Re BlueEagle, October 21 at 7:05 pm

OK, the paranoid crazy contingent has been heard from. The men in white coats have arrived with the straightjacket. You can go now, and don’t forget your meds!

By WriterOnTheStorm, October 22 at 8:19 am #

Here’s an excerpt from an article by David Swanson:

“Americans consider Powell only marginally more credible than how the rest of the world views him, and the rest of the world thinks he lies like a rug. Powell either wholeheartedly backed the biggest crime thus far this century, or he secretly opposed it but worked to make it happen anyway. I’m not sure which is worse, but either disqualifies him for future office.”

How disappointing it must be for Obama fans to hear him now say he would like to make a place for Powell in his cabinet. Is this really great decision making? Is this any better a choice than McCain choosing Palin for VP?

Just a thought.
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Writer,

And pretty stupid one at that. Instead of congratulating a Republican on seeing the light and having the integrity and the intelligence to rise above party for the sake of the country, you dis him because he allowed the Bush administration to drag him into supporting the war against his better judgement.

Good thing most people aren’t going to have stupid thoughts like this. The Republicans would win.

Here’s an excerpt from an article by David Swanson:

“Americans consider Powell only marginally more credible than how the rest of the world views him, and the rest of the world thinks he lies like a rug. Powell either wholeheartedly backed the biggest crime thus far this century, or he secretly opposed it but worked to make it happen anyway. I’m not sure which is worse, but either disqualifies him for future office.”

How disappointing it must be for Obama fans to hear him now say he would like to make a place for Powell in his cabinet. Is this really great decision making? Is this any better a choice than McCain choosing Palin for VP?

Just a thought.

It’s important to listen to Colin Powell’s words. Just like it’s important to listen to Bush, Greenspan and Bernanke. They are the pubic voice of the PTB. Listen carefully to Powell and Biden in the videos in this article: http://www.infowars.com/?p=5461

There will be an event on Jan 21/22 or shortly after Obama is president. Obama (possibly the anti-Christ) will have to rally the world to do something. I have no idea what will happen and what will need to be done, but I can guess.

I’m thinking another false flag operation that points the finger at Iran or Russia leading to some type of WWIV - cold or hot.

Something that will move us close to the New World Order and one world government. Could be a total financial collapse (via a derivative time bomb combined with the credit card debt bubble popping) of the debt based monetary system, ushering a new one world currency or banking system.

Centralization of power and destruction of the planet through collectivist ideologies is the plan. Taxing CO2 (don’t exhale) and enforcing a draconian carbon credit based system is also in the pipe. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

beerdoctor—I believe you have sucked wisdom from your (beer) teat. LOL

Egg-zactly.

Well KDelphi you know the old saying about politics being the science of the possible? Look at how the arena has been molded; an entire industry has evolved so that slugs such as Limbaugh etc., have become multi-millionaires by exploiting the fears and ignorance of those in the country who strangely think, in their mainly peasant lives that the cigar sucker with the loud mouth speaks for them. How strange.
Obama reminds me of the latest big deal, in any given big time sports industry; he knows how to play this game to win, he knows which buttons to be pushed. He has simply absorbed the wisdom of that famous bigoted imperialist, thought of as a WWII hero, Winston Churchill, who claimed with firm resolution, that the first duty of any politician is to get elected.
There is professional jealously among Republicans towards Senator Obama. Being clever to use new technology and focused, the opposition has found itself caught off guard, with only the complaints about being out spent, and the smear of innuendo, for any kind of retort.
Obama as a centrist Democrat? You betcha (the Moose Lady is now in my blood), but what else can be expected from a party that abandoned the principles of Roosevelt on domestic policy, and embraced the interventionist garbage of foreign policy. Face it, the Democratic party, despite having some noble members, is really not very much. The only way they shine is when you compare them with The Republican party, who have totally abandoned every principle they once espoused. Instead they have the cynically decrepit Senator McCain and his rock star running mate, Mrs. Westbrook Pegler.

I guess that I will just say this, because it is largely bsed on feeling, but I seem unable to get past it.

