"If Powell remains silent in September it will be his last act of acquiescence as a spectral being"
sidney blumenthal chronicles colin powell's step-by-step descent into ignominy and offers a prescription for partial redemption...
even though i harbor deep, deep resentment toward colin powell for not speaking out when it was his constitutionally-sworn duty to do so, i still see him as a noble, albeit tragic, figure... his stepping forward, while it wouldn't completely erase his past, sad performance, would certainly go a long way toward rehabilitating his image in my mind... it's never too late to do the right thing...
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[A]s General David Petraeus prepares to deliver his report in September on the "surge" in Iraq, he is elevated into the ultimate reliable source, just as former secretary of state Colin Powell's sterling reputation was exploited for his delivery of the case for invasion before the United Nations Security Council on 5 February 2003 (a date that will live in mendacity, for every statement he made was later revealed to be false; Powell regretted publicly that it was an everlasting "blot" on his good name.)
[...]
Throughout the excruciating years of his slow destruction, no one served Powell less ably than Powell. To the degree that his abusers and tormentors may be haunted, he is more haunted. Powell's aides are now on the frontline of criticism against the administration, while he obviously simmers, pretending to be happily retired.
[...]
Notwithstanding his tarnished reputation, he has a final chance to regain his dignity and at least some of his previous standing by stepping forward at the crucial hour. Does he accept his marginalisation as permanent?
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[I]n September, Bush will attempt to impose his endgame for Iraq, a continuation of his policy, until he hands off the disaster to his successor. