How come nobody really says anything about Colin Powell?

[Hoeboy]

I recall awhile back when everyone was like "yeah Colin Powell is the sh!t and lets make him the next president!" Okay not exactly like that but everyone was giving praise to the man. Yet through all of these debates about whether we should go to war with Iraq, I haven't seen anyone mention him yet. Colin Powell obviously favors getting rid of Saddam and if he's such a great man like you all once proclaimed him to be, then does that not mean there is some truth to what Bush is saying (since he's on the Bush adminstration)? All I hear is bad talk about Bush, Ashcroft, and the mysterious Cheney.

 

[nord1899]

Thats because the Bush administration has essentially pushed him into the background so that no one hears him.

There was an article in Time or Newsweek about a month ago dealing with this.

 

[JellyBaby]

What would you have people say? He seems a decent, honorable person admist, perhaps, some indecent, dishonorable types. Perhaps that's why there's little talk of him: people find it easy and compelling to bark about the scum in office and Powell doesn't fall in that bucket.

 

[aswedc]

Powell used to be the most vocal person in DC when it came to urging restraint in Iraq, anyone remember all those rumors about how he was so upset at the hawks he was planning on quitting after this administration?

Since then, however, he's fallen into line and is just another Bush administration mouthpiece without explanation, which makes me lose a lot of respect for him.

 

[novon]

It seems like he is just the front man for Bush, he just repeats the policies and I haven't heard him say anything intelligent on his own. Just another official beating the war drums IMO.

 

[bleeb]

Thats because the Bush administration has essentially pushed him into the background so that no one hears him.

They tryin to keep a black man down.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Mine from another thread:

Just because you aren't publicly contradicting something doesn't mean you are for it. Colin Powell knows exactly how to voice his opinion. He knows where to do it and when to do it and he also understands the importance of presenting a unified chain of command.

Now do you really believe Powell has done a complete reversal of character, cast aside the integrity that has made him one of the most respected men in the world? Why would he do that?

Or maybe someone put one of those bodysnatcher pods under his bed.

 

[Analog]

he's secretary of state, I think his visibility is about right for that office.

 

[Czar]

I had much respect for him, all untill a few days ago I saw him giving a speech at a Nato meeting or something. There he went like Bush putting everything in only two groups, talking about 'evil' like an object or a person. When suddenly the world becomes black and white everything gets simple, but all wrong because the world is not black and white. He used to speak his mind when it comes to Bush and the rest of the administration, but now he is just an international blowhorn for Bush

I still respect him, but not nearly as much as before.

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
Mine from another thread:

Just because you aren't publicly contradicting something doesn't mean you are for it. Colin Powell knows exactly how to voice his opinion. He knows where to do it and when to do it and he also understands the importance of presenting a unified chain of command.

Now do you really believe Powell has done a complete reversal of character, cast aside the integrity that has made him one of the most respected men in the world? Why would he do that?

Or maybe someone put one of those bodysnatcher pods under his bed.

You mean he doesn't really believe in some of the things he says?

If he was against attacking Iraq before, has he said what changed his mind?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: bleeb

Thats because the Bush administration has essentially pushed him into the background so that no one hears him.

They tryin to keep a black man down.

Hehehe, no, it's not a racial thing. I remember a few times when he spoke his opinion on various matters, he knew what he was talking about and seemed very reasonable, but everytime Bush and Co would say the opposite and put Powell "back in line". I think he'd make an excellent President, but he'd have to dump the whole Bush team. IIRC, it was just before the South African UN Human Rights Conference when Powell last spoke his mind.

 

[UltraQuiet]

It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

Thank you. Once again DaveSohmer is a shining light of reason.

I don't understand how some of you think he is "falling in line". Could it be the evidence wasn't there before and now is. I have never known Powell to fall in line, even when the were pushing him to run on the 1998 ticket.


And Jellybelly, talk about pot calling the kettle black. Can you name one honerable person in any of Clinton's administrations?

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Czar
I had much respect for him, all untill a few days ago I saw him giving a speech at a Nato meeting or something. There he went like Bush putting everything in only two groups, talking about 'evil' like an object or a person. When suddenly the world becomes black and white everything gets simple, but all wrong because the world is not black and white. He used to speak his mind when it comes to Bush and the rest of the administration, but now he is just an international blowhorn for Bush

I still respect him, but not nearly as much as before.

That's cute.. You respect the guy until his opinions disagree with your own, at which time you lose respect for him.

Perhaps he's not the "international blowhorn" you think he is; do you suppose it's possible that he is now giving his honest opinion based on the information he has available to him?

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

Thank you. Once again DaveSohmer is a shining light of reason.

I don't understand how some of you think he is "falling in line". Could it be the evidence wasn't there before and now is. I have never known Powell to fall in line, even when the were pushing him to run on the 1998 ticket.


And Jellybelly, talk about pot calling the kettle black. Can you name one honerable person in any of Clinton's administrations?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

too much confusion

How can it be that there wasn't enough evidence before when, from what I understand, the previous 2 congresses approved the ousting of Saddam based on the evidence?

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: Czar
I had much respect for him, all untill a few days ago I saw him giving a speech at a Nato meeting or something. There he went like Bush putting everything in only two groups, talking about 'evil' like an object or a person. When suddenly the world becomes black and white everything gets simple, but all wrong because the world is not black and white. He used to speak his mind when it comes to Bush and the rest of the administration, but now he is just an international blowhorn for Bush

I still respect him, but not nearly as much as before.

