insurgencies (very important), and the point man in dealing with day to day operations on the ground in 3 wars being conducted simultaneously. You might ask how could we have possibly gotten ourselves into such a situation. And i would respond, because those responsible for this had no clue what they were doing at the time, or how to get out of it, only that some of their friends were profiting. Mr Obama inherited this and it's still a quandary; hence the need for G Petraeus' advice.
Other issues: G. Petraeus was snagged by a DHS search of emails, a new Big Brother program put in by the bush fanatics (law and order and white supremacy)--no change in this law; why are we cooperating with iranians who gratuitously were blowing up American soldiers; new that Ms Broadwell shared top secret info--right thing to resign at the time.
2
The only person anyone should have listened to at the time was Joseph Biden, who proposed federating Iraq just as you describe here. Bush Brains dismissed it out of hand. Bremen in his engineers' boots was going to put the place back together.
3
Ever-insular Washington takes care of its own. Those who play the game get coddled. Those who tell the truth about how the game is played get walloped.
42
Much literature on this subject: kill the messenger.
6
AQnd what of Petraeus' co-operation, collaboration with the private producers. writers of the dreadful propaganda. pro-torture Hollywood film "Zero Dark Thirty"? Was he compensated?
17
'"makes a lot of sense” for senior administration officials to consult with him…"
They should consult Edward Snowden. He could start by leading a class in the Constitution.
They should consult Edward Snowden. He could start by leading a class in the Constitution.
38
I think many who condemn the light treatment of Petraeus fail to realize the consequences.
Who in their right mind would seek positions at the highest level, if they were to be held to the same legal standards as the common herd ?
Who in their right mind would seek positions at the highest level, if they were to be held to the same legal standards as the common herd ?
8
Well the Clintons never have so Hillary is safe from being held to any legal standard
4
So much for all men are created equal, eh? Perhaps we want people who believe in the same legal standards for all. What Petraeus did did not further American principles or policy. He put himself above country. That's not a trait we want in a person who sends others into harm's way - and death.
2
Clinton faced civil charges in the the Paula Jones case, his law license was suspended and he paid various fines. The settlement with Paula Jones I believe paid for a subsequent nose job. The Supreme Court ruled at the time that a sitting president was not immune from being tried for breaking the law.
2
Let's be honest. All officials--e.g., Gates, Panella, and Hillary (if she said anything in her memoirs)--"declassify" documents for their memoirs and show them to their ghost writers. That is what Petraeus was doing.
Almost married officers have mistresses or casual women on long assignments abroad. Many wives they leave at home have men and at places likes Quantico there can be regular long term wife swapping as the husbands come and go, partly so the children can have 'uncles" to help raise them.
Petraeus refused to support Obama in the cover story that Susan Rice had on the networks on Benghazi, and he was punished and his career ended. It was ugly, ugly, ugly, and naturally the Post claims he should have been punished more severely.
Almost married officers have mistresses or casual women on long assignments abroad. Many wives they leave at home have men and at places likes Quantico there can be regular long term wife swapping as the husbands come and go, partly so the children can have 'uncles" to help raise them.
Petraeus refused to support Obama in the cover story that Susan Rice had on the networks on Benghazi, and he was punished and his career ended. It was ugly, ugly, ugly, and naturally the Post claims he should have been punished more severely.
2
Article 134 UCMJ "Adultery". Better not get caught if you are a peon!
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm1342.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm1342.htm
2
You don't take your point far enough. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, et al, plunged this country into a war under false pretenses. They invaded and destroyed the infrastructure of Iraq, creating a vacuum that lead to tribal wars and the rise of ISIS. They completely misunderstood what they were sending our armed forces into (or worse, didn't care). Thousands of young Americans died or came home with life-altering injuries. The VA system was not strengthened to be ready to deal with their injuries. There have been many suicides among the vets. Yet, none of architects of the debacle have paid any price at all. Compared to their crimes, Petraeus seems like a small-time operator.
53
Yeah, that's it, Patraeus small time operator......
3
Petraeus is still valuable and sought for his "special knowledge"? HIs knowledge, or lack of it, left an Iraqi Army which dropped it's weapons and fled when attacked by Jihadists from Europe. His knowledge didn't extend much beyond discovering that in the "Sunni Awakening" that disgruntled former Baathists wouldn't kill Americans if we armed and paid them not to do so. Our country might be better off if he and all those who thought up the plans that sent Iraq into chaos and domination by Iran were never sought out for advice ever again.
28
Doesn't matter, it's a double standard for the privileged and that is always wrong, no matter whether it's in America or anywhere.
6
but he may still have a special role to play in iraq yet in so much he may know how to get back those weapons and dollars he so generously gave to those sunnis(isis). now wouldn't that make a light sentence really worthwhile.
3
To the Editors,
So the "good general" has fallen from grace; perhaps he should fling himself on his sword for his "crimes"?
Much like Julius Caesar, "the good is oft interred with the bones". This is the same general that took a complete disaster in Iraq (Though losing over 4500 Americans in Bush's mistaken adventure is still a blot on the record books) and managed to forestall a total meltdown civil war in that country for at least a while.
As with all warriors, whose feet are always composed of clay, he is to be castigated for the one, big indiscretion he made and "get off easy".
Perhaps, as in "criminal cases", the people judging him saw this as a "first time offense" and paid some heed, unlike this paper, to his past service to the country.
Yes, he made a big mistake an, yes, unlike a street mugger, he was given "special treatment". In the future, I advise the NYT, who seemed to "back" the Iraq adventure, to appreciate both the good and the bad in our generals and to move on; his sentence, in my eyes, was enough considering his military record.
So the "good general" has fallen from grace; perhaps he should fling himself on his sword for his "crimes"?
Much like Julius Caesar, "the good is oft interred with the bones". This is the same general that took a complete disaster in Iraq (Though losing over 4500 Americans in Bush's mistaken adventure is still a blot on the record books) and managed to forestall a total meltdown civil war in that country for at least a while.
As with all warriors, whose feet are always composed of clay, he is to be castigated for the one, big indiscretion he made and "get off easy".
Perhaps, as in "criminal cases", the people judging him saw this as a "first time offense" and paid some heed, unlike this paper, to his past service to the country.
Yes, he made a big mistake an, yes, unlike a street mugger, he was given "special treatment". In the future, I advise the NYT, who seemed to "back" the Iraq adventure, to appreciate both the good and the bad in our generals and to move on; his sentence, in my eyes, was enough considering his military record.
5
Yes, In addition to"Bush's disaster in Iraq", the war crimes of that massive array ofviolations of international law, crimes against peace, ad infinitum, the Invasion of a small nation that did this nation no harm, the destruction, slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians, children, pillage, the detritus that smolders yet, Petraus's vaunted "expertise" in "counter-insurgency" did nothing but extend and deepen the cancerous imperialist project that metastisizes daily, of a bully nation, out of control. As a hireling of the monsters, Bush, Cheney, et al. he, along with the entire war-criminal cohort should be prosecuted. Thay belong in prison.(Guantanamo?)?
14
Those who haven't served seem to be the first to jump to the defense of our "Generals" as though they are infallible. Petraeus knows the classification rules and he broke them. He cheated on his wife when he could have simply divorced her, another violation of the UCMJ. He is simply a scoundrel. And that "surge" to which you refer and many paint as an excellent military action was nothing more than the US military machine in Iraq paying off Sunni tribal leaders with footlockers full of US currency. The surge had almost nothing to do with military leadership or prowess; it was extortion. Company commanders (Captains, about 25 years old) were given hundreds of thousands of dollars each, millions in total, to spread around. It's all documented, one just has to read about it to learn. Fox News loving "patriots" love to defend topics for which they do no research, and also automatically defer to our military leaders. I thank the universe that Kennedy had enough sense not to listen to his in October 1962. Most General's are narcissistic careerists; those who serve know that while others don't. I respect their service but they are just people, flawed like the rest of us. Petraeus should absolutely go to jail because he broke the law.
4
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." --George Orwell, Animal Farm, 1945
25
yet another instance of 'too big to jail' and the utterly hypocritical operation of the so-called 'justice' sytem in the U.S. Where are Bierce, Twain, Orwell, even Colbert when we need them? Jon Stewart, please step up!
26
It is only right that Petraeus should skate. He deserves the same treatment as Sandy Berger, ex-FOB and National Security Advisor. After all, the security rules that put mere mortals behind bars and forever outside of national secrets are easily waved for those who do stupid things but have political linkage; who also know where embarrassing bodies are buried.
Will the TIMES feel equally outraged when Hillary's first classified leak from her personal server is exposed?
Will the TIMES feel equally outraged when Hillary's first classified leak from her personal server is exposed?
5
Isn't the point here that Petraeus is/was vastly overrated? I understand that he was in charge of "training" the nascent Iraq army and "standing it up". Well, that worked out well, didn't it?
If Petraeus really wants to do public good then he should be appointed "Pot Hole Czar" for North Carolina roads and highways. He may even find a pot hole big enough to contain his ego.
If Petraeus really wants to do public good then he should be appointed "Pot Hole Czar" for North Carolina roads and highways. He may even find a pot hole big enough to contain his ego.
25
As far as I know the info leaked to Ms. Broadwell was not leaked publicly. Big difference.
Regarding the affair, would we have removed Ike prior to the D-Day invasion if someone leaked info about his affair with Kay Summersby? Did anyone, besides potentially Mamie, care about the affair?
Would we allow our selective Puritan streak wreck D-Day?
Regarding the affair, would we have removed Ike prior to the D-Day invasion if someone leaked info about his affair with Kay Summersby? Did anyone, besides potentially Mamie, care about the affair?
Would we allow our selective Puritan streak wreck D-Day?
8
"...info leaked to Ms. Broadwell was not leaked publicly."
Ms. Broadwell is, and was, a member of the public. So, yes, it was leaked publically. She wasn't a gov't official. She had no more right to that info than you or I.
Ms. Broadwell is, and was, a member of the public. So, yes, it was leaked publically. She wasn't a gov't official. She had no more right to that info than you or I.
16
This is not about the affair that Petraeus had with Ms Blackwell. It is about the fact that he shared top level secrets about military affairs and operations with her. That is the offense, not the infidelity.
If there is no further punishment for Petraeus, there should be no punishment for Snowden. Snowden should be allowed to return to the US without consequences and should be hired at a high rate of pay by the government. Who else would have better knowledge to teach the government how to avoid future hacking?
If there is no further punishment for Petraeus, there should be no punishment for Snowden. Snowden should be allowed to return to the US without consequences and should be hired at a high rate of pay by the government. Who else would have better knowledge to teach the government how to avoid future hacking?
4
Ruffian234. There is a question asked during polygraph exams for Top Secret code word access to the effect: "Have you ever disclosed classified information to ANYONE [emphasis added] without the proper security clearance and need-to-know?" Ms. Broadwell had neither the clearance nor the need-to-know.
2
Anyone who doesn't realize that a double standard ALWAYS exists for high ranking government officials and us civilians is smoking something funny.
Members of congress can use insider information to trade on wall street w/out consequences, if you do that, you'll have Preet Bharara all over you like Virginia farm boys.
The general jeopardized our national security because of a skirt. As they say in AA, there's a slip under every skirt & he should have been punished severely for that. His judgement should be called into question.
Members of congress can use insider information to trade on wall street w/out consequences, if you do that, you'll have Preet Bharara all over you like Virginia farm boys.
The general jeopardized our national security because of a skirt. As they say in AA, there's a slip under every skirt & he should have been punished severely for that. His judgement should be called into question.
28
A 23 year old Marine Sgt., serving as a guard at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was felled by a slip under a skirt. He fell in love with a plant in Moscow, got stuck in a honey trap and served 9 years of a 30 year prison sentence, plus demotions, fines and all the rest of it. It is true that he did give information to the Russians after being blackmailed, more serious than Petraeus for sure, although some of the information attributed to his actions was found to be the result of Aldrich Ames' spying. Broadwell may have had a security clearance herself but her subsequent actions didn't seem to make her smart, rational or sane and certainly not discreet.
1
I could care less about his sexual peccadilloes, the Clintons both had them, the Kennedys, too, and masses of the rich and powerful. What is intolerable is that his Middle Eastern reputation is based on lies and total failure that cost masses of lives and the U.S. economy. No, I've not forgotten his soul-mates, Bush and Cheney, but what is inexcusable is not that he pillow talked with a woman of no class about things classified, but that our President, Obama has kept him going from one top job to another>
Since the CIA, like the FBI, is a blackmail machine where everyone's skeletons are hidden, why did Obama give him the keys? Or did he already have them? Petraeus is a successful con man and the American public has been conned, say nothing of the hundreds of thousands dead and wounded by his military failures.
Since the CIA, like the FBI, is a blackmail machine where everyone's skeletons are hidden, why did Obama give him the keys? Or did he already have them? Petraeus is a successful con man and the American public has been conned, say nothing of the hundreds of thousands dead and wounded by his military failures.
11
Elite officials like patraeus, a holdover from the bush league, are skilled in the coddling of journalists through according them access to official. And journalists closed out are rendered bystanders in their own profession. Secret information and special access are part of the quid pro quo by which people like patraeus who failed on the battlefield became superstars. The real heels, the whistle blowers, are in jail . Obama's a constitutional lawyer and should know something about fairness. As they say tout sa change tout we le meme chose, as America, land of the double standard and multiple imperial defeats goes dow the tubes.
4
Americans don't love a comeback story, they crave for victory. Anyone hear the chant "USA #1" in any arena? The sad truth is that we have not won anything since WWII. Most likely we will not win anything going forward either. We get the temporary feeling of victory but once we leave, everything remains the same and sometimes even gets worse. It is time to give our military a rest and try letting the world sort out their problems just like everyone else. We have enough issues of our own and don't need another trillion plus dollars flushed down the toilet, in order to make the military industrial complex wealthy.
7
Well, Korea's worked out to be a pretty good "draw"--so far. And we'll very probably be allies with Vietnam now, in going against an expansionist China.
This reminds me of a bail bondman's advertising slogan.
"Friends don't let friends do time".
Note, sometimes there are some limits to the soft punishment of the elites by elites.
George W. Bush did commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence so Libby didn't spend 30 months in prison.
And Bush was lobbied for a full pardon of Libby by Dick Cheney.
Bush refused.
I wonder if much of this different justice for the elites traces back to Gerald Ford's Proclamation 4311, Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon of September 8, 1974.
