(no subject)

[novapsyche]

I wrote this last month (2/16 to be exact):

I find I have empathy for Colin Powell. He is, in the historical sense, in the role of the house nigger. I really do feel for him. I mean, why didn't he run for president? He was amply qualified. Was he afraid for his life? Did he think he could bargain his way into that role (and thereby ransom his life) if he did this Cabinet stint first? He doesn't fit in. Where is he going? Why is he doing this with his life? He's getting mangled, like in farm machinery.


Then today, I came across this at the New York Times:

Why Colin Powell Should Go

Interesting article. While I don't think it brings enough force to bear to push Powell to resign his post(!), it does express some of what I've been thinking. What is going through that man's head? Why is he even part of this administration?

Comments

[kittenkissies.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing.
Go to PBS.org, and look up the show Frontline. There is one that involves the Iran war, and a man named Paul Wolfowitz. They really portray Powell as a stepnfetchit. This is such a great news show, most of the time (unless they report something I don't agree with...) I wonder why their words are not spread around better.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

This is such a great news show

I agree. I've watched several Frontline programs, and have always come away from them feeling as though I've been truly educated.

I wonder why their words are not spread around better.

Probably because it's public television, and no one pays serious attention to public television.

[guttaperk.livejournal.com]

Hello!

(sourcebook pointed me towards your journal as being something that I would enjoy, and methinks he was oh-so-right!)

brightfame and I were having this discussion about Powell recently.

Given that Bush seems to have fallen hook, line, and sinker for the ideals of the PNAC (^{1, 2}), perhaps Powell sees himself as the only influential voice of moderation.


One can compare and contrast Powell's position to that of Robin Cook; Cook can resign in good conscience, as he seems to have significant respect for his leader. Perhaps Powell cannot because he does not.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Good to meet you!

Powell, Powell. He may be the only moderate voice in the Cabinet, but that doesn't seem to give him any significance there. He's a mouthpiece, pure and simple. The only time he's publicly departed from the stance of the administration was in regards to U of Michigan's affirmative-action-esque admissions policy. And I'm sure had Bush known Powell would make those remarks, he would have reined him in well before the fact.

One can compare and contrast Powell's position to that of Robin Cook; Cook can resign in good conscience, as he seems to have significant respect for his leader. Perhaps Powell cannot because he does not.

Perhaps, but what it comes off as is Powell not having any respect for himself.

[guttaperk.livejournal.com]

[Powell] may be the only moderate voice in the Cabinet, but that doesn't seem to give him any significance there. He's a mouthpiece, pure and simple

Perhaps, perhaps.

We don't really know how much effect he has or does not have on the formation of policy.

The only time he's publicly departed from the stance of the administration was in regards to U of Michigan's affirmative-action-esque admissions policy. And I'm sure had Bush known Powell would make those remarks, he would have reined him in well before the fact.

I suppose the very point of my comment was that public dissent is not the only valuable function that he may be playing.


Don't get me wrong, though; although we don't really have evidence for firm condemnation of Powell, we no longer have strong basis for trusting him. In my eyes, his credibility is gone.