Petraeus Will Disgrace Himself Just Like Powell Did

[ThomWV]

Remember Powell's disgrace before the United Nations? Petraeus is about to do the same thing.

Disgraceful.

[Beausoir]

1. Did you hear the story on Olberman, from the new Bush book, about what they did to Powell?

He, as Sec'y of State, was late to a cabinet meeting once. Chimpy DEMANDS promptness. So the Chimp demanded that the door be locked. The rest of the cabinet was inside. A few minutes later, they heard Powell try to open the door. And they all broke out in howls of laughter.
How freaking humiliating...for everyone involved.

The grown-ups are in charge.

[TwilightGardener]

3. If I was Powell, I would have tendered my resignation right there.

That's a really shitty way to treat someone.

[Beausoir]

4. The freakin' CABINET of the U.S....behaving like that. It terrifies me.

Powell has so self-respect.

[panader0]

2. Tough time to be an army general.

I'll bet the high ranking army guys live in fear of being selected by bush for some special duty. It's like the kiss of death.

[shain from kane]

8. "Certain Death" (book is "Dead Certain") n/t

[WinkyDink]

5. Exactimundo. But years from now the good General will write of his anguish.

[JohnnyLib2]

6. Westmoreland Syndrome?

There seems to be an epidemic among generals.

[bryant69]

7. And for the same reason - he's a good soldier

Good soldiers are fine things under good presidents - but under a bastard like Bush, they aren't good.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Couldn't read it -- the background was too painful to look at.

Not familiar with that site, but it sure needs the help of a good web designer. My eyes!

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. The Observer in the UK speculated he might have political ambitions of his own

And not least by Petraeus himself. For the highly media-savvy general has political ambitions of his own. This is his moment to shine.
...
'He's a straight talker and he's very highly thought of militarily,' said Professor Donald Goldstein, a military expert at the University of Pittsburgh. Petraeus fits a lot of energy and focus into his 5ft 9in frame. He is famed for his five-mile runs, carried out even on Baghdad's hottest days. One subordinate called him the 'most competitive man on earth'. But his macho army bluster is also tempered by a keen intellect. His Princeton PhD is no accident. He is flexible too: he knows the war in Iraq is rarely just about bombs and bullets. In Mosul, one of his most famous catchphrases on the subject of bringing peace to the city was 'money is ammunition'.

Yet he is not without critics. Some say he is overly fond of the media and has skilfully crafted an almost flawless public persona of the skilled tactician. Others say his focus is not just about the facts on the ground, but about his own advancement. 'He is a sycophant incarnate. He's a smart guy, but he's playing politics in this,' said Larry Johnson, a former CIA anti-terrorism official. They also point out that Petraeus's record in Iraq can be criticised. The peace he brought to Mosul proved shortlived, and there is now a criminal investigation into missing supplies and weapons that involves officials close to Petraeus. His time in Iraq has seen the emergence of death squads and heightened sectarianism. 'This has all happened on his watch,' said Johnson.
...
But what will his report say? First, some media spin needs to be cut through. Petraeus has been used as an impressive, patriotic figure on which to hang such an important study. That suits both the White House and Petraeus himself. But his tough persona masks a more nuanced approach from the administration.
...
That is a trenchant analysis. But it was written by the Petraeus of Princeton. The Petraeus of next month is a general playing the highest political stakes of his career in front of the eyes of the world. He is unlikely to be so candid again.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2160652,00.html

[calimary]

10. He's built a strong reputation, skilled tactician, etc.? Well, stick around

david. bush'll take care of that "strong reputation" for ya. In VERY short order.

One thing that's certain about li'l georgie: EVERYTHING he touches turns to shit. EVERYTHING. And EVERYONE, too, david.

[CTyankee]

11. He has a fatal flaw: blind ambition. He should take his retirement

and get out of Dodge. Dealing with Bush's people is like backing into a propeller. You'll get chopped up.

Poor man. He is doing the world's oldest routines of bowing to power when you know it's BS. It will still be BS when Bush is back on the ranch and Petraeus is trying to salvage his reputation.

Not worth it buddy.

[UTUSN]

12. Kick for cool, truthtelling Subject title!!1 n/t

[HardRocker05]

13. it's part of the job description in the military, and in this administration. nt