4 Star US Generals facing music of their lives

Most of us irrespective of our topographical location generally very vehemently criticize USA for many reasons and from different angles and perspectives which is quite an acceptable situation and none should either raise eye brows or grumble about them whatsoever but at the same time what I differ with is that in such like fray we either totally or partially ignore the virtues what USA has which to me is quite disappointing to be honest. I am not at all initiating any conflicting debate among my respected readers simply because my view point is that we must have moral courage in us to condemn USA when it is found to be wrong and must commend too USA when it is right and therefore it is quite but natural that USA cannot be right all the time under all the circumstances and likewise USA cannot be wrong either all the time and thus we all must be very judicious while commenting about any country or a person or both.

To the best of my knowledge and belief never before as many as three USA generals have faced so embarrassing situations almost at the same time which is being read now. Just 5 days back General David Petraeus, Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tendered resignation at his own admitting that he had extra marital relations with someone and now another Genearl William ‘Kip’ Ward, Commander, US Africa Command has been netted and demoted to the rank of Lt Gen position because he has spent more cash money on overseas trips than what was entitled to. The third one is Marine General Johan Allen, Commander; CENTOM has been bracketed for exchanging sexual emails with the lady named Jill Kelly who has worked with him.

In the first case, Gen Petraeus who is not only married for over 35 years but also had been rightly acclaimed to be one of the best khaki in USA army on different counts but nevertheless he is being interrogated not because he had sexual relations with Paula Broad well who wrote his biography but on the fear that may be such relations have some bearing on the confidentiality reposed in him. Many spying agencies and alike are digging deep to ascertain as to what extent Gen Petraues could be found guilty on compromising with the sensitivity of the post he had held till he resigned. In the second case which is a bit more humiliating than other two because here Gen William has been even demoted from 4 star to 3 star so now he is Lt Gen and has been punished because sometimes he took his wife with him when sent out on official duty and her expenses have been paid by national exchequer. He is also accused of spending more money on hotels than he is entitled to and on top of it he stayed for more days than what was officially ought to be. He has been asked to pay back whatever spent extra. Third Marine Gen John has been accused of being engaged in exchanging flirtatious emails with her female staff which tantamount to gross misconduct and that is why all the emails being exchanged between the two are being read. He had been tipped to be posted as Commander of NATO forces but it has been put on hold till investigations are completed and he has been proved as innocent.

The news is not only embarrassing for the three generals in person but also they brought bad name for US forces as well but I will say the beauty is that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta straight away ordered for conducting if thorough investigations against all of them very well proves in quite crystal clear terms that when such like situations arises, US authorities did not wait even for a fraction of a second as to what to do when the bad news was relayed. Offhand I can say that US authorities had all the sources and resources to hush up these cases if they wished alike not to tarnish the image of US armed forces but to them institution is more important than individuals so in the greater interest they opted to go for unearthing the conspiracy rather than burying the same.

I wish Pakistan which has always depended upon US Aid must learn some lesson from its master on this account as well. We must rise to the occasion to say black as black and white as white instead of saying black even as white for the one whom we like and go to the extent of saying white as black for the one whom we do not like.  I have my very serious doubts so far as we are concerned but what about you, may I dare ask?