Post by josephst112 on Dec 4, 2012 21:16:06 GMT -5
Joseph Stokes
Human Condition > Will Power
In American society, we are constantly put in situations where we must choose between right and wrong. Some actions are indisputably and legally wrong, such as murder. Some actions, however, rely solely on an individual’s moral compass, such as adultery. The Human condition, as proven by the David Petraeus scandal, demonstrates the human ability to make sinful decisions. Time Magazine from 11/26/12 stated, “Adultery is prohibited under the uniform code of military justice” (Barton Gellman). In spite of this, Petraeus strengthened the idea of the human condition by going against the military’s ideology by having an affair, all while holding the prestigious position of CIA Director. The Petraeus affair exemplifies that when adultery is committed, the human condition is exposed while the adulterers must deal with the ramifications of their actions.
Petraeus’ human condition led him to commit sinful acts, and now he must face the ramifications. His human condition led him to commit adultery with the assumption that he would not be caught. Did he really believe that the truth would not eventually show its face? If Petraeus seriously entertained the notion that his clandestine relationship could leak, he may have ceased his adulterous actions to protect his career and reputation. Therefore, he proved the human condition, that people are sinful and that they do not make wise decisions. Unfortunately for Petraeus, he did not, and he even left tracks for the FBI to follow which later revealed the affair. Like Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, Petraeus was discovered and branded, Hester with an A and Petraeus with a resignation letter, which were just some of the consequences of their actions. Petraeus proved to be another sinful human with a desire for lust and it led to his downfall.
For Petraeus, the affair resulted in permanent consequences including the loss of his old way of life. Like a sinner, Petraeus was exiled from his community in the CIA and was also branded an adulterer by numerous publications. Petraeus’ downfall was described as a personal tragedy and some believe that he will bounce back from this horrible scandal. However, that will most likely not be the case because he could have risked the lives of innocent people just to hide his scandal. Like Hale in The Crucible, after everything that Petraeus has worked for is gone, there is no going back to his old way of life. Hale walked the earth without an ideology and Petraeus will walk the earth without a military or CIA career. He is living evidence of the human condition who sought self-gratification, and he proved that there can be serious ramifications to one’s actions.
To think that the former CIA Director, David Petraeus, a man that handled some of the most delicate situations involving our national security, was involved in such an ugly scandal is appalling. The man was trusted by millions and the fact that he ran around committing adultery proves the human condition because he put his nation at stake for an outside relationship. Petraeus has already dealt with some of the ramifications of his actions, such as his resignation as CIA Director, but the aftermath of the scandal is not yet complete.
Works Cited
Gellman, Barton. “Spyfall.” Time 26 Nov. 2012: 26-30. Print
Word Count- 531
Human Condition > Will Power
In American society, we are constantly put in situations where we must choose between right and wrong. Some actions are indisputably and legally wrong, such as murder. Some actions, however, rely solely on an individual’s moral compass, such as adultery. The Human condition, as proven by the David Petraeus scandal, demonstrates the human ability to make sinful decisions. Time Magazine from 11/26/12 stated, “Adultery is prohibited under the uniform code of military justice” (Barton Gellman). In spite of this, Petraeus strengthened the idea of the human condition by going against the military’s ideology by having an affair, all while holding the prestigious position of CIA Director. The Petraeus affair exemplifies that when adultery is committed, the human condition is exposed while the adulterers must deal with the ramifications of their actions.
Petraeus’ human condition led him to commit sinful acts, and now he must face the ramifications. His human condition led him to commit adultery with the assumption that he would not be caught. Did he really believe that the truth would not eventually show its face? If Petraeus seriously entertained the notion that his clandestine relationship could leak, he may have ceased his adulterous actions to protect his career and reputation. Therefore, he proved the human condition, that people are sinful and that they do not make wise decisions. Unfortunately for Petraeus, he did not, and he even left tracks for the FBI to follow which later revealed the affair. Like Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, Petraeus was discovered and branded, Hester with an A and Petraeus with a resignation letter, which were just some of the consequences of their actions. Petraeus proved to be another sinful human with a desire for lust and it led to his downfall.
For Petraeus, the affair resulted in permanent consequences including the loss of his old way of life. Like a sinner, Petraeus was exiled from his community in the CIA and was also branded an adulterer by numerous publications. Petraeus’ downfall was described as a personal tragedy and some believe that he will bounce back from this horrible scandal. However, that will most likely not be the case because he could have risked the lives of innocent people just to hide his scandal. Like Hale in The Crucible, after everything that Petraeus has worked for is gone, there is no going back to his old way of life. Hale walked the earth without an ideology and Petraeus will walk the earth without a military or CIA career. He is living evidence of the human condition who sought self-gratification, and he proved that there can be serious ramifications to one’s actions.
To think that the former CIA Director, David Petraeus, a man that handled some of the most delicate situations involving our national security, was involved in such an ugly scandal is appalling. The man was trusted by millions and the fact that he ran around committing adultery proves the human condition because he put his nation at stake for an outside relationship. Petraeus has already dealt with some of the ramifications of his actions, such as his resignation as CIA Director, but the aftermath of the scandal is not yet complete.
Works Cited
Gellman, Barton. “Spyfall.” Time 26 Nov. 2012: 26-30. Print
Word Count- 531