Posted on 11/25/2005 9:58:25 AM PST by Carl/NewsMax
An angry former Secretary of State Colin Powell is blasting the Bush White House for attacking Rep. Jack Murtha, who undermined troop morale and encouraged al Qaida last week with his call for an immediate U.S. pullout from Iraq.
"To attack him the way he was attacked, accusing him of being a Michael Moore, was disgraceful and was not worthy," a Powell told the New York Post's Deborah Orin, who described him as "livid."
"Jack Murtha is great friend of mine," Powell declared. "He's a great patriot.
"I don't agree with his position," the former top Bush diplomat said. "But he has started a debate which is a good debate to have as to how long we should be there."
Hours after Murtha called for an immediate pullout last Thursday, White House press secretary Scott McClellan compared him to Michael Moore. Two days later, however, both President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney went out of their way to describe Murtha as "honorable."
Still, Powell focused instead on the earlier remark, and said nothing about the olive branch offered by Bush and Cheney.
The one-time chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also suggested that the war on terror wasn't quite as serious as other challenges the U.S. has faced.
"We're not facing a world war anymore," Powell told the Post. "We have pretty much convinced the world that democracy is a better system than communism or fascism or totalitarianism."
Powell is well known as a dove. He was named as Sec of State for political reasons.
I am glad to see you point out that you and others are not overdramatizing the WOT.....
Perhaps we aren't "suffering" the same as our families did during WW11, but there are different types of inconveniences and such...
gondramB---I would rather have gas rationing any day, than have to worry whenever I drop my granddaughter off at 1st grade, that some terrorist group won't take the school and kids hostage...
I would rather be able to fly if necessary, without worring if the plane will be flown into White HOuse..
Even though the Japanese attaced us at Pearl Harbor, I don't think the Americans had any idea of the terror that the British had to live with every day...bombings and such.
I, like Mo1, cannot fathom what Colin Powell believes is more important for President Bush to deal with and accomplish than success in Iraq, and in other places in the WOT...ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE USA!
Thanks. But I wasn't faulting you. I consider World Net Daily to be worse, or at least as bad as the MSM. They play fast and loose with the facts.
Come on everyone- Powell is upset, just like all of the other liberals, that Bush mislead him into a war!!!!
Unfortunately, we haven't convinced our own Democratic Party yet.
I don't see anything wrong with McClellans statement.
HUDGEONS
How'd you like a little payback?
Not to mention a donation to the
widows and orphans fund. Did you
know Loew was a swish?
I do not agree with Powell's outrage over Murtha but he's easily forgiven. He deserves great credit for his loyal act as Secretary by aurguing for the UN resolution 1441, which he was successful.
I agree with all you wrote. I did not know however he indicated he would serve in the Treehugging Administration. I learned something new. Thanks.
EX ACT LEEE !!!!!
I guess Powell doesn't consider the 1.2 BILLION moslem part of this world. But, since they are, maybe they don't count because the are a GREAT religion of PEACE.
Either way, I am all for making them part of another world ASAP.
I think Txsleuth's post #154 says it all. Powell is not so innocent as his demeanor may appear. In order to become even a general in the Army one must have a streak of political savy, and to become chairmen of the Joint Chief of Staff tells me he is an operator. You may be right about him feeling left out, but I believe Txsleuth's profile fits the bill.
What the hell is General Powell thinking of these days?
Murtha is entitled to his opinion, but having served in Vietnam does not automatically qualify anyone for anything. In fact, Vietnam is an excellent example of how not to wage war, with one arm tied behind our backs and constantly second-guessed by gutless, corrupt, and traitorous politicians at home. 58,000 American troops were killed and about 330,000 were wounded in Vietnam, only to have Congress lose its nerve, resulting in our losing the war. For example, we were clearly beating the enemy during the Tet offensive in early 1968 (I was there), but the NY Times and liberals at home convinced the public we were losing. After fighting for a just and noble cause, we abandoned the South Vietnamese to the Communist butchers. It is not acceptable to cut and run from Iraq, to abandon Iraqis to terrorist butchers who want to establish a base of operations to kill hundreds of thousands of Americans here at home. Our troops in Iraq are giving the rest of us protection from harm on a daily basis.
Thanks....I don't think that Powell feels "disprespected" by President Bush...because, IMHO, President Bush goes out of his way to show respect to people that don't deserve it so much...
Look at the way he is re: Bill Clinton...and we know that President Bush and his wife just had dinner at the Powell's home in the last few months...
NO...I think Powell is relieved to be gone...he didn't have the "guts" to quit out loud. IF he was as against this war like some say he did (he doesn't speak much, does he?)...
WHY didn't he have the integrity to tell that to President Bush, so Bush would have a chance to appoint someone else at the State Dept. that would be more in line with his own foreign policy...after all, isn't the SEC. of STATE all about speaking with foreign government about OUR foreign policy???
BTW...how much influence behind the scenes do you think Powell might have had in keeping the dems from confirming Bolton at the UN? I bet a lot!
Powell, if you want a black legacy then buy a Subaru and STHU, otherwise, defend your old Boss and your Speech at the UN.
Leaks.
You probably are a traitor as if anyone cares; Buchanan is a useful idiot, Murtha and his ilk feed the enemies of this country and therefore (if done intentionally) are traitors.
We are at war, if you haven't noticed by the dead in NYC, and around the world. You had better hope that the patiots among us are successful in winning this war, or you will be wearing a radiation suit around the house and learning to grow your own vegetables.
Murtha's comments were exactly like Michael Moore's...hence the comparison. If Murtha and Powell don't like it...then they should not use the same rhetoric as Michael Moore et al.
What exactly did McClellan say?
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