This has "The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States."
So Nixon losing his job was viewed by Ford as an "unprecedented penalty".
And the Kennedy Library gave a "Profile in Courage Award" to Ford in 2001 for this action.
Maybe Democrats and Republicans both want to preserve, and honor, their "Get out of Jail" cards?
"Friends don't let friends do time".
Note, sometimes there are some limits to the soft punishment of the elites by elites.
George W. Bush did commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence so Libby didn't spend 30 months in prison.
And Bush was lobbied for a full pardon of Libby by Dick Cheney.
Bush refused.
I wonder if much of this different justice for the elites traces back to Gerald Ford's Proclamation 4311, Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon of September 8, 1974.
This has "The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States."
So Nixon losing his job was viewed by Ford as an "unprecedented penalty".
And the Kennedy Library gave a "Profile in Courage Award" to Ford in 2001 for this action.
Maybe Democrats and Republicans both want to preserve, and honor, their "Get out of Jail" cards?
5
Once upon a time, a disgraced general had the decency to fall on his sword. Today they just fall into cushy jobs on Wall St. or 24 hr. non-news programs.
P.S. expert? I don't think so.
P.S. expert? I don't think so.
9
No Neville Chamberlain around, I guess.
Military, particularly, officers and generals, are sacred cows of America. They along with police and firemen are darlings of all. It's not surprising Petraeus is getting away with slap on the wrist.
His surge was the result of the right wing's war and gun aficionados.
His surge was the result of the right wing's war and gun aficionados.
4
Scene: initial meeting with Justice Dept.
Attorney general Eric: David, you're really in a bind here. Your entire career is going down the drain and you are looking at a long prison term.
Petraeus: Eric, you're really in the bind, not me. Do you have any idea what I know and how much damage I can do to the current and past administrations? So it will work this way. 1. I admit to stupidity and accept a slap on the wrist. 2. you and your colleagues do everything possible to find me a terrific no show job. 3. In the meantime you make sure that I make a comeback by making sure everyone knows what a genius I am and how invaluable my brain is to national security. Now if we are clear get out of my face and do your job. ARE WE CLEAR?
Eric: Stands and salutes and answers CRYSTAL.
Attorney general Eric: David, you're really in a bind here. Your entire career is going down the drain and you are looking at a long prison term.
Petraeus: Eric, you're really in the bind, not me. Do you have any idea what I know and how much damage I can do to the current and past administrations? So it will work this way. 1. I admit to stupidity and accept a slap on the wrist. 2. you and your colleagues do everything possible to find me a terrific no show job. 3. In the meantime you make sure that I make a comeback by making sure everyone knows what a genius I am and how invaluable my brain is to national security. Now if we are clear get out of my face and do your job. ARE WE CLEAR?
Eric: Stands and salutes and answers CRYSTAL.
9
Either he should be in jail or they shouldn't. He risked and exposed national security for sex and that's the plain, unvarnished truth of it and it is not heroic and neither is the general.
Too often a military leader's one success is confused with wisdom and conflated with brilliance. Petraeus had one success in one place, Iraq -- he did not do particularly well in the next place, Afghanistan where his means and measures in Iraq were not applicable and resulted in his being peter principled to the CIA.
What should be applicable, is supposed to be applicable but is not in the comparisons drawn here, is equal treatment under and by the law.
Too often a military leader's one success is confused with wisdom and conflated with brilliance. Petraeus had one success in one place, Iraq -- he did not do particularly well in the next place, Afghanistan where his means and measures in Iraq were not applicable and resulted in his being peter principled to the CIA.
What should be applicable, is supposed to be applicable but is not in the comparisons drawn here, is equal treatment under and by the law.
7
Has Ms. Broadwell been questioned under Oath? Come on Sen McCain! great opportunity to get huge headlines..reveal the goings-on behind the big green curtain. Sex, drugs, "hero-warriors, as they conqer.. Was she on the set of the filming of theexecrable "Zero-Dark Thirty" advising the "writers/Producers along with him? Was she paid?
1
Story being passed, Mr. Petraeus called the White House, spoke with the President, while his girlfriend was on an extension, simply to impress her how important he is!
I've lived long enough (66 years) to ostensibly not be surprised by events. But I will admit to being surprised by Mr. Petraeus's behavior. Can you imagine the general's reactions, had an underling(s) been convicted of similar charges, while he was still in a position of authority!
I've lived long enough (66 years) to ostensibly not be surprised by events. But I will admit to being surprised by Mr. Petraeus's behavior. Can you imagine the general's reactions, had an underling(s) been convicted of similar charges, while he was still in a position of authority!
16
The real shock is Petraeus is now employed 'advising the White House'. Big loss of credibility for this Administration on handling fallout of Petraeus reckless behavior. Makes one wonder what else he knows regarding the Iraq surge effort. Something is not right with this string of events.
16
What Petraeus' behavior tells us that the motto of his alma mater " Duty, Honor, Country" is for chumps...not generals. His behavior and the treatment he received for it are almost equally repulsive.
16
Isn't this what happened at Abu Ghraib? Weren't there only 2 soldiers who actually went to jail? I don't believe any of the military personnel in the higher ranks were ever prosecuted.
17
The issue here isn't that Petraeus's punishment was too light. The argument for his mistakes, with regard to the security risks and enemy access to information, is pretty light (though he lied to FBI investigators). The issue is the severity of sentencing the government has sought in other cases where minor leaks occurred. Chief among these is Mr. Kim, whose disclosures amounted to nothing and were widely known by security experts at the time (if not assumed by everyone else). The selective and heavy handed approach to his prosecution reveals the uncomfortable truth, that he was a sacrificial lamb offered up for PR purposes by an administration looking more insubstantial by the day.
13
Well, at least he couldn't be impeached by the House and tried by the Senate. He would have gotten off scott-free.
3
So . . . I can only assume that you are comparing mishandling state secrets with lying about having extramarital sex? Scot free (not scott-free) doesn't seem like an accurate description of what happened in that case either. Please return to your den below the bridge.
13
I never understood why he was considered such a great general. Great generals win their wars unless a greater general checks them but there doesn't appear to be a great opposing general in Iraq or Afghanistan. Petraeus, as was Crystal, was all pomp and circumstance-- a Westmoreland. I don't think our military has produced any great generals since WW 2-- the only victories since then have been against Grenada and Panama and no great general was needed in either case.
7
President Obama is harsh on legitimate whistle blowers like Kim, Manning and Snowden who spotlighted renegade programs, murder and systemic corruption. Yet he has a curious light touch for people such as Petraeus, who shared classified information with a girlfriend, and is now a White House consultant, and to boot this paid job is served up as above reproach; anyone who questions Obama's decision here simply gets an eye roll, by WH spokesman Earnest's cynical statement.
Given that the president is smart, I can only conclude that on certain matters regarding national security, he's a spectator like the rest of us and not the commander in chief he was elected to be.
Given that the president is smart, I can only conclude that on certain matters regarding national security, he's a spectator like the rest of us and not the commander in chief he was elected to be.
6
This is so typical of "justice" in America.
4
I would say that even the NYT is treading rather lightly on this topic and certainly pulling its punches a bit.
Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden aren't mentioned, unless I've missed it, and General Petraeus is blamed for "extraordinarily poor judgment" and at worst "a shocking level of hubris and recklessness." How about treason?
Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden aren't mentioned, unless I've missed it, and General Petraeus is blamed for "extraordinarily poor judgment" and at worst "a shocking level of hubris and recklessness." How about treason?
7
Manning and Snowden revealed their information to foreigners and the world so everyone could get a look at it. The General revealed his information to his American lover, who did NOT publish it. I don't think we can compare those instances as equal.
1
How do we know she wasn't a foreign agent? Isn't the "honey trap" a classic ploy? What was her security clearance? Yes, the information was not "published" but how do we know it wasn't "transmitted"? If the info he gave her was not important enough to jeopardize American interests, why was it classified at all? Yet we are told that it included the named of covert agents -- which the info published by Manning & Snowden did not -- so apparently Petraeus was willing to place those agents' lives in jeopardy just to impress his squeeze.
1
Thank you for this short explanation. The hypocrisy displayed by the Obama administration is disgraceful. I voted for him, but am thoroughly looking forward to a real change.
5
As it s said, be careful what you wish for...the change you thoroughly look forward to...OMG repubs!
Forgive me in previous commentaries I misinterpreted the "Rule of Law". What us peasants lack is sufficient resources (relationships, land, money, elite education) to comprehend the meaning of "Rule".
4
Wasn't Nixon pardoned? Some things never change for those at the top.
5
As America is exceptional Petraeus is also exceptional. Exceptional treatment for an exceptional person.
2
This is how an oligarchy works.
12
Quick - mark all the hot tubs with "not approved for discussion of classified data."
2
It's hardly surprising that someone who knows the dirtiest SECRETS of this country's numerous shady interventions would get off with a phony hand slap and a position as adviser to the White House. As CIA Director, he must have been on the Kill List team. Did he provide The List? There could still be a day of reckoning for the assassination of American citizens taking place. They need to have each other's 6.
Because secrets are power, the global surveillance of everyone is the most dangerous weapon and threat to freedom and Democracy that exists on this planet, while they claim it is to be protecting it - for whom? Banksters? Defense Contractors? Multi-National Corporations? Terrorists we are fighting were made with American dollars, and they continue to be created by U.S. drone$.
When governments abroad are overthrown and our military steps in to create a 'democracy' which quickly becomes a military regime that we fund to 'stabilize', I hope people remember that The Homeland is not immune.
Our Generals, Presidents, banksters, and war criminals should never get away with crimes that others of lesser social stature and wealth are sent to prison for or all of us will pay a hefty price. Posterity will not forgive us.
Because secrets are power, the global surveillance of everyone is the most dangerous weapon and threat to freedom and Democracy that exists on this planet, while they claim it is to be protecting it - for whom? Banksters? Defense Contractors? Multi-National Corporations? Terrorists we are fighting were made with American dollars, and they continue to be created by U.S. drone$.
When governments abroad are overthrown and our military steps in to create a 'democracy' which quickly becomes a military regime that we fund to 'stabilize', I hope people remember that The Homeland is not immune.
Our Generals, Presidents, banksters, and war criminals should never get away with crimes that others of lesser social stature and wealth are sent to prison for or all of us will pay a hefty price. Posterity will not forgive us.
9
There is a reason why Petraeus and other high level officials are given a slap on the wrists and sent on their merry way, while at the same time "the government has been unsparing in its prosecution of lower-ranking officials who have shared sensitive information". The General and his ilk know where all the bodies are buried. Having them go on the witness stand under oath could prove detrimental to those even higher up the food chain. All the good General has to do is remind them of a few unpleasant facts and that, if forced to defend himself, he'd sing like a canary.
7
Welcome to your America.
The land where the powerful skate free and helicopter off to their Hampton homes while those unlucky enough not to belong are used and abused. All under the ruse of jackal capitalism, a thinly veiled version of corporate fascism.
Oh, and have a nice day.
The land where the powerful skate free and helicopter off to their Hampton homes while those unlucky enough not to belong are used and abused. All under the ruse of jackal capitalism, a thinly veiled version of corporate fascism.
Oh, and have a nice day.
3
New York Times, you still don't get it. One of the enemies is you. None of this can happen without the press's sheepishly seeking access to power, and then once in, fiercely guarding it by limiting reporting to government-vetted propaganda. It's no wonder these crackpot emperors think they are untouchable. They live in a world of toadying yes-men and women, and that includes the ersatz news reporters "embedded" to play army and go through the motions of reporting while revealing little. Normally, tragedy is the inevitable endgame for people like Patraeus, but not these days. Patraeus will no doubt have a long and lucrative career in right wing media. Old war criminals never die, they fade to commercial and will be right back after this message.
And all these years later, The New York Times still uses euphemisms like "brutal interrogation" instead of calling torture torture. Nothing has changed. Our political and military leaders should be afraid of the news media, but it is still the other way around, and that's a tragedy. And all we civilians can do is brace ourselves for the next catastrophe.
And all these years later, The New York Times still uses euphemisms like "brutal interrogation" instead of calling torture torture. Nothing has changed. Our political and military leaders should be afraid of the news media, but it is still the other way around, and that's a tragedy. And all we civilians can do is brace ourselves for the next catastrophe.
5
Sometimes, when you devote your life to serving your country and emerge as one of its greatest leaders, you catch a bit of a break on the downside.
3
What a bunch of bald-faced hypocrisy! Journalists all clamor for their inside scoops and then beat their chests for punishment when a respected source is uncovered. General Petraeus's accomplishments suggest he would have been far more valuable to the country by staying in service than to be turned out over a trivial incident. Big Picture People!
4
The startling stupidity displayed by the General through his romantic entanglement has forever tarnished his reputation. Nevertheless, his many years of brilliant service to our Nation should be recognized and called-on now and in the future.
3
Certainly General Petraeus is getting off easy which is understandable, he probably can open up a can of worms that will ruin the careers of many people in government, including the President.While we are looking for more severe punishment for the General, whiy stop with him.How about rewriting the history books and condemning President's Truman, Kennedy, Johnson,,Nixon & Bush for the loss of thousands of American lives & billions of dollars of the Tax Payers money on useless wars which didn't solve or change anything, Next to the crimes of these people, Petraeus was an angel.
2
Each star on Petraeus' shoulder represents a layer of Teflon that causes guilt to slide to his feet, where he can step away and leave it all behind.
1
I have always stated that Obama was George Bush 2 with a suntan.
Body bags and horribly wounded are still coming home from AfIraq
Leakers of torture go to jail, while torturers are not prosecuted.
The bankers all skated as did wall street.
Bet your bottom dollar that he does a Marc Rich style pardon in his final days. It will kick of his speaking tour. Ya know he and Michelle are broke.
This should excite us about coming a Clinton Coronation?
Body bags and horribly wounded are still coming home from AfIraq
Leakers of torture go to jail, while torturers are not prosecuted.
The bankers all skated as did wall street.
Bet your bottom dollar that he does a Marc Rich style pardon in his final days. It will kick of his speaking tour. Ya know he and Michelle are broke.
This should excite us about coming a Clinton Coronation?
