Treatment of Colin Powell's Foundation vs. Clinton's

[Perknose]

What could possibly account for the startling difference between the way Colin Powell's foundation was treated by the press vs. the Clinton's? What could that be? Bueller? Anyone? :insertcolberticonhere:

"In 1997, after a distinguished career in military service that culminated with stints as national security adviser under Ronald Reagan and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Colin Powell launched a charity. Named America’s Promise, it’s built around the theme of Five Promises to America’s children.

snip [Powell nominated and confirmed as Bush’s Secretary of State]

So what about the charity? Well, Powell’s wife, Alma Powell, took it over. And it kept raking in donations from corporate America. Ken Lay, the chair of Enron, was a big donor. He also backed a literacy-related charity that was founded by the then-president’s mother. The US Department of State, at the time Powell was secretary, went to bat for Enron in a dispute the company was having with the Indian government.

Did Lay or any other Enron official attempt to use their connections with Alma Powell (or Barbara Bush, for that matter) to help secure access to State Department personnel in order to voice these concerns? Did any other donors to America’s Promise? I have no idea,because to the best of my knowledge nobody in the media ever launched an extensive investigation into these matters. That’s the value of the presumption of innocence, something Hillary Clinton has never been able to enjoy during her time in the national spotlight."

 

[dank69]

LMSM, wait, wut?

 

[thraashman]

If the right wing held themselves to the same standards they attempt to hold the left, then every Republican would be in prison.

 

[glenn1]

What could possibly account for the startling difference between the way Colin Powell's foundation was treated by the press vs. the Clinton's? What could that be? Bueller? Anyone? :insertcolberticonhere:

"In 1997, after a distinguished career in military service that culminated with stints as national security adviser under Ronald Reagan and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Colin Powell launched a charity. Named America’s Promise, it’s built around the theme of Five Promises to America’s children.

snip [Powell nominated and confirmed as Bush’s Secretary of State]

So what about the charity? Well, Powell’s wife, Alma Powell, took it over. And it kept raking in donations from corporate America. Ken Lay, the chair of Enron, was a big donor. He also backed a literacy-related charity that was founded by the then-president’s mother. The US Department of State, at the time Powell was secretary, went to bat for Enron in a dispute the company was having with the Indian government.

Did Lay or any other Enron official attempt to use their connections with Alma Powell (or Barbara Bush, for that matter) to help secure access to State Department personnel in order to voice these concerns? Did any other donors to America’s Promise? I have no idea,because to the best of my knowledge nobody in the media ever launched an extensive investigation into these matters. That’s the value of the presumption of innocence, something Hillary Clinton has never been able to enjoy during her time in the national spotlight."

Umm, because if Alma Powell *was* attempting this it would be a bad reflection on Bill Clinton's administration and those who gave Collin/Alma favored access. The person in government giving the access is the bigger problem, not as much the person seeking that access. In both cases it would have been linked to a Clinton anyway. Just in the second case Hillary is linked to both the foundation that is seeking the access and in charge of the Department that was accused of granting it.

 

[zinfamous]

Umm, because if Alma Powell *was* attempting this it would be a bad reflection on Bill Clinton's administration and those who gave Collin/Alma favored access. The person in government giving the access is the bigger problem, not as much the person seeking that access. In both cases it would have been linked to a Clinton anyway. Just in the second case Hillary is linked to both the foundation that is seeking the access and in charge of the Department that was accused of granting it.

I know timelines are problematic for you, but when was Powell Secretary of State, again? You know--this is a direct comparison to Secretaries of State and their charities.

Look Glen, you have the opportunity to concede right now, or just keep digging.

 

[Perknose]

Umm, because if Alma Powell *was* attempting this it would be a bad reflection on Bill Clinton's administration and those who gave Collin/Alma favored access. The person in government giving the access is the bigger problem, not as much the person seeking that access. In both cases it would have been linked to a Clinton anyway. Just in the second case Hillary is linked to both the foundation that is seeking the access and in charge of the Department that was accused of granting it.

Are you that divorced from reality that you really can't grasp the basic facts? Colin Powell was a BUSH appointee, and served as Secretary of State the entire first term of the BUSH Presidency, from Jan 2001 to Jan 2006.

Of course, this would somehow be a bad reflection on Bill Clinton's administration in your mind, even though Powell never held a position in it. Get a grip, please.

