Absolutely right, Steve. If this election is
bringing out the worst in American politics, maybe
it can also bring out the best. I think Powell
displayed a lot of thoughtfulness and integrity in
that statement - it's a shame we haven't seen more
of that in the last several years.

A day late and a dollar short.

Powell's statements to the media following his Obama endorsement showed a man unwilling to admit the depth of deception that was employed to launch the Iraq war. Still using the timeworn and disproven excuse of "faulty intelligence", he is obviously unwilling to admit the extent of his own complicity in the genocidal eradication of over a million Iraqi citizens.

Instead of his carefully rehearsed and self serving statements on Meet The Press, you should be showing his subsequent media statements about the run-up to the Iraq war, and the clusterfuck that followed. Unrepentant and disingennuous, it portrays a man who seeks to resurrect a reputation that he cast away when he stood before the UN and laid the foundation for the criminal invasion of a country that posed no threat to us. Even now, unable to utter the truth, he continues the lies that have resulted in epic mayhem, economic ruin, and inconcievable misery and loss of life.

I agree with the first two comments, but a lot more with Steve and the first one. Powell will not be in an Obama administration and will spend the rest of his life as a philanthropist and elder statesman. It is an eloquent statement and speaks to the best of our country's values.

I urge every reader of TWN to think about his/her time commitments for the next two weeks and find a few hours to volunteer for the Obama campaign's final push to get as many people to the polls as possible everywhere.

If you take the time to call locally whereever you live, you will find an amazing grassroots organization that is worth observing first hand and being part of. At the very least get a sign for your yard.

And if you volunteer to make phone calls or walk your block or be a poll watcher, take your children and grandchildren who are old enough to understand and remember.

It's a great civics lesson and perhaps even offer to add a message about voting and Obama while out with them on Halloween.

These are difficult times that require more than a 50% plus one election. The next President will need a mandate.

A little more caring and patriotism would be good for the U.S. In 2004 and 2000 in the U.S. only 55.3% and 51.3% of eligible U.S. citizens voted compared to 58% in Iraqi elections.

Powell' statement and Obama's speech from the 2004 Democratic convention are very important for this country--more than ever now to show that most Americans reject the hateful messages of the McCain-Palin campaign that remind me very much of McCarthyism.

The worst of such comments have come from Michele Bachmann, a first term Republican Congresswoman from Minnesota's 6th district who is very articulate but sounds like Joe McCarthy from WI to me. I'd like to see her be a one-term Congresswoman.

Regardless of what anyone says about my Congressman John Lewis, he will be back because he's running unopposed.

This is about the attempted rehabilitation of Colin Powell.

--

"Let me be absolutely clear. Just this much John McCain is enough to threaten both the security of the United States and the peace of the whole world." -- Colin Powell
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/2338d1c0-c7bf-4174-8169-97b2fecf43d8.html

Chameleon Powell
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/fef3545b-8317-439f-8e71-73587f4293fd.html

Limbaugh: Where are the inexperienced, white liberals Powell has endorsed?
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1008/Limbaugh_Where_are_the_inexperienced_white_liberals_Powell_has_endorsed.html?showall

The most cynical part of the MTP exhibition was where Powell got all weepy about the twenty-year old Islamic young man who "gave his life serving his country". He didn't die for his country, nor did all the other brave Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis die for America, not for me, and not for you. They died serving the imperialist cabal who sought profit and power, which includes Powell, who, let's not forget, gave that decisive error-filled speech at the United Nations.

The last time Powell gave a major address many people died as a result of his lack of judgment. Is this Act Two?

Off topic, but interesting.

It seems that Palin is refusing to release her medical records. Biden and Obama have already done so, but the McCain camp is withholding Palin's.

Why? Why would a seemingly healthy woman in her early forties seek to keep her medical records sealed?

Powell's comments about Palin barely scratched the surface, in my opinion. There is far more to discover about this woman than just Troopergate, and her obvious lack of qualifications for the Vice Presidency. I suspect this womanm is a pathological liar, and her comments about "vindication" subsequent to the Branchflower report would seem to support my suspicions.