5
The media created Gen. Petraeus and made him into the strategic genius at war with the bumbling status quo. He played the media as well, perhaps better than they he. His relationship with his biographer is a parody of his relationship. The truth is his counter-insurgency ideas are bunkum. They changed the situation in Iraq just long enough for us to bow out. We are now re-entering the war. Why? Because we looked for a military--counter-insurgency--solution to the problem created by the problem: the use of the military and our militarization of the Middle East.
10
When enlisting in the military we are taught to salute an officer, not because of the man, but because of what his uniform stands for. Are soldiers still instructed to salute this "superior" officer?
3
A trial for Petraeus would not been popular with the military probably. But during trial discovery much more embarrassing material about top secrets and classified information may be revealed. So the administration gave him a pass if for nothing else to keep him quiet. I wonder how many military commanders have talked with their wives concerning work. In this case his girlfriend. There is a double standard that speaks volumes about this administration.
30
@Bob, As the wife of a retired military officer, I find your comment wholly offensive. Yes, I'm sure there are others besides Gen Petraeus, and I am offended that the General seems to be getting a "pass" while others sit in prison. I'm thoroughly offended by the General's behavior, on behalf of everyone who has honorably served their country. But to assert that the problem is rampant is obnoxious on it's face and is disrespectful of the military, civil servants and their families' who have served so honorably. Why is the General getting a pass? Who knows? I can think of lots of reasons...very few being that others did the same thing.
The real question is will he keep his retirement pay.
The real question is will he keep his retirement pay.
3
The real question is: will he retain his security clearance--since he's still an advisor.
3
I am sorry if I offended you and there was no intent of degrading military service or the men and women who serve. Can I not wonder how often this happens? I certainly made no statement that it was rampant. It may be truly isolated but I doubt it is not the first time it has happened. And yes, I agree with you it is sad that he gets a pass while many are in prison. But I think you ire is directed to the wrong person. I have no say in military matters. While you are perfectly entitled to be offended, direct your anger to the military and the administration where it might matter. Thank you for your comment.
1
I had nothing against Petraeus - I admired him. But this really does make me angry. Wen Ho Lee, who spent many months in prison (Wikip. says 9) for essentially being careless, would have loved the kid gloves treatment Petraeus has received. Edward Snowden and Julian Assange would probably face prosecution if they could know they would get the same leeway. Jeffrey Sterling is probably screaming - what about me? At least, aside from Lee who had no real intent at all, these people had political reasons that at least some think should qualify as whistleblower status or benefit our country (even if you disagree). But for Petraeus it apparently was either about sex or fame or both and that is pathetic. Had he only cheated on his wife (and I bet he never leaked classified information to his wife), maybe he'd lose his job, but people would understand and he'd bounce back like Clinton or so many others (and I don't believe adultery should generally destroy a career). His reasons show such arrogance that I have to wonder if he thinks he is a victim. Yet, he obviously has no problem getting a job and it would not surprise me if he gets a pardon or clemency too at some point.
4
Military officers are granted too much latitude. Petraeus is just another. Col. Oliver North was sentenced to prison, but got off because, for his testimony (Iran-Contra) before Congress, he'd been given immunity. Since then, he's been treated like a hero by the Right.
Sen. Tom Cotton leans on his military career to play the bad-boy, once calling for the NYT's Bill Keller to be tried for espionage. His recent exploits re Iran deserve at least a Congressional hearing.
General Stanley McChrystal was essentially fired for mouthing off like a banana republic general, denigrating his superiors. He should have been court-martialed.
Gen. Boykin dressed in best, addressed Right Wing Christians, declaring that "their" God was more powerful than the Muslim God. Congressmen demanded that he be disciplined, but instead he was sent to Abu Ghraib to introduce the best of GTMO there.
After his invasion of Iraq, Gen. Tommy Franks told David Letterman that Iraq had been like Cambodia and Laos. The Cong, he said, would sally forth from hiding there, do murder and mayhem, and then scurry back to safety. Of course, Franks knew that Saddam’s Iraq had never been a haven for terrorists. But he got away with his nonsense. And was applauded.
Sen. Tom Cotton leans on his military career to play the bad-boy, once calling for the NYT's Bill Keller to be tried for espionage. His recent exploits re Iran deserve at least a Congressional hearing.
General Stanley McChrystal was essentially fired for mouthing off like a banana republic general, denigrating his superiors. He should have been court-martialed.
Gen. Boykin dressed in best, addressed Right Wing Christians, declaring that "their" God was more powerful than the Muslim God. Congressmen demanded that he be disciplined, but instead he was sent to Abu Ghraib to introduce the best of GTMO there.
After his invasion of Iraq, Gen. Tommy Franks told David Letterman that Iraq had been like Cambodia and Laos. The Cong, he said, would sally forth from hiding there, do murder and mayhem, and then scurry back to safety. Of course, Franks knew that Saddam’s Iraq had never been a haven for terrorists. But he got away with his nonsense. And was applauded.
10
It's hubris pure and simple. When Petraeus was promoted to 4-star, a military wit remarked that Petraeus' rank finally caught up with his ego. This is not an admirable dude.
4
Just more proof of how corrupt and unequal this country is with once set of laws for the nobility and another set of laws for everyone else.
It's disgusting.
It's disgusting.
4
I know its hard for people never having served in the military or government to understand how Patraeus could be given this "light" sentence. In any legal proceeding, mitigating circumstances are considered such as a persons long military service, commitment and sacrifice to our nation.
Yes, Patraeus made a terrible mistake as a former Army general and as civilian head of the CIA but you have to consider 35 years of military service. The man spent at least 10 years of his life in the middle east promoting our brand.
Given that service record and the public humiliation he already suffered I can see why the DoJ spared him jail time.
Yes, Patraeus made a terrible mistake as a former Army general and as civilian head of the CIA but you have to consider 35 years of military service. The man spent at least 10 years of his life in the middle east promoting our brand.
Given that service record and the public humiliation he already suffered I can see why the DoJ spared him jail time.
1
Well, not everybody has led a successful counter-insurgency effort...
And generally, as a military commander, he's regarded as having been very effective.
Difficult to judge here. There clearly are different standards.
I would say the 'lust' aspect is an alleviating circumstance. This is definitely less dangerous than some political motive, which is the motive in other cases.
Just keep him on the field and away from women:)
And generally, as a military commander, he's regarded as having been very effective.
Difficult to judge here. There clearly are different standards.
I would say the 'lust' aspect is an alleviating circumstance. This is definitely less dangerous than some political motive, which is the motive in other cases.
Just keep him on the field and away from women:)
No one seems to have noticed that this was about Petraus using his personal cell phone for government emails and the charges were dropped just a day or two after the NYTIME broke the story on Hillary who is guilty of the same act.
2
Hilary is not guilty of the same act---no one is suggesting that she revealed classified information. And she's actually not 'guilty' of anything: Petraeus broke the law, hence guilty is an appropriate description; Hilary violated the employee handbook of the State Department, not a law. Bad employee if you wish but not guilty of breaking a law.
2
Petaeus disclosed classified information to his girl friend. None of the disclosures went any further -- her bio of him didn't include anything classified. The real issue is that when he was questioned he said he hadn't disclosed anything. As they say, it's not the crime, it's the cover up. I'm not sure how investigators determined he was lying. If he 'fessed up quickly, that's different from holding to his story. But if everything he did was to hide his affair, he may lack criminal intent -- in leak cases you have to intend to use the leaked info. All in all this is one lousy criminal case.
How do you know that none of the disclosures went further? Because they weren't printed in her hagiography of Petraeus? You make a claim for which there is virtually no certainty and that's the real point.
3
Perhaps the judge will reject the plea deal and sentence him to a year in prison, over the prosecutor's objection. That seems a reasonable sentence for what he did.
2
Are you really comparing over-sharing with a single person who was, in turn, correctly discrete (at least with classified information) with disclosing classified information to journalists in the expectation that they would broadcast it far & wide?
3
How do you KNOW she was discrete? Who else did he share with? How many other girlfriends were there? I doubt both her discretion and your assumption, Michael.
Maybe that's why they are going easy on him...they don't want to publicize the real damage that was done...or the real connections. Stop with all the assumptions.
Maybe that's why they are going easy on him...they don't want to publicize the real damage that was done...or the real connections. Stop with all the assumptions.
3
"While whistle-blowers and other leakers of classified information have been imprisoned, the general stands to emerge largely unscathed from his case."
___________
Petraeus is too big to fail.
___________
Petraeus is too big to fail.
6
Like high school, different rules for the super star
12
"4-33. Serving with integrity encompasses more than one component. However, these components are dependent on whether the leader inherently understands right versus wrong. Assuming the leader can make the distinction, a leader should always be able to separate right from wrong in every situation. Just as important, that leader should do what is right, even at personal cost."
Army Leadership Manual
FM-6-22
p. 4-8
12 Oct 2006
Army Leadership Manual
FM-6-22
p. 4-8
12 Oct 2006
4
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Petraeus is "legitimately regarded as an expert when it comes to the security situation in Iraq." If he used such poor judgement regarding his mistress, why should we imagine that his judgement would be so stellar when so much more is at stake? The fact that Obama trusts him so much and helped work out such a lenient deal makes me wonder about the president's own judgement.
3
I hear crickets in this comment forum when I ask for some acknowledgment that the punishment Petraeus got was directed from the top by Mr. "yes we can".
1
What else is new?
Who was held accountable for the failure to detect and prevent the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks? No one was fired. No one resigned. No one apologized.
At the very least General Petraeus should be honorable enough to publically apologize. Then slink away in disgraced solitude for awhile to think of some way he can repay the American people by some manner of humble obscure effective service.
Who was held accountable for the failure to detect and prevent the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks? No one was fired. No one resigned. No one apologized.
At the very least General Petraeus should be honorable enough to publically apologize. Then slink away in disgraced solitude for awhile to think of some way he can repay the American people by some manner of humble obscure effective service.
1
Richard Clarke apologized. Condi Rice and Dick Cheney did not.
Cheney was appointed to lead task groups on energy and terrorism in January 2001. The energy task group met several times before 9/11/01 -- studied maps of Iraqi oil fields. The terrorism task group convened for the first time during the week before 9/11/01.
Cheney was appointed to lead task groups on energy and terrorism in January 2001. The energy task group met several times before 9/11/01 -- studied maps of Iraqi oil fields. The terrorism task group convened for the first time during the week before 9/11/01.
1
On Battlestar Galactica, Gaius gave the defense security codes to his lover, who turned out to be a Cylon. This lead to the virtually destruction of all human life spend throughout the Galaxies. Just sayin!
2
Who cares about Petraeus. That we have full-blown war criminals on the lose says much more about how corrupt our country is. Bush, Cheney, et. al. should have swung from ropes long ago. And, the titans of Wall St. should have had their assets confiscated and all of them sentenced to long stays at Club Fed.
We need a good dose of Hammurabic Law: the higher one is in society the more they are punished for a given crime. Alas, we have reverse Hammurabic Law; those at the top skate while those at the bottom are punished harshly. Hey, it's good for business, though; the Prison-Judicial-LEO Industrial Complex. LEO = Law Enforcement Officer.
We need a good dose of Hammurabic Law: the higher one is in society the more they are punished for a given crime. Alas, we have reverse Hammurabic Law; those at the top skate while those at the bottom are punished harshly. Hey, it's good for business, though; the Prison-Judicial-LEO Industrial Complex. LEO = Law Enforcement Officer.
9
It is shameful to know a high ranking General could fall so far and get away with it. There is a double standard. He should be broken down in rank and his military pension adjusted. Why should he be
given a slap on the wrist for his frailties when it came to confiding in a mistress giving her access to sensitive national security issues. He may be considered a genius in warfare but it just shows a fool who is ruled by the zipper. Shame on him and shame on the prosecutors (wonder who got to them).
given a slap on the wrist for his frailties when it came to confiding in a mistress giving her access to sensitive national security issues. He may be considered a genius in warfare but it just shows a fool who is ruled by the zipper. Shame on him and shame on the prosecutors (wonder who got to them).
5
The general provided many valuable services to his country and this is worked into the equation of his punishment. I don't think Mr. Kim has any of the virtues of service that Petraeus has. Petraeus has fallen from a greater height than Kim and this is part of his punishment.
Not only has the Obama administration pursued more whistle blowers than any other administration, Obama is also the stingiest President ever in granting pardons. Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden should be exceptions to that situation.
2
General Petraeus's mistress had a top secret clearence so it wasn't like he passed info to someone who wasn't allowed to know certain things.. The general was not sharing this kind of info to harm someone or his country, unlike Snowden or (the woman in his mind only) Manning did.
3
Sorry Swoboda, Snowden and Manning did the voters a very great favor by giving transparency to so many disgusting goings on by our government. You cannot vote properly if you don't know the truths. Do not forget that we were lied to by President Bush and VP Cheyney about weapons of mass destruction which was untrue and cost trillions of dollars which would have been better spent on the American citizens instead of Halliburton's coffers. Petraeus made his so called reputation by playing in the war game set up quite knowingly by Bush and Cheyney. What do you think their intent was????? Why did Cheyney give up a $36,000,000 a year job as CEO of Halliburton to run for the vice presidency? Snowden and Manning did not intend harm to the US they wanted transparency so the voters could be educated not to vote for such atrocious behavior again from lack of knowledge.
1
Your well considered point is ruined by your snide parenthetical remark about Manning. You didn't need to add it, but in doing so displayed your prejudice, which in turn, changed the entire tone of your comment from thoughtful to mean.
1
Petraeus isn't a come back story! His is a story of unmitigated privilege and arrogance. His reputation for his military prowess is filled with holes and his record of lying to congress and the American people is, in my opinion, well known. His breach of the military code wasn't even noted as he paraded around in his star covered uniform and then got the job at the CIA. He knew he could use the classified documents he showed to his mistress to juice up his profile with her because he knew he was different, he could do anything.
His document leaking is a sordid tale that should have resulted in jail time. Whistleblowers whose motive was to inform the American people go to jail and have their lives ruined but Petraeus gets to skate right into a big job and never even loses $1 of pension. It is a disgrace but it is not a surprise. The Obama administration glorifies the old story that some people just are too important to be punished for braking the law while others must be broken by the law, particularly if they try to speak truth to power. Shame.
His document leaking is a sordid tale that should have resulted in jail time. Whistleblowers whose motive was to inform the American people go to jail and have their lives ruined but Petraeus gets to skate right into a big job and never even loses $1 of pension. It is a disgrace but it is not a surprise. The Obama administration glorifies the old story that some people just are too important to be punished for braking the law while others must be broken by the law, particularly if they try to speak truth to power. Shame.
19
He has proven that he is a liar and a cheater. People do not do that in only one part of their lives. Looks like his entire existence is built around lying and cheating. A sorry excuse for an American officer, or a human being. Just disgusting. Makes me ashamed of my country for allowing this.
3
All of this favoritism takes it's toll. I have no data, but I suspect the level of Americans, disgusted by and mistrustful of our government and it's security services is at an all time high.
8
Comparing Petraeus "leaks", which never found there way into the public or our enemy's eyes, to others passing information off to Fox news is to put it bluntly, bull. The editorial board acknowledges no classified information appeared in the Broadwell's book. So poor judgement on the General's part? Yes. Harm to the country? No. I think that matters.
3
No harm came from Kim's disclosures either. In fact, what he disclosed was essentially common knowledge among international security reporters and experts. Also it appears that members of the administration leaked similar information to other reporters. Petraeus also lied to the FBI during direct questioning on his affair and the disclosures to Broadwell.
This article is really worth the read to add context.
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/02/18/destroyed-by-the-espionage...
This article is really worth the read to add context.
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/02/18/destroyed-by-the-espionage...
4
No harm to the country? No thanks to him. It's still unequal justice and that harms our country greatly.
3
Those at the top of the food chain always seem to escape being devoured. Those at the bottom end up as lunch.
9
Exactly. It is so common that it is almost not worthy of comment. This is normal in America. The successful will prevail. The rest of us will go down. and not even bother with the flames.
1
As his speaking fee is more than the fine, his punishment nets out to having to give a speech for free. So, basically he pays with an hour of his time.
7
Oh come on, a deal was made.
Petraeus keeps quiet about negative events that actually occurred at the White House regarding the war in Iraq and, in return, he gets off with minimum punishment. All under the guise of classified material.
Petraeus keeps quiet about negative events that actually occurred at the White House regarding the war in Iraq and, in return, he gets off with minimum punishment. All under the guise of classified material.
5
Mr. Petraeus is also teaching at leading universities. He apparently has the MacArthur complex where he thinks he's military master of the universe and the top 1% global financial elite - who he really works for - agrees. There is no question he has a stellar military background - and outsized male ego. The rest I"ll leave to history.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus
8
Stellar military background? Kick a man when he's down, would you?
Hardly a lack of punishment here when you consider what he could have done if this scandal hadn't come to light.
8
May a pardon for the General and Scotter be forthcoming with this administration. To paraphrase Dick Cheney, no wounded should be left to bleed upon the battleground. Time to move on New York Times, there are too many bad guys active in your state and boroughs that demand far sharper attention.
3
How sick that you paraphrase a war criminal who knows nothing about combat other than how to send other people's children to die for his ilk. FIVE deferment Cheney had plenty of opportunity to serve. He hid, instead.
2
This Petraeus person is a creep. And I ask, how is it that the President, considers this man an authority on anything.
16
POTUS does not. But just as O inherited a crashed economy and two wars, he inherited an officer corps plagued by the rot of the Bush years. Unfortunately, O could not reach into his pocket and pull out another senior officer corps.
4
Charged wtih the affair and sending government emails with his private Phone.. And he isn't even a Clinton. Funny how the charges were dropped 2 days after hillarys charges were discovered. And it clearly wasn't the choice of the prosecutor because he is having a fit about it. This appears to be nothing but a Cover for Hillary move.
Where was the Times on this story before this egregious double-standard of justice? Why didn't it editorialize that the general be held to the same standard as the underlings? We lecture the world about justice and human rights, and ignore the cesspool right under our noses. The rot always starts at the top.
19
Did it ever occur to you that maybe the Times -- and the rest of us -- thought that he would be held to the same standard of justice.
1
The Times does not foresee the future, as far as I know.
1
Petraeus you give new meaning to Rules of Engagement.
#Romeofraud book written about how FBI refused to help stop Financial Predators but spent millioss chasing Petraeus for nothing while real American women were victims of violence. He should donate proceeds of his book of last to women' shelters and maybe he will gain some respect.
http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000606405/The-One-That-Got-A...
#Romeofraud book written about how FBI refused to help stop Financial Predators but spent millioss chasing Petraeus for nothing while real American women were victims of violence. He should donate proceeds of his book of last to women' shelters and maybe he will gain some respect.
http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000606405/The-One-That-Got-A...
The outcome is entirely predictable given our two tier-system of justice. Solon noted “[L]aws are like spiders’ webs, and will like them only entangle and hold the poor and weak, while the rich and powerful will easily break through them.” Even if the general rejected the plea deal and was convicted at a trial, the harshest punishment meted out would be very minimal, i.e., less than the light two year sentence "heart-broken" judge Spencer imposed on former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell after his conviction on 11 counts of public corruption. This predictable pattern would have played out if the General was convicted and sentenced. Another "heart-broken" judge would have felt sorry for a man that inhabit his social universe—someone he could related to, who could be a neighbor—and conclude the embarrassment alone of being caught and convicted was sufficient punishment. And the general would be off.
If it was earlier in his career—say a young Lieutenant Petraeus had passed the same information on to his girlfriend—the same judge, enraged by the youth’s recklessness in pursuit of carnal pleasures, would invoke national security concerns and come down on Lieutenant Petraeus like a ton of bricks. We need to treat wealthy and\or powerful lawbreakers equally with everyone and perhaps more harshly because having all the breaks in life make their offenses more egregious. Gen. Petraeus could have had his affair without disclosing classified information, but maybe not Lt. Petraeus.
If it was earlier in his career—say a young Lieutenant Petraeus had passed the same information on to his girlfriend—the same judge, enraged by the youth’s recklessness in pursuit of carnal pleasures, would invoke national security concerns and come down on Lieutenant Petraeus like a ton of bricks. We need to treat wealthy and\or powerful lawbreakers equally with everyone and perhaps more harshly because having all the breaks in life make their offenses more egregious. Gen. Petraeus could have had his affair without disclosing classified information, but maybe not Lt. Petraeus.
27
A true travesty. A true military general would not accept a private's punishment.
9
Does the public know what information Gen. Petraeus revealed? No. That is the key issue here since Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning's breach of security lead to our enemies getting classified information. As far as we know, that didn't happen here.
This case is more akin to that of Sandy Berger, and maybe less egregious, since Berger was accused of stealing classified documents. Berger, for those who don't remember, also only paid a fine.
This case is more akin to that of Sandy Berger, and maybe less egregious, since Berger was accused of stealing classified documents. Berger, for those who don't remember, also only paid a fine.
3
This is a very important point. Thanks for bringing it up.
Forget Sandy Berger.. Can you say HILLARY? He was charged with the same thing that Hillary was doing. And the charges were dropped two days after Hillarys scandal broke.
Presumably, the court that convicted him knew what he revealed.
He should never have been indicted.
4
When one is granted a security clearance, that person also agrees to adhere to never disclose or divulge classified information. The general knew this from his military service and as the short-lived director of the CIA.
5
Probably better off he had never been inducted into the armed services!
3
Reminds me of settling without admitting guilt or wrongdoing. Since when did the SEC start handling national security breaches?
9
I guess Mr. Petraeus is more equal than the rest of us.
34
The charges of misuse of his cell phone and email were dropped just a day or two after Hillary was found to be doing the same thing.
Same as it ever was and more so in the military. Rank has it's privileges. The generals know best and the rest of you can shut up or bear the weight of justice.
27
Ah, America! Land of the Double Standard. Freedom for the rich, prison for the poor.
57
Former CIA director John Deutsch similarly received a wrist-slap. One set of rules for those as the top, another for the rest. Sad.
23
In a time when conservatives call Bruce Fein & Glenn Greenwald's creation, NSA thief Edward Norton, a "hero," it is a wonder that Mr. Petraeus is not awarded a ticker-tape parade.
3
Gen. Petraeus did a stand-up job in managing our military in Iraq. He later gave classified military intelligence to a writer, lied to the FBI about doling out that intel, and hindered FBI's investigation. If Martha Stewart has to do time for lying to the FBI about her insider trading (to gain say $50K in stock value), Gen. Petraeus should be doing time for lying to the FBI about his public release of classified military intelligence information.
61
Petraeus should spend as much time in prison as he did in service.
21
Really? A lifetime of service should be punished by a life sentence? Really?
1
The bigger they are the softer they fall. From bankers robbing depositors of billions to the general. People can accept an affair, but the security risks seem not to stand alone.
12
Ah - for the good ol' days when important personages in the public eye were free to follow their normal manly pursuits of multiple sexual partners without raising eyebrows or public mention. Of course, in those good 'ol days whatever a woman had to say was of no importance and she wasn't expected to even understand the intricacies of her lord and master's oh-so-much-more-important public-service activities. Today, with the advocacy of women's equality pillow talk can be a dangerous activity and not merely macho bravado in the service of hormonal satisfaction.
6
Preposterous editorial. The UK Guardian did an in-depth investigative story exposing Petraeus as the man overseeing Shia death squads in Iraq that were torturing and murdering 3000 Iraqi per month. (See James Steele, America's Mystery Man in Iraq.) To cite Petraeus for some sexual dalliance is obscene. He belongs in prison for the rest of his life.
35
And what of the man who was giving Petraeus his orders? The buck docent stop anywhere....it just fades away..
No harm, no foul?
Let's suppose Petraeus' "biographer"/mistress were actually a spy... for the Russians? the Chinese? the Pakistanis? I have it! A secret MUSLIM.
This would certainly not be the first time a vain general fell for a honey pot.
This guy's an expert on security, and ran the CIA? In your dreams.
Off with his head.
Let's suppose Petraeus' "biographer"/mistress were actually a spy... for the Russians? the Chinese? the Pakistanis? I have it! A secret MUSLIM.
This would certainly not be the first time a vain general fell for a honey pot.
This guy's an expert on security, and ran the CIA? In your dreams.
Off with his head.
32
The only real concern I have here is that our spy-in-chief didn't know his paramour was a cyber stalker. That should give us all pause.
3
It's no surprise that the government chose to not punish a "hero", the man whose work in Iraq...set the stage for the current success of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
39
Petraeus is an American hero. He saved the surge, which began with increased American casualties, by dealing directly with (and paying off) the Sunni groups who were fighting and killing our troops. His expertise in counter-terrorist strategy was invaluable during the Iraq war and is equally valuable today. If anyone deserves a presidential pardon, it is he.
12
What you say is certainly the legend but that is what it is a legend. The man lives on fantasy and the gullibility of some people.
3
If it is true that an 'American hero' may be absolved of legally defined crimes, you need to tell us—define for us—how great a hero must be to justify a bad crime. Should being a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient be acquitted of murder? No? Well how about . .
2
And what if Ms Broadwell - that name still cracks me up - was a double agent? would he still be deserving of a pardon then?
2
I'm less concerned that Petraeus got off easy, there was little doubt that he would, after all, he has the dirt on everyone in both parties. What concerns me is that Obama is taking advice from him on ISIS, Iraq and Afghanistan. His failed strategies led to the creation of ISIS. His failed strategies enmeshed us in a Vietnam-like quagmire. What precisely does he have to offer?
208
Gee, think you forgot a few of the much bigger henchmen: G.W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, well the list is really too too long.
A, but then there is President Obama who blithely turned his back on Iraq while ISIS was being assembled from the remnants of the Anbar Awakening.
A, but then there is President Obama who blithely turned his back on Iraq while ISIS was being assembled from the remnants of the Anbar Awakening.
1
Petraeus did not put us in Vietnam, Kennedy did. And LBJ doubled down all ;forgetting what they should have learned from the Korean War.
I am not defending Petraeus, but the real author of ISIS is the idiot Paul Bremer. The one who disbanded the Iraqi army and implemented the policy of de-bathification. Petraeus made his own mistakes, just not the one attributed to him by you.
2
I wonder what penalty Hillary Clinton will get if her email affair is ever sorted out properly? Probably the Democratic nomination...
3
I see. She's guilty until proven innocent? An impossible standard of proof among deniers of global climate change, evolution etc.
3
Eric Holder's views of justice are undeniably unique. He wiretaps reporters to get their sources and subjects them to the threat of imprisonment. He puts low level government informers in jail and gives a free pass to General Petraeus. We have witnessed first hand the Obama version of Clinton's Marc Rich pardon. We currently have four classes of citizens. Namely Poor, Middle class,Rich and the Elites. The elites have special privileges and can be found in the Administration ,Congress and High level Government positions. The rich are those who have too much and are given speeding tickets so that the elites can spend and redistribute wealth. Where is Justice to be found?
2
Hey, look at Petraeus's wake. He was a major tactician and decider in the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations. Looking at these two countries today, I's there any evidence at all that he made a difference for the better?
Relentless self promotion, cheating on his wife, and sharing classified information with his girlfriend are probably par for the course where Washington big shots are concerned. A couple of years in the slammer might have healthy impact on the other big shots.
Relentless self promotion, cheating on his wife, and sharing classified information with his girlfriend are probably par for the course where Washington big shots are concerned. A couple of years in the slammer might have healthy impact on the other big shots.
12
Republicans are above the law in this country. Why is that? $$$$
10
How can the media and Democrats shrug their shoulder and ask "what difference does it make" when discussing Hillary Clinton's private server and deleted emails. Where is your outrage about this? Petraeus' offence is much less self serving and potenially damning than Hillary's deletion of emails.
1
There is outrage about both, but only one was a crime, as the court -- in Petraeus's case -- determined.
2
First let us assess what David Petraeus accomplished in Iraq and Afghanistan. Did American force "win"? Our forces were brilliant in tactical engagements. Strategically, Petraeus lost Iraq and Afghanistan. How did he prevent ISIS from emerging? So why are people listening to him.
Secondly, we do not know how Broadwell handled the highly sensitive information she received. We do not know if it was compromised. She did not have a security clearance or a "need to know". Petraeus compromised national security both in the Army and the CIA. These are crimes against the UCMJ and the United States. The U.S. Military should now prosecute him and put him in the same cell block with Private Manning.
This double standard is the source of cynicism. It also reflects on those who seek the advice of this hypocrite and traitor. Let someone attach that to his name. He is the equivalent of Cheney in a military uniform.
I am a retired U.S. Army officer so I can say that.