I have never been happy with the Dem choice of Obama (I am not happy with the Dems at all).I have pretty plainly said that I will vote for him for personal reasons, but, of course, I have ONE vote (if Im lucky, in Ohio), and, if I just decide I cannot—it will not be a game changer. I am basically voting for the lesser of two (I dont think that Obama is “evil”) , as they say. Sorry if that disapppionts. My criticism probably indicates my level of discomfort with , voting once again, for a centrist Democrat. This is somethig that, in 2004, I swore I would never do again. I dont think it is some kind of sacrifice—I just think Mccain is a fricking mess. cyrena—you know I read all your links, if you ask. I use links all the time now. As long as its not Obama’s website (Ive seen it over 100 times) I will check it out. I do appreciate them.I’ve changed my mind on that—ok?

ITW—Like I said, I am voting for Obama. OK. I am stil allowed to criticize, discuss, etc, even though the election is not over. I am not posting anywhere where anyone has not made up their mind. In fact, if I cannot, I will probably stay home.“If McCain went with WHITMAN??” The woman who let the firefighters and police be exposed to lung cancer on that heap of 9/11? She shoudl be tried for voluntary manslaughter! Life in prison—I dont believe in the death penalty

I would really like to know—McCain criticizes Obama’s health car plan. It is easy because mccain wil make heatlh care available for FEWER people. But Obama’s is no plan at all, really. This is a real sore point with me (as I am sure most people know) but, with good reason. Obama’s plan wil help most people I know, not at all. About the best we can hope for, is that, since USans would “rather die than do socialism, but Wall St welfare is fine”, (I NEVER want to hear a capitalist say we cant afford anything again!)—we will die when we get sick enough, and that we wont have an attorney general try to prosecute us if we live. The US is just not going to move on this. The Am. people’s pathetic drive to make sure only the rich can receive decent health care is to entrenched.

I wish Obama would aupport HT 676.(Maybe?) But, I am so tierd of begging for it, I wont do it anymore. We are the laughing stock of the free world over it.

I guess that it is clear by now, that, I am so angry and, yes, vengeful , over what Bush & co. have done to their own people,and the planet,(not entirely them) that, no I am not ready to forgive, I dont think that we should.(I just read a yahoo article that Obama says that Powell will “have his ear”, but probably not a cabinet position—he must sense the anger, also. Good.)

I do not want anything to do with any of these people ever again. I do not want to see them, hear from them—I just want them to go away. I wish we could make all of DC go away. That is how I feel and I dont thihk I can help it.

I do not think that I am alone in this. Even if I was—it doesnt matter. I will stop typing so that I dont cuss. Much of the world feels this way.Which makse us look even worse, and I wil just stop.

spartacus1127, October 20 at 12:21 pm #

The objective for right now should be to get Obama into the White House—not because he is some miracle working force for TRUE change, but because he is the only sane, REALISTIC alternative to McCain at this late juncture. Then we need to hold his feet to the fire and work hard to right the wrongs inflicted by the dick-shrub over the past 8 years. We also need to wake Boobus Americanus from the right wing lies he/she has been enthralled with for at least the past 30 years. It is going to be a very tough job (if any of you has personal experience trying to convince one of the koolaid drinkers how bad Palin is, you have some idea of the magnitude of the job we are faced with).
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Spartacus, you said this very nicely and clearly. I tried to make this argument to no avail. I guess I wasn’t as clear as you.  I have lots of problems with Obama, like voting for the recent FISA bill.

But I have bigger problems with McCain cynically running a blatant racist campaign.

McCain has no plans. His health consists of 3 things:
1) Give every family $5000 to buy a $12,000 health care plan
2) Make businesses and workers pay tax on health benefits, which has NEVER been done.
3) Attack Obama’s health care plan.

For me, the choice between the two is a no-brainer.  Had McCain picked someone really, really interesting, like Olympia Snowe or Christie Whitman(who out-classes Palin in EVERY qualification) or Arlen Spector, I’d have to stop and think, repeatedly, especially after Obama’s “safe” pick of Joe Biden-Biden.  Instead he picked Sarah Palin.

So, the choice for Obama is easy.  Easy.

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By KDelphi, October 20 at 7:50 am #
Sorry, peeps.Frankly, my dears, I just dont give a rat’s ass.
If they are not giong to put any of these war criminals in jail, the least they can do is to not re-hire them. If a candidate indicates that they will (which McCain rather has) I will not vote for then.
OK KDelphi,

I’ve only just had time to read over all of the comments here, and then…just to be sure myself, (before responding) I had to go and read the whole damn transcript, which to tell you the truth, I didn’t really feel like doing. (but, you know how that goes…can’t speak with any credibility tell we know what we’re talking about, so it’s an exercise in intellectual CYA).