Medical reports or not, it is surreal that such a creature would be advanced as viable VP material, and Powell's lauditory dismissal of her was tepid and unrealistic in its failure to underscore the depth of her disqualifications.

If we were to completely cleanse McCain's slate, with exception of this one decision of picking Palin as a running mate, it would be all the evidence we need to question McCain's sanity, common sense, and suitability for ANY public office.

Well said, General Powell!

http://acropolisreview.com/2008/10/video-ret-general-colin-powell-endorses.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Colin Powell will have a role as a top presidential adviser in an Obama administration, the Democratic White House hopeful said Monday.

Oh, goody. Another war. A proper use for all those additional ground troops Obama wants. So where's the Change We Can Count On?

Steve,

Thanks for posting this video on your site and in particular for citing the Muslim soldier story Powell cites. I found it moving, a subtle but direct call for us to recall the values we supposedly all cherish as Americans, and an attempt to focus on a particular issue so many have forgotten.

I agree completely with you that Muslim Americans, women, Jewish Americans, Homosexuals, Cambodian Americans, Nigerian Americans, and so on should be able as children to all dream about one day becoming president of the United States. It is incumbent upon all of us as well as those members of such "minority" groups to insist that their "membership" in that group is simply one of many many many parts of that person's identity and should no more allow us to isolate them or encourage them to isolate themselves from others than a person who has red hair or a permanent mole on their face should define their identity to themselves or the rest of society (not a great example but the best I could come up with off the top of my head).

That's part of Senator Obama's appeal. That he is both African American but identifies himself as so much more no matter how many people wish to isolate this one part of his identity and consider it decisive.

However, that they may be Muslim or homosexual or Cambodian should not only not disqualify them but actually assist them in a small way in becoming our Commander in Chief in that they may have been touched by certain elements (like being treated at different times as "different") that give them more perspective than the average person.

I think we've come a long way on this front. I think tolerance for homosexuals is vastly greater than it was twenty years ago in this country. So is the tolerance for other "minority groups".

We still have a long way to go but I will always remember during the 2006 campaign the now famous "macaca" moment in the capitol of the old confederacy (Virginia) when a conservative Senator considered a serious candidate for Republican nomination to be president set in motion the forces that ended his career by calling attention to an Indian-American videographer from his opponent's campaign with the slur, "macaca". To me that incident and its consequences can't help but give one hope for the future of this country.

Again, thanks for highlighting this issue and Powell's powerful comments.

news release, September 2003: Powell already rejected as "totally unrealistic" a French proposal for U.S.-led authorities in Iraq to surrender control within a month to a provisional Iraqi government. "We have invested too much to consider such a proposal," Powell said on the flight to Switzerland for one-on-one meetings with ministers of France and the other veto-holding Security Council members: Britain, China and Russia.

As a result of Powell's "investment experience" he later got a nice job with an investment house. Meanwhile, the Iraq War "investment" that Powell championed has put America in the poor house.

news release, July 2005: Venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers said Colin Powell, the secretary of state during President Bush's first term and a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has become a strategic limited partner.

A shame that Powell didn't exhibit the same regard for the troops when he consigned them to fight an illegal war for political considerations. His mention of one Muslim soldier erases the thousand dead and tens of thousands maimed?

It sickens me seeing this man lionized. Has this nation sunk so far that a twenty minute dissertation absolves a man of war crimes, mass murder, and participation in a criminal conspiracy of epic historical proportions?

Colin Powell, even though the Repubs made him a four-star and SecState, and his son head of the FCC, is just bummed because he didn't get a Medal of Freedom like fellow war criminals Bremer, Franks and Tenet. Talk about sour grapes!

Yes it was worth watching again...
And maybe even again.

Given the heat of the lights, that's seven of the most brilliant rhetorical minutes I've ever seen...

Powell's statement on the young American Muslim killed in Iraq is incredibly powerful and poignant.

And incredibly overdue. How come our horrible media has to sit around and wait for Colin Powell to say this? Shameful.