Secondly, we do not know how Broadwell handled the highly sensitive information she received. We do not know if it was compromised. She did not have a security clearance or a "need to know". Petraeus compromised national security both in the Army and the CIA. These are crimes against the UCMJ and the United States. The U.S. Military should now prosecute him and put him in the same cell block with Private Manning.
This double standard is the source of cynicism. It also reflects on those who seek the advice of this hypocrite and traitor. Let someone attach that to his name. He is the equivalent of Cheney in a military uniform.
I am a retired U.S. Army officer so I can say that.
20
Wonder what the Editorial Board is going to write about Hillary and her emails.
2
Tony, keep reading and you will find out.
It was the Times that broke that story.
3
Why did the GOP sit on the Hillary story for months if they had proof of wrongdoing? They had no such proof, just the makings of another "scandal," which they wanted to save until she is nominated. Party before country?
1
F Scott Fitzgerald was never more wrong than he wrote that "there are no second acts in American lives". Clearly, in American lives there are second acts, third acts, fourth acts, and a series of encores.
It's hard not to like David Petraeus - but his likeability and celebrity should not garner him different treatment under law than those we were not given the opportunity to know and like as well.
It's hard not to like David Petraeus - but his likeability and celebrity should not garner him different treatment under law than those we were not given the opportunity to know and like as well.
6
It's hard not to like him? Really? I find it very easy to detest him. He betrayed his wife and his country and is obviously an egomaniac. Not all that likable.
1
Not exactly. The line appears in two of Fitzgerald's work. And in one he admits
" I once thought that there were no second acts in American lives, but there was certainly to be a second act to New York's boom days."
Fitzgerald himself went on to a very successful second act. Too many Fitzgerald quoters get it wrong all the time. But they too may have their own second acts.
" I once thought that there were no second acts in American lives, but there was certainly to be a second act to New York's boom days."
Fitzgerald himself went on to a very successful second act. Too many Fitzgerald quoters get it wrong all the time. But they too may have their own second acts.
1
This is the legal system, not the justice system. Now can people understand how people can understand the rage in Ferguson? Someone in Ferguson can be arrested and thrown in jail for unpaid parking tickets and have their credit ruined b/c the unpaid fines (the debt) is sold to a collection agency (a law firm). Then have the blemish on their credit report for 7 years--which is a lifetime when applying for a job, a loan, insurance, etc. Petraueus will have that $40,000 fine paid within a year and just have a year of federal probation. It's the legal system, not the justice. Justice for some, never for all.
25
So, finally Gen. Betrayus lived up to his name and WE, the people honor him for doing so. Good going all around, sounds of endless rounds of back slapping from DC.
14
On Monday, Mr. Petraeus’s rehabilitation seemed complete when the White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that it “makes a lot of sense” for senior administration officials to consult with him. “He is, I think, legitimately regarded as an expert when it comes to the security situation in Iraq.”
------------------------------------
He could have been consulted in jail.
------------------------------------
He could have been consulted in jail.
26
Commenter ExpatAnnie pegged it when she used the term "double standard." Our misguided government picks and chooses at the expense of many.
It leaves me wondering how our bashful and noncommittal Hillary will act. . . not that it matters, I guess.
It leaves me wondering how our bashful and noncommittal Hillary will act. . . not that it matters, I guess.
3
The elites of this country certainly have a knack for cleaning the dog runs with our faces. The Big Lie smells.
8
Obama has been very clear that , as part of the Oligarchy, isn't going to push our betters- bankers, wall street, military officers of high rank, corporate criminals.
Those of you who do not blame this directly on Obama are as bad as W. Bush supporters, aka, bushies.
Those of you who do not blame this directly on Obama are as bad as W. Bush supporters, aka, bushies.
7
Laws, taxes, justice and prison are for the little people.
The United States of Corruption shines its ugly face at the 99% once again.
The United States of Corruption shines its ugly face at the 99% once again.
122
Are we not all equal under the Law?
General Petraeus committed his crime while in uniform.
Why didn't the Army haul his carcass back to face the
music under the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
Why didn't the Department of Justice throw the book at him
for violating federal statutes?
If it came to light that I had revealed classified information to my girlfriend, however fetching, years ago when I was on active duty, I'll bet I would be writing this from the inside of a cell at the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas.
His disparate treatment besmirches the Army's honor by showing how some people are more equal than others.
General Petraeus committed his crime while in uniform.
Why didn't the Army haul his carcass back to face the
music under the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
Why didn't the Department of Justice throw the book at him
for violating federal statutes?
If it came to light that I had revealed classified information to my girlfriend, however fetching, years ago when I was on active duty, I'll bet I would be writing this from the inside of a cell at the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas.
His disparate treatment besmirches the Army's honor by showing how some people are more equal than others.
34
I don't think you should put Snowden's leak in the same categories
The military classifies everything; it errors on the side of over classification. I have feeling that General Petraeus at times felt that what he had for breakfast could be considered classified, meaning that to do ANY business, to include tell his 'story' to his biographer (who yes, happened to be his gf - it happens), he had to share a lot of classified information. But, intent here is what separates his 'disclosure' from the leaks. King David definitely has an air of imperiousness about him that makes him a little above the common fold of the military...but that goes with the territory of being a pretty good general given the situation. He was/is not some rogue Army specialist or low- level CIA operator with an axe to grind and a mission of subterfuge. He was in NO WAY spilling secrets to save the American people and the world from the evil America. We all know that bringing up the classified information thing was actually a way to punish the guy for having a scandalous affair that goes against what is expected out of our leaders, especially our military leaders. We are a judgmental society on these things and he wasn't getting away with that affair and being fired was seen as not sufficient.
The military classifies everything; it errors on the side of over classification. I have feeling that General Petraeus at times felt that what he had for breakfast could be considered classified, meaning that to do ANY business, to include tell his 'story' to his biographer (who yes, happened to be his gf - it happens), he had to share a lot of classified information. But, intent here is what separates his 'disclosure' from the leaks. King David definitely has an air of imperiousness about him that makes him a little above the common fold of the military...but that goes with the territory of being a pretty good general given the situation. He was/is not some rogue Army specialist or low- level CIA operator with an axe to grind and a mission of subterfuge. He was in NO WAY spilling secrets to save the American people and the world from the evil America. We all know that bringing up the classified information thing was actually a way to punish the guy for having a scandalous affair that goes against what is expected out of our leaders, especially our military leaders. We are a judgmental society on these things and he wasn't getting away with that affair and being fired was seen as not sufficient.
3
Everything Petreaus did in Iraq and Afghanistan were utter failures that he cover-up with a barrage of lies, and the Times was one of his greatest supporters.
Bush, Cheney and Obama got a free ride, why not Petreaus?
Bush, Cheney and Obama got a free ride, why not Petreaus?
12
“[Petraeus] is, I think, legitimately regarded as an expert when it comes to the security situation in Iraq.”
To this I would add Edward Snowden is legitimately regarded as an expert when it comes to the national security apparatus in this country. And he has demonstrated a much higher bar of integrity than Petraeus has. So why the double standard?
With HDNY below, I call upon the President to do the right thing and pardon Edward Snowden so that he can come home.
To this I would add Edward Snowden is legitimately regarded as an expert when it comes to the national security apparatus in this country. And he has demonstrated a much higher bar of integrity than Petraeus has. So why the double standard?
With HDNY below, I call upon the President to do the right thing and pardon Edward Snowden so that he can come home.
36
There is a question some attorneys I knew put to prospective criminal clients: "How much justice can you afford?" Cynical? Yes. True? Absolutely.
19
Justice is much more lenient for rich white men.
20
And isn't that interesting, given that the President and Attorney General are not?
Why not add Ms. Clinton to the list of high officials demanding special treatment. The State Department still can't affirm she signed the required OF-109 form when leaving office. The document would state she turned over records of all official communications, a fact she obviously is unwilling to swear to! Either she signed or not but the answer should be public knowledge.
5
The document can be found in Clinton's personnel file. It would be toward the front if arranged by date or if arranged by importance it could be found in the "Important Documents" subfolder. State seems to need this help in finding it.
2
People are poo-pooing his crime as nothing to get excited about. Giving highly classified information to his mistress isn't a big deal? Really? Someone of his stature needs to be held to a higher standard - not a lower one. Bust him to E-1 and give him a dishonorable discharge. Make him serve time in Leavenworth. Bar him from having anything to do with the military/defense department again. No consulting jobs, nothing. He's concerned about national security? Let him work as a security guard at an airport.
People in high positions are never prosecuted like normal people. Double standards? You betcha!
People in high positions are never prosecuted like normal people. Double standards? You betcha!
55
You can bet that the Private Equity firm he will go to work for will have there hands on the Defense budget money. This is one reason why Defense spending is so wasteful.
14
Anyone that thinks a lowly sergeant or private in the military would get the same considerations as a four star general should think again. These guys, and there are far too many of them, act like and are treated like minor deities. Especially now days with the military/pentagon so much a part of our government, and skimming off such a large piece of the budget pie.
USMC vet.
USMC vet.
21
Nothing surprising here. This country is run by and for people with money, position or both. When I hear a story about a poor family somewhere, struggling with a problem, their plight seems almost existential....a crisis in a country unwilling or unable to help. In more comprehensible times, Petraeus's crime would be viewed as treason, not a misdemeanor.
11
Perhaps they considered his long and faithful service to this country. For those of you who labeled him "Betrayus", please remember that he helped to turn around a country and turned a possible defeat into victory... oh, wait, what did you really want in Iraq? And finally, he admitted to his act and his guilt. Is this really a double standard or a desire for revenge?
3
Perhaps simply a desire for justice? A criminal act, bordering on treason, is not washed off by other good deeds that may or may not be attributed to the person.
6
really,victory?have you looked at Iraq lately?
4
Rachel Maddow coined the phrase IOKIYAR-It's OK if you are a Republican and Petraeus is just another glaring example of that double standard.
It does not matter where the info went-classified information was given and Chelsea manning is serving a 30 year prison term for it. So why not Petraeus? And more profoundly, why has the media in it's usual feckless incompetence ignored this story while obsessing 24/7 about Hilary's imaginary email crisis?
When Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice did precisely the same thing. And what about Jeb Bush's emails?
Wait! --IOKIYAR!
It does not matter where the info went-classified information was given and Chelsea manning is serving a 30 year prison term for it. So why not Petraeus? And more profoundly, why has the media in it's usual feckless incompetence ignored this story while obsessing 24/7 about Hilary's imaginary email crisis?
When Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice did precisely the same thing. And what about Jeb Bush's emails?
Wait! --IOKIYAR!
8
While I agree that Gen. Patreus was treated with deference because of his elitist status in our Gilded Age culture but there is an even more immediate danger as a result of this hypocrisy. What happens to our military when generals are no longer held accountable while grunts took the blame? It leads to an unraveling of the chain of command. See:
AVERAGE SOLDIERS DON’T TRUST THEIR GENERALS AND THEY HAVE A POINT. By REP. DUNCAN HUNTER. 02.03.15 (The Daily Beast)
"... It’s no wonder why there’s concern for morale in today’s force. ... There’s no single reason for the decline in morale, although some reasons are more pronounced than others. Take for instance the question about whether “senior military has my best interests at heart.” In 2009, 53 percent of respondents answered yes. By 2014, only 27 percent answered affirmatively.
One recurring complaint involves what many service personnel perceive as the excessive politicization of the military during wartime, giving rise to high profile prosecutions, excessive punitive actions and decision making that is at odds with the best interests of service personnel. So much so, instincts necessary in combat have been replaced with second-guessing and hesitation, matched by a growing sense of distrust among the ranks. ..."
AVERAGE SOLDIERS DON’T TRUST THEIR GENERALS AND THEY HAVE A POINT. By REP. DUNCAN HUNTER. 02.03.15 (The Daily Beast)
"... It’s no wonder why there’s concern for morale in today’s force. ... There’s no single reason for the decline in morale, although some reasons are more pronounced than others. Take for instance the question about whether “senior military has my best interests at heart.” In 2009, 53 percent of respondents answered yes. By 2014, only 27 percent answered affirmatively.
One recurring complaint involves what many service personnel perceive as the excessive politicization of the military during wartime, giving rise to high profile prosecutions, excessive punitive actions and decision making that is at odds with the best interests of service personnel. So much so, instincts necessary in combat have been replaced with second-guessing and hesitation, matched by a growing sense of distrust among the ranks. ..."
9
Actually, I do not know what to think about this. He did get the Iraq surge stopped and helped us to an exit. That is pretty significant.
I also don't like double standards.
What I do think, though, is the the collection of comments and more generally the willingness of the American public to jump on a tear-'em-down bandwagon is a bit sick. We need to be much more even handed in assessing human frailty.
This just goes back to Reagan, always, for me. Get everyone to surveil each other mercilessly and accuse them viciously of wrong-doing. Remember welfare queens and all that?
Hello. We all do wrong at one point or another. That's why Jesus needed to take away the sins of the world.
I vote for compassion. Yes. We need rules; yes, they must be enforced, but with great, great care as to the punishment and the rhetoric around it. Vitrolic spewing needs to stop. It is just juvenile.
I also don't like double standards.
What I do think, though, is the the collection of comments and more generally the willingness of the American public to jump on a tear-'em-down bandwagon is a bit sick. We need to be much more even handed in assessing human frailty.
This just goes back to Reagan, always, for me. Get everyone to surveil each other mercilessly and accuse them viciously of wrong-doing. Remember welfare queens and all that?
Hello. We all do wrong at one point or another. That's why Jesus needed to take away the sins of the world.
I vote for compassion. Yes. We need rules; yes, they must be enforced, but with great, great care as to the punishment and the rhetoric around it. Vitrolic spewing needs to stop. It is just juvenile.
2
General Petraeus was one of the biggest two-legged P.R. machines in U.S. military history.
Politicians (including President Obama) and influential journalists were taken under his wing and charmed and given carefully scripted meetings and felt favored and they all swallowed his baloney. This is the only reason he survived while lesser transgressors go to prison.
By the way: exactly what war did he win?
Politicians (including President Obama) and influential journalists were taken under his wing and charmed and given carefully scripted meetings and felt favored and they all swallowed his baloney. This is the only reason he survived while lesser transgressors go to prison.
By the way: exactly what war did he win?
13
What is wrong with generals trading classified info for sex; politicians do it all the time. Just not those lower echelon souls.
