Should people in a high profile position resign for having affairs?
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20276610
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...684_story.html

...I saw this on another site that CIA director David Petraeus has resigned from his post, admitting he had an extramarital affair...personally I don't approve of anyone cheating on their partner...but I would think the majority of people wouldn't have to resign because of it....is it different for people in high profile jobs...?...why is it different....?....

It happens in all of these top executive roles these days..there is a culture of if something goes wrong, that person is demanded to resign. I don't really think it's the answer, just people for blood

That, and no government wants their "head of whichever department" having their lives being opened to the public and scrutinized. Cut bait and sail forth. Happens everywhere, and it makes sense, even though it's disturbingly inhuman.

And there's what's happening to the man behind the Elmo muppet. :(

Maybe it's just accepted thats what happens in that role,
She could have been approched and paid/threatened to find out information?
Those in the 'bible belt' may find it hard to trust someone who can't even stay honest to his own wife.

...yeah, there is that but couldn't the same be said for anyone in his circle of friends..?...

..the 'bible belt' part is valid but it happens everywhere..I just took this as one example...

I guess when you're in a position like he was the line between your personal and professional life are always going to be pretty blurred, part and parcel of representing a leading national body

Yes
he was Poking her in his own Office.


Utter Randy Fool

Like mtvn said they don't accept just anyone into their 'circle of trust' when you are in that kind of organization.
I get what you mean about others, like George Entwhistle and the head of childrens sevices following baby P?
Can't remember her name, something Shoesmith I think.

People who are in positions of power where national security is concerned should expect their private life to be up for scrutiny.

No. Private is private, and work is work.

If we trust these people to be appointed to these posts in the first place, and we trust them to retain information that is classified, then just because they are having sex with someone else is no reason to fire them.

Don't you think they make themselves vulnerable?

...yes, they could just as easily 'divulge' something to anyone...what if they were to get divorced, without having an affair..and their ex wife or soon to be ex wife went public with confidential information....

..and the same sort of Company confidential stuff could apply to anyone...yet not everyone's position is threatened through having an affair...


,,not that I in any way approve of decieving your partner..because I don't...

I wonder whether there would be a confidentially clause built in and upon which the divorce settlement depended? Or perhaps their spouse would be required to sign their version of the Official Secrets Act? I'm just guessing... But when you stop shagging your mistress it's a different matter.

I don't think they should resign just because they're having an affair. I don't approve of it, but i just don't see why they should leave their job. :shrug:

Your are Wrong as he was a Security risk
so busy bonking her on his desk.

:joker:

Not especially. These are people who've dedicated their lives to working to "protect" their countries.

We trust them with secret information all the time. Unless the position calls for celibacy, then it's really irrelevant who people are sleeping with.

I'm sure Petreus didn't turn in to a gossiping 13 year old, just because he's putting his penis in some new orifices.

..I wonder if they have the same sort of gagging orders that celebrities and sports people have..but I guess with the internet there isn't such a thing as a gagging order....

Yes.

...LOL...yes what..?..you've just made me spit my drink out again....

Well, I'm not so sure. Sex can be a powerful persuader. And the trouble with the people who've dedicated their lives to the protection of their country is they they are human.

Stop saying gagging. Just stop...

Any organisation that has confidential material that is of interest to other parties is at risk of espionage.
I'm sure it's happened that men have compromised themselves due to 'pillow talk'.

...yes..I'm sorry..I wasn't trying to bait you....LOL....

no its a disaster. it basically empowers tabloid trash and any gossip or anyone who wants to chase an affair and takes away all the power from the person whose career is at stake. replacing people with that lifetimes experience is impossible. we dont do in for doctors or lawyers, why do it for army generals>? it reduces everything to tabloid gossip and destroys 30 year careers and damages the nations military and many others areas....imagine a heart surgeon who saves 100s of lives quitting over an alleged one night stand? its nuts. would I have less trust in the heart surgeon saving a life, heck no.