My favorite part of Powell's MTP appearance was at the very end, when he asked as an aside, "This red stuff that's all over my hands, I've been scrubbing and scrubbing but it really stains like the dickens. Any suggestions for how I can wash it off?"

I felt the focus on the Islamophobia craziness that many of the same folks that lied us into Iraq have been fueling were Powell’s most impressive insights and oh so long over due for someone of his position to say.

“I am troubled by what members of the Republican Party say and it is permitted to be said. Well you know that Mr.Obama is a Muslim”. Powell “Well the correct answer is Obama is a Christian and he has always been a Christian. BUT the really right answer is What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in America. NO”

IT TOOK FAR TOO LONG FOR ONE OF THE BIG BOYS OR GIRLS TO COME OUT AND SAY THIS

How many times have we heard the MSMer's allow McCain, Palin, Lieberman and others repeat the debunked, inaccurate and dangerous claim that Iranian President Ahamadinejad said "wipe Israel off the map". Professor Juan Cole debunked that statement long ago yet Chris Matthews, Tom Brokaw, Stephanapolous have allowed McCain to repeat it, Glen Ifill allowed Palin to repeat it during the debate. This false statement has been repeated in the MSM endlessly. Fact Check/Media Matters and other media watch groups have not challenged the misuse of this inflammatory statement.

Professor Juan Cole has a direct interpretation of what the Iranian President actually said on his website. Zionism "will vanish from the pages of time" this is a far cry from "wipe Israel off the map"

I cannot overstate how sickening it is to hear Colin Powell even speak in public. About anything. Ever.

Honestly it boggles the mind. So the anthrax apologist gets a cabinet post & the brilliant strategist & worked his ass off for the stupid Democratic Party Wes Clark gets thrown under the bus- for another liar.

Seethingly non-Obama Democrat who can't vote for McCain either here.

Is there a floor or ceiling to disgust? One wonders, eight years into this. The rightwing takeover of the Democratic Party, now coming to a government near you.

Kathleen...remember we were going to distinguish between us when we sign on....you were going to use a G...it's always fun for me to read your comments because I completely agree...it's a little surrealistic...another dimension... a fun element...now I have to go back and read all the comments..maybe I should just sign on with my whole name from now on.

Guys... I love your comments...but remember this... in the end the UN did not listen to Powell...the UN Security Council did not support the US Resolution to use force in Iraq...I find the "faulty info" excuse irksome to the max... if you and I knew it ..what does that say about the so-called experts? I shudder to think...

Hey, credit where credit is due. The rehabilitation of Colin Powell is about complete. It included:

(1) A new scenario where Powell is not remembered as the SecState overseeing the worst foreign policy blunder in US history. This is no longer the man who gave his blessing to the neocon war, publicly provided the "evidence," ensured that the war continued past "mission accomplished" and sent Jerry Bremer as pro-consul. Under the new scenario Dastardly Dick Cheney, the uncommonly powerful vice president, was responsible for everything and nobody else can be blamed for anything. (This scenario appeals to Dems too -- see (3) below.)

(2) Promotion of Colin Powell as an American Icon, not an easy task for a general who never generaled and a SecState who seriously blundered. But Powell has good friends with access to the media who know how to handle re-branding and marketing. Nice photos, too. They make Colin look seriously capable.

(3) Timing is everything. Powell was mentioned as early as last February as having prospects with Obama. The deal was that when and if Obama acquired a safe lead Powell would endorse him with a carefully crafted speech on prime time TV. As the quid pro quo Powell would receive a post in the Obama administration thus completing his rehabilitation. Imagine: A blundering SecState largely responsible for an unpopular war serving in the subsequent opposition administration without ever recanting! Hillary, how do you like that?

Way to go Colin!! The Powell rehabilitation PR campaign ought to be taught in every advanced marketing class. It might have saved the Edsel, for example.

Sarah Palin will not reveal her medical records for the obvious reason that they would show she was indeed never pregnant, never carried, or delivered her fourth child. And has been lying about it all along.

