Was Petraeus The Model For Book's Drunk General?

The Washington Post:

Retired Gen. David H. Petraeus is probably the most photographed soldier of his generation. The pistol in his left hand and the whiskey in his right would definitely be a new look.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post

Comments

[rMatey]

03:06 PM on 01/04/2012

He's just an 'Old Fashioned' kind of general.

[kilchis]

02:39 PM on 01/04/2012

They complained about General Grant's whiskey drinking too. Lincoln wanted to know what brand it was so that he could send some to his other generals and maybe they could be as successful as Grant.

[Item9]

02:27 PM on 01/04/2012

That photo should be on our flag.

[Aries Warrior]

02:12 PM on 01/04/2012

It`s not Jack Daniels...it`s smokin the Green Dragon....( o pium )

[OooZzzzz]

01:30 PM on 01/04/2012

Of course that's retired Gen. David H. Petraeus in his uniform because no two military uniforms are the same regarding military ribbons and all their accomodations.

The image maybe photo shopped to look that particular way (or he actually posed for it) but that's definitely him in his uniform.

Regarding the book; new “shocking behind-the-scenes” details about America’s military commanders is not new.

A large % of officers throughout the military (regardless of rank) have issues with alcohol/alcoholism/prescription drugs can be career killers if it's actually revealed (DUI, domestic/spouse abuse, drinking/drunk on the job etc) if military regulations are strictly enforced without any bias but since the military is just another political "good old boy" network, especially among generals, lots of misdeeds are covered up/not reported/taken care of internally unlike many lower ranking officers.

The network will take care of it's own (if you're a part of the "acceptance") and the All-American/"Mr. clean cut"/military warrior who can't do any wrong is a myth that's sold to American citizens because politically, they want you to believe that generals are no-fault people/upstanding/devoted defenders who can't do any wrong.

If outside agencies investigated generals, would find many cover-ups/infractions that would immediately get many relieved from their position(s)/be forced to resign/retire.

Officers/especially generals, have zero-defect policy/careers will be immediately terminated without question.

Stress & fear. Part of the job.

And they all know it.

[loki]

12:28 PM on 01/04/2012

yes

[SamEllison]

11:32 AM on 01/04/2012

I think the problem is all the
smoke that gets blown up
their asses............

[old broken record]

11:03 AM on 01/04/2012

explains why our wars are going soo well.

[Apollonavigator]

11:22 AM on 01/04/2012

Explains nothing. The author does not have enough courage to say who the cover art was intended to display. And even though the uniform and decorations are an exact copy of Petraeus' uniform, they cowardly back away from the question.
Secondly, Petraeus whom I have met and spoken with, has been fighting cancer for some time, and does not drink alcohol.
The publications involved are the Rolling Stone, the Washington Post and of course the Huff. That really says everything most people would need to know to fairly evaluate this article.

[Guscat]

11:51 AM on 01/04/2012

If you disapprove of the HP why do you read it?

[Bienville]

01:27 PM on 01/04/2012

I read the WaPo article and didn't see the author comment on the cover, either way. It is my understanding that few authors have creative control of the cover artwork.
Secondly, a man who doesn't drink could not possibly be the subject of a painting of a man holding a drink.
All that said, perhaps the artist did have a photo of Petraeus to follow in his painting. The French BPM is probably not worn by any other US General. The artist was probably pretty uninformed about the types of decorations he was painting; he probably just wanted a "chest full of medals" look.
If the book is about Petraeus, or anyone else, don't you think the words in the book will settle the matter conclusively, regardless of the artwork on the cover. This dust-up might sell more books, but the publisher might also choose to scrub a few of the emblems unique to DHP.

[Jim NLN]

10:57 AM on 01/04/2012

If you worked for Bush you would drink too!

[nastywolf]

10:54 AM on 01/04/2012

Well...all I'll say is that the MidEast Oil Wars have been an orgy of drunken spending and over-intoxicated leadership. Not judging...just saying.