What part of "I am republican first and foremost" (Colin Powell)

• Colon Powell endorses Barak Obama. nm - oldtimer
  • Come to think of it, Colin Powell might be the - October surprise. nm
    • Come to think of it........s/m - gourdpainter
      • I think it is way too late now to make a change...sm - oldtimer
        • Agreed 100%. If McCain can't take charge of his own campaign - how can he be trusted to lead country? nm
        • I agree - gourdpainter
          • By that same logic, Obama is also a puppet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - nm
            • Did you even read what I said? - gourdpainter
              • oops...sorry, musta had a brain freeze.....sorry....:-) - nm
              • Oh lighten up....they're all puppets, we know that.....nm - nm
                • IMHO Colin Powell isn't a puppet. - gourdpainter
          • CP says that he thinks Obama has the potential...sm - oldtimer
            • Yep, McCain has potential to be a good president too....sm - sm
              • If John McCain had stuck to his guns and been...sm - geek
  • Colin Powell....closet democrat...no surprise there...nm - nm
    • Actually, in talking with my husband about this today...sm - ms
    • Yeah, he turned....gone over to the dark side...nm - .
      • Possibly s/m - gourdpainter
        • If McCain had chosen Powell for VP...sm - oldtimer
          • He's already turned it down once - Dee
          • What makes you think Colin Powell would want to be on the McCain ticket? - Educated Voter
            • Not a right wing wacko, just supposing what...sm - oldtimer
              • You are definitely not a right-wing wacko, oldtimer! - Educated Voter
          • If he had chosen Powell... - sam
            • Ain't that the truth! (Sam, great to see you back!) - nm
          • He would have been a GREAT choice but - sm
            • Wrong! Their may have been some people that...sm - oldtimer
              • Sorry, OT, but I must disagree - sm
                • I can only tell you what my feelings were this morning...sm - oldtimer
                  • I felt his pain. - gourdpainter
                    • So, in the same respect, - sm
                      • Must be not. Double standard applies. Crickets. - nm
          • Had he done so I would have voted for him most likely - gourdpainter
            • At one time I would have too, when McCain was...sm - oldtimer
              • I think one of his messages was GOP needs to - moderate itself back toward center next time. nm
          • You got that right. Colon Powell could have - REALLY rocked the vote. Missed opportunity. nm
            • Pretty much shows - gourdpainter
      • We knew it wouldn't take long for McC camp racism - to rear it's ugly head. So 1950s of you...sm
        • It was a Star Wars reference......you're the one that injected racism. nm - No I didn't
          • I knew what you meant as well. - sm
          • I knew what you meant...you notice which side plays the race card....nm - fastymt
            • Thanks...glad you could see it for what it was. Star Wars, pure and simple...nm - nm
              • Choir member reassuring each other that their campaign - is not the least bit racist not that convincing.
                • Choir member....what an interesting choice of words. - sm
          • Like ribs, fried chicken and watermelon - aren't racist stereotypes?...sm
            • could you please - gourdpainter
              • Hay, GP. Don't forget the conebread. - nm
                • SNL fan? conehead/cornbread? HaHa. nm - oldtimer
                  • I understand "conebread". LOL - gourdpainter
                • Goshdangit!!! - gourdpainter
            • Once again....you are the one that saw something that wasn't there. - Not my fault you're acting racist.
              • Like phoney food stamp flyers covered with racial stereotypes, - robocalls, Johnstown PA McC rally,...sm
              • You say what you say. I hear what I hear. Must have been - blinded by all the racism that has been...sm
              • Isn't it strange how you can make fun all you want - fastymt
                • Show me one thing on our laundry list that has - proved to be fatal. Racism kills folks...sm
                  • Liberal softies and whiners are the downfall of this country...nm - fastymt
                    • Yeah. We'll be falling right into the leadership shortly - by popular mandate. Democracy in action. nm
                      • Practice your lockstep and iron your brown shirt... - fastymt
                        • Rubs already hold copyright on lockstep. - Bet my 401K against yours you ar mistaken. sm
                          • Oh, how I love to rile you guys up! Thanks for making my day... - fastymt
                            • The only thing you know how to rile up is each other. - You send the rest of us into...sm
                    • Oh PULEEZ n/m - gourdpainter
    • Yeah right. Served under Reagan, Bush I and Bush II - Considers himself a pub. Nice ry. nm
      • You do understand the term, "closet" democrat, don't you???nm - nice ry yourself
        • What part of "I am republican first and foremost" (Colin Powell) - Do you not understand? nm
          • Ok, how about he was a "closet Obama supporter" until now..IMHO...nm - Is that better?
            • Or how about - gourdpainter
  • Repubublican, former National Security Advisor, - Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff and...sm
  • Colin, not Colon...you must be an MT! Thanks for the laugh..nm! - phillygal
    • Too funny! Yes, I am an MT. nm - oldtimer

