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David Petraeus, former Director of the CIA and retired four-star general in the US Military, spoke at The Phil in Trinity yesterday and it’s been claimed that the media were barred from the event.

Anyone?

David Petraeus, Former Director of the CIA, Speaks to The Phil (Facebook)

UPDATE:

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Thanks Catherine Healy

UPDATE:

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Greg McInerney writes:

“So I tried to have a chat with former Director of the CIA and retired four-star General of the US Army David Petraeus today in Trinity College. Dave was there to pick up an award from the University Philosphical Society (presumably Petraeus has some deep philosophical insights to share about killing millions of people).

“I had hoped to gain entry to the event but as fate would have it, I bumped into him before the event as he was being given a tour of the campus. I managed to garble out a few poorly phrased points/questions (Afghans not Afghanis duh) in defence of the people of the Middle East and beyond, in memory of the people whose deaths this man is responsible for. I didn’t get to say much at all really before I was dragged away (literally) by security who should be thankful I was in an agreeable mood.”

“After being detained for an hour or so, and having pointed out to security and Gardaí that I was merely trying to ask the man some questions, that I maintained a distance from him, and that if I was to be charged with trespassing, surely every tourist there taking a video or photo should be subject to the same charge, they let me go.”

“I was allowed to go without charge on the condition that I delete the video. I did. However, mysteriously, here it is.”

Greg McInerney (Facebook)

Thanks Donie O’Sullivan

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35 thoughts on “Inside Job”

  3. Brendan

    I think media coverage is usually restricted at these things, unless it’s someone on a promotional tour.

      1. scottser

        trinity has the lowest intake of mature students. you’d get into an NUI if you did a preparatory course no sweat.

  6. B

    I’m sorry but it is a society. I’m a working member of the media but I’m also a grad of tcd and if the Phil want to restrict the media they can.

  7. Dee

    I thought Chatham House Rule protects the identity of the speaker but allows for free dissemination of the information? This seems to be like, well… not that.

    1. Sniffin

      Aye, but it would be difficult to disseminate the information without indirectly identifying the speaker. It would be pretty obvious, like.

  8. JimmytheHead

    Well done Greg, very brave of you to approach this human garbage and tip of the hat for leaving the phone recording :-)

    Since when does TCD’s “Chatham House Rules” overrule freedom of speech? Snobbery at its finest.

    2. Ugh

      Neither TCD nor the Phil made up Chatham House Rules. Chatham House Rules exist to allow a discussion to take place. Therefore they enshrine the importance of freedom of speech, allowing a conversation which wouldn’t otherwise happen. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean that a private society has to allow any non-member, non-student in to an event to hear that conversation. I don’t think you understand at all.

      1. steve white

        do you really think he said anything worth invoking the chatham house rules for, you giving an award to who leaked secrets to his girlfriend

  9. Rob_G

    Maybe he’d seen your bathroom-selfie profile photo and decided that you weren’t to be taken seriously.

  10. peterandrefan44

    greg u sound like a right little tosspot
    “ooh what about the millions of innocent taliban you killed?”

    1. Jack Ascinine

      Glad I’m not the only one who thought he sounded like just another whiny student, unable to comprehend facts, and take really crappy video. Millions? They all must be piled up like cord wood outside the embassies.

        1. Jack Ascinine

          I could make fun of you instead if you like. You’re an easy enough target.

          Said teenager should not act like an ignorant teenager when playing with big boys.

          2. Jack Ascinine

            Wouldn’t want you to ruin your pedicure or chaffe your delicate skin. I just envision Monty Burns throwing a barn yard.

        2. peterandrefan44

          he just went up and volleyed abuse at him not even waiting for an answer.
          also your “human garbage” statement is as far from classy as i can imagine

          2. JimmytheHead

            Well I guess carpet bombing 3rd world countries is innocent enough and gas craic for the lads what? Poor guy got asked a question in public by a posh teenager, nothing can defend that.

            SARCASM!!!!

  11. Tom

    This was not a public event. The Phil is a private society within Trinity College with its own private meeting rooms whose events are only open to its members, who pay an annual membership fee. Why do people think that any random member of the public should be allowed in it that a member of the media should be able to intrude uninvited? Get over yourself..

  12. Mcg

    The general is human garbage? Explain? We live in the real world my friends. He knows more about the middle east than most who comment on this site.

    1. Neilo

      Petraeus is clearly the kind of ‘human garbage’ who’s content to wallow in the dregs of man’s inhumanity to man as a guarantor of our freedom to hurl dirt from the peanut gallery. I’d stand the man a pint TBH.

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