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Obama statement on Colin Powell. (Original Post) Cattledog Oct 2021 OP
But he helped W and Chenney sell their doc03 Oct 2021 #1
Skillfully written malaise Oct 2021 #5
TRIED, but didn't always succeed Martin Eden Oct 2021 #7
ll I know is that I am on the side of the malaise Oct 2021 #19
I noticed as well. Obama didn't praise Powell at all berni_mccoy Oct 2021 #14
Really? former9thward Oct 2021 #15
Not really. It's a nicety and nothing more berni_mccoy Oct 2021 #18
I'm curious what you would consider praise. onenote Oct 2021 #21
Pres O . ... Lovie777 Oct 2021 #2
The optics vary by time zone of the readers. Tetrachloride Oct 2021 #3
This will go down as one of the few times I've disagreed with President Obama Ferrets are Cool Oct 2021 #4
Obama is a skillful writer - he never said Powell succeeded malaise Oct 2021 #6
I noticed that too nuxvomica Oct 2021 #9
Precisely malaise Oct 2021 #11
That is spinning former9thward Oct 2021 #16
It's ignored because some here can't stomach the idea that Obama was, in fact, praising Powell. onenote Oct 2021 #22
yeah, whatever Skittles Oct 2021 #8
He lied to us, Mister Obama. He knew it and we knew it. rickyhall Oct 2021 #10
Except for that oooooone porky pie he told the ENTIRE EFFING WORLD.... n/t TygrBright Oct 2021 #12
I am glad I took the time to read that statement that reflectes nothing but high regard for Colin ShazamIam Oct 2021 #13
General Powell had the chance to become one of the greatest men in American History PurgedVoter Oct 2021 #17
One sentence would have been enough....... DENVERPOPS Oct 2021 #20
Powell was a war criminal Celerity Oct 2021 #23

malaise

(269,063 posts)
5. Skillfully written
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 04:59 PM
Oct 2021

and tried to bring his own life, career, and public statements in line with that ideal.

Martin Eden

(12,871 posts)
7. TRIED, but didn't always succeed
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 05:14 PM
Oct 2021

He FAILED when it counted the most: the bogus WMD case for war in Iraq.

This brings to mind what Yoda said:
Do or do not. There is no try.

malaise

(269,063 posts)
19. ll I know is that I am on the side of the
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:23 PM
Oct 2021

dead Iraqis.
He's being deified here in Jamaica as well - I'll pass - I have no love for war criminals

 

berni_mccoy

(23,018 posts)
14. I noticed as well. Obama didn't praise Powell at all
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 05:56 PM
Oct 2021

That was a “he did what he thought was best” statement.

former9thward

(32,028 posts)
15. Really?
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:05 PM
Oct 2021
Michelle and I will always look to him as an example of what America—and Americans—can and should be.

That's not praise? It is and can't be spun any other way.

onenote

(42,715 posts)
21. I'm curious what you would consider praise.
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:59 PM
Oct 2021

What magic words would have constituted praise?
Apparently, you don't think this is praise: "General Powell was an exemplary soldier and an exemplary patriot." "Everyone who worked with General Powell appreciated his clarity of thought, insistence on seeing all sides, and ability to execute." "General Powell helped a generation of young people set their sights higher."

You may not think Powell was deserving of praise, but don't pretend that Obama wasn't praising him.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,107 posts)
4. This will go down as one of the few times I've disagreed with President Obama
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 04:33 PM
Oct 2021

I realize that he is a better man than me, but I have nothing but contempt for that lying sack of shit.

malaise

(269,063 posts)
6. Obama is a skillful writer - he never said Powell succeeded
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 05:02 PM
Oct 2021
and tried to bring his own life, career, and public statements in line with that ideal.

nuxvomica

(12,431 posts)
9. I noticed that too
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 05:20 PM
Oct 2021

Normally one would not insert "tried" into such memorializing. Obama is both politic and honest at the same time.

former9thward

(32,028 posts)
16. That is spinning
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:06 PM
Oct 2021

Michelle and I will always look to him as an example of what America—and Americans—can and should be.

That is what he said. Why is that being ignored?

onenote

(42,715 posts)
22. It's ignored because some here can't stomach the idea that Obama was, in fact, praising Powell.
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 07:01 PM
Oct 2021

They don't think he's deserving of praise and thus they need to twist Obama's words to fit their own perspective.

ShazamIam

(2,575 posts)
13. I am glad I took the time to read that statement that reflectes nothing but high regard for Colin
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 05:46 PM
Oct 2021

Powel but does not dodge the controversies but never wavers from the idea Colin Powell was a worthy man, deserving of admiration for many reasons.

I like to note how people like Colin Powell and Barack Obama to learn how to talk about controversial subjects without creating more controversy.

PurgedVoter

(2,218 posts)
17. General Powell had the chance to become one of the greatest men in American History
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:11 PM
Oct 2021

He was that close, and just like James Comey he tossed his own reputation under the bus and caused our American honor, soldiers, families and fortunes to be spent for nothing.
This is how I thought of him when he gave in to PNAC:

Ichabod
By John Greenleaf Whittier

So fallen! so lost! the light withdrawn
Which once he wore!
The glory from his gray hairs gone
Forevermore!

Revile him not, the Tempter hath
A snare for all;
And pitying tears, not scorn and wrath,
Befit his fall!

Oh, dumb be passion’s stormy rage,
When he who might
Have lighted up and led his age,
Falls back in night.

Scorn! would the angels laugh, to mark
A bright soul driven,
Fiend-goaded, down the endless dark,
From hope and heaven!

Let not the land once proud of him
Insult him now,
Nor brand with deeper shame his dim,
Dishonored brow.

But let its humbled sons, instead,
From sea to lake,
A long lament, as for the dead,
In sadness make.

Of all we loved and honored, naught
Save power remains;
A fallen angel’s pride of thought,
Still strong in chains.

All else is gone; from those great eyes
The soul has fled:
When faith is lost, when honor dies,
The man is dead!

Then, pay the reverence of old days
To his dead fame;
Walk backward, with averted gaze,
And hide the shame!

DENVERPOPS

(8,835 posts)
20. One sentence would have been enough.......
Mon Oct 18, 2021, 06:28 PM
Oct 2021

He put himself ahead of his country, instead of putting his country ahead of himself........

Seems to be the Mantra of all Republicans today, and a couple of Dems......

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