Anyway, I couldn’t find anything here that suggests that Obama is gonna tap Colin Powell for anything. Brokaw presents a ‘what if’ hypothetical (or few) about how Powell would ‘advise’ any new president, and Powell goes into advice that he would give, and advice that he’s given to both up to now. But, that’s all. There’s nothing here from Obama (he wasn’t in on the interview) or even McCain for that matter, to indicate that Powell would be any part of a new administration.

So I only say…HOLD ON! Can we please proceed cautiously, based on the facts in evidence NOW? The same holds for this whole thing about not prosecuting the criminals. Yes, it’s obvious that the current and previous CONGRESSES, have NOT prosecuted these criminals for their crimes. In fact, these bodies, made up of a majority of Republicans, (at least until 2 years ago, when the body became nearly evenly divided) have even assisted in some of the crimes. We know that. What we DON’T know, is whether or not a new Congress, and a new president, will force the same Justice Department to do that. We just don’t know that KDelphi.

And it is NOT fair to say that Obama hasn’t discussed this very possibility, because he HAS, and on more than one occasion. I would provide a link, except that you’ve already told me that you’re not much in for all of that – and so I respect that. But if you want the verification, let me know. I will say that he HAS indicated his willingness to pursue prosecution of these criminals, when he has the power of the office behind him to do that. It would require a justice department and a Congress willing to move on it. Again, we don’t know what that Congress will look like, until we ALL vote on Nov 4th. This is why I can’t say this enough times. PAY ATTENTION (ALL OF US) TO WHO YOU PUT IN YOUR CONGRESS!!

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Now on this:

By KDelphi, October 20 at 12:03 am #
“Redemption and forgiveness” are off the table when a genocide occurs .
This one really slays me—I just cannot belive that you want the “change candiate” to work with a former Bush cabinet member.
I am becoming confused again. What is it you guys want? is it JUST about Obama??
~~

First of all, none of us can take redemption and forgiveness off the table. Or, take that back. We could, (you have) and it serves nothing other than the punitive and revengeful purposes that it always serves..the same thing that maintains the cycle of violence. It’s a typical American mentality, which is why we’re the only so-called civilized nation on the globe that still has the death penalty. It’s about a punitive and revengeful mentality.

Next, it’s a cheap ideological shot to suggest that Colin Powell somehow knew that genocide would occur, or helped to create it. The opposite is actually true. MANY scholars and other experts advised this criminal administration before the fact, that this attack on Iraq would generate these conditions, and Powell was among them. He was the Secretary of State, not the Secretary of Defense. He was overruled/steamrolled by the Secretary of Defense, and the real power holder, who was then, and continues to be Richard B Cheney.

Now we can acknowledge the truth of his actions before the UN, and move on. (even though we don’t know how much of that information he knew himself, and I did leave a few links to that for you) And to answer your question/confusion…this is exactly why it is NOT about Obama. Powell’s actions before the UN has ZERO to do with Barack Obama, who opposed this action long before Powell’s appearance there, and has always opposed it.

So, you are confused if you think this is about Obama, but again, you’re certainly not alone in that confusion. Apparently it is human nature to error in the dot connection exercise. I get confused too, just not about this.

I want to vote for Obama. Let me repeat—I WANT to vote for Obama, becasue no one else I can support can win.

So, Obama (lol—like he’s reading this), PLEASE stop doing things, almost weekly, that make it even harder for me to vote for you. I have agreed, for the sake of love of family and friends , that I wil vote for you, although,I am not sure that it will make the differene that everyone seems to think that it will. I am NOT in the electoral college.

Sen. Obama—alot of people have alot of faith in you. So, please—do not keep anyone in the White HOuse that had anything to do with Bush (that includes Paulson and Powell. Rubin is probably a bad idea too).If you Dems are NOT going to prosecute them—at least do not invite them back in!

And, PLEASE, Sen. Obama—CHANGE something for them!I know we “all have to work on it” (although only “professional politicians” get paid for it), but, there is alot more power in the presidency than ever in our history, I woudl guess. If youre not going to overturn the “questionable consitutional “, use it to help those that have been hurt by the Bush regime.