That's cute.. You respect the guy until his opinions disagree with your own, at which time you lose respect for him.

Perhaps he's not the "international blowhorn" you think he is; do you suppose it's possible that he is now giving his honest opinion based on the information he has available to him?

I respect people who speak their mind, regardless of the Iraq issue he was always pushed back when he disagreed with the Bush admin on some issue, that was before the Iraq fiasco. Now it seems that he has been housebroken

 

[blackhawk]

He's the administrations odd man out, a fairly dovish man who was JCS, an intellectual and a visible minority who doesn't flaunt it. No business or political background and tons of credibility.

He's a bit of an enigma.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

 

[Hoeboy]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

this is what i am trying to get at. if most of you think he is such a credible man before, then why don't you take his word that bush may indeed know something. and if you're jus are going to say he's now not a reliable person because he doesn't fit into your bush hating propoganda, then doesn't that seem a bit irrational?

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

You will of course have to have to provide specific examples and proof or admit that it is just completely unfounded opinion.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

You will of course have to have to provide specific examples and proof or admit that it is just completely unfounded opinion.

Powell could go either way with this issue. Does every soldier or officer agree with his orders? No, but he sure as hell better follow them. Powell was a general. He will speak his mind in private where appropriate, however his job IS to support the President in public. He will either tow the line or resign. If he resigns, and was for a more restrained approach, his point of view would no longer be heard. Whatever he feels, he will not make it be known with certainty on TV. His public expression WILL match the administrations.

 

[Hoeboy]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

You will of course have to have to provide specific examples and proof or admit that it is just completely unfounded opinion.

Powell could go either way with this issue. Does every soldier or officer agree with his orders? No, but he sure as hell better follow them. Powell was a general. He will speak his mind in private where appropriate, however his job IS to support the President in public. He will either tow the line or resign. If he resigns, and was for a more restrained approach, his point of view would no longer be heard. Whatever he feels, he will not make it be known with certainty on TV. His public expression WILL match the administrations.

I don't know about that. Even on a super hot topic like this, a man of such high integrity like Colin Powell has to say what his boss tells him to say in public? If this was true, what does that say about his character?

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

You will of course have to have to provide specific examples and proof or admit that it is just completely unfounded opinion.

Powell could go either way with this issue. Does every soldier or officer agree with his orders? No, but he sure as hell better follow them. Powell was a general. He will speak his mind in private where appropriate, however his job IS to support the President in public. He will either tow the line or resign. If he resigns, and was for a more restrained approach, his point of view would no longer be heard. Whatever he feels, he will not make it be known with certainty on TV. His public expression WILL match the administrations.

Not really - he has always urged restraint on Iraq but never ruled out the war option, unlike the hawks who were yelling war cries from the get go. Its just that, like any reasonable man, he now realizes that the peaceful options are running out and he is forced to look at the last option - which happens to be war (and the hawks first option!).

So in essense he has not changed his mind - just his course of action. To some extent yes he has to tow the party line but that is true for everyone in the administration.

I admire the man, & like JellyBaby said,

What would you have people say? He seems a decent, honorable person admist, perhaps, some indecent, dishonorable types. Perhaps that's why there's little talk of him: people find it easy and compelling to bark about the scum in office and Powell doesn't fall in that bucket.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer It's hilarious that some of you only give Powell credit for speaking his mind when he is disagreeing with the rest of the admin. Do you think it is even remotely possible that he actually agrees and is onboard with the Iraq issue?

I'm sure he's in agreement with some issues, but everytime he wasn't and spoke his mind on it, he has been isolated from the Admin. He also stopped speaking his mind on such matters and has changed his tune about them as well. It is clear that he is not free to speak his mind anymore, he just tows the line.

You will of course have to have to provide specific examples and proof or admit that it is just completely unfounded opinion.

Powell could go either way with this issue. Does every soldier or officer agree with his orders? No, but he sure as hell better follow them. Powell was a general. He will speak his mind in private where appropriate, however his job IS to support the President in public. He will either tow the line or resign. If he resigns, and was for a more restrained approach, his point of view would no longer be heard. Whatever he feels, he will not make it be known with certainty on TV. His public expression WILL match the administrations.

Not really - he has always urged restraint on Iraq but never ruled out the war option, unlike the hawks who were yelling war cries from the get go. Its just that, like any reasonable man, he now realizes that the peaceful options are running out and he is forced to look at the last option - which happens to be war (and the hawks first option!). So in essense he has not changed his mind - just his course of action. To some extent yes he has to tow the party line but that is true for everyone in the administration. I admire the man, & like JellyBaby said,

What would you have people say? He seems a decent, honorable person admist, perhaps, some indecent, dishonorable types. Perhaps that's why there's little talk of him: people find it easy and compelling to bark about the scum in office and Powell doesn't fall in that bucket.

I

Your analysis may be correct. What I am saying is that you cannot bet the farm on what he thinks or would do if he were in the position of deciding. I am not bringing his character into disrepute, just noting that he has a strong sense of duty and personal considerations would be secondary.

 

[Zebo]

Poor powell, aligned himself with someone who he shares little in common with politically because Bush needed a black and Colin needs this for 2008.

Some would call him a sellout some go as far as Uncle Tom. I just think he likes the money. he's worth 28 million now, not bad for a life long government employee.

He will be our first black pres.