We are all very complex animals, and often defined by those acts most at odds with our character. As you said, he was a soldier at heart, so he followed orders. He did a lot of good things, that that one speech and all that followed (because of the speech and the integrity of the speaker) are on him. It was a mistake, and he owns the bodies on all sides of it.
Powell was misled about the intelligence but he should have known that his case on WMDs was circumstantial. I can't remember whether Powell supported invading Iraq instead of pressing for inspections.
However, Powell only contributed to war with Iraq. He did not cause it and wasn't even a primary cause of it. Powell provided a fig leaf of respectability and some hazy rationale to the war. Dick Cheney was far more responsible, ignoring the American intelligence community's assessment that Saddam likely did not have WMD stockpiles or a working alliance with Al Qaeda. Instead, Cheney told lie after lie to push the US into war with Iraq. He was also one of the major promoters of our torturing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere.
The disturbing thing is that back in 1994 Cheney said in an interview that invading Iraq after the Gulf War would have been disastrous and would have led to a quagmire.
Yet after pushing for an invasion based on bad intelligence and leading to disaster for the US, Cheney insisted that invading and controlling Iraq was the right thing to do.
We are all very complex animals, and often defined by those acts most at odds with our character. As you said, he was a soldier at heart, so he followed orders. He did a lot of good things, that that one speech and all that followed (because of the speech and the integrity of the speaker) are on him. It was a mistake, and he owns the bodies on all sides of it.
I truly believe Powell always tried to act with integrity. I think he failed in one supremely important instance and attribute that to him being too military for that moment as Secretary of State. I cannot forget that, even with his death but recognise his greatness in other areas. I guess that's the same as one of my other American heroes, Harry Truman. I sadly accept the bombing of Hiroshima (my father probably would have been part of the Tokyo invasion), but think Nagasaki was unnecessary. No one will ever know.
We are all very complex animals, and often defined by those acts most at odds with our character. As you said, he was a soldier at heart, so he followed orders. He did a lot of good things, that that one speech and all that followed (because of the speech and the integrity of the speaker) are on him. It was a mistake, and he owns the bodies on all sides of it.
Location: On the edge of tomorrow looking back at yesterday. Gender:
Posted:
Oct 18, 2021 - 3:57pm
oldviolin wrote:
My personal choice for first Black American POTUS. Way before Obama was ever heard of in the national politic. How ironic him being fully vaccinated. The guy just had integrity; a sorely missed quality going into the future of darker days...
Yes he would of had my vote. A classy and honorable human being and a great leader of men.
To General Powell, one of the few men of history I would have liked to have met.
My personal choice for first Black American POTUS. Way before Obama was ever heard of in the national politic. How ironic him being fully vaccinated. The guy just had integrity; a sorely missed quality going into the future of darker days...
It's a shame.
I truly believe Powell always tried to act with integrity. I think he failed in one supremely important instance and attribute that to him being too military for that moment as Secretary of State. I cannot forget that, even with his death but recognise his greatness in other areas. I guess that's the same as one of my other American heroes, Harry Truman. I sadly accept the bombing of Hiroshima (my father probably would have been part of the Tokyo invasion), but think Nagasaki was unnecessary. No one will ever know.
My personal choice for first Black American POTUS. Way before Obama was ever heard of in the national politic. . How ironic him being fully vaccinated. The guy just had integrity; a sorely missed quality going into the future of darker days...
I'm not sure I see the irony? He has been fighting cancer and had a weakened immune system. It's a PSA for getting a booster if you're at risk / over 65 / were vaccinated early (April and prior).
A life story absolutely full of irony, on several levels, especially with the Covid, including your suggestion of a PSA. Perhaps we have a different understanding of a bigger picture, or the breadth of ironic notions. Not good/bad right/wrong. Just different. Instructively. Creatively. Any way you wish to view it.
My personal choice for first Black American POTUS. Way before Obama. How ironic him being fully vaccinated. The guy just had integrity; a sorely missed quality going into the future of darker days...
I'm not sure I see the irony? He has been fighting cancer and had a weakened immune system. It's a PSA for getting a booster if you're at risk / over 65 / were vaccinated early (April and prior).
I saw him speak when Hillary was Sec of State, and he was hysterical, really. After his speech, some buddies asked if I was gonna make his second set at the Comedy Club that night. Great line: "General, what do you think of Hillary as Sec of State?" response: "She's in my plane!" And he told a story about how he was passing through a city (Dallas?) and decided he needed to fly to DC, so he pulled into the airport and paid for his ticket with cash. This was pretty soon after 9/11, so that triggered the extra-special TSA check (flight to capital, last minute, no luggage, paid in cash), so they pulled him out of line and were wanding him - knowing exactly who he was - and he remembered thinking "Who made up these stupid rules?!? Oh...it was me."
My personal choice for first Black American POTUS. Way before Obama was ever heard of in the national politic. How ironic him being fully vaccinated. The guy just had integrity; a sorely missed quality going into the future of darker days...
I saw him speak when Hillary was Sec of State, and he was hysterical, really. After his speech, some buddies asked if I was gonna make his second set at the Comedy Club that night.
Great line: "General, what do you think of Hillary as Sec of State?"
response: "She's in my plane!"
And he told a story about how he was passing through a city (Dallas?) and decided he needed to fly to DC, so he pulled into the airport and paid for his ticket with cash.
This was pretty soon after 9/11, so that triggered the extra-special TSA check (flight to capital, last minute, no luggage, paid in cash), so they pulled him out of line and were wanding him - knowing exactly who he was - and he remembered thinking "Who made up these stupid rules?!? Oh...it was me."
Definitely one of the more imposing Secretaries of State in our time. Agree or disagree, Powell was likeable and was even respected by those who disagreed.
It is unfortunate that an otherwise fine career was blemished by the Iraq 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' lie.
The invasion of Kuwait to dislodge Iraqi troops was perhaps the best US military intervention of the post-war period. In. Do the job (kick out the Iraqis). Exit.
I am not sure that the invasion of Panama was absolutely necessary but for whatever reason, the civilians killed during that operation never stuck to the US brand and reputation.
I have a thing for talking blues and at one point had Hot Rod Lincoln memorised. It was harder back before you could look up lyrics on the internet. Also had a pleasant plane trip one time chatting with a Lost Planet Airman who was sitting next to me. Didn't go back and bug the Commander, though.
They played at the rodeo grounds in Cody, Wyoming when I was in junior high, I think. My parents decided my big sister was too young to go to a concert by herself w/friends, so I might have been in 6th grade. I should ask around and see if anyone who went remembers it. I don't think it sold well.
I've seen Bill Kirchen a couple of times though (telecaster in the video on that page). He's probably not as fast these days but I'd go see him again. Super fun and a nice guy.
