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Petraeus is Worst Disgrace Since Bill Clinton
The Christian Diarist ^ | November 12, 2012 | JP

Posted on 11/12/2012 11:46:54 AM PST by CHRISTIAN DIARIST

I worked in the White House staffer during the first Bush administration. I remember that the president was so mindful of being above reproach when it came to interactions with female staff, he often wouldn’t even make direct eye contact with them.

He was an upright man, who took seriously his wedding vows to honor his wife and “forsake all others.” He took to heart the words of the Apostle Paul, who warned those of us who endeavor to lead righteous lives to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

David Petraeus obviously did not heed the Apostle’s counsel. Otherwise, he would not have resigned this past Friday as President Obama’s CIA Director, following the revelation of his adulterous affair with Paula Broadwell, the home-wrecker who co-authored his biography, “All In: The Education of Gen. David Petraeus.”

The retired four-star Army general, who met Broadwell when she was an Army Reserve officer, has disgraced himself like no high-ranking federal official since former President Bill Clinton (who not only made direct eye contact with female White House staffers, but also even more promiscuous contact with a certain White House intern).

Now I know that roughly one in five men have committed adultery at least once in their married lives, according to surveys.

I also imagine that at least half of married men have, at some point, been some place, like a “gentlemen’s club,” or done some thing, like have an “erotic massage,” that may not rise to the level of adultery, but certainly dishonors their wives.

Because it’s fairly common for men to be unfaithful to their wives, because it’s even more common for men to dishonor their wives, doesn’t mean it should be accepted as a fact of life. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t expect more of Gen. Petraeus (or any of the rest of us married men, for that matter).

It’s all about whether we’re going to follow Christ, who admonished “that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Or whether we’re going to fall into the snares set for us by our enemy, the devil.

It all gets back to the Apostle Paul’s counsel that we “take captive every thought.” For every sin, every stronghold in our lives – wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony – began as an unGodly thought.

Indeed, Petraeus didn’t immediately plunge into his adulterous affair with Broadwell.

First he entertained lustful thoughts about her. Then he imagined himself trysting with the scarlet woman. Then he put his thoughts into action, setting into motion the events that led to his current ignominy.

For those among us who, like Petraeus, have secret sin in our lives, let the ruin of his heretofore distinguished career, the probable destruction of his marriage, be a cautionary tale.

He enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a season. But now he has hell to pay.


TOPICS: Government; Politics; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: adultery; cia; currentevents; petraeus
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
I guess President/ General Eisenhower and Kennedy, Clinton were all disgraces too. These guys in high places have been having affairs since time and memorial. The only difference is that now we're in the age of information technology. Don't get me wrong this doesn't make it right but it is a fact of life. For one to think that American servicemen and women are above reproach is extremly naive.
21 posted on 11/12/2012 12:47:56 PM PST by kenmcg (t)
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To: kenmcg

Ahh, the “Everybody Does It” defense.


22 posted on 11/12/2012 12:50:16 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: plain talk

Did Kerry ever cheat on the current wife of his, or been known to?


23 posted on 11/12/2012 12:50:18 PM PST by castlegreyskull
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To: SnakeDoctor

I get your point, SnakeDoc. All of the pols you mention were reprehensible. But Petraeus was the sitting CIA Director, the nation’s spy chief. I submit he was capable of doing more damage in his role than any of the others, save for maybe Holder.


24 posted on 11/12/2012 12:53:10 PM PST by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST

Maybe he thought at the time that he was sleeping with an enemy agent as part of his job and for the love of country.


25 posted on 11/12/2012 12:55:05 PM PST by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
We always talk about the worst case scenario of someone being blackmailed over knowledge of an affair. The assumption is that the blackmailer is an enemy state.

I would say that an even worse case is if the blackmailer is internal, and the blackmail is used to coerce someone like Petraeus to go along with a cover-up for higher officials.

Is there such a thing as friendly fire blackmail?

-PJ

26 posted on 11/12/2012 12:56:12 PM PST by Political Junkie Too (If you are the Posterity of We the People, then you are a Natural Born Citizen.)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Another view, from a man I respect.
27 posted on 11/12/2012 1:09:25 PM PST by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
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To: castlegreyskull
Who knows or cares? The test of “worst disgrace since bill clinton” is not limited to adultery. Let us not take the bait and take our eyes off the ball. This is another obama distraction from libya
28 posted on 11/12/2012 1:11:31 PM PST by plain talk
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To: babygene

Studies show that 82.013% of statistics are made up on the spot.


29 posted on 11/12/2012 1:24:53 PM PST by Mrs. Don-o ("So God gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices." Psalm 81:12)
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To: babygene

I wasn’t necessarily doubting the stat, I was more making a statement about how special I feel to not be a part of it. With liberalism corroding the family fabric and the ever-deteriorating moral compass of the average American, things like vows and commitment become meaningless. Sad.


30 posted on 11/12/2012 1:27:19 PM PST by South40 ("Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance." - Barack Hussein Obama - Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009.)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST

Diversionary tactic most fall for immediatley, notice no one talks about fast and furious, ben gahzi or voter fraud in the presidential race. Yea but this sex scandle is something else. They deserve everything they get. At least we knwo whats coming and we can or are prepared these nimrods have no clue


31 posted on 11/12/2012 1:52:15 PM PST by ronnie raygun (bb)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
If he gets right with God, the Lord will heal his sin-sick soul.

His career will never be what it would have been, but God can do miracles with a wrecked career and a damaged life. He is a master at rebuilding people.

32 posted on 11/12/2012 2:51:42 PM PST by marron
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To: DManA

Smart policy for ANY man, powerful or not.


33 posted on 11/12/2012 3:08:49 PM PST by EDINVA
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Petraeus is Worst Disgrace Since Bill Clinton

...that we know about.

Keep in mind, we didn't know about Petraeus until after the election.

I keep reminding those around me to (1) consider that we probably don't know everything about this case or others like it, and (2) realize that we'll never receive any information about anything [from the MSM] unless its release furthers the kenyan's agenda.

34 posted on 11/12/2012 3:42:56 PM PST by VoiceOfBruck (Goat ropers need love too)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
I remember that the president was so mindful of being above reproach when it came to interactions with female staff, he often wouldn’t even make direct eye contact with them.

Something I do not want is a CIC that will not look someone in the eye, regardless of gender. I hope this isn't true as it's odd at best. It's one thing to be mindful of not being seen as harassing but an entire other if you are so worried about it that this is what you do.

35 posted on 11/12/2012 3:48:22 PM PST by ShadowDancer ("Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.")
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To: DManA

Yes. I know another well-known “televangelist” who would never take an out-of-town speaking engagement without his wife coming along. Common sense.


36 posted on 11/12/2012 3:50:14 PM PST by LS ('Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually.' Hendrix)
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To: DManA

The proper policy is never be alone in a room with a woman... when two are available!


37 posted on 11/12/2012 4:09:33 PM PST by karnage
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Yet, all is not lost. If he gets right with God, the Lord will heal his sin-sick soul.

So who is free from sin that they can make this judgment against the General? I know I'm not...

So what makes you so special?

38 posted on 11/12/2012 4:16:33 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Jab her with a harpoon.....)
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To: CHRISTIAN DIARIST

Petraeus is the Oligarchy’s chosen distraction from election fraud...no more..no less


39 posted on 11/12/2012 4:20:06 PM PST by mo (If you understand, no explanation is needed. If you don't understand, no explanation is possible.)
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To: Tugo
This is all about Benghazi testimony and who will spill the beans.

How so? Please explain why.........

40 posted on 11/12/2012 4:24:17 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Jab her with a harpoon.....)
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