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2016-12-04 -Lurid Crime Tales-
Cabinet position for Petraeus; disciplinary actions for Broadwell after affair
[The Hill] While former CIA Director David Petraeus is interviewing for a top job in the Trump administration, the woman he had an affair with is facing possible disciplinary actions from the Army.

The Pentagon decided in February it would not pursue any further punishment for Petraeus, but is now seeking to take actions against Paula Broadwell, an Army Reserves major, according to a defense official.

Petraeus and Broadwell, both married, admitted to an extra-martial affair in 2012. They both have expressed regret, with Petraeus personally apologizing to Senate lawmakers during a hearing last year.

The official did not want to characterize what the pending actions are, and said Broadwell would be given an opportunity to respond or issue a rebuttal before making a final determination on disciplinary measures.

The official cited mishandling classified material, as well as issuing threats, as some of the things she could be punished for.

The disparity in treatment by the military of Petraeus and Broadwell has sparked criticism from some members of Congress.

"I think the two of them should be treated fairly, and there shouldn't be two standards," Sen. Claire McCaskill, who has championed the rights of women in the military, told The Hill.

She said "questions would probably come up during his confirmation" hearing if Trump nominates Petraeus to a cabinet position.
Posted by Besoeker 2016-12-04 02:25|| || Front Page|| [11134 views ]  Top

#1 This is the first time I have read that Broadwell's promotion file was pulled and her clearance revoked. If being treated "fairly" means being treated equally, I agree with Sen. Claire McCaskill. Make it so.
Posted by Besoeker 2016-12-04 02:37||   2016-12-04 02:37|| Front Page Top

#2 I'll be concerned about it when the first gay married couples serving are also prosecuted when they stray too. As you say, one set of standards.
Posted by Procopius2k 2016-12-04 08:27||   2016-12-04 08:27|| Front Page Top

#3 Besoeker,

I remember reading at the time (but if you blinked, you missed it) that Broadwell's clearances had been pulled and her personnel jacket placed in deep, DEEP cold storage...and it is a disgrace that Petraeus is walking away essentially unscratched.

The old saying about a thousand attaboys and one 'aw, shiat' applies here to Petraeus. Yes, he's smart, and his personal military courage can not be gainsaid. But the fact here is that as a four-star general, he knowingly and with malice aforethought made decisions to risk classified material. I don't care HOW high HER clearance was (as an intel 0-4 it would have been respectable, but nowhere near what an 0-10 theater commander was sharing with her) the facts are these:

1. She was writing an altogether flattering autobiography of the man (and you know he had to have been hoping it would help a Presidential campaign) and she was having an affair with him.
2. He let it happen. (Don't care WHO initiated it, his position came with a DUTY not to do such things.)
3. If he was boinking the help when he was a four-star, he sure as hell was doing it when he was a Major or Light Colonel. You don't just suddenly give in to temptation when you hit 0-10.
4. "He's been punished enough." The hell he has. Once this nonsense came out, he should have gotten a lifetime ban on anything even resembling a Federal job with access to anything higher classified than 'janitor's closet', followed by a carrot-peeler grade review of everything he touched at the Agency.

It would have been one thing if Mr. Trump had opened a quiet backchannel to Petraeus for advice and counsel - that's what you do when you need need the smarts of someone who's disgraced themselves. But this...oy.

Mike
Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2016-12-04 09:00||   2016-12-04 09:00|| Front Page Top

#4 Concur Mike.

I've seen too many military careers (and marriages) totally destroyed by acts of infidelity, both officer and enlisted. I am quite certain Petraeus has signed off on a number of career ending UCMJ actions originating from such acts. The double standard here is obvious and little more than betrayal.

As far as Broadwell goes, I was unaware of CCF pulling or suspending her access or a 'flag' on her promotion. I have always thought (conspiratorial bastid that I am) that there was more to this story than we've been told. Some guy or any old hag biographer could have been dispatched to write the Petraeus story.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-12-04 12:15||   2016-12-04 12:15|| Front Page Top

#5 I heartedly agree with all the comments above. For me the last straw was the anti-2nd amendment group Petraeus formed with Kelly last summer.
Posted by brujotejano 2016-12-04 12:37||   2016-12-04 12:37|| Front Page Top

#6 Total speculation: Petraeus is just on the list to keep the Crooked Hillary meme in play. Every time mishandling classified info gets mentioned, it reminds us Hillary did it too.

He won't get a cabinet position, but Trump might use him somewhere with a lower profile.
Posted by SteveS 2016-12-04 12:40||   2016-12-04 12:40|| Front Page Top

#7 ....Sidney Blumenthal of the Trump administration? Say it ain't so Joe.

(er...Joe, are you there? Anybody check if Guam tipped over?)
Posted by Procopius2k 2016-12-04 13:57||   2016-12-04 13:57|| Front Page Top

#8 Joe is idling, picking up steam for the history well soon be discussing.

TELL ME ITS SO JOE!
Posted by Shipman 2016-12-04 14:58||   2016-12-04 14:58|| Front Page Top

#9 Telex machines are hard to repair these days
Posted by European Conservative 2016-12-04 16:21||   2016-12-04 16:21|| Front Page Top

#10 "So David's a sucker for broads? Well,
Perhaps he'll play doctor with Boswell."
The rest of this history
Lies shrouded in mystery
A stone's throw from VITTER and ROSWELL.
Posted by Hupoluns Snosh8795 2016-12-04 18:22||   2016-12-04 18:22|| Front Page Top

#11 Petraeus is too stupid to vote.

Hey Dave, we don't need ya. Your lack of loyalty, moral courage, and arrogance disqualify ya...just go away.
Posted by Tennessee 2016-12-04 19:46||   2016-12-04 19:46|| Front Page Top

#12 Concur with don't need you /want you fucktard. Respectfully.
Posted by Whiskey Mike 2016-12-04 21:37||   2016-12-04 21:37|| Front Page Top

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