Martin Bashir   |  November 20, 2012

Bashir: Don’t allow adultery to degrade Petraeus’ heroism

Martin Bashir uses the story of Great Britain’s greatest naval hero, Lord Nelson, and his mistress to explain why the scandal surrounding David Petraeus may take his job, but never his dignity, honor, or heroism.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> it's time now to "clear the air." and although most of us are attracted to scandal, the one involving general petraeus has been hard for anyone to enjoy. a career officer who served for 37 years has earned the respect of the nation, and it's reported that after resigning as head of the cia, general petraeus has expressed deep regret for failing to live up to his own standards. but, in fact, general petraeus now shares something in common with perhaps britain 's finest war hero of all time. admiral lord nelson of the royal navy . yesterday a love letter written by lord nelson to his mistress emma hamilton was sold at auction for almost $32,000. the letter which historians say was written sometime between november 1801 and january 1802 marked the birth of their illegitimate daughter soon after the affair had become public. in the letter lord nelson is unabashed about his affections. my dear lady, i will never retract one syllable i uttered or one thought i fell. never will i sate tamely and see you, my dear friend, neglected or insulted. he then signs the letter, your most sincere and affectionate nelson. lord nelson , who was wounded several times in combat losing an arm and the sight in one eye, provoked further displeasure when upon returning from sea he refused to give up his mistress. he would go on to lead britain 's greatest ever naval victory, the battle of trafalgar in 1805 during which lord nelson was shot and killed by a french sniper. such was the gratitude of the nation that in 1840 at the very center of london nelson's column was erected in the middle of trafalgar square . it's a monument to one of britain 's most heroic figures but also a reminder that heroes have feet of clay. tempting though it must have been, lord nelson 's heroism has never been degraded by his adultery and neither should the service of general