One More REASON Petraeus Might Have Resigned

[Segami]

Marc Ambinder of the The Week reports on an intriguing and little-known factor that may have contributed to David Petraeus' quick decision to resign: It seems Petraeus was on the list of people who would have access to the nation's nuclear codes should the rest of Washington be wiped out in an attack. And the people on that list are held to ultra-high standards under something called the Personnel Reliability Program. "Adultery is not a minor sin under the PRP rules," writes Ambinder.

It's all part of the nation's secret Continuity of Government plans in the wake of a catastrophe. Petraeus' "exalted" role in those plans might well have led national intelligence chief James Clapper to insist he step down as quickly as he did, writes Ambinder. Read the full post here.

http://www.newser.com/story/157741/one-more-reason-petraeus-might-have-resigned.html

When he admitted having an extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell, CIA Director David Petraeus, as a senior civilian in the presidential chain of command should something go catastrophically wrong in Washington, violated special behavior codes for officials who might one day be forced to execute nuclear strikes. In classified presidential emergency action documents, the CIA director is among the dozens, if not hundreds, of officials who are listed as National Command Authority successors in the event that higher-ranking officials are no longer able to do their jobs.


Because under certain circumstances he'd have ready access to the nuclear satchel, Petraeus was indoctrinated into the Personnel Reliability Program, which evaluates and monitors the lifestyle and behavior of Americans with access to nuclear command and control mechanisms. Adultery is not a minor sin under the PRP rules.


The details of so-called "nuclear pre-delegation" is one of the most tightly held secrets in the U.S. government. The first 18 presidential successors are spelled out by law. But it is not clear whether the pre-delegation lists follow the Constitutional chain of command.





cont'

http://theweek.com/article/index/236521/one-secret-reason-petraeus-had-to-resign

[LiberalArkie]

1. This is one I totally believe.

[southernyankeebelle]

3. Yep I could believe that also. My goodness how careless can a person be. My

mother use to say one hair of a woman's VJJ she can get a man to do anything. I use to think that was bull. Now I wonder if she wasn't right.

[Ikonoklast]

2. Petreaus left himself wide open to blackmail by either a third party with knowledge

of the affair, or from Broadwell herself.

My bet it woukld have been Broadwell; she seems a little less than a stable personality, and a serious user of other people for her own ends.

Either way, he is unfit for command.

[Segami]

5. No doubt, the security trust has been breached by Petraeus.

Its pretty sad for someone in his sensitive position commanding the highest discipline and experience would surrender it all for a little poke in the hay.

[Ikonoklast]

7. Fail Little, Fail Big.

Not like he didn't know any better, either.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. I heard that everywhere Petraeous went (his home for example) was considered a command center.

Another reason not be be involved in scandal/affairs.

[BlueStreak]

6. Then why would the FBI sit on this for 4 months?

[smaug]

8. I was in this program when I was in the Navy over 30 years ago

I never heard anything like this. Their (PRP) main concern was that we weren't communist, homosexual or pot smokers. We had a few things we'd go over every few months, but it was relatively relaxed (not casual).

What this might entail is the potential for blackmail. At the time (I'm gettin' old now, kiddos, so bear with the old fart), being blackmailed for homosexual activity by a communist was their big bugaboo. I think pot smokin' was 2nd on the list. If sexytime out of wedlock had been mentioned, i don't remember this. However, we were known as the 'Hey, man' Navy being away from all that DC and Atlantic coast 'rigor.'

[MADem]

12. Adultery was a component of PRP, as was gambling (more common a problem overseas

where there were slot machines in the clubs; or anyone near Vegas or Reno--pre-internet, of course). PRP also concerned itself with excessive drinkers who managed to bring themselves to the attention of authorities, either shore patrol, MPs or local police.

Sex and the single Sailor (or officer) wasn't a problem, but if a military spouse started complaining about a PRP person's conduct vis a vis extramarital adventures, it could cause repercussions that could impact that clearance. While they may not have gone looking for trouble, if trouble came to their attention, they didn't ignore it.

[roguevalley]

17. and tailgate rolls on...

[MADem]

20. TailHOOK....wow, that was a few years ago!

Haven't thought about that in eons. I had a friend who got caught up in that mess. SHE (yes, she) wasn't involved in any of the shenanigans, but she was "present" at the conference, though miles away when the transgressions occurred. Equal opportunity blaming.

It ruined her career--guilt by association.

[AndyTiedye]

9. Plan "R"?

That's what they called it in the movie "Dr. Strangelove", but we all knew there had to be such a thing for real.

I hope they changed all the passwords.

[LynneSin]

10. Damnit, I just finally memorized those *)#%ing Nuclear Codes

Does that mean they're changes again???!!!

Why don't people remember us lil people when shit like this happens!

[ThoughtCriminal]

11. They just added "2" to the end of the old password

So you're still good to go.

[LynneSin]

13. Oh so it's password2 now

Good I think I can remember that

[rhett o rick]

14. Tell me again. I wrote it on my hands, then washed. Seriously, I cant believe that people

with as high of clearance as Gen P arent closely keep under surveillance.

I believe that all federal employees that have high clearances will be fired if the have excessive gambling debts, affairs, person debts, drinking problems, or any other problem that makes them vulnerable.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. posted first by Ichingcarpenter

but it was too early for others.

[flamingdem]

16. What a dimwit

I did hear he had some good ideas about how to reform the military, but I guess these were already in implementation stage

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. Fine, I understand that adultery isn't new. Neither are lying, cheating, or stealing.

However, all these acts speak less than favorably about someone. Those in public life shock me, because of all, these can afford less than others to engage in these acts. I feel zero sympathy for Petraeus.

[Generic Other]

19. POE

Purity of Essence. Precious bodily fluids.