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It is easy to see that he is heart-sick that his years of service to our nation were in vain because he was pressured into making those untrue statements to Congress.  It is big, sick, industrial machine ruining lives everywhere it plants its massive cloven hoof.

nor was his winning the election the will of God.  It was by God's gift of free will to mankind that Obama was elected.  Mankind's will is not always (and most of the time not ever) in line with the will of God.  God would no more send Obama to be our leader than he would "send" Satan to lead.  You did get one thing right, it is a test for all His followers (God's, not Obama's – lest you confuse the two).  Being excited about Obama being in office and fainting in his presence, fixating on what he's ordering for lunch, calling him "The One," and as you called him the deliverer from your oppressor is taking "excitement" to another unhealthy, dangerous level.  I'm not promoting myself.  I'm hoping that with all the "intellect" all you Obama groupies claim to possess, you might recognize the fact that all this hoopla has become more than just mere excitement.  My belief system is what inspires me and my relationship with God is what led me to post my original post.  You are on very dangerous ground.  However, as an atheist, this is not unfamiliar territory for you.

I understand the need for change.  I haven't been exactly thrilled in the last eight years with how President Bush handled some things.  However, wanting change without definition is very dangerous.  Obama is different and he offers "change" but at what cost?

I haven't "sang" the praises of President Bush.  Did I vote for him?  Yes, twice.  This is what I will say about President Bush.  He is a patriot.  He made our national security his priority.  Like it or not, there is a war going on against terrorism.  It is a war that was brought to our front door.  We cannot ignore that.  Nor can we ignore the potential threat that Iran poses in its quest for nuclear capabilities.  Regardless of the fact that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, these weapons in the hands of terrorists, zealots, fundamentalist Muslims with a hatred toward us, towards Israel, is very scary and very dangerous.  These are the things President Bush addressed during his time in office.  Terrorism is real and is not going away.  And you don't have to tell me about the sacrifices our men and women in the military are making.  My husband is a military man.  My husband served in Desert Storm and he has done a tour in Iraq.  I know a great many soldiers who believe in what they are doing with every fiber of the being.  They are on the front lines and see the difference they are making.  They know what they are fighting.  You talk big about human rights and genocide and yet you criticize our presence in Iraq which single-handedly put an end to the reign of a evil genocidal dictator.

If you believe for one minute that Obama is going to change the way that Iran or any other country in the middle east view America you are very, very naive.  The only thing Obama will accomplish will be to weaken this country in an effort to make us more "likeable" to the world and in the end the only thing we will be is weak.

My dislike of Obama has nothing to do with the color of skin.  I point out his race only because that seems to be what everyone else finds to be so fabulous about his rise to power. 

Another arrow pointing to your naivete, this "global leader" Obama, this man called the "world's president" – do you believe this man is going to put an end to offshoring American jobs?  How can he make America liked and respected by other countries, and take away a source of income for so many in third world countries?   

nor was his winning the election the will of God.  It was by God's gift of free will to mankind that Obama was elected.  Mankind's will is not always (and most of the time not ever) in line with the will of God.  God would no more send Obama to be our leader than he would "send" Satan to lead.  You did get one thing right, it is a test for all His followers (God's, not Obama's – lest you confuse the two).  Being excited about Obama being in office and fainting in his presence, fixating on what he's ordering for lunch, calling him "The One," and as you called him the deliverer from your oppressor is taking "excitement" to another unhealthy, dangerous level.  I'm not promoting myself.  I'm hoping that with all the "intellect" all you Obama groupies claim to possess, you might recognize the fact that all this hoopla has become more than just mere excitement.  My belief system is what inspires me and my relationship with God is what led me to post my original post.  You are on very dangerous ground.  However, as an atheist, this is not unfamiliar territory for you.

