[Hari_Seldon]

"this is what happens when race trumps competence."

And your statement is what happens when ignorance trumps reason.

Race has nothing to do with any of this, except in the limited minds of some.

Look, I'm in favor of decisive military action as much as the next guy -- probably more -- but did it ever occur to you that Powell is NOT Secretary of Defense, he's Secretary of State, and it's his JOB to present the diplomatic options, not the military options, to the President?

[PrivacyChampion]

Let us not forget that as Chairman of the JCS that he DID NOT want to take military action against Iraq for invading Kuwait. Also, we had the opportunity to smash the remainder of Hussein's Republican Guard and he was opposed to that. In my view, he lacks the will to fight a fight and that's a poor excuse for a general as well as a diplomat.

[okie_tech]

Good point on the difference between Secretary of State and Defense, Powell was better suited as a Diplomat than a General any day, but unfortunately his past position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs gives him more clout than he deserves. Powell is an affirmative action general and always was. He was a poor choice for this administration.