David Petraeus says he 'screwed up royally' in letter to old Army buddy

[kpete]

David Petraeus says he 'screwed up royally' in letter to old Army buddy
By CHUCK BENNETT
Last Updated: 5:06 AM, November 29, 2012
Posted: 1:06 AM, November 29, 2012

Ex-CIA chief David Petraeus took the blame for the extramarital affair that torpedoed his career, but his forgiving wife, Holly, is sticking by him, according to a newly revealed private letter.

“I screwed up royally,” Petraeus told his longtime Army pal, retired Brig. Gen. James Shelton in the hand-written missive.

“I paid the price (appropriately) and I sought to do the right thing at the end of the day,” he wrote in the Nov. 20 message.

Petraeus stepped down on Nov. 9 as news of his affair with biographer Paula Broadwell went public.

more:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/petraeus_spills_his_guts_QXTvnBXIu93TLQDuiWFB2M

[postulater]

1. A 'private' letter? and his buddy makes it public?

smells bad.

[Segami]

4. Its a stinker!! Petraeus, (a military tactician) playing Tri-Dimensional Chess with public opinion.

[Tutonic]

2. Gee first Jill Kelly reveals emails, now a "longtime wink wink Army pal"

releases a personal handwritten letter. Betraeus can't seem to find anyone that won't reveal his secrets. They oughta name him head of the top spy agency in the land! Bumpabumbum! This guy is shameless--first he's out doing everything that has big breasts and now he wants old gullible pork rind eatin FOX viewers to believe that he "screwed up royally"--by writing a well staged letter to an old Army pal. I won't buy anything that this guy is selling in the future. I hope that somebody set this putz up big time --just to see him twisting in the wind. He is not a loyal or Honorable soldier. He's just a dirty old man that chose to expose his pecker over two pieces of steamy hot ass.

[FSogol]

3. "I sought to do the right thing at the end of the day, when I got caught."

[Hugin]

5. Yep, it's all in that "Got caught."

All three of them have said it now.

[HereSince1628]

6. His 'debt' is paid, he's ready to move on.

Just ask him.

[Starry Messenger]

7. Maybe he needs to stop writing letters.

This seems to be an area of trouble for him.

[tanyev]

8. Pg. 2, P.S. Please take this letter straight to the media.

P.P.S. Except for this second page.

[Segami]

10. LOLOL!!!

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Too bad he didn't do the right thing at the beginning of the day.

[OldDem2012]

11. It's interesting to note that the writer never states specifically that....

....he got the letter directly from Shelton. For all we know, the letter was sent secretly to the Post by Patraeus which triggered the phone call from the writer to Shelton. Keep in mind Patraeus was chosen for the role of Director of the CIA for very specific reasons, not the least of which is his ability to think strategically.

I also noted with interest the following passage:

"Shelton put the blame on fellow West Point graduate Broadwell, 40, for the affair and speculated that Petraeus, whom he described as naive, fell for her charms while the two jetted to military bases and war zones for her Petraeus biography."

In my opinion, it takes two to tango and Patraeus was just as guilty, if not more, because of his position of power and responsibility. Additionally, this is the first time I've ever read that a current or former Director of the CIA was naive in any way, personal or professional.

This whole story stinks. I personally believe there is more to why Patraeus resigned, but I'm not sure we'll find out anytime soon.