I understand the need for change.  I haven't been exactly thrilled in the last eight years with how President Bush handled some things.  However, wanting change without definition is very dangerous.  Obama is different and he offers "change" but at what cost?

I haven't "sang" the praises of President Bush.  Did I vote for him?  Yes, twice.  This is what I will say about President Bush.  He is a patriot.  He made our national security his priority.  Like it or not, there is a war going on against terrorism.  It is a war that was brought to our front door.  We cannot ignore that.  Nor can we ignore the potential threat that Iran poses in its quest for nuclear capabilities.  Regardless of the fact that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, these weapons in the hands of terrorists, zealots, fundamentalist Muslims with a hatred toward us, towards Israel, is very scary and very dangerous.  These are the things President Bush addressed during his time in office.  Terrorism is real and is not going away.  And you don't have to tell me about the sacrifices our men and women in the military are making.  My husband is a military man.  My husband served in Desert Storm and he has done a tour in Iraq.  I know a great many soldiers who believe in what they are doing with every fiber of the being.  They are on the front lines and see the difference they are making.  They know what they are fighting.  You talk big about human rights and genocide and yet you criticize our presence in Iraq which single-handedly put an end to the reign of a evil genocidal dictator.

If you believe for one minute that Obama is going to change the way that Iran or any other country in the middle east view America you are very, very naive.  The only thing Obama will accomplish will be to weaken this country in an effort to make us more "likeable" to the world and in the end the only thing we will be is weak.

My dislike of Obama has nothing to do with the color of skin.  I point out his race only because that seems to be what everyone else finds to be so fabulous about his rise to power. 

Another arrow pointing to your naivete, this "global leader" Obama, this man called the "world's president" – do you believe this man is going to put an end to offshoring American jobs?  How can he make America liked and respected by other countries, and take away a source of income for so many in third world countries?   

    Even as he was pledging to "change the way government does almost everything," the senator from Arizona announced his commitment to much, much more of the same.

    He pledged to maintain endless occupations of distant lands that empty the U.S. Treasury of precious resources that might pay for infrastructue renewal, housing and job creations initiatives for hurting Americans.

    He outlined trade and tax policies that would extend, rather than alter a failed economic status quo.

    He reintroduced flawed proposals for health care, education and entitlement reforms that Americans have wisely rejected.

    And he threatened to achieve "energy independence" by declaring:

    "We will drill..."

    "We'll drill..."

    "More drilling..."

    McCain's rhetoric was that of a liberated man declaring his independence from his party's failed president and corrupt Congresses.

    But his platform was that of Republican candidate who, for all of his talk of reform, offers the crudest continuity to a country that is crying out for change.

http://www.truthout.org/article/the-anti-republican-republican-who-is-really-a-republican

//

He was never anything but a Dem in my book.  Notice that it was that nasty, ole' George Bush who was the first prez to put a black into such a high level in his cabinet.  And also Condi Rice...  But Bush is way too lib for me, anyway.  But he's right on things I consider important.

I find it amazing that the Dems will defend their party no matter what the scandal, but the Republicans don't.  Rmemeber Mark Foley?  Gone!  His replacement:  3rd mistress, I believe?  How about Ted Stevens?  He needs to GO, and is Republican.  Clinton cheating on Hillary all the time?  I wouldn't condone that from any of them. 

That's my point, and it's the truth.  The politicians work for US, remember?

I thought the show was wonderful and illustrated very clearly how bits and pieces of intelligence were selected and manipulated and turned into something they weren't.  (They referred to it as a "Chinese menu" that the administration used to pick and choose from.)