5
The US is a nation that imprisons its heroes and rewards its failures. If any further proof was necessary that the Pentagon is broken, here it is. No military prediction, including the surge, has delivered what the generals predicted.
11
Justice is blind; but it may have a soft spot for those in the know and the power of a position of knowledge. Redemption, however, ought to be for everybody, if repentance is genuine. Perhaps. If no greed involved. If not allowed to be in the same predicament from now on. As long as justice can accommodate everybody according to the situation and the individual, it will remain a point of contention. This is just one example.
3
Maybe this provides a rational to pardon Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden.
9
if one doesn't understand the difference between what General Patraeus did, and a what very junior enlisted man named Bradley Manning or junior CIA operative did, one also does not understand chain-of-command and the importance in a military organization (which the CIA basically is) of getting your people--especially your junior people--to do what you tell them to do. Of course there is a double standard. For good reason. Similarly, Daniel Ellsburg's story is materially different in kind than Mr. Manning's.
Further, for those saying General Patreus should be punished more severely for being higher ranking, I offer as an analogy the typical criminal case--of course the judge takes into account the character history of the alleged criminal in sentencing.
The basic difference is, General Patreus became a hero first, then divulged classified information. These low ranking people sought to become heroes by disclosing classified information.
Further, for those saying General Patreus should be punished more severely for being higher ranking, I offer as an analogy the typical criminal case--of course the judge takes into account the character history of the alleged criminal in sentencing.
The basic difference is, General Patreus became a hero first, then divulged classified information. These low ranking people sought to become heroes by disclosing classified information.
17
I think your last paragraph makes the mistake of trying to put yourself inside the heads of people you don't necessarily understand. "These low ranking people" may not have "sought to become heroes" - they may simply have believed that what they were doing was the right thing to do.
Petraeus, on the other hand, seems to have had a different motivation altogether; one that powerful men have had throughout time. Kissinger said it best when he remarked that power is an aphrodisiac.
In my opinion, Petraeus is a disgrace. I'm not sure Manning is.
Petraeus, on the other hand, seems to have had a different motivation altogether; one that powerful men have had throughout time. Kissinger said it best when he remarked that power is an aphrodisiac.
In my opinion, Petraeus is a disgrace. I'm not sure Manning is.
8
They did not seek to become heroes; they sought to serve their country. Petraeus sought, as is his wont, to serve his ego.
8
If you're not a criminal defense lawyer, you certainly should be one.
You too can be come rich and famous by invoking the affluenza defense to excuse the misdeeds of our "betters".
You too can be come rich and famous by invoking the affluenza defense to excuse the misdeeds of our "betters".
3
The General lied and acted in a willful and traitorous manner. His position required the administration to deal with him in the most harsh manner. Instead, his treatment reinforced the notion that justice is unequal, that power absolves one of sin. Our government claims righteous indignation at every turn while it caters to foreign and now apparently domestic strongmen who appear to have value. Shame on them.
115
The rules for protecting classified documents, photos, materials, etc. are airtight. The rules for protecting that information once it is in someone's head are arbitrary, haphazard, and impossible to enforce.
How Gen. Petraus could posssibly communicate with anyone without disclosing classified information is the real question here. His personal notes and emails would all be marinated in forbidden references, so it is understandable that he would see no reason not to invite uncleared reporters to attend classified briefings.
If these rules were applied to all, every member of Congress would be found to be routinely breaching security and compromising classified information.
The problem is that the people who assign classification levels to documents are "protecting" too much information, and thus creating a system that simply doesn't work.
How Gen. Petraus could posssibly communicate with anyone without disclosing classified information is the real question here. His personal notes and emails would all be marinated in forbidden references, so it is understandable that he would see no reason not to invite uncleared reporters to attend classified briefings.
If these rules were applied to all, every member of Congress would be found to be routinely breaching security and compromising classified information.
The problem is that the people who assign classification levels to documents are "protecting" too much information, and thus creating a system that simply doesn't work.
9
Read Daniel Patrick Moynihan's book entitled, "Secrecy." It offers a cogent analysis of the trend to classify unnecessarily.
I served as an Army JAG, and regularly witness lower ranking soldiers go to jail for the same conduct that senior officers were "counselled" over. Its not surprising to see a high ranking officer, especially one with political connections, to receive such light punishment for conduct such as this, even when others would be jailed for the same act.
203
A prime example of that insidious practice is former Brigadier General Jeffrey Sterling, who despite being proven to have committed rape and deviate sexual assault (Sodomy), was allowed to retire as a Lt. Col., after paying a fine.
As former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau cynically noted: "Military justice is to justice, as military music is to music."
As former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau cynically noted: "Military justice is to justice, as military music is to music."
2
I'm one of those people who consider Edward Snowden a hero, a patriot who acted out of conscience, a man who had access to the government's betrayal of its citizens and risked his safety and comfort to expose it.
Petraeus did not act out of conscience. He leaked secrets to impress his mistress. There is nothing heroic in this act.
There is definitely a double standard. Bring home Edward Snowden. Release Chelsea Manning. It's time for America to live up to the principles of freedom, openness, and democratic government that it has so long pretended to represent.
Petraeus did not act out of conscience. He leaked secrets to impress his mistress. There is nothing heroic in this act.
There is definitely a double standard. Bring home Edward Snowden. Release Chelsea Manning. It's time for America to live up to the principles of freedom, openness, and democratic government that it has so long pretended to represent.
111
You had my blood boiling until the line: "While Ms. Broadwell’s book, “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus,” contains no classified information.."
Oh please, there are so many more important issues to opine about. You guys sound like the Republicans whining over Benghazi in a never ending partisan attempt to get Hilary. The general had a lover and he told her secrets she didn't publish....OMG....earth shattering news.
Oh please, there are so many more important issues to opine about. You guys sound like the Republicans whining over Benghazi in a never ending partisan attempt to get Hilary. The general had a lover and he told her secrets she didn't publish....OMG....earth shattering news.
1
The book itself may not contain classified information, Tom, but as you said, "he told her secrets". You and I don't know what secrets he told her but if he gave her access to his notebooks, as is alleged, I would bet real money there was classified information in those notebooks.
5
Tom-
General David Petraeus leaked classified information.
This is an extremely important National Security issue.
General David Petraeus leaked classified information.
This is an extremely important National Security issue.
7
Ah, the general staff still remains above the rest of us. The privileges of ra
nk go on and on and on.
nk go on and on and on.
9
Petraeus's non-punishment minimizes his crime and underscores how unfair the American criminal justice system can be. As an attorney I'm too aware that people who commit similar crimes in similar circumstances must be treated equally. It is the crime which is the driving force in sentencing. And this crime was serious.
That he disclosed official secrets for lust and recognition rather than ideology makes his crime all-the-more serious. It sets a horrible example for all government officials who are inclined to disclose our secrets. The belief that "I'm a big shot, too" will ease their concerns about punishment.
Like millions of American men and women, Petraeus served his country. He doesn't deserve this non-sentence for putting the country he served at risk.
Moreover, his actions fit in with his shameless self-promoting: his publicity addiction, taking credit for "the surge," which was actually General Odierno's plan; and now selling secrets to satisfy his ego and sex drive.
There's a saying, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Apparently not so here.
That he disclosed official secrets for lust and recognition rather than ideology makes his crime all-the-more serious. It sets a horrible example for all government officials who are inclined to disclose our secrets. The belief that "I'm a big shot, too" will ease their concerns about punishment.
Like millions of American men and women, Petraeus served his country. He doesn't deserve this non-sentence for putting the country he served at risk.
Moreover, his actions fit in with his shameless self-promoting: his publicity addiction, taking credit for "the surge," which was actually General Odierno's plan; and now selling secrets to satisfy his ego and sex drive.
There's a saying, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Apparently not so here.
250
The NYT Editorial Board claims that Mr. Petraeus' plea deal is a case of injustice. First, Mr. Petraeus is not getting jail time for his illegal actions, while others have. Second, the criminal record that he will have has and will not stop him from being a well compensated adviser to the government.
I think we should be careful to separate the two. The Obama administration should explain why Mr. Petraeus' case is different than previous ones because the legitimacy of our justice system and government hangs in the balance.
On the other hand, the issue of letting well-connected experts easily cast their criminal records aside while everyday people with even a hint of criminality can have their entire lives altered forever is not just a question for our government, but of our society. Maybe the issue should not be why Mr. Petraeus is treated so well, but why less educated or connected Americans are treated so differently.
I think we should be careful to separate the two. The Obama administration should explain why Mr. Petraeus' case is different than previous ones because the legitimacy of our justice system and government hangs in the balance.
On the other hand, the issue of letting well-connected experts easily cast their criminal records aside while everyday people with even a hint of criminality can have their entire lives altered forever is not just a question for our government, but of our society. Maybe the issue should not be why Mr. Petraeus is treated so well, but why less educated or connected Americans are treated so differently.
206
i'm shocked, shocked at the general's light punishment!
6
If he is such an expert on security then he should be held more responsible. Just as CEO's who are paid huge salaries ostensibly because they have so much responsibility shirk such responsibility as soon as something goes wrong so our generals are allowed to do? It is two Americas where poor children go to jail for jumping a turnstile (a felony in some cities) and a General with security expertise gets no consequences for mishandling classified information (a misdemeanor) putting the entire nation in jeopardy . Oh I am wrong his great punishment was he had to resign his position. Well I bet he gets many, many lucrative offers because of his security knowledge.
So the poor are punished their entire lives because they made a small mistake in judgement that really hurt no one, and the rich are rewarded in spite of putting our country in danger.
Two Americas Indeed.
So the poor are punished their entire lives because they made a small mistake in judgement that really hurt no one, and the rich are rewarded in spite of putting our country in danger.
Two Americas Indeed.
310
And they wonder why people have lost the initiative to vote in this country. The common folks understand for whom all the benefits of this society go.
The lenient treatment of Gen. Petraeus is not surprising. Apparently Paula did not further disseminate the information. The other individuals shared their information with those who did disseminate. That being said the criticism is justified in terms of unduly harsh punishment of the other two defendants.
25
How do you know what was done with the secrets she was given?
2
She could be a double agent.
1
THE Elite takes care of its own.
25
This strikes me as typical for Obama. From day one in his career as president he has behaved as a little boy who is honored that may join the big guys.
6
Boy, you sure know politics.
1
You simply can't discuss mishandling of classified material and weak punishment and not mention the malfeasance of Clinton Administration lawyer, Sandy Berger, who stuffed Top Secret documents from the National Archives in his pants.
Jail time? Not a chance. Just a fine and suspension of his security clearance for a short period.
Jail time? Not a chance. Just a fine and suspension of his security clearance for a short period.
8
Berger did not do that. This is another Right Wing lie. Berger broke the rules--he made notes and took them with him. He did not take Secret documents. But don't let facts spoil a good story.
1
Au contraire, my friend.
Berger intentionally removed classified documents from the National Archives and lied about it when questioned. Read it and weep, etc.:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16706-2005Mar31.html
Berger intentionally removed classified documents from the National Archives and lied about it when questioned. Read it and weep, etc.:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16706-2005Mar31.html
Yes, he knows the security situation in Iraq, but he cant keep a secret. So did he get his security clearance back? It's hard to imagine him talking about military strategy with the President without one.
21
Mr. Petraeus as a general and CIA director has too much information about the Obama's, the Obama administration and its friends to allow any punishment that might make him angry enough to speak out. The lower level people did not know things outside of their narrow areas.
11
It was Treason.
Paula Broadwell could just have easily been a Russian spy.
Paula Broadwell could just have easily been a Russian spy.
24
It seems that General Petraeus made a senior partner in an equity firm because of his continuous access to the White House. Otherwise his poor judgement would have weight over his expertise. It appears that the White House is sending the wrong message:” Leak government classified information. If we like you, you can serve as an expert advisor to senior officials. If we do not like you, you are a traitor and will serve time in prison”
10
This is the very definition of fascism: pass laws and then exempt your friends from them.
3
The blood lust of the New York Times knows no bounds.
This newspaper is still seething that the general demonstrated that the liberals were totally wrong about the Surge in 2007.
The biggest mistake the general made was not running for president in 2008 and sparing America from a community organizer.
This newspaper is still seething that the general demonstrated that the liberals were totally wrong about the Surge in 2007.
The biggest mistake the general made was not running for president in 2008 and sparing America from a community organizer.
2
Yup, if it weren't for the surge large chunks of Iraq would be governed by brutal marauding terrorists beheading innocent victims. Glad the General prevented that.
8
You mean the surge where we paid the Taliban to not attack us so we could claim it was a success?
6
Is anyone paying attention anymore?
3
No, no one is paying attention anymore. Neither does anyone seem to think that some behavior is just too egregious to be tolerated. We have lost any moral compass we ever had. I have no idea how we can get that back before all semblance of democracy disappears and we morph into a rather large cleptocracy run by felons. KA
2
My father, ex Air Force, guided me with, "Anything between your belly button and knees can cause you serious problems." We are obliged to keep our hormones and emotions in check, at all times, especially leaders.
I have seen leaders of countries totally loose their train of thought when the opposite sex walks by. It is inexcusable and Petraeus should have been more strongly reprimanded. He was supposed to lead and was a terrible failure.
This shows how justice is lacking in our society, we should make Snowdon a hero and Petraeus the villan.
I have seen leaders of countries totally loose their train of thought when the opposite sex walks by. It is inexcusable and Petraeus should have been more strongly reprimanded. He was supposed to lead and was a terrible failure.
This shows how justice is lacking in our society, we should make Snowdon a hero and Petraeus the villan.
107
A slap on the hand begs for more of the same.
8
Anyone who served in Iraq after he took over will recognize why this is the case. GEN Petraeus is the reason that we walked out of a war we were losing with some semblance of dignity. Gave us breathing room to have not actually "lost" a war. Whether or not we belonged there in the first place, being there, GEN Petraeus inherited a mess and made something of it. For that he deserves a lot of credit.
In the civilian criminal justice world, a decorated Army veteran would be given consideration for his prior service. In countless phone calls with DA's I've learned that either the DA or the court chose to give a sergeant I've called about a break because of his military service (dismissing the charges entirely, choosing to make generous plea offers, etc.). I see no reason that GEN Petraeus should not be given similar treatment.
Other "leakers," based on the seriousness of the leak, should be treated similarly based on their whole person. What they did, why they did it, who they gave it to, what effect they had, and what their previous service (or lack thereof) has to say about who they are.
