Colin Powell Resigns

[World Eater]

Colin Powell is out. We knew this was coming, but it's still sad to see one of the few guys in the current admin with half a brain go. To be honest, Colin's pathetic UN presentation soured his rep for me, but I still thought of him as not fully evil. One less voice of reason in the WH.

<sigh>

[yojimbo]

If he was a voice of reason it wasn't listened to.

I respected him till the UN.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

According to the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4013621.stm)
A White House spokesman said three other cabinet level resignations would be announced on Monday.

One of those is Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

I have no clue who this Spencer guy is, but anyone want to bet on who gets knifed next?

[sugaree]

State Department officials told CNN that Bush and Powell decided mutually that it was time for him to go.

Mutual? Powell is the only staff member respected by liberals and moderates, and he's mutualled on out the door? Nice way to be a uniter, Mr. President.


Please, please, please let Powell write a book.

[Eve]

Do you think they'll let him have his spine back when he leaves?

[sugaree]

Colin's lost spine. So that's what was underneath Bush's jacket during the first debate.

[World Eater]

I'm scared to predict his replacement.

Wolfowitz?

<Sideshow Bob shudder>

[ShibbOleth]

Do you think they'll let him have his spine back when he leaves?

I heard that the deal is that he gets the spine back, but has to leave his testicles in the jar on GWB's desk.

twickster

[Tapioca Dextrin]

I thought they had been sugically removed sometime before the UN speech?

[sugaree]

Right next to any chance he ever had of becoming America's first black president.

[Rysler]

This liberal never liked Colin Powell. He was a weak, fence-sitting yes-man, even before Iraq. I'm sure it's asking too much to ask that neither a hawk nor a weenie take his place, but I'm happy to see him go.

[Starving Artist]

This liberal never liked Colin Powell. He was a weak, fence-sitting yes-man...This conservative agrees with you, for the same reasons.

[black rabbit]

Good riddance.

The talking heads are going to attempt to make the point that with Powell gone, there won't be any moderating force to put the brakes on Dick, Rummy, and Condi.

I say bullshit. Powell's been nothing but a bitch from day one, and long faces aside, he's been all to eager to bend over and take it for the team.

Fuck him. Fuck him even harder than the rest of 'em. He's had his eyes on the prize the whole time, and that prize was being top dog in a big fucking bureacracy.

The only way he could even begin to redeem himself is by coming forward with a few tidbits that get the ball rolling on an impeachment.

[Sir Dirx]

I'm scared to predict his replacement.

Wolfowitz?

<Sideshow Bob shudder>

From this news article (http://www.nbc30.com/news/3918352/detail.html):

CNN reported that there is a lot of speculation that Condoleezza Rice will be offered Powell's position.

[Roseworm]

Powell is a good man, but he is not a war-time consigliere, and that is what Bush needs. More to the point, Powell was never able (or willing) to purge the State Department (which is openly hostile to the Bush Doctrine).

[gobear]

Well, with Colin Powell out of the picture, I look forward to our next wars with Iran and Syria. Ideally, Bush will stop after Iraq, collect his armies and his card, and pass the dice to the next player.

[World Eater]

Condi?

Ugh, I fucking hate that bitch.

[RedFury]

Powell is a good man, but he is not a war-time consigliere, and that is what Bush needs. More to the point, Powell was never able (or willing) to purge the State Department (which is openly hostile to the Bush Doctrine).

Right. He was just a slight bump on the way to totalitarianism. After all, we shouldn't forget that DimSon himself said things would be "much easier in a dictatorship" -- with him in charge of course.

March in lockstep with Dear Misleader! Dissent is treason! Welcome to The Homeland!

[gobear]

Right. He was just a slight bump on the way to totalitarianism. After all, we shouldn't forget that DimSon himself said things would be "much easier in a dictatorship" -- with him in charge of course.

March in lockstep with Dear Misleader! Dissent is treason! Welcome to The Homeland!
You live in Australia, and it isn't your homeland. Those of us who want to preserve democracy in the US don't really want to hear your glib remarks about what might happen to our country.

You're not funny.

[RedFury]

You live in Australia, and it isn't your homeland. Those of us who want to preserve democracy in the US don't really want to hear your glib remarks about what might happen to our country.

You're not funny.

You got your facts all wrong. And I was being deadly serious.

[World Eater]

Alright I live in this country so I'll say it.

Right. He was just a slight bump on the way to totalitarianism. After all, we shouldn't forget that DimSon himself said things would be "much easier in a dictatorship" -- with him in charge of course.

