That Time I Met...General David Petraeus

I don't know about you, but I am dreading the build-up to these mid-term elections. I guess I don't have it so bad, living in New York, where the Congressional races aren't too ugly, but when I go to Florida for "Impact" tapings, the non-stop dueling negative ads just seem so childish. I just hate the ads, one after another, each one seemingly voiced by the same guy, all saying things that are most likely a collection of misleading half-truths. Really, so many of these races seem to come down to who hires the most ruthless PR team.

I really thought Obama's election would change the tone, but, if anything, things have gotten worse. I don't think it's the O man's fault, but I think he was probably guilty of misreading the partisan rancor in Washington. I don't mean to seem cynical, but I just don't see things getting better unless someone comes along who really can bring people of all types together. And I think the only chance we have of finding that man is to look outside our two party system for a true Independent, who won't campaign for candidates of either party; who makes it clear their their only constituency is the people of the United States. I know it's not likely to happen, but, man, it would it's nice to envision a day when it will happen. Please enjoy a small story about the man who I think represents our country's best hope for that far off dream. I know that General Petraeus has expressed no interest in running for public office, but just I just love to think of a guy so universally respected eventually calling the shots. Please enjoy my story of the time I met General Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command. 

I'd been familiar with Gen. Petraeus's name for a few years, well before his ascension to the top of the Army ladder in Iraq.  Although I was not a particularly big fan of the decision to invade Iraq, I strongly disliked the MoveOn.org "General Betray Us" campaign, largely because it had no basis in fact, and wasn't going to gain any credence with anyone who'd ever met or served under the guy.

Which is pretty much what I told the General and his wife on the occasion of our meeting.  I also told him I'd heard of his prodigious propensity for premium push-ups; apparently even well trained soldiers half his age know not to mess with the General in any type of official push-up challenge.  Petraeus informed me that he was up to a contest if I was, before correctly noting that I would be working with considerably more resistance (hips and ass of near Dreameresque proportions) than would he.

Thank goodness he spared me the public indignity of performing the worst military related push-ups since Bill Murray's five dreadful reps in the 1981 movie "Stripes."

FYI, - to this day, whenever I see Stone Cold Steve Austin, either he or I will repeat the classic "Stripes," Warren Oates/Sgt. Hulka line, "Okay hot shot!," usually within the first minute of speaking.

Comments

[David P Redmond]

Mick, don't make me break out the Obama partisan highlight reel. He sold us a bill of goods that wasn't quite true. It's not all his fault, of course, be he's a contributing factor.

[bandiggi]

I had Obama on my twitter out of curiosity.

But when he/they started bringing on exactly the same arguments the germans are struggeling over for a coupla years now, i de-followed him.
:-)
I do not need one Obama to remind me of the political un-situations (or shall i say absurdities) we have at home.
:-)

[Sean]

Well said Mick. Although I was hoping for a longer blog about the whole Petraeus meeting. My sentitment's exactly about the moveon.org "betray us" statement. That was uncalled for.

[Hppazos4]

Mick, you once again hit the nail on the head. Whether it's Democrats or Republicans, the majority of them have truly lost sight that they work for US, not for their own selfish interests.

I knew before Obama even won the Presidency that it was very far-fetched to think that he could get both sides of the aisle to support what's right for America. When you have a declared party in this day and age, the other party is going to go against you and make your agenda hell no matter how many good intentions you have.

It's sickening that nothing can get done in Washington because instead of actually working together, it seems to be politicians' mission to just smear and work against someone who doesn't have their same views. What happened to middle ground, does it just not exist anymore?

I've always thought that someone who aligns their self to the PEOPLE and not to a PARTY would be the best solution for this country's progress. Unfortunately, even that won't help until Senate and House fill up with more Independents. I feel like both Democrats and Republicans have let us down over and over again by now. It's like chocolate vs. vanilla, why can't we get some strawberry in there? The more ideas and independent thinkers who are willing to put political pride aside and WORK TOGETHER, the better.

Of course, it doesn't help that most of these politicians work for corporations, lobbyists and other politicians these days. Kickbacks and side business seems to be what fuels the majority of the politicians that are supposed to serve us, not themselves.

With the media, they only make things worse these days. They're all aligned with their own party's beliefs. FOX News is fair and balanced? I chuckle every time they say it. "We report, you decide." aka "We tell it like we wanna tell it and you're going to believe it." Same with a bunch of other networks on BOTH sides of the political party spectrum.

We have Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press but a lot of people take advantage of that and put their spin or fail to do their research on a vast multitude of topics. It's ironic that the internet (for now) is the only true way to get unfiltered no-spin information so you can decide for yourself. That's why I love blogs so much now; it's WE the PEOPLE debunking false stories and reporting ALL the facts so WE the PEOPLE can think for ourselves and decide whatever we want to decide on issues. If more of the general public can get on board, we might have a chance to take our country back from these corrupt politicians and corrupt media "reporters."

Can't wait for your new book. To be honest, I still need to catch up on the last couple of books. Been so busy I haven't made time for them! Don't take this the wrong way, but it's going to be an honor to have your book in my bathroom.

Moveon.org needs to move on because sites that abuse and shape the news to what they want it to be are only detriments to our free society.

Betray Us, what a load of crap and total disrespect for someone who has a lot on their plate. He didn't chose to go to war, he's just trying to handle it as safely as possible for our troops. And I do not know of him THAT well and maybe he has made a few mistakes or bad judgments but I believe the only entity that can't do that is GOD. So sick of media. So sick of politicians. We need REAL reform, God willing.