The job of the Secretary of Defense IS to be a go-getter...aka "doing whatever military mission the President commands."
The problem people have is that they think Powell is supposed to threaten. That is not his job unless all else has failed. If he started off with that attitude nothing would be accomplished.
I also want to emphasize that you need to look at what is actually done and what is said BY PEOPLE IN THE ADMINISTRATION ON RECORD, NOT the leakers from lower levels, who are trying to set the agenda and are probably Clintonistas, nor the press, nor the pundits. Pay attention only to actual facts and statements on the record. Everything else is disinformation.
Colin Powell is a good soldier, a loyal American, and does what his President asks. I am quite proud of him.