Honestly, The "outraged" comments on Kos are confusing. And I suppose I will receive much criticizm for speaking up in support of Colin Powell. I agree with 90% of the diaries on the Kos site, but I do not agree with the wholesale condemnation of (Ret.) General Colin Powell.
Colin Powell has served this country as a military officer for 35 years. He, like McCain, served in Viet Nam. Unlike McCain, he served 2 tours in Viet Nam. He received the Purple Heart for an wound received during his first tour of duty.
It was during his second tour of Viet Nam he was decorated for bravery.
It was also during his Vietnam service, his second tour, that Powell was decorated for bravery. He single-handedly rescued several men from a burning helicopter, one of them being Maj. Gen. Charles Gettys, the commander of the Americal Division.
(wikipedia)
General Colin Powell also founded "America's Promise" - The Alliance for Youth - a foundation to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States.
His record of achievements can be found on www.wikipedia.org here
Colin Powell repeatedly warned Pres. Bush of the folly of using military force in Iraq. Yes, I grant you the premise that by making the Bush case at the UN, as he states himself, was a blot on his record which he will never forget.
Are all of you going to condemn Colin Powell for ONE blemish on his stellar career? He admitted he was wrong. But if you look at the history of the man I can understand how he came to do as he did.
This is a man who served this country for 35 years! Which does not include his service after he retired from the Military. When you serve at the will of the President of the United States for 35 years, and in high level positions thereafter, you learn to take orders. A soldier does not challenge orders and when you serve that long taking orders and even as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was taking orders from the President, it is difficult to make that psychological transition from always following orders to challenging them, you can make mistakes.
Colin Powell was a man who wanted to believe in the honesty of George Bush and his advisors. Yes, he has lived to regret that.
Many, many people in Congress believed the fake reports about Saddam Hussein and WMD and voted to conduct the war. Many of whom you all support for re-election today.
Colin Powell today realizes he was used by the Administration. After a stellar career in the Military do any of you truly believe he wants to have this blot on his record? HE MADE A MISTAKE. Who among us wanted to trust what the President and our representatives in Congress led us to believe about Iraq at the beginning? Many on Kos supported the war in the beginning until the truth behind the lies began to come out.
In my opinion, which will probably get me trashed on Kos, General Colin Powell deserves respect for his dedicated service to our country. His career serving we, US citizens, warrents this respect.
An interesting paragraph on the wikipedia site caught my attention which may be something that led Gen. Powell to endorse Obama. It is a story of how he had the troops under his command watch "Brian's Song" to foster racial harmony.
I have seen comments that Powell should be "on his knees" asking for forgiveness. Do you ask the same of others?
I am proud of the service Gen. Powell has given this country as a military officer. Who among us can state that we have never made errors in judgement in our lives. Colin Powell deeply regrets his in trusting Pres. Bush. Powell's experience, and Foreign Policy credentials far outweigh McCain's. Powell didn't have an Admiral in his back pocket to pave the way for his promotions. He earned them. Just as our candidate, Obama, has done. Earned his way to where he is today.
In my personal opinion we should applaud the willingness of a Republican of such stature, who realizes he will be attacked by the Repugs, to have the guts to come out and state his case in favor of Obama. Perhaps it's Powell's way to attempt to erase a blemish on his storied career, or perhaps he hates the nasty attacks by McCain and Palin against Obama. I believe there many aspects to his endorsement of Obama and I for one welcome it.
So, fire away at me, I truly expect it on Kos. But like many others I believe in the right to free speech and am not afraid to voice my personal opinions. If that gets me flamed, so be it.