March in lockstep with Dear Misleader! Dissent is treason! Welcome to The Homeland!

[Mtgman]

Powell is a good man, but he is not a war-time consigliere, and that is what Bush needs. More to the point, Powell was never able (or willing) to purge the State Department (which is openly hostile to the Bush Doctrine).From this exact point in history, having read the State Department proposals/evaluations regarding Iraq and reconstruction, I'd say purging them would eliminate the one major department in Washington that does not have their heads up their asses. The State Department had the far more realistic and comprehensive plan for reconstruction of Iraq and post-war action. It was expensive, and required tons of troops. It was shelved and the Defense Department was given the thumbs-up. That was the single worst decision in the whole reconstruction effort to date.

Enjoy,
Steven

[gobear]

We had an election in which the Pubs won fairly, so democracy still works. Our side didn;t win, but that's the way elections work; one side wins, one side loses. If Bush starts shutting down newspapers and "disappearing" Democrats, the we can call him a dictator. Granted, he really sucks as a president, byut let's not dial up the hysteria just yet.

[gobear]

Or put it this way: if this were the totalitarian dictatorship that you think, ypou and I would have been reported to the secret police, who would have arrested and shot us by now.

[FinnAgain]

Ideally, Bush will stop after Iraq, collect his armies and his card, and pass the dice to the next player.

Whoa boy no.
Someone forgot to tell Duhbya that he gets a Risk card after Afganistan.

I hope we get good dice rolls in Iran.

[Revtim]

Powell was a large part of the machine that pushed for war with at best faulty evidence.

Fuck him. Fuck him hard. He should be forced to personally face every person in the US and in Iraq who lost a relative to this war fought over the bullshit he spewed to the UN.

Sometimes I wish the Christians are right about Hell, so the whole bunch of these warmongers can burn.

[World Eater]

Or put it this way: if this were the totalitarian dictatorship that you think, ypou and I would have been reported to the secret police, who would have arrested and shot us by now.

We're not there yet, but we're gravitating that way. IIRC Gross, the current head of the CIA wanted more powers in terms of spying on US citizens. That's a nice start.

[Shirley Ujest]

The rats are fleeing.

[John Mace]

The rats are fleeing.

Changes in a president's 2nd term are S.O.P. Note Clinton's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_clinton#Cabinet) changes (he went thru 2 at State, and 3 each at Defense and Treasury, just to name a few). I don't have a cite for Reagan, but IIRC, he also saw quite a few changes in his second term.

[RedFury]

We're not there yet, but we're gravitating that way. IIRC Gross, the current head of the CIA wanted more powers in terms of spying on US citizens. That's a nice start.

Exactly. Contrary to what gobear may think, there's no personal satisfaction involved in watching your country make such a hard turn to the right. And while you "may not be there yet,' as you yourself point out, all signs from the Bush WH point that way.

Like others have already said, I don't have much love-lost for Powell -- I think he lost his much vaunted integrity with his circus act at the UN. Having said that, there's also little doubt that he was one of the few voices inside the WH that 'dared' dissent with the prevailing neocon agenda.

PBS's 'Frontline" made a fascinating documentary sometime before the Iraq invasion. Called The War Behind Closed Doors (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/iraq/), it's an insider's view of how the neocons ultimately "won" the foreign policy battle. Powell was really the only one of political stature that attempted to stand up to them at the time.

One last thing. While I am not an American, my son is. And he of comes of draft age during the upcoming Presidential term. Moreover, even without an institutionalized draft, I, quite frankly hate the America he's having to grow-up in. Intolerance, nationalism, militarism, xenophobia, censorship, arrogance, hypocritical "moral values," are all 'qualities' that remind me of Franco's Spain -- the one I grew up in. And when you get right down to it, that's what BushCo represents and that's what you voted for.

Scary path you've chosen. And I won't stop reminding you no matter who happens to be 'offended.' Because not only do America's actions affect the whole world, they affect me, personally, by way of my only child and his uncertain future in this new America of yours. Certainly not the one I fell in love with many moons ago.

[sugaree]

Powell was privately against the war and knew that UN speech was full of shit, but what could he do? Resign? Refuse to play along?

Maybe it's a Great Debate: you're Bush's Secretary of State. You know that there's evidence no of WMA. You know that the very plan for war is weak. But you are one of the few voices of reason. You've handled your boss through skilled diplomacy up until now--but now, on the brink of disaster, you just can't get through. And you're the one who has to deliver this prime peice of half-assedness to the UN.

