First, let me say that I find the entire situation involving the resignation of David Petraeus as head of the CIA to be quite sad -- after all, he is a hero and has performed in an exemplary fashion at every task set before him by the leaders of this nation.

The resignation of David H. Petraeus as CIA director followed an FBI investigation of many months, raising the question of why he was not forced out until after the election.

In his letter of resignation, Petraeus cited an extra-marital affair he had been having. “After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair,” Petraeus said in his letter to President Obama. “Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.”

Petraeus, who had a distinguished military career, revealed no additional details. However, an FBI source says the investigation began when American intelligence mistook an email Petraeus had sent to his girlfriend as a reference to corruption. Petraeus was commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan from July 4, 2010 until July 18, 2011.

That said, I find myself looking at an astounding double standard.

A President can cheat in the Oval Office itself -- including being "serviced" while on the phone with world leaders and members of Congress -- and it is "just about sex" and somehow not relevant to his continued service. Those who make it so are deemed to be prudish moralists -- even as said president makes use of the power of his office to obstruct justice and reward his mistress for her services. After leaving office, said individual can continue to be a representative of the nation when called upon by his successors, and can be an honored surrogate for his party's major candidates. His spouse, who helped coordinate the cover-up of his entire history of infidelity, can be elected to high office and serve in one of the most sensitive positions in American government.

On the other hand, an appointee with a distinguished record and only this one blemish is destroyed and driven from public life.

Is it just me, or does the double standard show a fundamental schizophrenia regarding such personal conduct by our leaders?