What's the Languish perspective on Gen. Petraeus?

[Malthus]

Perspectives on his military career, not on his adultery skillz.

Just read a (very positive) account of his career and activities re counter-insurgency in Iraq; the author's perspective was that he basically saved the situation in Iraq, when almost everyone else had run out of ideas. Topical, given that Iraq seems to be falling apart now.

What's the Languish view? Also, why did he move into the CIA rather than getting a military position after Iraq and Afganistan?

[Admiral Yi]

Very positive.

[garbon]

Don't you mean Betray Us?

[The Brain]

There's a good scene in Kagemusha where Takeda Shingen's senior vassal berates him for being angry at a guy for betraying him. People betray because they perceive it to be in their interest to do so. Taking it personally is for monkeys.

[KRonn]

My views of General Petraeus are very positive. He's had a very good career in the military as far as what I've seen. He was the commander who saved the situation in Iraq by some innovative tactics and ideas during Pres Bush's surge.

[grumbler]

Petraeus basically wasn't eligible for any more military positions when he retired.  He had already been a Joint Commander (CENTCOM) and so the only position he was technically eligible for after that was Army Chief of Staff.  He lost the competition for that job to General Martin Dempsey (who went on to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) and actually got a kind of bonus tour by taking the head job in Afghanistan.

There are only so many 4-star jobs and slots, so you take your turn and then either join the JCS (service chief or vice-Chairman) or retire.

[Jacob]

I'm not nearly as knowledgeable on the matter as many here, but my impression is generally positive.

[crazy canuck]

I think he did very well.  It is a shame that the work he did to unite political groups in Iraq fell apart after he left.

[Siege]

He was the American version of Julius Caesar. The Soldiers loved him. He could have burned his political capital and marched on Washington to save the Republic and reestablish free-market capitalism. Instead he decided to get a job that would in time open his way to the Whitehouse, and Obama ordered his goons to scoop his emails for any incriminating evidence to take him out.

[Malthus]

Petraeus basically wasn't eligible for any more military positions when he retired.  He had already been a Joint Commander (CENTCOM) and so the only position he was technically eligible for after that was Army Chief of Staff.  He lost the competition for that job to General Martin Dempsey (who went on to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) and actually got a kind of bonus tour by taking the head job in Afghanistan.

There are only so many 4-star jobs and slots, so you take your turn and then either join the JCS (service chief or vice-Chairman) or retire.

That makes sense, though the system appears a bit unfortunate if there is no way of retaining the services of successful fighting generals if they get too senior other than making them Army Chief of Staff, which they may not be suited for anyway.

[Ed Anger]

He was the American version of Julius Caesar. The Soldiers loved him. He could have burned his political capital and marched on Washington to save the Republic and reestablish free-market capitalism. Instead he decided to get a job that would in time open his way to the Whitehouse, and Obama ordered his goons to scoop his emails for any incriminating evidence to take him out.

*takes a drink*

[Admiral Yi]

Remind me what the Seebrew clause is please.

[Savonarola]

He was the American version of Julius Caesar.

Along with Douglas MacArthur and Iggy Pop, and yet there are still barbarous Gauls on our Northern Frontier.

[Ed Anger]

Remind me what the Seebrew clause is please.

I need to fully formalize the LANGUISH DRINKING GAME.

But here is the draft rule:

Siege mentions Obama acting like a dictator( or Nixonian) -1 drink
Siege posts a conspiracy theory - 1 drink

[Jacob]

Remind me what the Seebrew clause is please.

I need to fully formalize the LANGUISH DRINKING GAME.

But here is the draft rule:

Siege mentions Obama acting like a dictator( or Nixonian) -1 drink
Siege posts a conspiracy theory - 1 drink

Looking forward to seeing the rules.