I cannot begin to understand the life Colin Powell led, the people and circumstances he navigated, and all he had to consider before making decisions that would ultimately be judged publicly. Unlike most, he owned his mistakes on Iraq publicly and regretted his vote for it. When I die please let the first words that pass everyone’s lips be about how I tried rather than how I failed.
All of this. We've all made mistakes in the moment and while his were large and public, I have no doubts he was a man with honor and integrity who both made and acknowledged the mistakes he made over time.
@unkp, I do not mean in any way to ignore the terrible consequences of Colin Powell's decisions, both the Iraqi deaths, which have been estimated to be from 200,000 to a million; and the US soldiers - 4,400; then there were the injuries which take the tragedy to much higher levels. Then the financial costs to the US which went right into the pockets of US war profiteers, like Dick Chaney's company Halliburton. It's nauseating. Had Colin Powell been a hero, and stood up for his beliefs that the war was wrong, Bush would have immediately replaced him, but his testimony might have prevented Congress from voting for war.
I remember an interview with Daniel Ellsberg during the lead up to the Iraq war and he maintained that we needed people with information to tell the truth. He said in my recollection something close to, "They will lose their jobs, but they need to tell the truth."
This interview contains some of his thoughts on the Iraq war. https://www.npr.org/2018/01/19/579101965/daniel-ellsberg-explains-why-he-leaked-the-pentagon-papers
Ellsberg was a brave man who put his freedom on the line when he leaked the pentagon papers. In this interview he mentions Edward Snowdon whose case has always interested me. It is seems to be a painful irony that Snowden found sanctuary, well, a place to live, in Russia.
@raincloud Ellsberg gave up so much and was disparaged widely for it. If Powell had done that, he would have quickly shrunk from power and a large segment of the D.C. leadership would have smeared him. Those just beneath his command would also have suffered. It's no small thing to stand up to the president and all those in power.
Wow.....Regarding Powell's legacy:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/10/colin-powells-death-and-the-war-over-his-legacy.html
@jeanne-mayell thanks for making this thread. I am just now seeing it, because i was away from the computer yesterday- most of the day i was actually at the VA hospital w my father. That place is always full of Iraq war veterans, usually younger than me, some missing their legs or arms, or with PTSD. And all for what?
I remember going to all of the protests against that war. There was one in San Francisco that felt like it must have had a million people at it. It was by far the biggest protest i had ever been to. But it barely got mentioned on the news- except, of course, to explain to the viewers that the freeways were being blocked by "terrorist sympathizers and traitorous cowards", which is what they called anyone who was opposed to that war.
Often, while i am in the VA with Pops, some well meaning stranger will come up to me and say "Thank you for your service! What branch were you in?" And i have to say "Peace activist." After the awkward silence, i add "you are welcome for my service."
Many years ago, before the war in Iraq, i saw an interview with Mr. Powell. He was talking about a time during the Vietnam war, when he had a bumper sticker on his VW Bug (he didn't mention if it was a pro- or anti-war sticker), and some older man got angry about it and yelled at Powell. So he then went home and removed the sticker, and decided not to ever put another one out there like that. I found this to be strangely fearful, for someone who was now supposed to be a General. There is nothing wrong with expressing your opinions, esp over a life and death situation like war. So what if it pisses off some old redneck? But it seems to have been a prelude to this:
Powell made the mistake of his career about the war, and the saddest thing was that he was against the war but could not face up to his President to say no.
@unk-p I've been thinking about you, and grateful to you for keeping this discussion about Powell going. Those Iraq war vets with missing limbs must be remembered when we think of Powell. He failed them. That must never be forgotten. We can forgive him for his inability to stand up to his boss, but we must never forget the consequences.
Still I keep asking myself, why do I keep thinking about him?
Maybe because we all need to evolve right now, yes now, and we must try to do better. We are living through the biggest change in human history.
No one likes thinking about this, but I have to ask, what is life asking of me right now? Is there something I could do better?
Is anyone even going to read this far down my post LOL?
@jeanne-mayell I ask myself that same question.
I've always thought I should make some big gesture and I never could imagine what that would be. But now I think about just trying to look people in the eye and smile (with a smile that SHOWS in my eyes when I'm wearing a facemark) and get out of my introverted self to connect with ALL types of people. To try to make them feel "seen" and offer (to borrow one of my favorite lines in all of literature) "a smile with a quality of eternal reassurance and then concentrated with an irresistible prejudice in your favor."
I have had that gift bestowed on me a few times and it can be life changing.
**And I read to the end of your post!
@unk-p I appreciate your service too. I admire the bravery to follow your own heart.