It's okay, Cheney tells you. Your approval rating is in the 70s. You can afford to lose a few points.

What's the honorable thing to do in this situation?

[Metacom]

What's the honorable thing to do in this situation?
Resign, and get elected president in 2008 on a landslide.

[World Eater]

Powell was privately against the war and knew that UN speech was full of shit, but what could he do? Resign? Refuse to play along?

Maybe it's a Great Debate: you're Bush's Secretary of State. You know that there's evidence no of WMA. You know that the very plan for war is weak. But you are one of the few voices of reason. You've handled your boss through skilled diplomacy up until now--but now, on the brink of disaster, you just can't get through. And you're the one who has to deliver this prime peice of half-assedness to the UN.

It's okay, Cheney tells you. Your approval rating is in the 70s. You can afford to lose a few points.

What's the honorable thing to do in this situation?

Refuse to play along / resign

You don't stand by as a bullshit war is initiated under your watch.

[BobLibDem]

Please let the next resignation be from Condi's hairdresser.

[gobear]

E

One last thing. While I am not an American, my son is.

Then why did you say got my facts wrong when I said that America isn't your homeland when you just admitted as much?

And he of comes of draft age during the upcoming Presidential term. Moreover, even without an institutionalized draft, I, quite frankly hate the America he's having to grow-up in. Intolerance, nationalism, militarism, xenophobia, censorship, arrogance, hypocritical "moral values," are all 'qualities' that remind me of Franco's Spain -- the one I grew up in.

America has always been arrogant, but at the moment, we're the dominant force on this planet,. Intolerance--well, I hate the anti-gay movement's successes, but there are a lot of people who are tolerant. Xenophobia--we're in the midst of the greatest wave of immigration our nation has ever seen. A xenophobic nation would have kept them out. Militarism--we have an all-volunteer army, for now. Censorship--well, the FCC is out of control, but the government can't touch cable TV, movies, newspapers, the Internet, or satellite radio

And when you get right down to it, that's what BushCo represents and that's what you voted for.

I didn;t vote for him, nor did 49% of the nation. You don;t seem to know that Bush won a very narrow victory. It seems bigoted of you to write off almost half of the country that agrees that Bush is a bad leader.

Scary path you've chosen. And I won't stop reminding you no matter who happens to be 'offended.' Because not only do America's actions affect the whole world, they affect me, personally, by way of my only child and his uncertain future in this new America of yours. Certainly not the one I fell in love with many moons ago.
By all means, keep fighting the power, but try not to be as hateful as the people you decry. We're all in this together, including the people Bush has deceived.

[World Eater]

Censorship--well, the FCC is out of control, but the government can't touch cable TV, movies, newspapers, the Internet, or satellite radio

Oh no? Funny that stupid wardrobe malfunction had quite an impact on TV.

I didn;t vote for him, nor did 49% of the nation. You don;t seem to know that Bush won a very narrow victory. It seems bigoted of you to write off almost half of the country that agrees that Bush is a bad leader.

Bigoted or not, it's human nature. I wish people were smart enough to say "well 51% voted for the man who went on and invaded Iran". Instead they're going to call us a bunch of fucking crazy cowboys, all of us.

Bah, we've been down this road before.

[astorian]

Mutual? Powell is the only staff member respected by liberals and moderates, and he's mutualled on out the door? Nice way to be a uniter, Mr. President.


Please, please, please let Powell write a book.

And John Ashcroft was the only Cabinet member respected and trusted by the Religious Right. THEY'RE the ones who really have a gripe coming with this administration.

After all, THEY helped Bush win. Since when are liberals entitled to representation in a Republican Cabinet?

[Greathouse]

:: shrug ::

I kinda liked Colin Powell. Oh well.

[wring]

According to the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4013621.stm)


I have no clue who this Spencer guy is, but anyone want to bet on who gets knifed next?
Michigan guy - was a first term Senator from Michigan who lost (pretty substantially if I recall correctly, at least for an incumbant), his re-election bid prior to his annointing.

He'd been a Republican Party Hack prior to his Senatorial debut. (no other public office that I'm aware of prior to that). Was one of John Engler's buddies. Oddly enough, Engler, as popular as a governor as he was, was unable to deliver Michigan to the Bush regime. Since we again went blue, I'm not surprised that a Cabinet seat wouldn't be again wasted on Michigan. (cynic that I am)

[sugaree]

Resign? And effectively hand the asylum over to the lunatics? Would you then tell the world the true reason you resigned, maybe campaign against Bush's policies in the media, or would you hide behind some kind of bad-health/family crisis farce?