Holly...I'm so interested in your observation that the rightwing has taken over the Democratic party...to me, they seem always to have been in charge, somehow....I'd be interested to know what makes you say this at this moment...as a 'seething non-Obama Democrat who won't vote for McCain,..how will you resolve the dilemna? I'm voting for Nader and my Dem Congressman because they both support impeachment hearings....

"other Kathleen"...I'm glad you mentioned the quote Presidernt Ahmadinejad is supposed to have said....during the huge brouhaha that erupted when Ahmadinejad was invited to speak at Columbia...I thought his speech was brilliant and said back then I would need to see his exact words, as translated by independent and certifiedly competant translators....if I'm not mistaken, the same kind of miscontruction on "wiping Israel off the map" was atttributed to Arafat, too. Apparently one can wipe Palestine off the map, but not Israel.

Speaking of the elections and things that influence outcomes, like endorsements, iIt's interesting that you should mention Iran in this thread... remember just days before the New Hampshire Primary, the world was treated to some military street theater in the Straits of Hormuz......that skirmish with the Iranian boats...followed by 4 US Battleships being dsipatched to the Persian Gulf, brought to us courtesy of ham radio operator, The Phillipino Monkey? Translation... Defense-Dollars for New Hampshire... the Naval Base at Portsmouth and its huge sister shipbuiulding shop....battleships... in other words, vote for war or be unemployed...it felt like something the Niger Forgers cooked up...

DavidT..I agree the backlash from the maccaca moment gives one hope...I can;t exactly say why, but when I heard the handle of the ham radio operator in the Straits of Hormuz Show, The Phillipino Monkey, I thought of the maccaca moment... they seem connected, perhaps it's the same mental stance toward brown skinned people...

War Criminals for Truth, a new 501(c), is ready to elect him charter chairperson.

Got torture?

STEVE:

You previously didn't strike me as someone so enamored of Colin Powell.
There's an excellent piece in The Atlantic by James Kirchick here:

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200810u/powell_endorsement

So 2 questions:

1. Do you care to comment on that article?

2. What kind of voter is the Powell endorsement supposed to convince? The phrase "preaching to the converted" comes to mind.

I see the Powell endorsement as career move mostly. I feel his comments on Meet The Press were wonderful. But I question his motives, and the true value of such an endorsement at this late stage in the game.

I see Steve took exception to my calling Tahoe a "jackass" for his citing of Rush Limbagh, and removed my post.

Well, so be it.

But I heartily recommend that Steve, and the readers here, take the time to read Limbaugh's musings.

Here is the link that Tahoe provided...

http://tinyurl.com/Tahoe-s-dingleberry

...at that location, you will find Jonathan Martin paying homage to Limbaugh's hate filled essay of excrement, which you can find here....

http://preview.tinyurl.com/The-Fat-Loud-Mouthed-Addict

Now, after reading Limbaugh's commentary, what do you find most offensive, me calling Tahoe a "jackass" for citing Rush Limbaugh, or lardass Rush Limbaugh's oxycontin generated spew?

And if it doesn't take a jackass to cite Rush Limbaugh, then what exactly do you call someone willing to cite Limbaugh's comments about Powell's endorsement? I must confess "jackass" wasn't my first choice. But out of deference to Steve, I toned it waaaaaaay down. Apparently, not enough.

Steve,

Maybe you can post a part of the character witness testimony where Powell vouched for accused Senator Ted Stevens. You know the Alaskan senator on trial for not reporting bribes/gifts.

That was pretty eloquent too.

Steve,

Here's what your thoughtful, eloquent, brave General had to say
to a reporter after his Meet the Press appearance:

"The Iraq war is the Iraq war. We now see that things are a lot
better in Iraq. Maybe if we had put a surge in at the beginning, it
would have been a lot better years ago, but it's a lot better now,
and we can see ahead to where U.S. forces will start to come out.
And so, my concern was not my past or what happened in Iraq,
but where we're going in the future. My sole concern was where
are we going after January 20 of 2009, not what happened in
2003.

