Post by bernadettela116 on Dec 5, 2012 1:05:32 GMT -5
Whenever someone high in power does something thought of as immoral by the American people, they feel a need to cover it up; in order to keep their power they keep their secrets. People feel as though a transgression in a powerful person’s personal life makes them untrustworthy and unsuitable to make any decisions. Former General David Petraeus was caught having an affair and resigned from his post as Director of the CIA. He covered up the affair he had with his biographer for what is rumored to be a year. His actions have caused the public to question his entire career, and this scandal will but what he is most well known for. Petraeus had to cover up his scandal so he could continue being a valuable asset to American.
Even though there are exceptions to every rule, like Bill Clinton, whenever a public figure is accused of and found guilty of having an extramarital affair they are then shunned by society and unable to do good ever again. The guilty parties are shamed into using the rhetoric of America and apologizing profusely for their actions and then stepping down from their office. Petraeus and Broadwell were caught after she admitted to the FBI that they were having an affair and was her reason for threatening the life of Jill Kelley. Broadwell had heard a rumor that Kelley was having an affair with Petraeus and was jealous. Petraeus knew his career would be over once all of America found out and resigned. He had to resign because Americans would no longer see him as a strong, upstanding citizen who was capable of making valuable decisions. They see him as a dirty, filthy liar. Even though he does not have a picture perfect personal life, should that mean he is unfit to help America? Americans views affairs and unclean personal lives in general as making someone automatically a despicable human being whose input is worthless, so the guilty are forced cover up their misdeeds so that they may continue catering to the American people and keep their status. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was afraid to come out as an adulterer because he knew he would lose society’s respect, and as a result be unable to do anything in the community without being scorned and seen as a horrifying human being. This feared punishment is seen in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne when Hester Prynne committed adultery and was forced to wear a letter to publicly shame her for the rest of her life. Petraeus was in the same situation as Proctor until exposed by his mistress when he became more like Prynne. He was unable to purge his guilt because of fear of alienation from his peers and Americans, and once he did his fears became reality. He is still a genius with much to offer society, but is seen differently and cannot articulate his ideas because no one trusts him anymore. Petraeus was judged based off one action, and there is little chance he will bounce back. People will not remember all the good Petraeus did or the fact that he bravely fought for America and led the CIA greatly; they will only remember his infidelity.
Americans are focused on the singular bad deed that they cannot fathom Petraeus able of good again. His entire reputation is ruined because of his affair and his need to keep it secret. He just wanted to continue helping America, and now it will no longer benefit from his outstanding leadership because there is a lack of trust.
Word Count: 600
Even though there are exceptions to every rule, like Bill Clinton, whenever a public figure is accused of and found guilty of having an extramarital affair they are then shunned by society and unable to do good ever again. The guilty parties are shamed into using the rhetoric of America and apologizing profusely for their actions and then stepping down from their office. Petraeus and Broadwell were caught after she admitted to the FBI that they were having an affair and was her reason for threatening the life of Jill Kelley. Broadwell had heard a rumor that Kelley was having an affair with Petraeus and was jealous. Petraeus knew his career would be over once all of America found out and resigned. He had to resign because Americans would no longer see him as a strong, upstanding citizen who was capable of making valuable decisions. They see him as a dirty, filthy liar. Even though he does not have a picture perfect personal life, should that mean he is unfit to help America? Americans views affairs and unclean personal lives in general as making someone automatically a despicable human being whose input is worthless, so the guilty are forced cover up their misdeeds so that they may continue catering to the American people and keep their status. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was afraid to come out as an adulterer because he knew he would lose society’s respect, and as a result be unable to do anything in the community without being scorned and seen as a horrifying human being. This feared punishment is seen in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne when Hester Prynne committed adultery and was forced to wear a letter to publicly shame her for the rest of her life. Petraeus was in the same situation as Proctor until exposed by his mistress when he became more like Prynne. He was unable to purge his guilt because of fear of alienation from his peers and Americans, and once he did his fears became reality. He is still a genius with much to offer society, but is seen differently and cannot articulate his ideas because no one trusts him anymore. Petraeus was judged based off one action, and there is little chance he will bounce back. People will not remember all the good Petraeus did or the fact that he bravely fought for America and led the CIA greatly; they will only remember his infidelity.
Americans are focused on the singular bad deed that they cannot fathom Petraeus able of good again. His entire reputation is ruined because of his affair and his need to keep it secret. He just wanted to continue helping America, and now it will no longer benefit from his outstanding leadership because there is a lack of trust.
Word Count: 600