I honestly can't say I'd walk away from it.

I tell you, there's a tragic play of Shakespearean scope in this story.

[Roseworm]

As of this posting, it looks like Condoleezza Rice is the odds-on favorite to replace Powell. She is exactly the war-time consigliere Bush needs.

[gobear]

Oh no? Funny that stupid wardrobe malfunction had quite an impact on TV.

As I noted, the FCC is out of control. You did read that, right? But as I noted, the FCC does not have any jurisdiction, for now, over cable, satellite, newspapers, movies, or the Internet. The FCC only controls broadcast radio and television.


Bigoted or not, it's human nature. I wish people were smart enough to say "well 51% voted for the man who went on and invaded Iran". Instead they're going to call us a bunch of fucking crazy cowboys, all of us.

Bah, we've been down this road before.

Unlike the extreme whiny left, I do not care if other countries call us "fucking crazy cowboys." Let 'em. I care more that our country is pursuing wrong-headed policies that will damage our nation's security and encourage terrorism. I want America to pursue diplomacy and multilateralism for purely pragmatic reasons; because I want other nations to ally with us out of their own self-interest, not from some pathitic desire to be loved.

We should defuse terror by pursung an active program of aid to impoverished nations and encourage open trade and cultural channels to moribund economies like Egypt's because helping them to prosper is ultimately good for us.

[World Eater]

Resign? And effectively hand the asylum over to the lunatics?

As opposed to being a captive within it? It's a lose lose situation for sure, but at least one way allows for egress with dignity intact.

Would you then tell the world the true reason you resigned, maybe campaign against Bush's policies in the media, or would you hide behind some kind of bad-health/family crisis farce?

I don't know, that's when people start having "accidents".

[sugaree]

After all, THEY helped Bush win. Since when are liberals entitled to representation in a Republican Cabinet?

Well, there's that whole representing all of America thing...no, you're right. Division. We need more division.

[World Eater]

Unlike the extreme whiny left, I do not care if other countries call us "fucking crazy cowboys." Let 'em. I care more that our country is pursuing wrong-headed policies that will damage our nation's security and encourage terrorism. I want America to pursue diplomacy and multilateralism for purely pragmatic reasons; because I want other nations to ally with us out of their own self-interest, not from some pathitic desire to be loved.

I don't see where we differ here. I want all the things you mention too. Those things become harder to achieve when the world thinks we're fucking cowboys. That is exactly why I do care that they us in that light. I wish they would realize that half the country probably agrees with them, but they'll only see us as one big 'ol lump of Americans.

[Revtim]

Powell was privately against the war and knew that UN speech was full of shit, but what could he do? Resign? Refuse to play along?

Maybe it's a Great Debate: you're Bush's Secretary of State. You know that there's evidence no of WMA. You know that the very plan for war is weak. But you are one of the few voices of reason. You've handled your boss through skilled diplomacy up until now--but now, on the brink of disaster, you just can't get through. And you're the one who has to deliver this prime peice of half-assedness to the UN.

It's okay, Cheney tells you. Your approval rating is in the 70s. You can afford to lose a few points.

What's the honorable thing to do in this situation?I cannot comprehend how there can be any path that includes going along with a war for known false reasons that can be considered even remotely honorable.

I'd have resigned in his place. I'd HAVE to resign if I ever wanted to sleep at night again with drugs and/or alcohol.

Hell, even if I truly and honestly believed my reasons for going to war were correct and they turned out not to be, I'd consider eating the barrel of a gun. If I went to war knowing the intel was doubtful..... I'd no doubt decorate the wall. How can somebody live themselves after such a thing?

[RedFury]

Then why did you say got my facts wrong when I said that America isn't your homeland when you just admitted as much?

Because you said I "lived in Australia." And because I still maintain legals status as a US resident -- and could apply for citizenship tomorrow if I so desired. But I don't.

America has always been arrogant, but at the moment, we're the dominant force on this planet,. Intolerance--well, I hate the anti-gay movement's successes, but there are a lot of people who are tolerant. Xenophobia--we're in the midst of the greatest wave of immigration our nation has ever seen. A xenophobic nation would have kept them out. Militarism--we have an all-volunteer army, for now. Censorship--well, the FCC is out of control, but the government can't touch cable TV, movies, newspapers, the Internet, or satellite radio

The xenophobia I speak of is reflected in the general attitude towards the Iraq invasion -- a war that had up to 80% support in your country. It's not just xenophobia mind you, but the combination of all the other attributes combined that has given rise to the current surge of nationalism.

