Wherefore Patraeus?

GENERAL PATRAEUS resigned his job as CIA director not because he had too many vowels in his last name, but because he had too many women in his (or her) bed, or at least, one too many. And he did this voluntarily. He initiated the resignation. Apparently, nobody forced him to, or even put pressure on him, yet. Who knows what would have happened had he not done this. We maight have been treated to a full blown scandal, ala monica and bill, though with a bit less flair.

And who knows what's really going on? Maybe he had come to the conclusion that he hated the job, hated the endless plots and scams and secrecy, and longed for good old fashioned straightforward military life, and used the affair as a sexy excuse to get off the hook.

The FBI was/is "investigating" emails exchanged between the Director's consort, and, whomever. So what? The FBI investigates anything that moves. WE all need something to keep us busy. Why would a little FBI involvement drive anyone out of a perfectly good job?

In america we have two great traditions. Well, actually, we have many, including Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie, but two which come to mind presently, seemingly appropo. We have a tradition of signing contracts promising to be sexually and emotionally exclusive with our spouse, and we have another great tradition of breaking this promise as many times as possible without getting caught.

When we get caught, the great emotional dramatic "mia culpa", in which a display of remourse preceeds a great resolution to never again stray. And then we have divorce, and the great legalistic struggle for financial  and material assets, children, and lawyers.

Must we always make such a big deal out of all this. Apparently so. Tabloid journalists must make a living too. Was the general compromising national security by leaving himself open to blackmail? Perhaps so, but presumably not after confessing. Confession tends to immolate blackmailers, does it not?

Patraeus did a grat job of donducting military operations in afghanistan, or wherever else the U.S. was fighting a war (one loses count after so many), and was probably a great CIA director, whatever that entails.  You just hate to lose good people over a little sex.

Perhaps there will come a time when people are hired and fired because of how well they do the job, rather than because of race, gender,mode of dress, age, drug habits, or sexual bahavior. Perhaps, but probably not.