I guess this would be my political post for the month.
David Howell Petraeus is a retired American military officer and public official. He served as
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from September 6, 2011, until his resignation on November 9, 2012, due to an extramarital affair he had, which was reportedly discovered in the course of
an FBI investigation and made public. Professionally, Petraeus is a respectable man. Though
having an affair while still married is wrong, that is no reason for a man to step down from his
own job. David Petraeus did not betray this nation; he only betrayed his wife and deserves his
job back.
Petraeus’ served more than 37 years in the Army and became the director of the CIA after
serving as Commander of United States Central Command, which required him to oversee the
military efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt.
Furthermore, has a very long list of impressive recognitions. In 2007, TIME magazine named
him one of the 100 most influential leaders and revolutionaries of the year; he was on GQ
magazine’s list of The 50 Most Powerful People in Washington in 2012; and The Association of
Special Operations Professionals named Petraeus as its 2011 Man of the Year. The man
Petraeus is, professionally, shows that he has done nothing to leave his job. Petraeus may not
be a “good husband” but he is certainly good at what he has done for this nation and his
stepping down is a major loss. This is supported in the New York Daily News article: David
Petraeus deserves his CIA job back”. In the article, the writer describes the situation, states
their opinion, and gives examples of similar stories. The article states “The list of Washington
sex scandals is long and, really, quite distinguished. One would have to include John F. Kennedy
and, just to be fair, Thomas Jefferson. I want to mention Warren Harding, a randy devil he, and
Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose wartime affair with his driver, Capt. Kay Summersby, has long
been alleged. Lyndon Johnson’s affairs have been documented by the indefatigable Robert Caro
– and were all but conceding by the weary Lady Bird Johnson. These matters can hurt.”