Excerpt from an interview with Colin Powell in GQ magazine (sorry, I don't have the link):


GQ: "Isn’t the new global threat we face even more dangerous?"

Powell: "What is the greatest threat facing us now? People will say it’s terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing?

"I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there—ones that we can take advantage of? It should not be just about creating alliances to deal with a guy in a cave in Pakistan. It should be about how do we create institutions that keep the world moving down a path of wealth creation, of increasing respect for human rights, creating democratic institutions, and increasing the efficiency and power of market economies? This is perhaps the most effective way to go after terrorists."


This is the best answer I have read that encapsulates the progressive/liberal approach to dealing with terrorism - not just Al Quaeda, but all terrorism now and to come in the future. The "They killed us so we will kill them back" attitude is ultimately self-defeating, and doesn't address the reasons terrorism exists in the first place.

Wow. Wonder what that guy's doing for four years starting 1/20/09?

I've said for years that I’d vote for him for President in a New York minute

If you haven't read the book about him that came out 10 or so years ago, read it. Excellent book.

I know he'd support a strong military.

Colin Powell has always been someone who correctly analyzes and thinks about what is said and to be done. He is, IMHO, a very admirable and noble man who got caught up in the Bush administration's shell game. I am glad that he grew tired of being a mouthpiece for the failed policies of the administration and stepped out. He probably didn't save face from the damage caused to his reputaton, but I also don't think he was concerned about that - he was more concerned about doing the right thing.

We CAN have a strong military without the theatrics that the current regime has laid out for us. We can smartly keep our presence known, but not with what the rest of the world views as imperialistic intent. Colin Powell would be fantastic at this.

Powell is a good guy, but he blew it with Iraq. His reputation is hopelessly tarnished. After that speech he gave at the UN, who would ever trust him again?

He had his chance to be president in 1996 and 2000, and certainly he would have been a far superior president than the eventual 2000 winner. There's a chance he could have beaten Clinton in 1996 actually - then again, Powell is known to be liberal on social issues so like Giuliani he had little hope of even getting the Republican nomination.

Andrew

>>>"It should be about how do we create institutions that keep the world moving down a path of wealth creation, of increasing respect for human rights, creating democratic institutions, and increasing the efficiency and power of market economies? This is perhaps the most effective way to go after terrorists."


Kind of Republican for you guys isn't it?

Colin Powell is damaged goods. I wouldn't vote for him unless his opponenet was a complete right winger. Even then I'd have to hold my nose. His involvement with the war will forever be a shit stain on the fabric of his suit.

Vitalogy, you've sunk to the level of Trixter and that's not a compliment.

Actually it is.
You just don't see it that way.

How so? Is my description too vivid? Does the word "shit" offend you? Am I wrong that Colin Powell is damaged goods?

I think I summed up my thoughts on Powell rather succinctly.

Deane writes:
Kind of Republican for you guys isn't it?

Only to you, because you assume everyone who disagrees with you is a left-wing liberal.

Andrew

It does sound like a Conservative.
It does NOT sound like a neo-conservative.

Currently "Republican" refers to the latter.

Geeeez...don't play in the political sandbox unless you wanna dig up some kitty roca from time to time!

I used to be a fan of Powell until he said: "Massive Amounts." Liar.

>>>"I used to be a fan of Powell until he said: "Massive Amounts." Liar."

But when a Democrat says the same type thing you get all giddy.

Deane: Huh?

It's really too bad that Powell is stuck with the UN presentation on his resume. I really do like the guy, but if he headed into the political arena his opponents would use the war against him.

I think Powell, outside what he did to present war to the UN, is one intelligent and decent person.

DJ said>>>
Kind of Republican for you guys isn't it?

Kind of human I would say. But DJ you don't know what that means.....

DJ spewed forth>>>>
Vitalogy, you've sunk to the level of Trixter and that's not a compliment.

F**K YOU very much for that!

Edselehr said: "Deane: Huh?"

I'm wondering too. The "old" Deane wouldn't have made such an elementary "foot-in-mouth" rebuttal like this. Medical problems perhaps, Deane?

I agree Chris.

Maybe he can shake it. There is the matter of him seeing a lot of pressure and being manipulated huge. He shouldn't have done it, but I can see how not doing it would be damn tough.

Noted the change in Deane when the winds really started to blow away from the GOP. The crap is coming out now, and the whole, "Let's get past that and focus on the future" bit didn't fly so well.

kskd, The wind has changed. Before the stink was blowing from the GOP towards Democrats -- now its blowing right into the GOP's own face. I think it started around the time Tom DeLay got indicted and hasn't let up.

That sounds about right.

Yep, those winds are reaching hurricane level! Where are we now? Scandal a week, or something close?

Elections do matter. Even heavy manipulation has it's limits it seems.

This is a good thing Powell said: "But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves."

Absolutely true.

If we can kick the fear, we can fix this and get moving forward again. If there is anything I hate, it's the leveraging of fear to achieve things that are not in our best interests.

That's getting a lot harder to do now. The Democrats might not be able to undo much of the damage right now, but they are clearly able to let the information we need out.

That all started about the time Delay got "hammered". A lot of people looked at that and thought, "hmmm..." If that does not add up, what else doesn't?

From there it's a downhill slide, with an increasing amount of lube these days. Just how many repressed gays are there in the GOP?

I've no problem with them having their issues. Feel pretty sorry for them having to face them in this fashion too. But, it does really cramp on the perception of the GOP having a strong moral stand on things.

Getting back to Powell. I think this whole dynamic will actually help him out some. He got out fairly early, and has had some time to deal with his issues. Going forward, we are going to hear more solid things from him, and that's good as I think he's got something to offer yet.

Looking back, I think it's safe to say he's not really one of them. He played ball, for whatever reasons. But he does not have to play ball now.

The intelligence used in that UN presentation, heck the whole "reasoning" for the war, was faulty and wrong.

Everyone admits as such, even the Bush administration.

Powell grew weary of the Bush administration tactics and reasoning of the war. He was told to sit down and shut up and do what King George wanted, so he stepped down. Y'all have to remember that Bush surrounds himself with nothing but yes-men, his henchmen who will carry out his Kingly duties, and if you object to what His Highness says, you're out of the loop.

I still give Powell somewhat of a pass here. His hands were tied, and his mouth Duct-taped shut. He isn't still out there beating the war drum, he came out on record basically the second he left that the war was wrong, for the wrong reasons and going the wrong direction.

Brianl has summed up the Powell situation pretty well. An intelligent analysis. The simpletons on the forum don't have the ability to get much deeper than "liar", "dictator" "dummy", etc.

Would that include you DA???

dj sez: "The simpletons on the forum don't have the ability to get much deeper than "liar", "dictator" "dummy", etc."

me: In another thread you blasted KSKD for taking too long to make his point.

You're just saying anything now without any thought of the consequences of contradictory or nonsensical comments. Perhaps you've devolved into a troll yourself.

Well said Skep, WELL said.....

HYPOCRITES is what the EXTREME right has become. Say anything against anyone even if it isn't true. Like what DUHbya and Co. did to McCain in 2000... JHC they will attack their own and stab them in the heart until they bleed out just to get their EXTREME ways. It's a Fin nightmare and the GOP is going to have to weed these EXTREMISTS OUT!