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.
Maybe MoveOn.org was right for once.....Gen. Betrayus.
Not necessarily. This is a career enhancer in certain circles, particularly if he chooses to run for office as a dim.
We live in a nation that allows homosexuals to “marry” one another. What makes the author think Petraeus even cares about his vows. A majority of the country doesn’t.
Petraeus had an affair, that was wrong and morally reprehensible. Has he lied about it while under oath? If not, he’s not as bad as Clinton.
Give me a break... Studies show that half the women and sixty percent of the men in this country have an affair in their married life.
You’re probably right. We needn’t look any further than Bill Clinton, who received a rousing reception at the Democrat National Convention this past summer.
If true, that makes me feel kinda special.
Petraeus is a schmuck !He was taken down by a KGB "swallow"
His aide de camp had warned him !
A four star general & D/CIA
taken down by a KGB swallow !DA/DT
Petraeus has shown much better taste than Clinton.
Bill Clinton lied and refused to resign. He has no honor.
Petraeus has shown shame & remorse and resigned.
Big difference.
“Worst disgrace” seems like a major overstatement.
Worse than Blagojevich? Eric Holder’s Gun Walker? Obama and Clinton on the Benghazi coverup? Jack Abramoff bribery? Charlie Rangel? Jesse Jackson Jr.? William Jefferson? Trafficant?
Or, if you’re stuck on sex scandals ... John Edwards? Larry Craig? Elliot Spitzer? Anthony Weiner? Jim McGreevey? Mark Sanford? The Secret Service? Jack Ryan?
Petraeus is hardly the biggest desgrace. He had an affair. With a woman. That he didn’t pay. And, he wasn’t doing so behind his dying wife’s back. No bribery, embezzlement, or deaths of federal agents. An affair.
There are a lot bigger disgraces than Petraeus.
SnakeDoc
This is all about Benghazi testimony and who will spill the beans.
Billy Graham’s policy was never be alone in a room with a woman (except his wife).
Smart policy for a powerful man.
IMHO...its all about trying not to discuss election fraud and voter disenfranchisement.
Don’t let Ms Broadwell, or whatever her name is, off the hook so easily. She is a military officer too. She knows the rules and deliberately flaunted them. nd then she went further and threatened a third party. I wonder what she threated Ms. Kelley with that sent her runnng to the FBI?
I’m not excusing Petraeous, but it seems to me that Ms. Broadwell should suffer the same consequences — loss of rank, etc.
“If true, that makes me feel kinda special.”
Here’s a link, but you can find others... It should come as no surprise since the divorce rate is over 50%.
http://www.catalogs.com/info/relationships/percentage-of-married-couples-who-cheat-on-each-ot.html
The saddest part is, just like Clinton, his personal failures will overshadow what might otherwise have been a stellar legacy. Many have stated that Petraeus was the greatest military commander since Eisenhower, but now he will be remembered for just being another guy who cheated on his wife and got caught.
he is Obama’s man ...better include him
“Worst disgrace since bill clinton”?
Obama, Kerry, Gore?. I can think of lots of disgraces.
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