UPDATE TO THIS ITEM: The editor of the New York Times Magazine said this afternoon that “the column is NOT about the Petraeus affair, based on our factchecking.” So interesting it may be, but it has nothing to do with David Petraeus’s resignation.
On Twitter this morning, someone uncovered an astonishing letter written to the New York Times Magazine’s Ethicist column and published on July 13, 2012. Here’s the letter.
My wife is having an affair with a government executive. His role is to manage a project whose progress is seen worldwide as a demonstration of American leadership. (This might seem hyperbolic, but it is not an exaggeration.) I have met with him on several occasions, and he has been gracious. (I doubt if he is aware of my knowledge.) I have watched the affair intensify over the last year, and I have also benefited from his generosity. He is engaged in work that I am passionate about and is absolutely the right person for the job. I strongly feel that exposing the affair will create a major distraction that would adversely impact the success of an important effort. My issue: Should I acknowledge this affair and finally force closure? Should I suffer in silence for the next year or two for a project I feel must succeed? Should I be “true to my heart” and walk away from the entire miserable situation and put the episode behind me? NAME WITHHELD
Paula Broadwell, the writer who appears to have been David Petraeus’s paramour, is married with two children.
We now know that David Petraeus was probably outright lying regarding the the role of the silly film in the attack on the Libyan embassy. Why was he untruthful? Were Obama’s people able to put pressure on him?
We now know that David Petraeus was probably outright lying regarding the the role of the silly film in the attack on the Libyan embassy. Why was he untruthful? Were Obama's people able to put pressure on him?
Nothing like a new conspiracy theory to comfort the losers.
If you have a good surgeon, you can have a satisfactory sex life after a prostatectomy.
I do not believe my earlier comments to be vicious and unfair. The evidence does indeed seem to clearly indicate that David Petraeus lied about the importance of the video. And yes, allegations of lying appear to be most appropriate. Am I missing something? The man deserves much praise for his overall military record. That cannot be denied. But he is also probably a liar—and did so to protect the Obama administration.
In 2009 Petraeus was treated for prostate cancer. Without a prostate, a man cannot have sex. Petraeus could have said, as did Pres. Clinton, "I did not have sex with that woman", and medical evidence could have substantiate it. No. He lied about the affair. It's okay, General, as Cong. King said that Petraeus will testify regardless.
Not true regarding the prostate cancer and sex. There are many variables. n n nYou need a second opinion!
MM is accurate on this matter.
Considering how bad the CIA is at so many things, me thinks it's no great tragedy.
I note that Paula Broadwell is from Bismarck, and the NYT columnist Chuck Klosterman is from North Dakota, starting his career in journalism in Fargo. Probably just a coincidence., but maybe they — her and her husband — had passed paths before.
Uh, where's Bismarck?
The CIA did such a wonderful job preparing us for the downsides of the 'Arab Spring'. n nEgypt, Syria, Libya, and Libya again. All surprises that kicked the USA smack in the teeth. n nAnd Petraeus was in charge, no? n nAnd this is the outfit that will warn us when Iran is on the verge of a bomb? n nGod help us.
No he wasn't in charge of the CIA when the Arab Spring started, Leon Panetta was.
n nHe was certainly there for the latest Libya fiasco.
Point taken.
Just like the administration fell over themselves yesterday ensuring us this had nothing to do with Bengazi…….unasked.
Just like the administration fell over itself yesterday assuring us this had nothing to do with Bengazi…….unasked.
Note that there is a reference to the relationship having intensified over the past year. nI don't think this references Broadwell because the two of them had a pretty intense relationship over in Afghanistan.