Thank you very much for your time….lol

I am all for radical change—America needs it and is long overdue for it. However, as Otto Von Bismarck said, “Politics is the art of the possible”. In these last few weeks before the election, we have to recognize what is possible. As much as I would like to see Kucinich swept into the White House on a tidal wave of ballot write-ins, I know it isn’t going to happen. As much as I would like to see Americans wake up tomorrow realizing Anarchism is the best strategy for a just society, it isn’t going to happen. What’s going to happen is McCain or Obama will be elected POTUS on Election Day. Those are the only REALISTIC choices we have before us at this point in time. Who would you rather see in office?

I have a long history of voting for 3rd party candidates, knowing full well that serves only as a “protest vote”, and to the extent that that is worth anything, doing so only serves as a superficial balm to my conscience. This time around however, the stakes are way too high to use our votes in such a narcissistic manner. The awful devastation dick-shrub have wrought upon America demands that we seriously consider which of the 2 REALISTIC candidates we would rather have in the White House. I’ll be the first to admit the choices aren’t great, but I would rather see Obama as POTUS than McCain. Those who are too ideologically rigid to see any difference between the 2 are doing themselves and this country a disservice.

With Obama in office, we should gain at least some breathing room, a chance for maybe some sanity to gain the upper hand for a change. If Powell is tapped for a cabinet position, I do believe he will be a voice for moderation and sanity.

With McCain, brace yourselves for the full force of fascism to plunge what is left of this country into a totalitarian nightmare. If too many people vote third party now in a huff of righteous indignation over their precious principles, that is exactly what is going to happen.

The objective for right now should be to get Obama into the White House—not because he is some miracle working force for TRUE change, but because he is the only sane, REALISTIC alternative to McCain at this late juncture. Then we need to hold his feet to the fire and work hard to right the wrongs inflicted by the dick-shrub over the past 8 years. We also need to wake Boobus Americanus from the right wing lies he/she has been enthralled with for at least the past 30 years. It is going to be a very tough job (if any of you has personal experience trying to convince one of the koolaid drinkers how bad Palin is, you have some idea of the magnitude of the job we are faced with).

Rationalize all you like. Bush mustve had to search far and wide to think up Rice—just as Reagan had to do to find Thomas.

Appointing people like Rice or Thomas is almost racism in reverse. Also, Gonzales.

I remain unconvinced that Powell could not have done something to stop the invasion. No, I do NOT believe he was naive enuogh to think that Hussein or Iraq were a “threat” to the uS. I didnt believe it. A four star should certianly have known better.

Maybe Bush, similarly , belived that “Iraq was a threat” and it wasnt just about oil…should he be forgiven and hired on, as well? Maybe he was “duped” by Rummy.

Its all just BS.

Powell retired before joining the Bush administration. No Secretary of State can be an active member of the military. To his credit, Bush was anxious to break color barriers in his administration, and no one can argue that he hasn’t done that. But his reasons for appointing Powell were transparent to everybody. The first thing John McCain said after our invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 was “Next stop Baghdad.” They all knew what was coming. Powell was guilty of naiveté in simply accepting the intelligence that was handed to him by George Tenet, Paul Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld and Cheney. He had no real authority to question it because he served at the behest of the President. Powell wasn’t alone in his acceptance of the WMD intelligence. People conveniently forget that a vast majority of the Senate, not to mention the country, were convinced that Hussein had WMDs. If Powell had immediately resigned after he realized he had been used by Bush/Cheney, he would lost any power to influence the influence administration. And he would have been the first African-American Secretary of State to resign, and during wartime at that. Powell freely admits that he bought the bogus intelligence reports and he mistakenly thought that the war would be conducted intelligently, using the doctrine he himself had established during the first Gulf War. Sadly, it was terribly mishandled, but that was due to Rumsfeld’s arrogance and the grossly idiotic decisions made by Paul Bremer.

Powell is an opportunist. He waited until the winner was obvious and then endosed him.  He is looking for a cabinet position to repair his damaged reputation.

Hmm. Ok – Lets see if we can break down your logic into each phase:

Phase 1:  War
“ I Hate Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield and Powell.”

