Petraeus Scandal: Paula Broadwell in Classified Document Probe

[frazzled]

17. I would describe Petraeus as a bimbo, too

I'm sorry, but I'm not all that impressed with Ms. Broadwell's pumped-up credentials. (As little as I am with Petraeus's self-important medal wearing and self-promotion). I'd call her more the product of ambition than intellect. It's not an earth-shattering accomplishment to be valedictorian of Century High School in Bismarck, South Dakota. (I was saludatorian of my high school, which was four times as large in population--there were more than a thousand in my graduating class--and I've never considered myself hot shit.) People get into West Point for having good grades (millions do that), usually participating in ROTC or similar interests, and getting a recommendation from a congressman. I'm not saying it's nothing, or that she isn't bright. Just that she's one of many bright young women. But is she that bright? I've listened to at least three of her interviews. She's no intellectual by any means. And her book was "ghost written" by Vernon Loeb. Why was that necessary?

Everything she's done in life seems to be the result of connections she has culled, from West Point to the Kennedy School (which is not the same as being at "Harvard" really), as much as from personal credentials.

My point in calling both of these ambitious and successful people bimbos has to do with their behavior. Both are self-promoting, have little humility, and carried on stupid, risky extra-marital affairs that could be career-ending. That last alone qualifies anyone, male or female, for the bimbo category.