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Arawn-ap-Hywel · Jul 9, 2007, 05:43 pm

Powell tried to talk Bush out of war - Times Online

Quote:

THE former American secretary of state Colin Powell has revealed that he spent 2½ hours vainly trying to persuade President George W Bush not to invade Iraq and believes today’s conflict cannot be resolved by US forces.

“I tried to avoid this war,” Powell said at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. “I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.”

Powell has become increasingly outspoken about the level of violence in Iraq, which he believes is in a state of civil war. “The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms,” he said. “It’s not going to be pretty to watch, but I don’t know any way to avoid it. It is happening now.”

He added: “It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States.” All the military could do, Powell suggested, was put “a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew”.

sevendogs · Jul 9, 2007, 10:14 pm

Powell is smart, but, unfortunately, he also worked in Bush's administration. He should resign immediately after he learned that Bush could not be stopped by persuasion.

Zeebadee · Jul 10, 2007, 01:04 am

“I tried to avoid this war,” Powell said at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. “I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.”

A useless attempt to assuage his conscience. He should have made this public before the war began, when it might have made a difference.

Clarence · Jul 10, 2007, 01:12 am

Powell is a soldier. Even if he knowingly lied he did because it was his job. That's easy, just tell him not to lie. I think.. There was a discussion on Powell's moral character awhile back, where I found I wasn't the only one wonders if he's all bad or something else. Let me see if I can find it.

Colin Powell: good intentions?

here it is. The beginning is strangely chopped up but is worth a look. A little time capsule.

PatrickHenry · Jul 10, 2007, 01:06 pm

You could see this if you were watching the news in 2002. But then there came a point where something changed ( about December 2002, I think) and Powell decided that he had to play ball with the team. Maybe he didn't fully realize he was playing ball with war criminals. Or maybe they have something on him. Or maybe there was a current threat to his family. Or maybe he was offered "incentives" for playing along.

There are circumstances that would exonerate his failure to stop the war. Other possible scenarios make him complicit. It's hard to blame they guy without knowing which, but at one time, he looked like he could have had the Presidency. Now he's pretty much washed up.

Must be tough to have a great public image, then have it fall apart through association with bad company. I wonder if he is concerned with his legacy...

Milton Bradley · Jul 10, 2007, 03:54 pm

[quote=Zeebadee;407335]

Jul 10, 2007, 01:04 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Zeebadee Volcanic Erupter Posts: 3,799	“I tried to avoid this war,” Powell said at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. “I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.” A useless attempt to assuage his conscience. He should have made this public before the war began, when it might have made a difference. "Everybody knows that the boat is leaking Everybody knows that the captain lied." - Leonard Cohen

Jul 10, 2007, 01:06 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
PatrickHenry 9/11: Inside Job Location: Hawai'i, Big Island Posts: 10,446	You could see this if you were watching the news in 2002. But then there came a point where something changed ( about December 2002, I think) and Powell decided that he had to play ball with the team. Maybe he didn't fully realize he was playing ball with war criminals. Or maybe they have something on him. Or maybe there was a current threat to his family. Or maybe he was offered "incentives" for playing along. There are circumstances that would exonerate his failure to stop the war. Other possible scenarios make him complicit. It's hard to blame they guy without knowing which, but at one time, he looked like he could have had the Presidency. Now he's pretty much washed up. Must be tough to have a great public image, then have it fall apart through association with bad company. I wonder if he is concerned with his legacy... "Arms in the hands of the citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny or private self-defense." -- John Adams

Jul 9, 2007, 10:14 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
sevendogs Igneous Magma Location: Virgnia, USA Posts: 425	Powell is smart, but, unfortunately, he also worked in Bush's administration. He should resign immediately after he learned that Bush could not be stopped by persuasion.

Jul 10, 2007, 01:12 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Clarence pregnant with truth Posts: 2,351	Powell is a soldier. Even if he knowingly lied he did because it was his job. That's easy, just tell him not to lie. I think.. There was a discussion on Powell's moral character awhile back, where I found I wasn't the only one wonders if he's all bad or something else. Let me see if I can find it. Colin Powell: good intentions? here it is. The beginning is strangely chopped up but is worth a look. A little time capsule.

Jul 10, 2007, 03:54 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Milton Bradley BANNED Location: Ohio Province, Rep. of Comerica Posts: 7,320	[quote=Zeebadee;407335]