Colin Powell

[Red Alert]

This is the guy I want in office. There is almost nothing about this guy I dont like. His views are my views.

He was a four star general, holding the highest position a military officer can have.

He's considered a moderate republican, but has no problem supporting liberal causes.

He's known as the "reluctanct warrior" because rarely advocated military intervention as the first solution to an international dispute, and instead usually prescribed diplomacy and containment.

He's pro choice.

He in favor of "reasonable" gun control.

In 2003 he gave a speech to the united nations security council in which he stated "there can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more." Powell also stated that there was "no doubt in my mind" that Saddam was working to obtain key components to produce nuclear weapons. In a 2005 interview with Barbara Walters, when asked about the speech, said it was a "blot" on his record. He went on to say, "It will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now." Do you need any more proof than that that this current war is based on lies and deceit?

He had often clashed with others in the administration, who were reportedly planning an Iraq invasion even before the September 11 attacks—an insight supported by testimony by former terrorism czar Richard Clarke in front of the 9/11 Commission.

On January 5, 2006, he participated in a meeting at the White House of former Secretaries of Defense and State to discuss United States foreign policy with Bush administration officials. In September 2006, Powell sided with more moderate Senate Republicans in supporting more rights for detainees and opposing President Bush's terrorism bill. He backed the senators John Warner, John McCain and Lindsey Graham in their statement that U.S. military and intelligence personnel in future wars will suffer for abuses committed in 2006 by the U.S. in the name of fighting terrorism. Powell stated that "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of [America's] fight against terrorism."

In July 2007 Powell revealed that he spent two and a half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado Powell stated, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers." I love this guy.

Powell went on to say that he believed Iraq was in a state of civil war. "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew". Did I mention I love this guy?

Powell was the subject of controversy in 2004 when, in a conversation with British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, he reportedly referred to neoconservatives within the Bush administration as "fucking crazies". Thats an understatement.

This is one guy I actually believe can make a big differenece and actually has the american public's best interests at heart.

[HarveyGlass]

You shouldn't get to far gone on the WMD tip Red. WMDs can very easily be produced whenever the power people want them produced. All they have to do is pull something out of some silo in Nebraska and say "we found them!" I've been expecting it for a while actually.

[Redbird Attack]

What did happen to the WMDs? I don't get it. He had them, he used them, where did they all go? I find it hard to believe he just dismantled it all after decades of non compliance.

[BereaCard]

I saw him speak at EKU back before he was Secretary of State. It was when he was involved in America's Promise, which if you do not remember, was focused on youth issues. He was great. Powell carried some nasty water for the Bush administration and I have to admit that I am a bit soured on him. I sincerely hope that whoever gets elected in November picks him as Secretary of State again so he can redeem himself. If we had followed his advice in the first place, we would not be in the mess we are in. I think he could go a long way toward helping to repair some of the damage to our world image that has occurred in the last 8 years.

[HarveyGlass]

Originally Posted by Redbird Attack

What did happen to the WMDs? I don't get it. He had them, he used them, where did they all go? I find it hard to believe he just dismantled it all after decades of non compliance.

He used them up. He was given a finite amount by Bush Sr. and used the hell out of them and now they're gone.

[farmdude]

I also WAS a fan of Colin Powell, however his military training didn't allow him to speak out against his Commander-in-Chief when he knew that the war was taking the wrong track.

[Red Alert]

He sure did carry alot of dirty water and isnt afraid to admit that. You get the sense that he was very uncomfortable in that admininstration and that he was constantly going at it with everybody. I'm sure its what ultimately led to his resignation.

When you are in the military you learn that you dont have to like your job, you just have to do it. If someone tells you to do something and you dont like it, sure you can tell them you dont like it, but guess what........you go do it anyway. Thats the way it is folks. Sure he couldve resigned earlier or stepped aside, but something tells me Colin Powell is not a quitter.

I dont hold any grudges for what he did while in the Bush administration. At least he is willing to admit he made mistakes and went along with the plan even though he was conflicted inisde. I dont think Ive heard anybody else in the Bush admimistration admit once that they were wrong on something.