Mr. T's APLAC Blog #2

The widespread scrutiny over the possible involvement of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and his office in a bridge closure is another example of the insecurity American citizens associate with figures of authority. This is easy to see throughout the media as the press jumps upon anyone in a leadership position unfortunate enough to find themselves embroiled in scandal. The importance of maintaining a clean self image is perhaps too over hyped in American society that it hinders the duties of our leaders.

 A recent example of over-scrutiny is the scandal involving former CIA director David Petraeus. The former Army General resigned from his post after his affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. Despite his poor decision and it's effects on his personal life, it should not have had the influence over his position. Petraeus' military-media strategy that influenced and informed Washington policymakers and the public was proclaimed that the reports of the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan were inaccurate, and his accomplishments were reviled. Even after working as visiting professor at the City University of New York for $1 as a result of outrage from critics, Petraeus was heckled by students who labeled him a "fascist" and a "war criminal."

Petraeus may or may not have performed better than current CIA director John Brennan and responded to the criticism of the agency's drone program is up to debate, however, it seems that the general's resignation is evidence of a society's animosity of it's men and women of leadership.