Barack Obama's Colin problems

That's Colin, not colon

I'm sure Obama's colon is fine - it's his Colin [Powell] I'm worried about.

My advice to the good senator:

"Barack, if you get elected, don't be so quick to embrace members of the Old Guard, which is exactly what Colin Powell is. I'm sure you're happy he endorsed you, and you were right to thank him for his support. But...you didn't have to go on TV the very next day and say Powell will have a role as one of your advisers. Isn't that a real knee-jerk reaction?"

Yes - Barack Obama, the agent of change you can believe in - wants Powell in his inner circle. He continued by saying, "Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether that's a good fit for him, is something we'd have to discuss" - http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/20/2008-10-20_barack_obama_former_secretary_of_state_c.html

I hope Obama shows considerably more restraint in his reactions in the future.

Why am I not surprised?

[Sigh]...after riding the wave of change in order to secure the nomination, Obama first crawls into bed with Joe Biden and now with Colin Powell. I assure you, President Obama will quickly surround himself with other, similar business-as-usual types. Advocates for change need not apply for work in his administration.

Quickly, now: What do Obama, Biden, and Powell have in common? Oratorical skill. This will become a prime commodity in an Obama administration, which will have as its first order of business: Smooth-talking the American people and reassuring them [an absolute must, since he has no solutions].

My problem with Colin Powell

I've heard the media harp for years about how Colin Powell commands respect. To me, that's nothing more than a competent projection of military bearing. In fact, Colin and Barack have both profited mightily from a fawning media easily impressed by good acting. [Concerning acting ability, Colin and Barack are birds of a feather.]

Colin Powell isn't my ideal of a military man. His combat experience was minimal, having earning a Purple Heart after stepping on a pointy stick covered with shit. Called a "punji stake," it was a booby trap widely used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. [Come to think of it, I couldn't find any accounts indicating Powell had ever been shot at - quite a feat for a soldier!]

Most of his career was spent in the Battle of the Budget, fought in the perilous terrain of our nation's capitol (for example, during his assignments at the Pentagon). After earning his MBA, he became what is sometimes derisively called a rear-echelon officer.

Colin Powell is overrated, over-hyped, a brilliant self-promoter, but he's also someone whose time has passed. Why is Barack Obama so quick to include in his inner-circle such a well-known Brand X? Is he that desperate to establish credibility in the eyes of a skeptical Washington political establishment - or among We-the-Sheeple who swallow media hype?

Colin Powell as a military man

My biggest problem with Colin Powell lies in the kind of military man he was (well...that and his embarrassing performance before the United Nations concerning WMD in Iraq). For most of his so-called military career, he was really a politician. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that. However I get bent out of shape when I read glowing accounts of "Colin Powell, epic hero."

At this point, I will contrast General Powell with General Helmuth Weidling, as depicted in Downfall. This movie showed the last days of Hitler during the Battle of Berlin. General Weidling was in the thick of the fighting, when he left his troops to appear before Hitler to respond to charges of disobeying orders not to retreat. When Weidling appeared at Hitler's bunker, he told the two officers on duty he was reporting to the Fuehrer to be shot.

Those were his orders.

That's right: He was ordered to appear, so he could be executed. However, after a one-on-one with the German dictator, he successfully defended his actions. He couldn't wait to get back to his men who were fighting a hopeless battle against overwhelming odds. This was no political general.

Somehow, I don't think Colin Powell is even remotely comparable to such a selfless human being and old-school exemplar of a soldier.

And the beat goes on

Colin Powell said: "I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama."

[Sigh]...here we go again with that Savior Complex. When times are tough, everyone yearns for a hero. What was it his countrymen said about Mussolini? ["At least he made the trains run on time."...Gotta love that old time fascism...gives me goosebumps all over.]

General Powell, let's get one thing straight: Barack Obama is not, as you said, "a new generation" - he is one man. And given the nature of your military beliefs (don't go in without overwhelming force), how can you possibly vest so much faith in one man? As a military man, you know damn well one man can't get the job done.

General Powell, what is needed now is fundamental systemic change. You do your country no good by pretending otherwise.

Steven Searle for U.S. President in 2008

The Best Party Available

"We don't need former generals offering us generalities - we need specifics. And we need to elect non-Dem/Pub legislators who are independent enough (and brave enough) to come up with the solutions we need. If we don't elect them, you might as well kiss your 401K goodbye" - Steve.

Contact me: bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

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