I'm well aware of the role I played. My role has been very, very
straightforward. I wanted to avoid a war. The president agreed
with me. We tried to do that. We couldn't get it through the U.N.
and when the president made the decision, I supported that
decision. And I've never blinked from that. I've never said I didn't
support a decision to go to war."

That really does say it all, doesn't it? To this day he is LYING
THROUGH HIS TEEETH! Tried to avoid war?! Couldn't get "it"
through the UN? His "sole concern" is January 2009. The million
innocent Iraqis who have been murdered and/or displaced?
Never mind – Iraq's "a lot better now"!

Utterly disgraceful. And while his comments on the Arab/race
issues were commendable, he remains, in essence, a self-
serving coward who showed no moral courage when it really
counted.

Regards,

Tony C.

"I look forward to the day when we have Asians, gay people, Latinos, Inuits, and the like as Americans aspiring to occupy the highest offices in the land"

I look forward to the day when morals, intelligence, and integrity are the criteria for high office, no matter what color, religion, or gender possesses these extremely rare assets.

And as I pointed out in an earlier post, the Powell comments that Tony C has provided are a far greater gauge of Powell's nature and character than his self-serving six minute endorsement was. He still lies, even now when great numbers of Americans have come to know the truth.

Surely, if Steve and Wilkerson are so close, Powell must read this blog. I dare you Powell, defend yourself. Hows it feel to be a party to genocide?

Piss, you are a moron. You quote Limbaugh & Hannity and the other right-ring radio nuts you listen to all day long more than anyone else here. But when I do it, I'm a jackass. Resume your permanent bent-over position.

http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/23eb805b-b30d-46ef-adbf-83d617d9f1a4.html#
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/f0898360-c7e6-4265-8840-987c5c0f8bc3.html#

Tahoe is permitted to call Pissed Off American, Piss, but POA can't call the most loathesome, disengenuous propagandist I've ever read on the Washington Note a jackass?!?

What's wrong with this picture?

*yawn*

It's just shorthand for his own self-appointed (and highly appropriate) name.

Piss has quoted Rush & other right-wing radio pinheads hundreds of times. Calling himself a "jackass" ad infinitum no doubt led to his bacteria-filled, piss-soaked inanity.

I`ve always tried to follow the rules at TWN, and would not even
consider saying that Tahoe is a jackass. However, the opinion
among most sane and intelligent people commenting at TWN
certainly points in that direction; and his approving link to
Limbaugh is just one, among countless of links and statements
from Tahoe, that make this opinion highly understandable.

I would not even call Tahoe a liar, or an intellectually dishonest
person. But it is quite likely that any intelligent reader who look
at his last two posts, where he writes that also POA frequently
quotes Limbaugh and Hannity (as if QUOTING them is the crucial
point, and not the fact that POA clearly sees the quotes as
disgusting examples of right wing propaganda, while Tahoe
seems to approve them), may conclude that Tahoe may not be
the most honest commentator they have read at TWN.

And just like any propagandist - left or right wing - Tahoe can`t
write a sentence without insulting the intelligence of his readers.

'Jackass' doesn't come close to topping the list of epithets that come to mind when I read your grating, garrulous garbage, Tahoe Editor. But in deference to Mr. Clemons I try to keep them to myself and I usually succeed.

If you had any respect for the site, or Mr. Clemons, you might think of doing the same. But judging by your ramblings, I don't think 'respect' is a concept you think much of, is it?

I know what my grandmother would have done if you ever called someone that in front of her - she would have slapped your face and sent you to bed without your dinner. And you would have deserved it, you rude, rude, rude, little boy.

How many are going to be influenced to vote a different way based on Powell's personal choice?
IMO, that number is statistically a tiny, tiny number. And statistically, just no significant change at all in the voting totals. I care more about what my friends and neighbors say, than what Powell utters on a Sunday morning talk show.

Is Powell making a reasoned answer to his choice? Maybe. . .but who is really being influenced to chance their voting choice? Let's count the hands.

McPain seems to have conceded by dropping out of key states. What's his misconstrued strategy until voting day now anyway? Like where your VP choice has taken you, McPain?