In the civilian criminal justice world, a decorated Army veteran would be given consideration for his prior service. In countless phone calls with DA's I've learned that either the DA or the court chose to give a sergeant I've called about a break because of his military service (dismissing the charges entirely, choosing to make generous plea offers, etc.). I see no reason that GEN Petraeus should not be given similar treatment.
Other "leakers," based on the seriousness of the leak, should be treated similarly based on their whole person. What they did, why they did it, who they gave it to, what effect they had, and what their previous service (or lack thereof) has to say about who they are.
6
As an army lawyer you should be intimately familiar with the concept, embedded in our constitution, of the rule of law. I teach this concept to my adult students who are aspiring to pass the US Citizenship Naturalization test. It a difficult argument to make that Petraeus walks away with a slap on the wrist while others who committed less serious crimes have their lives ruined and spend significant time in jail. I bet Snowden's lawyers in Moscow are already using the Petraeus case as a precedent to get their man a similar deal. While the rule of law is a lofty concept, unfortunately lady justice is peeking from underneath her blindfold when applying the law. This is a sad state of affairs.
160
What part of the "highly classified information" do you not understand? He gave away the names of covert officers; he compromised his own soldiers. And for what? To have sex and have someone write a puff piece about him. He should be in jail.
54
@Army lawyer,
This editorial is all about payback. The general won and for that he will nevr be forgiven by the left.
This editorial is all about payback. The general won and for that he will nevr be forgiven by the left.
2
Two Americas.
26
The Board argues that Petraeus unfairly benefited from favorable treatment. It is a compelling view. I believe, though, that the justification for the light sentence should be stated. That allows the reader to weigh both sides. The reason for the slap on the wrist is that Petraeus's disclosure was not ideologically motivated. Those who disclose for ideological reasons -- even reasons that seem worthy -- are challenging the CIA without going through proper channels. They are viewed as threats to the system whereas Petraeus has no political agenda, no anti-CIA animus. I don't buy the double standard. But understanding his light sentence makes me a more informed critic.
2
Petraeus has no political agenda?
At one time, Petraeus was being groomed to be a Republican Presidential candidate.
At one time, Petraeus was being groomed to be a Republican Presidential candidate.
22
No political agenda? His political future was what it was all about.
8
None of his disclosures got into his bio. They were made just to his girl friend. Hard to say they were political when they really were just for sexual favors. You're just playing with words,, Einstein.
I guess this result is why Snowden's lawyer is pounding on doors in D.C. to work out a deal. Snowden wants to argue he was doing what he did for a larger inflated purpose, a greater good, to inform the masses with the breadth and depth of the US government's purposeful violations of our fundamental personal rights and liberties with their poking and insertion into our personal business. Clearly isn't that what Petraeus was doing to 'his biographer' at the same time? All the sympathetic ears in DC who do the same on a daily basis will embrace him too. By the way, did Mitch and the judiciary committee ask Lynch about this issue as opposed to the stupid abortion issue????
9
Just who does Edward Snowden have to have an affair with to get a pardon?
141
I wasn't surprised. The Obama administration couldn't find people directly responsible for fraud that triggered the economic crisis of 2008. And Congress let it be when James Clapper lied under oath.
27
If I hear that one more time I may explode. James Clapper never should have been asked those questions in an open hearing. He couldn't reveal the information asked for without putting national security at risk (and losing his job). Stop with the soundbites, people. They may "sound" catchy, but they are flawed.
2
Government officials are routinely summoned to testify before Congress. Why? It's part of the check on power that the Founding Fathers created.
James Clapper, an administration official, was asked that question by a representative of the people. Mr. Clapper could have deferred, or requested a meeting in private.
James Clapper, an administration official, was asked that question by a representative of the people. Mr. Clapper could have deferred, or requested a meeting in private.
1
The reason for Mr. Petraeus getting off lightly and whistlelowers have the book thrown at them?
Becuase some people are more equal than others.
Becuase some people are more equal than others.
35
General Petraeus has a unique background which served to get him off lightly. Here is what I suggest as punishment in addition to what is being meted out for similar crimes: May not act to advise, consult or work for the Govt or Govt paid Contractor, including any of their suppliers. Nor can an individual work for or as registered lobbyist, in investment bank, private hedge funds and or for anyone in equity which trades or purchases suppliers to or parts of defense Companies and contractors. Sentences for disclosure of classified information for those in the Military or Govt. must be scaled up to both stiffer longer term jail time and monetary fines. It will never happen!
31
So he'll have a show on FOX?
7
Former General David Petraeus must be held accountable.
Petraeus leaked classified information.
The punishment must fit the crime.
What are the sentences for disclosure of classified information for those in the Military or Govt.?
In the best interests of National Security, at the minimum, proven leakers such as Petraeus should be banned from 'advising, consulting or working for the Govt or Govt paid Contractor, including any of their suppliers. Proven leakers should be banned from working for or as registered lobbyist, in investment banking, private hedge funds and or for anyone in equity which trades or purchases suppliers to or parts of defense Companies and contractors.'
Our National Security is at extreme risk if we ignore the Petraeus reckless betrayal.
Petraeus leaked classified information.
The punishment must fit the crime.
What are the sentences for disclosure of classified information for those in the Military or Govt.?
In the best interests of National Security, at the minimum, proven leakers such as Petraeus should be banned from 'advising, consulting or working for the Govt or Govt paid Contractor, including any of their suppliers. Proven leakers should be banned from working for or as registered lobbyist, in investment banking, private hedge funds and or for anyone in equity which trades or purchases suppliers to or parts of defense Companies and contractors.'
Our National Security is at extreme risk if we ignore the Petraeus reckless betrayal.
17
David Petraeus is a great American that serviced our country well. He had an affair, give him a pass like we gave every great leader before him.
7
Pete, don't you mean the Petraeus was serviced well?
24
This is not about an 'affair'.
Petraeus leaked classified information.
Petraeus leaked classified information.
28
I'm still trying to figure out what wonderful thing Petraeus did to deserve such wonderful treatment. Is there some lasting peace in the Middle East I haven't heard about? I don't care that the guy had an affair, though that used to reflect poorly on a person's character, but passing out classified information to please a lover?
The penalties should be doubled or tripled for people who commit crimes from positions of power and privilege. A guy selling loose cigarettes to try to feed his family is the one that deserves the compassion.
The penalties should be doubled or tripled for people who commit crimes from positions of power and privilege. A guy selling loose cigarettes to try to feed his family is the one that deserves the compassion.
428
Stuart - The "wonderful thing" that Petraeus did to deserve this wonderful treament was to be a Republican. There are two sets of rules in the national press corps. Any little tidbit (e.g. Hillary Clinton using a private server) gets weeks of endless speculation about her personality. But bigger transgressions (e.g. Karl Rove condcted White house business on the RNC server, and "lost" two years of e-mails that were the subject of an investigation into the firing ot 8 US attorneys) are barely notices.
IOKIYAR (It's OK if you area Republican).
IOKIYAR (It's OK if you area Republican).
6
Petraeus endless War and "Surge" strategy in Iraq has turned out to be a disaster. A Lancet study of actual death certificates showed that 650,000 people died in Iraq as a result of the War. The expansion of the endless War on Terror to Libya and Syria is resulting in similar disasters as the 20,000 rocket launchers sent to Libyan terrorists by Obama's administration are now spreading their havoc all over North Africa and the Middle East. Including some of the weapons and terrorists finding their way to ISIS the new great enemy for the endless War Merchants of Death.
And yet incredibly the same brilliant strategists promoting these endless Wars arming all sides are back as consultants and pundits on the Corporate Media.
Meanwhile all the peaceniks like Noam Chomsky, Medea Benjamin, Daniel Ellsberg, Andrew Bacevich are nowhere to be seen on the Corporate Media. Chelsea Manning should be lauded as a patriot for actually following his duty to point out War crimes but instead is languishing in jail while Bush, Cheney, Obama, Clinton and Kerry go on as some sort of respected citizens.
Sooner or later the outrage will overcome the peddlers of the endless Wars and the Merchants of Death...
And yet incredibly the same brilliant strategists promoting these endless Wars arming all sides are back as consultants and pundits on the Corporate Media.
Meanwhile all the peaceniks like Noam Chomsky, Medea Benjamin, Daniel Ellsberg, Andrew Bacevich are nowhere to be seen on the Corporate Media. Chelsea Manning should be lauded as a patriot for actually following his duty to point out War crimes but instead is languishing in jail while Bush, Cheney, Obama, Clinton and Kerry go on as some sort of respected citizens.
Sooner or later the outrage will overcome the peddlers of the endless Wars and the Merchants of Death...
1
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” goes an adage. In Petraeus’s case, perhaps what he knows about those he knows, especially those in power, may have got him a better deal.
13
The financial robber barons who took us all down the tubes in "08 succesfully avoided prosecution under Obama too. The rich don't get punished in America.
64
Obama should hire Snowden as his top adviser on national security matters. Snowden knows where all the bones are buried.
1
Surprising that this even got into the public domain. It all depends on whose ox is gored.
1
Another example proving that there are two justice systems in the United States. If you are not wealthy or well connected you can expect to be charged with the most serious crimes and receive the harshest punishment. If you are wealthy or well connected you will face little or no punishment. The justice system, including prosecutors and the courts, has been captured by the wealthy to be used for the benefit of the wealthy. American democracy has been usurped by a corrupt justice system and a corrupt government.
25
There's scandal-related action that may be responsible for the fund of goodwill for this man that doesn't exist with others. When news of affair broke, he resigned. Promptly. With no beating of chest or rending of garments. He didn't lie, he didn't equivocate, and he didn't try to keep his job. He made a mistake and he paid the price, quickly and quietly.
I have yet to see an admission that he gave his paramour his notebooks, in fact, he states unequivocally he didn't. Makes me wonder if the notebooks weren't surreptitiously seen by Paula Broadwell while sharing close quarters. Wouldn't excuse him for leaving them unsecured, but very different than handing them over to her.
We may never know what happened, but in my mind at least, the career and comportment of General Petraeus persuade me to give him the benefit of the doubt. He made a human mistake, an affair, and paid the price without complaint.
I have yet to see an admission that he gave his paramour his notebooks, in fact, he states unequivocally he didn't. Makes me wonder if the notebooks weren't surreptitiously seen by Paula Broadwell while sharing close quarters. Wouldn't excuse him for leaving them unsecured, but very different than handing them over to her.
We may never know what happened, but in my mind at least, the career and comportment of General Petraeus persuade me to give him the benefit of the doubt. He made a human mistake, an affair, and paid the price without complaint.
4
There is NO DOUBT that General David Petraeus leaked classified information.
33
I would love to see the evidence.
But the Obama administration considers this to be only a misdemeanor, so what's the problem? Rather than seek tougher penalty for Petraeus, NYT should welcome this and advocate misdemeanor penalties for all leakers of classified information.
2
David Petraeus, Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell have proven that they are not to be trusted. They have agendas that are self-serving and not compatible with world peace.
So why does the White House continue to involve them in our National Security? Why are they not banned?
So why does the White House continue to involve them in our National Security? Why are they not banned?
22
The NYTimes Editorial Board retains the naive posture that justice should equal for everyone! This new century is marked by abandonment of that rule of law, with war criminals and banking criminals going unprosecuted even for the most egregious crimes -- a policy most actively promoted by a president and his attorney general, despite their law degrees!
93
Leona Helmsley said that only little people pay taxes. F. Scott Fitzgerald noted that the rich are different from you and me. It would seem that an attitude of entitlement extends to the well connected as well. Past a certain rung on the ladder, it appears that individuals are pretty much bullet proof. Combined with prosecutorial overcharging for for those lower in the hierarchy, how can anyone avoid the conclusion that there really are two justice systems in the good 'ol US of A.
269
Petraeus is being groomed for a return to government service.
6
Along with Jeb.
6
As I recall, the cherished West Point Honor Code reads that cadets will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. Apparently, dishonorable behavior is not only tolerated, but rewarded, among its alumni.
324
This might be the biggest miscarriage of justice in my life(60 + years). Granted, I never liked the guy, I thought he was a publicity hound and a showboat. But thinking of the good an Ed Snowden did with his release without pay versus the purely financial gain Petraeus sought shows the injustice in what is laughable called out justice system. We have a legal system that takes care of its own. Sick.
225
The biggest miscarriage of justice in your lifetime was the 2000 appointment of George W. Bush as president by the Supreme Court. The second biggest miscarriage of justice was the Supreme Court Citizen's United decision. The first gave us arguably the worst person ever to hold the highest office in the US Government, and the second legitimized covert bribery of government officials in the form of campaign contributions. The fact that the classified material shared by the defendant with his mistress was not further disseminated was most likely the reason he got off with a misdemeanor. It is in the arena of "the greater good" that his significant expertise in Iraq is being exploited by those charged with our national security. I suggest the rest of us look at this as an example of "making lemonade out of lemons" and move along to figuring out how to repair our disgraceful, dysfunctional political environment.
9
It was the nature of the transgression, (seduction), as army men are expected to have sex weaknesses and non-normal needs. The buxom woman was also making him famous and what better way than pillow talk. He had friends in high places and a good lawyer.
7
The answer seems to lie in not becoming an adversary of the White House. Don't breach its protocol or embarrass it in any way. And whatever one does, he should not go to FoxNews.
9
While I disagree with the treatment by the government of whistleblowers you can't conflate that with the Petreaus case. The information he leaked never was at risk of harming our security. He showed bad judgement and has paid a price for that. But his past service, especially to Obama in replacing McChrystal, shouldn't be overlooked.
8
You must be joking.
20
I'm not joking Einstein. Most of you people can't wait to pounce on anybody they think is in power, like Madame LaFarge knitting while watching people go to the guillotine. No heart, no brains, just a hunger for vengeance. What did Perteaus do to you or our country? I'd be willing to bet that if he didn't have such long service away from his family the affair never would have happened. But, of course, people like you will only think the worst of his motives and service.
I love what Jack Nicholson said (I must paraphrase) when he found out that the woman he thought was his mother was actually his grandmother and the woman he thought was his sister was his mother. He was asked if he had been angry or upset by the revelation and he responded that he was impressed that two broads could keep a secret that long. Classic Jack. The point is I know of very few people, men or women, who can keep a secret. We live in a world where we constantly yak about the most intimate details of our lives. Insider trading? Check! Leaked classified? Check! Your every move monitored by business? Check!