Phase 2: Resignations
“I Hate Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield and Powell.”

Phase 3: Elections
Powell does the thug thizzle on stage with a couple gangsta rappers then endorses your candidate

Phase 4: Hypocrisy
“I love Powell and will go to no end defending him and making excuses… after all, he must have been manipulated”.

Hypocrisy = loss of credibility. Major FAIL.

I bet you would be willing to start a war to get your candidate elected huh. Voter fraud, extortion, lies and manipulation are all part of your game plan. That is NOT CHANGE!

From now on, we should also start holding the voters accountable for their election choices. If you put another crook in office, I am holding you accountable!

Sorry, peeps.Frankly, my dears, I just dont give a rat’s ass.

If they are not giong to put any of these war criminals in jail, the least they can do is to not re-hire them. If a candidate indicates that they will (which McCain rather has) I will not vote for then. God, why not just keep Rubin, Paulson, etc. Oh, that’s right—Dems have talked of that. As for the “left’s scruples”—Leisreue—that concerns me alot. I sent rather an “open letter” to the Dem Party abou this—I confided how, my only reason to return and vote Dem, was assuming a higher moral ground. If they dont have one, what is the point.

Obama hasnt really said how he feels about Powell. (Maybe I havent heard?)I await it. If he intends to hire him—I’m back to a 3rd Party. WHY, everytime “progressivse” TRY to back Dems, they ALWAYS come up with things to PLEASE the RIGHT that make them untenable for the Left?? Because they “have us where they want us”.

Well, maybe not.

Clinton, Edwards, etc, were given NO such slack by Obama for voting for the war—at least they didnt go to the UN to promote it.

Even if there were WMDs—it was NOT our business to go there. A four star gen., with an excellent reputation among the people (his name was “floated” for President or VP!! For DEMS!) , allowed himself to be manipulated by Cheney—-I just dont buy it. He was just being what Cheney likes to call as “good, muddy boots soldier”. GAWD!!! Just thinking of Cheney saying taht pisses me off!!!

WARIS—I’m not certain if you are quoting him in support of him statements ot not…Personally, I feel that the uS should NOT be seeking a position of “world leadeership”. We have commited ilegal wars, tanked world economies, send CIA all over the world to commit atrocities—let someone else give it a try. Its time, folks.

I dont want to “fight the war on terror”(which is a concept) any mroe than I wan to “fight the war on drugs, poverty, etc.” Doesnt work,. Some of us US citizens think that vastly different values are American, and I have a pretty open mind about that. When your military, your people, the people of the Middle East, indeed the world, are counting on you—-and you allow a mf-er like Bush to lead the world to exasperated hell—no forgiveness. Or at the very least—no forgetting.

What happened to “never again”??

Most “left” may feel differently. Maybe Obama feels differently—about Powell. He has a right—so do you.

So do I.

I think Big B’s comment and KDelphi’s outrage are appropriate here. To the dead one owes only the truth.

KDelphi and all,

I agree with Frank, Blacksphere and Spartacus in their assessment of Powell’s role and the choices he was forced to make in respect to Iraq.

Yes, his performance at the UN was deplorable, and he knows that. He’ll live with it the rest of his days, because I agree that as a career military man and four-star general, he has always had both America’s interest and the interest of our troops at the priority. He is also clearly cognizant and respectful of international law.

I don’t think we’ll ever know the real extent to which Powell was manipulated, and backstabbed by the likes of Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Condi Rice. (Frank mentioned the other instigators of the plan as well), but here’s some of it, from his former Chief of Staff:

http://www.democracynow.org/2005/11/22/colin_powells_former_chief_of_staff

You say that he could have resigned at the time, and indeed he did threaten to. It was brief, and I remember that the white house damage control machine came out immediately with a retraction that Colin Powell ‘didn’t really mean it’, or something to that effect. So, he revised it a bit, and indicated that he would NOT be a part of any new administration, where the criminals to gain another term. That much he certainly followed up on.

Meantime, I agree with Frank that being steamrolled by Cheney and the others left him few options. Resigning would have saved HIS reputation, but it would have done nothing to assist in what was an obviously immoral and illegal decision to initiate that war in Iraq. The best he could do was to hang around and do the best that he could under the worst of the situations. His job was Secretary of State, and there were still things that only HE would do properly in that respect. Leaving then would have left it to the same unqualified and corrupt person that we have now…his personal backstabber, Condi the Rice.