I didn;t vote for him, nor did 49% of the nation. You don;t seem to know that Bush won a very narrow victory. It seems bigoted of you to write off almost half of the country that agrees that Bush is a bad leader.

I understand that perfectly, and said as much in this post (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5490141&postcount=557) a few days ago. Fact is, I am on your side -- but we don't have to necessarily agree in the way we go about fighting the Bush regime. Am I virulent and strident in their condemnation? Perhaps, but the way I see it, this is a fight on all fronts. You take care of diplomacy if you wish -- I'll fight in the trenches.

By all means, keep fighting the power, but try not to be as hateful as the people you decry. We're all in this together, including the people Bush has deceived.

See above.

[gobear]

I don't see where we differ here. I want all the things you mention too. Those things become harder to achieve when the world thinks we're fucking cowboys. That is exactly why I do care that they us in that light. I wish they would realize that half the country probably agrees with them, but they'll only see us as one big 'ol lump of Americans.

We differ because it seems to me that you want America to be loved as a goal in itself, that our goals and our needs should be subject to world opinion, that American security is less important than being liked.

I don't care if we are liked or not; I want the US to pursue a less aggressive stance purely from pragmatic motives. I'm opposed to Bush's militarism because it's bad for the US, not because it pisses off foreigners. It's better for us to form alliances because it's good for the US, not because we want approval from other countries. If I thought unilateral war making were beneficial to our interests, I'd support it. As it is, I think Bush's international strategy is a disaster.

You make diplomatic conncetions because they are useful to you, not because you like them. To quote Lord Palmerston, ""We have no eternal allies and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual and those interests it is our duty to follow"

[gobear]

Because you said I "lived in Australia." And because I still maintain legals status as a US resident -- and could apply for citizenship tomorrow if I so desired. But I don't.

Ah, but I recall that you had Australia as ytour location under your screen name once upon a time, did you not?


I understand that perfectly, and said as much in this post (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5490141&postcount=557) a few days ago. Fact is, I am on your side -- but we don't have to necessarily agree in the way we go about fighting the Bush regime. Am I virulent and strident in their condemnation? Perhaps, but the way I see it, this is a fight on all fronts. You take care of diplomacy if you wish -- I'll fight in the trenches.

That'll work. I can offer the carrot; and you can be brandish the stick. IIRC, MLK Jr. said something to the effect of, "If the government won't deal with me, then they'll have to deal with the militants."


See above.[/QUOTE]

[RedFury]

Unlike the extreme whiny left, I do not care if other countries call us "fucking crazy cowboys." Let 'em. I care more that our country is pursuing wrong-headed policies that will damage our nation's security and encourage terrorism. I want America to pursue diplomacy and multilateralism for purely pragmatic reasons; because I want other nations to ally with us out of their own self-interest, not from some pathitic desire to be loved.

World Eater already took care of this one. I'll just want to ask you why you think other countries have taken to calling you "crazy fuckin' cowboys"?

If the shoe doesn't fit...get a new one. Meantime, you are what you are. And deceived or not, a majority of you have chosen to prolong the crazy fuckin' cowboy behavior.

That's what's so bewildering. That you've* chosen to re-elect a group of proven liars with an openly radical agenda. (http://www.newamericancentury.org/)

*In the collective form just so we're clear. Which obviously leaves out a ton of Americans that I still very much admire and appreciate.

On preview -- no, you have me confused with someone else. I'd love to vist Australia but never have; and certainly never had it under my location.

Past 12 years divided between NY/CT. Last 3 in the Dom Rep. Next stop, who knows? I'll be here for a while still But I'd like to die in Spain.

As for tactics, we're agreed then. Good. Glad to hear it.

[World Eater]

We differ because it seems to me that you want America to be loved as a goal in itself, that our goals and our needs should be subject to world opinion, that American security is less important than being liked.

Nothing is more important to me the the security of this country. Being "not hated" by the world directly translates into better security. Being "not hated" means the other countries of the world will work with us when we pursue an "interest" (as long as it isn't fucked up). Being respected around the globe is beneficial to our interests. I want the world to like us so we don't get our asses blown up, not because I think it would be real swell if people liked us.

[kaylasdad99]

Might have been thinking of Redboss.

[gobear]

Might have been thinking of Redboss.

Ah, that's it. My apologies to RedFuryfor the confusion.

World Eater, glad to hear it.

