Certainly Bush is hiding behind Petraeus. But Petraeus does seem to be an ass-kissing little chickenshit after all.

He's portrayed in George Packer's "Assassin's Gate" as one of the reasonable leaders, who tried to make culture-sensitive accommodations, work with local leaders, and get projects going that show progress and provide hope. This much he has probably done since he took over; but of course it's about a million deaths, and four million displaceds, too late (not that it's Petraeus's fault he wasn't sent to Baghdad earlier). And the portrayal comes from a writer who initially supported the war, and now seems to be uncomfortable with that position, without at far as I know having renounced it.

One can think that the war was illegal, immoral, and stupid, and agree with General Fallon about the ass-kissing, and still have the impression that Petraeus's methods would have been preferable to those actually employed before his assignment. It appears that Petraeus is more of a politician or perhaps a diplomat — he gives great presentations — than a real top-level military commander. I want hard-nosed, no-bullshit people at the top of my military, and it appears that Admiral William "Not On My Watch" Fallon is one of those, supported in this instance by the JCS. Wow, the military defending the Republic! It's inspiring.

And I do love the cartoon. I rather thought the medals looked like body armor when the general testified, and our artist seems to have gotten the same impression.