I don’t see his endorsement for Obama as a bad thing at all, because an endorsement for Obama is an obvious indication of a REJECTION of the Bush Doctrine that has been forced upon us, (and was steamrolled over Powell). It says that he is in agreement with the importance of international law, and as opposed as any other responsible official should be, to the doctrine of pre-emptive defense.

As an aside, (and I’m not so sure that it matters at this point) the US Dept of State under Colin Powell WITHDREW (albeit very quietly) the request for a resolution from the UN, after Powell made that appearance. He was well aware that the UN Security Council was NOT going to approve such a resolution. (Russia and France were going to be holdouts, and I suspect China as well) Jane Mayer explores this well, but I can’t find the piece that I used for this particular information. (The data may be in the crashed computer). But, if you feel like reading it, much of this info is contained in another piece from her, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/06/07/040607fa_fact1

And more from Powell’s former Chief of Staff and long term friend and colleague, Lawrence Wilkerson,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902246.html

So, the DoS withdrew the request for a resolution, and Cheney just proceeded to invade Iraq without it.

Anyway, this endorsement actually redeems him in my own estimation, because it makes clear that he’s got America’s interest over political party affiliations at the top of his priorities.

Sometimes we have to know more of the backstory, and like Aegrus suggests, redemption shouldn’t be dead.

(at least I hope it isn’t…I’ll need some of the same I’m sure )

“Redemption and forgiveness” are off the table when a genocide occurs .

This one really slays me—I just cannot belive that you want the “change candiate” to work with a former Bush cabinet member.

I am becoming confused again. What is it you guys want? is it JUST about Obama??

Be careful, “Obama supporters no matter what”.

If Obama is going to appoint people liek Powell, it sure doesnt make me more likley to vote for him. I thought you guys wanted CHANGE!

Frank_I may have my timelines wrong. But I do NOT have wrong that POwell was NOT “forced” (how could he be forced??) to do anything!!I DO NOT WANT ANYONE ASSOCISTED WITH THIS WAR TO REEMAININ DC!!!!

It is criminal EVEN IF IRAQ HAD “WMDS” WHATEVER THE HELL THAT IS?!

How cowardly can you get!!

There are privates being court martialed .

Powell—i cannot describe my contempt for him.

I am starting to think that some people support ANYONE who supports obama—thats jsut crazy!Is this your only criteria now, for a “good person”?

If Obama is going to appoint Bush people (along with keeping many of his policies) what is the point?

I think Obama should get as far away from anyone who worked with Bush,as he can possibly get.

I lost a lot of respect for Powell with his performance in front of the UN. However, as others here have suggested, he was the lone dissenting voice against the war in the Shrub-Cheney regime—AND, there is no proof that he knew the evidence he was presenting was false.

Characterizing him as a “warmonger” is not fair. He has a history of advising against war, and I think he should be given the benefit of the doubt. As others here have suggested, he did what he could with the power he had, and sacrificed his reputation to continue to exert what influence he could.

Powell has more integrity in his little toe than can be found in the entire Shrub-Cheney and McCain-Palin apparatus and I hope after Obama wins the election he is invited to serve in Obama’s cabinet. I’m sure he would continue to be a voice for peace.