Paleface also seems to lack her original fire power and may just be going thru the motions getting in her media time minutes in and waiting for 2012. BTW, POA, is her not putting out a health record have anything to do with not finding a doctor willing to sign on the dotted line about a certain birth a few months ago? I'm just asking because I've not found ONE answer other than from Paleface's own people.

On Powell, he screwed up big time by not quitting immediately after learning he was duped by the bush mafia cabal into lying to the world about why this country should go to war in Iraq. He lost my respect by not quitting immdiately. Oh, some might say, "he's not a quitter". Well then, what great things has he engaged in since it became clear he was duped? Advising his son to screw up the FCC a little more? Hmm?

Please don't tell me revealing his choice for president is the best thing Powell's done in the past 6 years! To me, that's highly meaningless in the big scope. Try a little harder next time, Colin.

Uh, just for the record, I don't believe I have EVER directly quoted any of the RW piece of shit mouthpieces that Tahoe seems to get a vast majority of his talking points from. I have outlined in distinct terms, at times, my disgust with thier obvious complicity and partnership with the far RW members and strategists that have turned the GOP into a writhing knot of loathsome snakes. And at times, in general terms, I believe I have offered outlines of commentary I have heard from these scumbags.

I find it somewhat amusing that Tahoe, after offering up a DIRECT LINKAGE to the oxycontin generated spew of the fat assed Limbaugh, accuses me, dishonestly, of quoting these gasbags like Limbaugh "hundreds of times".

But what do we expect? Remember, when Hannity and Levin were justifying the vicious vendettas of the embarrassing witch Palin by claiming Wooten was a "wife beater", Tahoe was posting those very same assertions here at TWN, despite the fact there was NO EVIDENCE at all that Wooten EVER beat his wife. Now gee, I wonder where Tahoe was getting his "information"?

Now, shamelessly linking to an unusually despicable and racist rant by Limbaugh, he has the audacity of accusing me of "quoting" Limbaugh "hundreds of times".

No, Tahoe, you are the only braying mammal here directly quoting Limbaugh's spew.

After all, you gotta do something to underscore your perverse political leanings and your inability to formulate an honorable or honest argument, doncha?

And honestly, despite the fact that Steve removed my post where I quite accurately described Tahoe's closest cousin in the animal world, I hope Steve will allow Tahoe's comments to stand so the readers can form their own opinions. After all, its always wise to get a second opinion or two, just in case I've misread Tahoe's equine ancestry.

pauline...there you are..I was wondering where you've been... and Carroll too..I agree with you on Powell, but please, don't insult the mafia by comparing it to Bush...the mob does its own dirty work..they don't send others' children to do it for them.. besides Bush is too cowardly to ever make in the mob...he doesn't have the brains or the balls.

POA..."braying mammal"...good one...really colorful

Kathleen and Kathleen Grasso (are there two Kathleen's here and do I make three?) I am so tired of the MSM allowing this inaccurate interpretation of what the Iranian President said to be repeated. (I have heard Neil Conan of Talk of the Nation allow John Bolton to repeat it so many times during one interview I lost count) Terri Gross has also allowed folks to repeat this false statement on her Fresh Air program.

Kathleen Grasso..you are so right. We heard El Baradei tell the world in early March of 2003 that the NIger Documents were forgeries. Still no one held accountable for those documents. Then Scott Ritter, Ray McGovern, El Baradei and many more questioned the validity of the intelligence before the invasion. I kept asking how can a soccer mom in Southeastern Ohio aware that the intelligence is highly questionable and our Congress members do not,

Hundreds of thousands would still be alive if the UN's inspections would have been completed. War Crimes...Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz etc deserve FAIR TRIALS

Kathleen Galt...it seems baby makes three...it's odd that we are all Kathleen with a "K" and also "G" plus, we all seem to agree...

I agreeeeee, if we knew there were no WMD's in Iraq, why indeed didn't Congress and why has no one been brought to justice for this huge murderous boondoggle?

Demz have become the party of invertebrates....