Whats the big deal about the General Betrayus comment?

Question

People get slammed in the media all the time.This time it was a general in the romanticized military and everyone is peeing their pants over it.
Republicans especially.
Watch Fox news for ten minutes and you will see oreilly say much worse about more people.
General Petreus is a general/politician.

Answer 1

Because his report is the latest pathetic attempt by the Bush administration to justify the Iraq fiasco, which is completely unjustifiable.
So instead of attacking the arguments of those who are against the war (a battle they can't win), as always, they simply question their patriotism. It is a very dishonest way of arguing, but also unfortunately a very efficient one when you throw it open to the court of public opinion and its impressionable fickle ways.

Answer 2

of COURSE they bought the ad space before the testimony. the general himself was out there on news programs saying what would be in the report, and even if he hadn't been, it was pretty predictable what it would be: more lies from the Bush Administration.

but again, predictably, the talking heads (and dittoheads) go after the ones criticizing wrongdoing, and never entertain the notion that there might BE wrongdoing to criticize.

this is non-news, folks.

Answer 3

I agree. MoveOn.org did nothing more than exercise their freedom of speech right. Something the right wing media does every night in attacking Hillary, Obama, Edwards or a whole host of other progressives. Because it was directed at a general makes absolutely no difference.

Answer 4

General Patraeus is not a politician in the slightest sense. He did not campaign for his position, nor was he voted in, he earned it through years of service. I think every American owes individuals like that some respect. Even if you disagree with his message, it is somewhat immature to mangle someone's name in an effort to prove your point. This type of attention grabbing journalism distracts everyone away from the real issues, some of which MoveOn mentioned in their ad, which are not being noticed now because of the controversy of their method of attack. MoveOn only made the point that it is immature and it caters to a like minded audience. People that run for office and campaign for support will expectedly challenged and have their personal character attacked, but appointed generals of our military need not endure such personal attacks. There are more appropriate ways to disagree with these individuals.

Answer 5

Its one thing to attack the policies of our country. It's totally different to attack a man following orders to get HIS job done.
The general is a highly dedicated, decorated man who has served his country honorably. What a low blow! As far as O'Reilly saying things about people, when was the last time you ACTUALLY watched his show, and give us a few examples. He always invites people with opposite viewpoints, if they can't articulate well and get their point across maybe they have no point to begin with. I commend those that are invited and show up with GOOD points, and they have changed my mind on issues. I also watch CNN and headline news. (hear comes the thumbs down! LOL) By the way, O'Reilly is a commentary show not a news show. Everybody knows O'Reilly has strong opinions and he doesn't hide it.

Answer 6

My God people just need to get over themselves. If you don't like it.. stay away from moveon.org..... just like if you don't like or can't handle Hilary or Obama getting slammed... don't freaking watch Fox... it's pretty simple people... I mean... are we really this stupid in America that we keep blowing every single publicity stunt up into historic proportions? People need to either get over themselves or get their emotions in check... if not then a full frontal lobotomy would make for a good third option.

Answer 7

Like it or not, we are AT WAR. By blasting our General in the media, these idiots throw fuel on the fire for our enemies. What has happened in this country? Decency is gone. Watch Ken Burn's War on PBS to see what Americans used to be like.

The ad was purchased BEFORE his testimony. Any Liberal who denies that will never believe anything because they know it all.

Answer 8

It was uncalled for because Petraeus was just doing his job as a political general.

The big deal is that it was a red meat Republican opportunity to slur the Democrats as unpatriotic and anti-troop.

Answer 9

Besides the fact that Petraeus simply did not deserve the attack, the larger issue is that the attack came BEFORE he made his testimony before Congress. Therefore, it means that MoveOn...and it's supporters...didn't even care about facts, they had already made up their mind. Even O'Reilly (of whom I'm not a fan) attacks a person based on their stand...not on what he assumes their stand to be.

Answer 10

Great point...

Too many Americans buy into the bluff that because he has stars on his uniform, it somehow makes him above criticism. When in fact, he and the rest of the people representing us need further scrutiny by “we the people”.