[kaylasdad99]

As to the whole issue of the world perceiving us as "crazy fucking cowboys," I guess it's nice that you're willing to have the rest of the world hold that perception. I'd be more comfortable if we could ensure that anybody holding it is holding it in error.

IOW, I think we're all in agreement with the notion that it's important that the administration actually not BE "crazy fucking cowboys."

[gobear]

As to the whole issue of the world perceiving us as "crazy fucking cowboys," I guess it's nice that you're willing to have the rest of the world hold that perception. I'd be more comfortable if we could ensure that anybody holding it is holding it in error.

IOW, I think we're all in agreement with the notion that it's important that the administration actually not BE "crazy fucking cowboys."
I have absolutely no problem with America being thought of as CFCs; i wouldn't even mind America being CFCs, but it is more important that America be competent CFCs.

We invaded Iraq based on lies, but I could have gotten over that. We didn't follow the diplomatic niceties before invading Iraq, but I could have gotten over that. Deposing Saddam was a beneficial act. But the Bush regime has so thoroughly fucked up the administration of Iraq I could cry. We destroyed the Iraqi government, folded our hands and refused to set up an alternate police structure, and then we were surprised that Iraq fell into bloody chaos. We alienated the Shi'a clergy when they could have helped discipline their people. We disbanded the Iraqi army, and then we were surprised that Iraqi unemployment rose. The Coalition Provisonal Authroity twiddled its thumbs making irrelevant rules for Iraqi trade that didn't exist instead of taking concrete action to help the Iraqi people. We ignored the material needs of Iraq, letting people go months without electricity or water.

Invading Iraq was a mistake, but one that could have been ameliorated with intelligent, practical policies. Instead, stupidity, laziness, and sheer incompetence have destroyed the country and American credibility.

[Loopydude]

Powell before his tenure as Secretary: Statesmanly and dignified
Powell during his tenure as Secretary: Uncertain, compromising to the point of irrelevance
Powell during his tenure as Secretary: Reviled by the right for not taking a stand, reviled by the left for...not taking a stand.

[UselessGit]

Mr. Powell was supposed to meet the Icelandic PM tomorrow, the bastard...Coincidence?

[Cervaise]

I have absolutely no problem with America being thought of as CFCs; i wouldn't even mind America being CFCs, but it is more important that America be competent CFCs.Dude, the ozone layer is thin enough as it is!

(I know, I know. I was just amused at the coincidental abbreviation.)Invading Iraq was a mistake, but one that could have been ameliorated with intelligent, practical policies. Instead, stupidity, laziness, and sheer incompetence have destroyed the country and American credibility.Don't forget greed.

[Loopydude]

Powell before his tenure as Secretary: Statesmanly and dignified
Powell during his tenure as Secretary: Uncertain, compromising to the point of irrelevance
Powell during his tenure as Secretary: Reviled by the right for not taking a stand, reviled by the left for...not taking a stand.

GodDAMN it, the last line should be "Powell after his tenure as Secretary:"

[ouryL]

Rats leaving the ship?

[kaylasdad99]

Rats leaving the ship?Little bit late on that one, ouryL. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5496984&postcount=28) Although, I admit, yours is colored prettier.

[World Eater]

Invading Iraq was a mistake, but one that could have been ameliorated with intelligent, practical policies. Instead, stupidity, laziness, and sheer incompetence have destroyed the country and American credibility.

That's one of the things that boggles my mind. Why would anyone expect Bush to get us out of this? His thinking and policies got us into this mess. Is he suddenly going to get a brain transplant and do a political 180?

No, 4 years from now we'll be deeper into this, mark my words.

[rjung]

...and us Democrats will be over here going, "John Kerry said it'd be like this."

[thursday next]

If it makes you feel any better Gobear, I too was thinking of Redboss. I’m extra messed up because I always confuse Redfury with a horse I’d love to buy named Redblast. Sorry I’m always confusing you with others, Redboss.

Anyway, I liked Colin Powell and thought it was a nifty guy. I would have loved for him to be president. :: sigh :: Moving on, to (hopefully) inject a bit of humour; there’s been a lot of talk about how the Bush cabinet isn’t completely white. As we learned from Chappelle's Show (http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-15677/epid-302273/), Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice are now both officially white, via his racial draft. Perhaps the feeling was that they needed to bring in more minorities to the Cabinet, so they flipped a coin and Colin lost. It’s the only logical thing I could come up with.

I’m going to take some more medicine now, I’m sure I’ll regret posting later. ;)