But Powell was a civilian at the time he was serving as Secretary of State (though one can argue that 4 star generals are never really civilians after they retire). His reputation was built on his military career though.

Also, MacArthur was fired for trying to go over Truman's head. Petraeus is getting flack for being Bush's poodle. While both are political roles, they're on opposite sides.

I think you're right that Petraeus did himself a disservice in his testimony, but I'm sure he remembers what happened to [link|http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attack/consequences/2003/0228pentagoncontra.htm|Shinseki] after his testimony to the Senate. (Frontline has a good interview with [link|http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/invasion/interviews/fallows.html|James Fallows] which covers the battles over troop levels, Wolfowitz and Shinseki, etc.)

Your Powell quote is a variation of the "Pottery Barn rule" (which he denied coining), but he [link|http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/2007/05/harrison-owen-interview-and-more-colin.html|has written something similar] (from his autobiography, p.35-36):

I learned that being in charge means making decisions, no matter how unpleasant. If it's broke, fix it. When you do, you win the gratitude of the people who have been suffering under the bad situation. I learned in a college drill competition that you cannot let the mission suffer, or make the majority pay to spare the feelings of an individual. . . . Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.


Thanks.

Cheers,
Scott.