And lest anyone claim that I am denigrating General Powell's military service, I would remind that Benedict Arnold was a fearless soldier and George Washington's greatest general. But all of Arnold's prior glory could not atone for his later treason. Twice now, Colin Powell has put the color of his skin before the good of his country.
If you aren't denigrating Powell's service, maybe I can help. I'm sure Powell was a competent soldier, and good enough to make Ranger. But as a general, I must not have been watching the day he achieved glory somewhere. All I saw was a desk-pilot who showed up at press conferences during Gulf War I to blather stupidly take the credit for what Gen. Schwartzkopf was actually achieving.
And don't I recall that it was his idea to let Saddam out of the trap? Let's not insult Arnold's comparatively good name. (But only comparatively.)