It seems unfair that these men went to jail. Maybe there was more to it but certainly a double standard.
It seems unfair that these men went to jail. Maybe there was more to it but certainly a double standard.
7
"the extraordinarily poor judgment he showed while serving in one of the nation’s most critical national security jobs"
Whatever one expects of a four-star general or admiral, it shouldn't be more than that of a president. Even though the president is a civilian and a politician, he or she is also the commander-in-chief, with is also a critical national security job.
Whatever one expects of a four-star general or admiral, it shouldn't be more than that of a president. Even though the president is a civilian and a politician, he or she is also the commander-in-chief, with is also a critical national security job.
3
It's almost cute to act indignant and surprised, but are we really? Rules, regulations, instructions, and their incessant enforcements are to really keep the middle class in line and in fear.
Some animals are more equal than others...
Some animals are more equal than others...
191
Just the pigs
6
Four stars good, no stars bad.
The real issue with General Petraeus is not this disclosure of classified materials to his uniformed paramour nor his reprehensible conduct in this affair. In truth, it is the damage he has wrought -- and will continue to wreak -- to our national defense and security.
Always the careerist, General Petraeus resurrected the counter-insurgency nonsense first sold to the Kennedy Administration by General Maxwell Taylor, dressed it up in contemporary wrapping, and flogged it to advance the narrow institutional interests of the US Army leadership.
One would be hard-pressed to adopt a more counterproductive strategy for the world's technology, industrial, and economic leader: limiting the US ground forces engaged in combat to use air and artillery, compelling American soldiers to surrender the advantages of mass, mobility, and firepower and fight as dismounted light infantry, and, most importantly, to abandon our ability to decisively and quickly eliminate threats -- including the infrastructure and populations supporting them -- by air.
The Army leadership embraces the Petraeus doctrine because it enables them to maximize budget share. The Messrs. Bush and Obama like it because it keeps the conflict off the front pages.
The real troubling part of the Petraeus story is that people are still listening to him -- even as fairy tales and grim news continue to spin from Southwest Asia as they once did from Barry Zorthian's Five O'Clock Follies in Saigon.
Always the careerist, General Petraeus resurrected the counter-insurgency nonsense first sold to the Kennedy Administration by General Maxwell Taylor, dressed it up in contemporary wrapping, and flogged it to advance the narrow institutional interests of the US Army leadership.
One would be hard-pressed to adopt a more counterproductive strategy for the world's technology, industrial, and economic leader: limiting the US ground forces engaged in combat to use air and artillery, compelling American soldiers to surrender the advantages of mass, mobility, and firepower and fight as dismounted light infantry, and, most importantly, to abandon our ability to decisively and quickly eliminate threats -- including the infrastructure and populations supporting them -- by air.
The Army leadership embraces the Petraeus doctrine because it enables them to maximize budget share. The Messrs. Bush and Obama like it because it keeps the conflict off the front pages.
The real troubling part of the Petraeus story is that people are still listening to him -- even as fairy tales and grim news continue to spin from Southwest Asia as they once did from Barry Zorthian's Five O'Clock Follies in Saigon.
59
the warlords were on the payroll...great strategy. this guy has been way over rated from day one.
8
That federal prosecutions demonstrate "a profound double standard" is hardly newsworthy.
10
The president's double standard. Petraeus is now advising the White House.
9
A judicial double standard? Shocking, absolutely shocking.
21
And we wonder why women in the military can be raped by fellow soldiers and nothing happens to the criminal who raped them. The women are lower on the pay scale than their attackers.
136
The situation with Gen. Petraeus calls to mind the Magna Carta, the purpose of which was to establish a precedent for kings being subject to the same laws as those in his kindgom. While Gen. Petraeus is no modern-day king, he is quite high up on the social ladder in Washington, and the minor slap on the wrist he recieved suggests that we haven't made enough progress since 1215 in the way of holding the feet of the powerful to the fire when they deserve it. It seems like in this case, the Obama administration put out the fire when they should have added a few more logs.
126
We need to have a government run by people from institutions other than the Ivy leauge, who's principal role is to take care of each other, not unlike the Klan and fraternities, those other clubs we publically scorn.
1
Patton and MacArthur have a new compadre.
7
So do Kennedy and Clinton and other cheaters.
6
If we are talking cheaters, add Eisenhower to the list.
5
1. National security was never compromised. General Petraeus has served his country admirably and the overreaction to what for all intents and purposes was a minor infraction is astonishing.
2. True, we're no longer in the era of Allan Dulles, where classified information and the overthrow of foreign governments was frequently the subject of pillow talk (and Dulles's escapades make Petraeus look almost celibate), but now we've overreacted in the other direction, advocating the use of heavy artillery to punish minor infractions.
3. This is all the more so when people like Cheney and his ilk used deliberate leaks of classified information as political weapons, with no regard for the national security consequences, yet suffering no penalties.
4. Quite apart from the Petraeus situation, millions of documents are mindlessly overclassified, which is part of the overall problem. Overclassification leads to lack accountability -- something that runs riot in the national security community, as the Snowden revelations showed.
2. True, we're no longer in the era of Allan Dulles, where classified information and the overthrow of foreign governments was frequently the subject of pillow talk (and Dulles's escapades make Petraeus look almost celibate), but now we've overreacted in the other direction, advocating the use of heavy artillery to punish minor infractions.
3. This is all the more so when people like Cheney and his ilk used deliberate leaks of classified information as political weapons, with no regard for the national security consequences, yet suffering no penalties.
4. Quite apart from the Petraeus situation, millions of documents are mindlessly overclassified, which is part of the overall problem. Overclassification leads to lack accountability -- something that runs riot in the national security community, as the Snowden revelations showed.
13
Military officers get demoted for having an affair. What happened with Betray-us is a scandal in itself. He should have been forced to resign from the military.
11
I agree with you on points 2 - 4 (although they're not reasons for ignoring the inequality of the punishments of lesser crimes noted here) but absolutely disagree with your first point. In hindsight, one could argue that the classified info divulged wasn't harmful but Petraeus couldn't possibly have known that as it was happening. All was good when he let his lover see his personal journals but suppose the affair goes wrong? Then he's subject to blackmail or coercion, one of the principal reasons information is classified to begin with. His serious misjudgement is the crime here and although he's paid a price, he's still being counted on for advice from the highest office in the land. Overreaction? Afraid not. Let him make his millions with some shady hedge fund...it's the American way.
5
GEN Petraeus knows very well that leaders must set the example. When they fail to do so their punishment must also be a good example, not a double standard that further erodes trust in our system of justice and leaders.
For cases involving classified information, the punishment should be based upon the potential damage caused by the sharing, the actual damage, and the reason the information is shared. In Petraeus case two of those three are quite bad and would suggest a serious punishment, only mitigated by the lack of public disclosure of the information.
For cases involving classified information, the punishment should be based upon the potential damage caused by the sharing, the actual damage, and the reason the information is shared. In Petraeus case two of those three are quite bad and would suggest a serious punishment, only mitigated by the lack of public disclosure of the information.
11
To lead, you have to know where you are going. David Petraeus is a reactive person, not a man who takes giant steps across the field of war. Did what he was told to do. If he is an expert, we are all in trouble. We have won nothing but some battles in this so called war. The War of the Roses went on for a hundred years. For similar reasons. The Point is not a hotbed of high intellectual content. And neither is Petraeus.
3
Obama should just issue some sort of Presidential finding to codify what's already fact: Rich and powerful people are entitled to a different standard of justice. Everyone can see this and we all know absolutely nothing will be done by this administration to correct a wrong because to them, this is right.
63
This sets up a pass for Ms. Hillary for falsely signing the 109 form. Could it be otherwise?
4
It would be impossible for the White House to send Petraeus to jail right now and continue its silence on Hillary Clinton.
2
The wealthy and well connected get a pass. Was anyone even charged for the Wall Street shenanigans that almost collapsed the world economy? Did Richard Nixon stand trial for the felonies he committed as President?
If you're high enough on the pyramid, the fix is always in.
If you're high enough on the pyramid, the fix is always in.
479
Nixon? His actions were nothing next to St. Ronnie and the Iran-Contra debacle.
The only reason Reagan wasn't impeached was that the country was exhausted after Nixon's shenanigans.
I am angriest about the Masters of the Universe who played games with our retirement funds...with money we made by actually WORKING and now they look at favorable tax rates for their bulging portfolios.
They must laugh out loud when they see whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning go to prison--a MILITARY prison for 35 years. No, today they do their shopping from "T" the NY Times style magazine--from $90 million penthouses to $5 million necklaces and Philip Patek wristwatches which cost as much as 30 years of working as a minimum wage worker in America.
My late spouse was in the same graduating class at West Point as David Petraeus. There were times I never even knew where my husband even worked in a classified assignment, much less knew what he did. He never brought home documents, never discussed his work and I NEVER ASKED!
Both Petraeus and his paramour need to be in prison. Both of them!
The only reason Reagan wasn't impeached was that the country was exhausted after Nixon's shenanigans.
I am angriest about the Masters of the Universe who played games with our retirement funds...with money we made by actually WORKING and now they look at favorable tax rates for their bulging portfolios.
They must laugh out loud when they see whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning go to prison--a MILITARY prison for 35 years. No, today they do their shopping from "T" the NY Times style magazine--from $90 million penthouses to $5 million necklaces and Philip Patek wristwatches which cost as much as 30 years of working as a minimum wage worker in America.
My late spouse was in the same graduating class at West Point as David Petraeus. There were times I never even knew where my husband even worked in a classified assignment, much less knew what he did. He never brought home documents, never discussed his work and I NEVER ASKED!
Both Petraeus and his paramour need to be in prison. Both of them!
5
This can be understood as a manifestation of the class structure in American society. Egalitarian leanings are so "late 20th Century". The US is reverting to the traditional oligarchy system used in most of the world. We can be assured that people like Gen. Petraeus will not have to worry about being forced to use arbitration if his car is repossessed.
274
History is replete with bumbling egotistical military leaders, this is the cloth they are cut from. Witness the French Revolution to see thie larger problem of concentrated power and its inherent abuse will be corrected, however the longer we wait to do so the more disruptive the adjustment. The Internet has gone the way of centralizing power too, once a potential force for positive change, it's dark side is now defining it.
The only person on our national stage I see as capable of starting the correction is Warren, but her time does not seem to be now. We will have to look elsewhere for leadership in dealing with this. I fear we are leaving it to our children to solve. Obama is too timid and reflective, he is a huge dissapointment. We needed Rosevelt and got Chamberlin.
The only person on our national stage I see as capable of starting the correction is Warren, but her time does not seem to be now. We will have to look elsewhere for leadership in dealing with this. I fear we are leaving it to our children to solve. Obama is too timid and reflective, he is a huge dissapointment. We needed Rosevelt and got Chamberlin.
There are two legal systems in the US, one for the rich and powerful who frankly when caught doing wrong are often ignored or a slap on the wrist. Then there is the legal system for the rest of us which is often very harsh. Betraeus is fortunate enough to qualify for the first, whistle blower who expose the rich and powerful of course deserve the second system. It is the American way.
335
Is this why America is considered the greatest nation on earth?
4
"The Education of General David Petraeus" now has a salacious double meaning. Unfortunately his punishment will have to come from his wife and the American public. There is something to be said about being the butt of talk show jokes and hecklers. And no one can measure the incompetence of a man like his wife. Why he is considered to be an expert on Iraq is beyond me - we made a poor showing there. But there is hope - "The Education of General David Petraeus" has a nice ring for a porn trilogy. Maybe Ron Jeremy can fit into a general's uniform.
95
Evidently, when it comes to crimes by people in high places, there are different sets of rules - depending on who you are, not what you did. In the Petraeus case, this miscarriage of justice sends a completely strange message, though understandable, to all the military people of lesser rank. I spent over 20 years in the military, and this shames me and all who serve. And Petraeus.
168
"It makes a lot of sense" for the Obama administration to consult with Mr. (General) Petraeus on security in Iraq bearing in mind that the Obama administration is just as hypocritical as other administrations.
Instead of making a deal with the former head of the CIA and throwing operatives to the judicial dogs, as it were, it would make more sense to make an example of the former director and show more understanding to the underlings.
Politics, however, operates in some type of Alice in Wonderland reality.
We have learned recently in the NYT Opinion that politicians do not zig zag, but rather evolve. How true, from one stage of hypocrisy to another.
Instead of making a deal with the former head of the CIA and throwing operatives to the judicial dogs, as it were, it would make more sense to make an example of the former director and show more understanding to the underlings.
Politics, however, operates in some type of Alice in Wonderland reality.
We have learned recently in the NYT Opinion that politicians do not zig zag, but rather evolve. How true, from one stage of hypocrisy to another.
26
The Obama Administration has been harder on "Whistle Blowing Leakers" than any prior Administration in history. While at the same time refusing to prosicute other "deserving offenders" at all! This is selective law enforcement at its finest. However it is to be expected from an administration that chooses which laws to follow as well as to what degree to follow them, if at all!
5
...and meanwhile, Chelsea Manning is serving a 35-year sentence and Edward Snowden, whose revelations arguably were a tremendous service for the entire world, is still in exile in Russia. "Double standard" doesn't even come close to describing the situation here.
522
RIGHT ! This is an unacceptable position by the president (who I support).
If Petraeus has good info on Iraq let him give it in secrecy .. no publicity .. no self promotion or anything else accorded to generals. Any leaks and it's jail time even if they come from other generals whose penchant for back stabbing is well known in the military.
If Petraeus has good info on Iraq let him give it in secrecy .. no publicity .. no self promotion or anything else accorded to generals. Any leaks and it's jail time even if they come from other generals whose penchant for back stabbing is well known in the military.
5
Absolutely! Snowden, particularly, deserves protection and even praise. He is a whistleblower and a patriot.
14
Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden were two young men who intentionally spied on their country. David Petraus was one of his country's greatest leaders, who made a stupid mistake in his later years. Big difference.
2
The main lesson here is that it is good to be David Petraeus. Mr. Kim and (especially) Mr. Kiriakou displayed considerable courage in their leaks, but their punishments, as designed, make it less likely that others will follow in their footsteps.
83
I think, he should get a pass, liberals like to pile on him, bigger people have done worst things and they are walking free!
So, Francis, you think two wrongs make a right?!
2