Iraq’s never had to pay taxes in almost 1000 years; now they are being taxed; they always have had no difficulties getting gas; now they are; they paid 5 cents a gallon: now what up to $5 there? not quite; but it is close to $2 a gallon; millions are dead; millions more displaced; the Corps working with USA Gov have siphoned millions if not billions from the country along with the “politicians” & their friends & families; far far far worse than ever existed under Saddam Hussain: whom our Gov had decided to remove in 1996; the “pentagon” contractor & military retirees practiced what was taught them in how to “appear” and “what to say” 6 months b/4 the war with Iraq; 2 not 1 but 2 seperate buildings known as the twin towers collapsed after being hit by planes: this has NEVER occurred when buildings were hit by planes EVER before: and again, not just 1 but 2 seperate buildings did the same exact thing happen to; THIS is what “democracy” has ended up as; lies, deception, deliberate false information being given; legalized theft; interesting that all states have plenty of $ for free tuition to “all” who want to attend college but being to broke to give vets medical care; disability; unable to pay for child care for folks on minimum wage; which of course, as was stated on show after show after show: the “wages” and “salaries” are going to be far less now for “college graduates” yet “supposedly” the free tuition will result in more “income taxes” for the states; when in reality the PEOPLE of THE USA were never to have paid any taxes for anything anyway; it was ALL, roads, schools, fire dept, police dept ALL folks: to have been paid for by profits from Big Business; what a sad tale is has been for the people of this nation; to EVER have been so deceived that they actually believed that they were “free”; cancer cures suppressed; poison in everything including cosmetics, deoderants, all clothing, blinds, carpeting, paint, babies formulas: not China: that is their “misdirection”; not “poor prenatal care” that is their misdirection; powerful politicians passed thru asparteme & others in almost every food there is to get $ from citizens for “sister” pharma 600,000 xs the cost; exploitation is the way democracy runs we are told; I call it criminal; I call all members of Congress criminals; they did away with the laws, or flat broke them regarding usury laws; they knew exactly what was going on on Wall St; read License to Steal: they had full approval from Capitol Hill; it’s the way the system operates; AGAINST the people; where is the well being for the people & the planet????? disappeared; gotten away with it for so long let’s take it globally; ever hear of the New World Order?

A war monger endorsing a war monger.

How nice.

People can slam Powell all they want about his actions he was forced to take at the UN, but the substance of his conversation is still valid. Who ever took redemption and forgiveness off the table?

How much more would his endorsement have meant if he hadn’t proffered the lies of the war criminals to the U.N.?

Isn’t Iraq asking us to go home and with good reason!  I believe we belong out of Iraq and that the dead soldiers are the FAULT of our Administration, and the corrupt unconscionable wars that are not Constitutional, and bring terror and danger everywhere against all proper policy, NO to the honor the media so loves, NO to the soldier as the highest sacrifice, NO.  It is not a proper DUTY at this time.

Even sacrifice as a life thing is not what to do.  To die for what you believe is certainly honorable, but they did not do that.

that is a huge issue and reality and certainly Iraqis want their freedom.  It is not up to us whether we stay or go, they own their country.

When will this country wake up to proper respect for international law and order and proper respect for PEACE as “what is honorable?”

It is honorable to vote the bums out, and to me, both senators have certainly failed and have not done anything to bring these troops home, and do not deserve anyone’s vote.

100 million registered voters are NOT in the two parties, they are simply registered, undeclared.

36 million are registered Democrats

26 million are registered Republicans

THERE IS NO TWO PARTY SYSTEM only current RULE against proper policy and the November vote should be for the BEST of SIX candidates all of whom can win. Do the homework, it is high school caliber, ace the test by finding out track record level of credibility for ability to deliver on the promises, time is not worth a vote, achievements are worth a vote, and the agenda tendered?  Safety and a budget on track?  What is the agenda wanted, for a nation on track.

Dead soldiers is NOT what to call honorable leadership.  NO.  Our revolution is won, and the world has not quarrelled with our sovereignty, but the current administration has forced a reckoning of either we uphold our U.S. Constitution and declare a democracy for America, or we go farther off track with the current in office unable to be ousted by a clear majority who can and should.

Do the homework, make the best and the agenda wanted KNOWN and vote honestly for the BEST and then the BEST can and will win.

KDelphi, you are confusing your timelines. Powell was already a retired officer when he was appointed to W’s administration as Secretary of State and never wore a uniform then.  The pictures of him in uniform are from back during his 1989-1993 role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under W’s father, George HW Bush.  Under W (current president) he only wore a regular civilian business suit.

Resigning would have accomplished nothing but to save his own reputation. He would have lost all influence in the White House and would have had no means to try and steer policy there to the least harmful path, which was to involve the international community as much as possible.  If you want to have an idea of what his role was in the White House leading up to the 2nd gulf war, you may want to check out the new movie ‘W’, which I am told gives a depiction consistent with what White House insiders say he played. Basically, it was him vs Cheney on Iraq. Cheney won (backed up by Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz). Seeing that an Iraq invasion was going to happen (he had successfully kept it from happening prior to 9/11), Powell was left with the choice to leave and abandon his responsibilities, or stay and do as much damage control as possible, at the risk of his own reputation. I believe he had the countries and troops best interests as heart.