 

[bshole]

What could possibly account for the startling difference between the way Colin Powell's foundation was treated by the press vs. the Clinton's? What could that be? Bueller? Anyone? :insertcolberticonhere:

."

Is Colin worth $80,000,000 like Clinton? There is something distinctly foul about a person entering public service and becoming a multi-millionaire from it. I can accept that it happens in Russia (Putin is probably the richest man in the world) but here in the United States we presume that representatives are above corruption. To me that 80 million dollars shows how corrupt our own system is for officials with bent morals. Bernie Sanders is 1000 times the human being that Hillary Clinton ever was.

 

[glenn1]

Are you that divorced from reality that you really can't grasp the basic facts? Colin Powell was a BUSH appointee, and served as Secretary of State the entire first term of the BUSH Presidency, from Jan 2001 to Jan 2006.

Of course, this would somehow be a bad reflection on Bill Clinton's administration in your mind, even though Powell never held a position in it. Get a grip, please.

What matters is when he (or his charity's delegate) attempted to gain favorable access and from whom. If that was during the Clinton presidency and gained access from one of his appointees, I would hold them to blame. If during the Dubya presidency then I would hold them accountable. Story said 1997 so that's during Clinton era and that's what I keyed on and was referring to, and you're correct that doesn't seem like the key date at all so I apologize. Now that I read further I see the Ken Lay thing mentioned with a 2002 timeframe, so that's on Dubya and Collin.

 

[bshole]

Damn Colin Powell is worth $45 million. It proves my point, the system itself is bent and corrupt. I just lost a lot of respect for Powell.

 

[Blackjack200]

The treatment of the Clinton Foundation by the media, most especially the Associated Press, has been absolutely fucking disgraceful. Almost as bad as the email "scandal". They've basically treated an A rated foundation like a slush fund for "donors" to funnel money into the Clintons' pockets. Fuck those fucking assholes.

 

[brycejones]

What matters is when he (or his charity's delegate) attempted to gain favorable access and from whom. If that was during the Clinton presidency and gained access from one of his appointees, I would hold them to blame. If during the Dubya presidency then I would hold them accountable. Story said 1997 so that's during Clinton era and that's what I keyed on and was referring to, and you're correct that doesn't seem like the key date at all so I apologize. Now that I read further I see the Ken Lay thing mentioned with a 2002 timeframe, so that's on Dubya and Collin.

Maybe you should read before the knee-jerk post in the future?

 

[vi edit]

Is Colin worth $80,000,000 like Clinton? There is something distinctly foul about a person entering public service and becoming a multi-millionaire from it. I can accept that it happens in Russia (Putin is probably the richest man in the world) but here in the United States we presume that representatives are above corruption. To me that 80 million dollars shows how corrupt our own system is for officials with bent morals. Bernie Sanders is 1000 times the human being that Hillary Clinton ever was.

Hillary is worth 30 million. Bill is worth 80. She got an 8 million advance for a book and banked about 12 million in speaking fees. She's also 70 years old, a lawyer by trade and was banking close to 200k + perks while in office plus incomes similar to that prior to being in politics. Anyone of that age and with an earning of that level should have a somewhat decent net worth. Toss in her book and speaking deals and it's not stupid lucrative. Hell my wife gets paid $1200 a pop to speak for a few hours about drugs. And she's not a presidential candidate. But go ahead and hate away.

 

[Blackjack200]

Is Colin worth $80,000,000 like Clinton? There is something distinctly foul about a person entering public service and becoming a multi-millionaire from it. I can accept that it happens in Russia (Putin is probably the richest man in the world) but here in the United States we presume that representatives are above corruption. To me that 80 million dollars shows how corrupt our own system is for officials with bent morals. Bernie Sanders is 1000 times the human being that Hillary Clinton ever was.

It's speaking fees. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/...orge-bush-makes-millions-but-few-waves-118697

Having a former president speak at your event is very prestigious, that's not corrupt.

 

[zinfamous]

What matters is when he (or his charity's delegate) attempted to gain favorable access and from whom. If that was during the Clinton presidency and gained access from one of his appointees, I would hold them to blame. If during the Dubya presidency then I would hold them accountable. Story said 1997 so that's during Clinton era and that's what I keyed on and was referring to, and you're correct that doesn't seem like the key date at all so I apologize. Now that I read further I see the Ken Lay thing mentioned with a 2002 timeframe, so that's on Dubya and Collin.

