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AP: a7701c65-0926-4cd6-a6ee-45701cd8187d
The former Commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Gen. Davis Petraeus, left, shaking hands with Paula Broadwell, co-author of his biography "All In: The Education of General David Petraeus." (AP Photo/ISAF, file)

Why it's important

BY Dave Ross  on November 14, 2012 @ 8:27 am (Updated: 9:20 am - 11/14/12 )

The Petraeus story has started a big discussion about the conduct of American males. But the problem here isn't just another powerful man brought low by his libido.

The problem is that this was the man in charge of Afghanistan. This was the man representing the United States of America, the nation that is supposed to be rescuing Afghanistan from radical Islam.

And radical Islam is going to use this to clean our moral clocks.

Associated Press quotes Waheed Muzhda. You've never heard of him; I'd never heard of him, but he's a former foreign minister for the old Taliban regime who's also been participating in the peace process. He's now quoted as saying the Petraeus affair is evidence that American civilization is crumbling.

This is from an AP story: "It is shameful" he says, "for a military general with such a big name and authority to violate the rights of his wife. These types of values are totally different from the values of Islam and our culture. If this happens in our country, the punishment is stoning."

The AP story quotes another Muslim cleric in Kabul: "Such immoral sexual relations take place in societies with no Islamic values...The US has no such authority or dignity to say they want to bring human rights and womens' rights to the world."

Of course we know that what Petraeus did in no way reflects our core values as a nation, and I find it hard to believe anyone would buy the idea that stoning is how you fix such things.

But when you're in a fight to persuade the very conservative people of Afghanistan that we are a superior moral alternative, playing into the enemy's stereotype doesn't help you win.

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Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (20)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Dave, Dave, DAVE - This is NOT a question of morality.
    November 14, 2012 8:10 am
    SSGT. BALES, is a question of morality. But I really doubt that the Taliban - which would allow a man 4 wives in the first place - has all that much of a problem.

    But again, nice diversion, Dave. The longer you can keep the story going talking about sex, the longer it won't be shut down completely.

    A few Congressional Democrats, now, have questions. And they're not all questions about sex. Barbara Feinstein now informs us that Ge. Petraeus will testify next week.

    About Benghazi. Not his 'lack of morality'.

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  • flipper wrote...
    Please
    November 14, 2012 9:29 am
    I don't care who Betrayus sleeps with or doesn't sleep with. I'm more concerned about the lack of national security protocols and what has been exposed/exchanged. Maybe Benghazi doesn't happen if Betrayus isn't diddling his biographer and is actually paying attention?
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  • mpgunner wrote...
    The story is the head of the CIA was under investigation - yet, know one know?
    November 14, 2012 9:33 am
    Right.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "about the conduct of American males."
    November 14, 2012 9:48 am
    We all know you are a liberal and a feminist but you must remember that these issues involved two married men....and oh look Dave, two married women! So maybe we should be saying.........."about the conduct of American women."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • logical open mind wrote...
    let be honest-there is a difference in what attracts the two sexes.
    November 14, 2012 9:50 am
    Men love beautiful young women. The woman's income does not matter, nor does her eductation. Young women are receptive to older men WHEN the man has money and/or power. Most young good looking men ARE NOT into unattractive successful older women-no matter how much money the woman has. Exceptions ofcourse, but none the less we will not see afairs going on with older, unatractive female politicians. #2 Pertaus wife although a good person is not one bit attractive and she is way over weight. #3 Women have affairs all the time, studies have shown this and ask unmarried men if they ever have played around with married women-most have. #4 Liberal men all have a crush on Obama, so if affairs bother you vote nothing but liberal Democrats.#5 Some marriages havea "just don't let me know about it" attitude torwards affairs. It is not against the law.
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  • mnpat wrote...
    Certain folks make a huge deal of it when....
    November 14, 2012 10:38 am
    Status, power or money is used to get sexual favor, but a blind eye always seems to be turned when sexual favor is used to get staus, power or money.
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  • cw1997 wrote...
    Really Dave
    November 14, 2012 9:55 am
    I do not recall your being so focused on Mr. Clinton a cigar and a girl under the desk.
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  • William Lawn wrote...
    You don't remember CW?
    November 14, 2012 1:39 pm
    The headlines for months?

    She had classified documents in her home CW.

    Monica had a stained dress.

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  • Phil B wrote...
    Please
    November 14, 2012 11:37 am
    "Radical Islam" is going to use anything as proof of our lack of morals. The books we write, the movies we release, the fact that we allow our women to remain uncovered, etc. Its propoganda. Its how it works. I wonder if all the people upset about this said word one a few years ago when the Abu Ghraib prison photos appeared?
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  • EARTHMAN911 wrote...
    Radical Islam?
    November 14, 2012 12:58 pm
    There is no such thing as "Radical" Islam. There is only Islam and Muslims. Muslims worship and revere a mass murderer, serial rapist, woman hater, pedophile, hebephile, slaver, liar, thief and destroyer of civilizations, Muhammad and his psychotic phantasm, Allah. How can anyone offend or be judged by Muslims? ANSWER: They can't.
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  • Integrator wrote...
    perhaps we should point out
    November 14, 2012 11:52 am
    that divorce rates are much lower for couples who are atheists or agnostic than those that claim to be religious. So maybe we should drop the facade of christian values vs muslim values and call it what it is, religions are largely patriarchal and that is just plain dumb.
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  • rational wrote...
    Integrator
    November 14, 2012 12:46 pm
    that divorce rates are much lower for couples who are atheists or agnostic than those that claim to be religious.

    If you don't get married in the first place and just shack up of course the divorce rates will be lower. How about comparing relationship surivival...then you'd be comparing apples to apples.

    And btw, divorce amongst Christisns is far too frequent as well...not denying that fact.

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  • mpgunner wrote...
    Obama: WH have Susan Rice the store
    November 14, 2012 12:13 pm
    Wow - Obama just confirms the story came from them. Confirming what everyone knows. This gets better and better. Perhaps the truth will really come out. Even if it was held up after the election.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    While all these "Sex scandles" are occuring and the media is beside itself covering them,
    November 15, 2012 6:34 am
    what subterfuge is this regime and your Dear Leader up to Parrots? How is all that "New flexibility" with Vlad working out? Will Obama be blindsided in January when he inherits his Worst economy in 60 years?
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