Frank—I stand by what I said. If he was a “civilian” he certainly didnt dress like one, and still doesnt.A four star has no influence over the persident? He could of resigned in protest.

He did NOT have to do what he did in front of the UN.

Obama supporters should not be welcoming EVERY endorsement. Powell was/is a Republican. I say that he DID have a chance to inform the people of the uS with his refusal to go along. He proved himself not to be brave enough to do it, Even though many PFCs have been court martialed for it.

Powell has no honor in my eyes, any more than any other civilian in the Bush Administration. It is true that Bush & Co. have never had any rsepect for soldiers. But the lives of millions wer at stake. A soldier shoudl have been willing to sacrifice his life, if necessary. He had to know better. Or he is alot stupider than I am. I gues I know moer about military intelligence than Powell.

Doubt it.

The right is shouting that Colin Powell is only doing this because of race.

They are right, but for the wrong reasons.  Notice that Powell described the Obama campaign as “inclusive”.  This is probably a code word for “accepting of any ethnic background while the GOP isn’t”.  In fact, McCain is running a totally racist campaign—Fake food stamps with Obama’s picture with watermelon, fried chicken, ribs and Kool-aid. 

So Powell is going with Obama because McCain’s campaign is racist and Obama’s is not.  Sarah Palin is CLEARLY a racist—check out how she’s handled non-Caucasians in her role as governor.

So, it’s not that Powell is supporting Obama because both are Black, but because McCain’s campaign has shown itself to be ANTI-Black.

KDelphi, Powell was a civilian in W’s administration, so nothing there reflects on his military service or previous rank. In Bush seniors administration, as Chairmen of the Joints Chief’s, he was opposed to the first Gulf War, favoring sanctions and international pressure to force Saddam to withdraw from Kuwait. That was not his call though. He was not in the chain of command for forces in the original gulf war.  The chain of command goes from President to Secretary of Defense to the Regional Commanders in Chief (Norman Schwarzkopf for Central Command and the first Gulf War). A Joint Chief Chairman only serves as advisor to the President.

As Secretray of State in W’s administration, Powell also opposed the US invasion of Iraq, but was the lone voice of opposition in the White House, and was only able to get some concessions from Bush, including bringing the international community onboard for diplomatic efforts and military action if needed,  instead of following the Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz plan for unilateral military campaign after a shorter diplomatic effort.

Powell may have had suspicions about some of the evidence he was given with which to sell the war idea, but had no proof that any of it was bogus, and failing to make the case as he did would not have stopped the war. It would have only made it much more likely that the US would have been in it alone, which would have turned out even worse for our troops and our country than the current situation.

Powell ultimately risked his own reputation in order to see that US soldiers sent to Iraq had the most international support possible. The way I see it, Powell was looking out for the soldiers as he has always done, not looking out for Bush.

Colin Powell took an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the US.
He had his chance. The point of history came upon him when he could have stood above the fray, at the cost of his reputation, and shouted “NO!” He could have fulfilled his oath to the nation.

He chose not to.

So who the hell cares what this washed up, gutless, son-of-a-bitch has to say? He shouds swing with the rest of them for high crimes against the US.

His oath was to his constitution, and the people of the US.

He failed us.

Blackespeare—Are you kidding me??

WHY in the world would Obama want to appoint anyone who had anything to do with this horrible crime in Iraq into his cabinet?

You still trust Powell? Powell, as a four star, was the “one liberals were counting on” to bring some sanity into Bush’s regime. He totally failed at that, and went along with every stupid idea Bush had. He had a chance to convince alot of people by just saying “no”. He did not.

I think he shoudl be striped of his rank , personally. And those “medals of freedom ” for Tenat, etc. They are all war criminasl , in my book.

So Powell has endorsed BHO.  But not only did he endorse him, he slammed McCain for his campaign of character assassination , his choice of VP, and his age.  However, Powell remains a Republican——and this gives BHO a chance to cross party lines when he appoints Powell to a cabinet or a national security position.

For those moderate Republicans this endorsement is all they need to moralize their vote for BHO.  As we say in tennis——game, set, match for Obama!!!

Powell lost all credability when he went before the UN with that little bottle of—what baking soda??

I’m not sure he is helping anyone here.