It's about receiving favors from the State Department and really shouldn't have anything to do with either administration.

 

[Blackjack200]

Hell my wife gets paid $1200 a pop to speak for a few hours about drugs. And she's not a presidential candidate. But go ahead and hate away.

Your corrupt wife is what's wrong with this country.

 

[zinfamous]

Damn Colin Powell is worth $45 million. It proves my point, the system itself is bent and corrupt. I just lost a lot of respect for Powell.

What, why? Dude gets paid tons of money to talk at places because he's one of those few people in the world that, you know, "has seen some shit." Just like the Clintons, or the Bushes, and even Bernie Sanders

Why the everlovinghell would you hate on someone that has attained a position in life where other humans simply pay them to talk about their lives?

 

[Cozarkian]

The fact that Colin Powell isn't running for President is probably the main factor. A further investigation would still be useful as evidence that Hillary's unethical conduct is the norm among politicians.

Although rather than exonerate her it would tend to condemn all politicians, which would probably benefit Trump regardless of his tendency to act very, very similar to politicians.

 

[bshole]

What, why? Dude gets paid tons of money to talk at places because he's one of those few people in the world that, you know, "has seen some shit." Just like the Clintons, or the Bushes, and even Bernie Sanders

Why the everlovinghell would you hate on someone that has attained a position in life where other humans simply pay them to talk about their lives?

Aren't speaking fees just a slippery way of doing kickbacks for favors done while in office? This is my perception at least.

Why should somebody get paid millions just to speak while I have to do actual work for only thousands?

 

[zinfamous]

Aren't speaking fees just a slippery way of doing kickbacks for favors done while in office? This is my perception at least.

no, not really. I don't think the optics are great, especially for those still in or going to be in office, but you shouldn't always assume corruption.

Why should somebody get paid millions just to speak while I have to do actual work for only thousands?

Simple question: Are you an interesting person?

 

[TheGardener]

Does the OP's article say anything about Colin Powell selling his influence to foreign governments for millions of dollars while a cabinet member? Thought not.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

So wait, does it or does it not matter when donations are made to charities of future politicians? I know at least one person in this thread defended Clinton regarding the Russian uranium deal and donations to her charity, partially on the grounds that the donations were made years prior to approval of the sale. This donation, apparently $70k (kinda small potatoes I think) was made before Powell was SOS, and before the Enron scandal hit the public.

That being said I don't think I'd mind seeing it illegal to operate any kind of charity or accept gifts or lobbyist support entirely while serving public office. Apparently Powell's charity is a private one and naturally subject to less scrutiny, so I would put him or anyone else past accepting donations he shouldn't have.

 

[Meghan54]

So wait, does it or does it not matter when donations are made to charities of future politicians? I know at least one person in this thread defended Clinton regarding the Russian uranium deal and donations to her charity, partially on the grounds that the donations were made years prior to approval of the sale. This donation, apparently $70k (kinda small potatoes I think) was made before Powell was SOS, and before the Enron scandal hit the public.

That being said I don't think I'd mind seeing it illegal to operate any kind of charity or accept gifts or lobbyist support entirely while serving public office. Apparently Powell's charity is a private one and naturally subject to less scrutiny, so I would put him or anyone else past accepting donations he shouldn't have.

Let me ask you about that Russian uranium deal....what's the big deal? You do understand not one gram of uranium mined in the U.S. can leave our shores, right? So it's immaterial who owns the mine; what's mined can only be used/sold within our borders and never be exported. So what's the problem again?

 

[bshole]

no, not really. I don't think the optics are great, especially for those still in or going to be in office, but you shouldn't always assume corruption.

Simple question: Are you an interesting person?

I am interesting to myself. If I could pay myself a million dollars for a speech I would do it in a second...

 

[Perknose]

I am interesting to myself. If I could pay myself a million dollars for a speech I would do it in a second...

But then you'd bitch here about how obviously corrupt you were.

 

[DrPizza]

Let me ask you about that Russian uranium deal....what's the big deal? You do understand not one gram of uranium mined in the U.S. can leave our shores, right? So it's immaterial who owns the mine; what's mined can only be used/sold within our borders and never be exported. So what's the problem again?

(Not to mention, it was *already* owned by a foreign entity. It merely exchanged hands from one foreign entity to another.)