Some of the most political infighting in the world happens at the ...

Pentagon...

Just getting to the rank of Colonel takes talent in the smoothness area...

By the time someone reaches the rank of General, especially in a time when promotions do not come because of aptitude in battle, who knows what character faults someone might develop...

Promotions come from very political acts. They come from steering the correct weapons system, or managing a base with promotion as the goal...

Don't kid yourself, the US Armed Forces are very competitive for rank, just like any down home American Business...

The "Good" General, Patraeus, has had to smooch a few kiesters as well as adopted plans that he didn't always believe in...

He acts like the consummate corporate player who is only looking out for himself and attaining his rank...

Is that a bad thing...

No, it's actually good because being political is part of the game...

But what gets to me is the GOP and now Mrs. Edwards and the whole media portrays this guy like he was the second coming of Jesus or something and that he is above criticism just because he wears a uniform...

Well, he rose through the ranks high enough to take over the command of the Iraqi War Theater...

This does not mean he is infallible, nor does it necessarily mean he is a great commander...

And I'm sorry, but the evidence so far, the WMD Trucks especially, says this guy will do whatever it takes to please his commander in chief...

And that, my good friends, does not absolve him of blame or place him out of the range of critism...

Well, that's my two cents...

In fact, I'd say that his willingness to do whatever it takes to please his commander in chief makes him more vulnerable to criticism...

He looks like a shill ....

K&R

I seem to remember a very pointed recent quote from him about Petraeus - something about an "ass-kissing chicken-shit."

And if that's nice, I'd hate to see something nasty...

I've seen all of this, every scrap of it 35-40 yrs ago. Different Texan, different 'General du Jour'. same lies, same bullshit.



...

What's that - the Who sang about?

Something about... "meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."

"Meet the new general, same as the old general..." You know one thing: if he's still on the payroll, he's probably on his knees. That's why Olbermann the other night spoke of this by referring to Admiral Fallon as Petraeus's boss - for the moment.