I taped this show and watched it a couple times.  As far as Powell is concerned, it did show how Powell's relationship with George Tenet began to disintegrate.

It further showed how Tenet was, at Bush's father's urging, kept as CIA director when Dubya took office, and all the events leading to his resignation.  He was one of Dubya's sacrifical lambs.  I guess Bush thought giving him the Medal of Freedom made up for that.

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Powell's chief of staff, said that Powell told him, "I wonder how we'll all feel if we put half a million troops into Iraq and march from one corner of the country to the other and find nothing."

Powell said, "I will forever be known as the one who made the case. I have to live with that."  (That made me feel really bad for Powell, who I have always trusted and considered to be an honest, ethical man.  His association with Bush really dragged him down, and his statement about having to live with that just tells me that he's still an honest, ethical man, the kind of man who had a spectacular military career, actually had the guts to go fight in wars himself, someone who truly IS Presidential material, someone who doesn't belong in an underhanded, lying, foolish administration like Bush's.)

The show also pointed out how if you are someone who works for this president and you discover something not right or in alignment with his "plans," if you tell him, you'd better be prepared to resign or be fired. 

This show clearly illustrated how Bush wanted to go to war with Iraq, and all he needed was a reason, even if he had to invent a fictional one.

Again, I thought it was an excellent show, and if you ever have the opportunity to watch it or obtain a transcript of it, I would highly recommend it.

Former aide: Powell WMD speech 'lowest point in my life'

(CNN) -- A former top aide to Colin Powell says his involvement in the former secretary of state's presentation to the United Nations on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was "the lowest point" in his life.

"I wish I had not been involved in it," says Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, a longtime Powell adviser who served as his chief of staff from 2002 through 2005. "I look back on it, and I still say it was the lowest point in my life."

Wilkerson is one of several insiders interviewed for the CNN Presents documentary "Dead Wrong -- Inside an Intelligence Meltdown." The program pieced together the events leading up to the mistaken WMD intelligence that was presented to the public. A presidential commission that investigated the pre-war WMD intelligence found much of it to be "dead wrong."

Powell's speech, delivered on February 5, 2003, made the case for the war by presenting U.S. intelligence that purported to prove that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. Wilkerson says the information in Powell's presentation initially came from a document he described as "sort of a Chinese menu" that was provided by the White House.

"(Powell) came through the door ... and he had in his hands a sheaf of papers, and he said, 'This is what I've got to present at the United Nations according to the White House, and you need to look at it,'" Wilkerson says in the program. "It was anything but an intelligence document. It was, as some people characterized it later, sort of a Chinese menu from which you could pick and choose."

Wilkerson and Powell spent four days and nights in a CIA conference room with then-Director George Tenet and other top officials trying to ensure the accuracy of the presentation, Wilkerson says.

"There was no way the Secretary of State was going to read off a script about serious matters of intelligence that could lead to war when the script was basically un-sourced," Wilkerson says.

In one dramatic accusation in his speech, Powell showed slides alleging that Saddam had bioweapons labs mounted on trucks that would be almost impossible to find.

"In fact, Secretary Powell was not told that one of the sources he was given as a source of this information had indeed been flagged by the Defense Intelligence Agency as a liar, a fabricator," says David Kay, who served as the CIA's chief weapons inspector in Iraq after the fall of Saddam. That source, an Iraqi defector who had never been debriefed by the CIA, was known within the intelligence community as "Curveball."

After searching Iraq for several months across the summer of 2003, Kay began e-mailing Tenet to tell him the WMD evidence was falling apart. At one point, Wilkerson says, Tenet called Powell to tell him the claims about mobile bioweapons labs were apparently not true.

"George actually did call the Secretary, and said, 'I'm really sorry to have to tell you. We don't believe there were any mobile labs for making biological weapons,'" Wilkerson says in the documentary. "This was the third or fourth telephone call. And I think it's fair to say the Secretary and Mr. Tenet, at that point, ceased being close. I mean, you can be sincere and you can be honest and you can believe what you're telling the Secretary. But three or four times on substantive issues like that? It's difficult to maintain any warm feelings."