The Left’s Attack On Gen. Petraeus
Wednesday - September 19, 2007
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” so the saying goes. The same holds true in politics. “The truth is in the mind of the believer” could serve as a parallel statement. This can be the only rational explanation for the irrational behavior of those on the left.
Case in point, the abysmally puerile public attacks on Gen. David Petraeus. The liberal hit organization, moveon.org, had the audacity to run a full-page ad in The New York Times using the phrase, “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?” The timing of this tasteless effort coincided with the general’s appearance before Congress regarding his highly anticipated report on the War in Iraq.
I can appreciate a thoughtful debate on the merits and demerits of U.S. policy in Iraq. There are passions that run deep on both sides of the argument. However, the inference that Petraeus, a three-decade member of the United States Army with a record of service above reproach, is betraying the United States of America is pathetic pandering to the virulent left.
The statements of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid further exacerbate the impotent strategy of attempting to discredit the general. “He has made a number of statements over the years that have not proven to be factual,” says the highest ranking elected Democrat in the Senate. This is a disingenuous comment, since Reid and the entire Senate voted to confirm the general’s nomination. There was never an accusation or concern voiced during this confirmation hearing, but the day of his appearance before Congress, Reid does his best to malign Petraeus’ character.
The moveon.org advertisement, with full complicity of The New York Times along with the fallacious statements by Reid, confirms the outright lies told by the left with no compunction or moral boundary. The accusation of betrayal in the context of a military man or woman is especially egregious. The ad insinuates that Petraeus is in the same company of Aldrich Ames or Robert Hannsen, two of the most profound betrayers in our nation’s history. The allegation of betrayal by a military officer is akin to treason. It is shameful to subject any man or woman in uniform to such outrageous and despicable claims.
So, where is the outrage from moveon.org and Reid supporters and comrades? The silence from the left is deafening. One must only conclude that Democrats and liberals who do not refute or denounce these statements must support this point of view. It appears George Soros, Paul Begala, James Carville and moveon.org now own the once great party of FDR, Harry Truman, JFK and Hubert Humphrey. What a fall from grace.
The most troubling aspect of this hyper-contentious political environment is Democrats and liberals appear to have a vested interest in the failure of America. If there is positive news of accomplishment and success, it does not bode well for the Democratic agenda. So, instead of having a conscientious debate, some on the left resort to blatant lies and personal attacks as the Petraeus story demonstrates.
In the political days in which we live, it would be disheartening to discover the greatest threat to our nation is not from the outside, but found inside the halls of political players.
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