Powell Speaks Out

Why does it not surprise me that former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, tried to talk the president out of going to war in Iraq, as he just recently claimed?

I always felt that Powell was the minority (in multiple ways) in the Bush Administration. It seemed as if Powell was left out of the loop many times and when he was around to talk things over with the president, it was he against the world (Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the administration). There was a sense of friction there between Powell and the rest of the administration throughout Bush's first term in office. During his second term, Powell has begun to speak publicly about this friction.

He just recently stated this at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."

He also said the following, "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now."

Also, in regard to the civil war, he added, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States."

I've said for quite some time now that if there is one Republican I'd like to see run for office and whom I would seriously consider voting for, it's Colin Powell. It's seriously a shame how Bush and the rest of his administration used the reputation and integrity which Powell carries with him everywhere he travels as part of their agenda. I hope that it doesn't hinder Powell's political future.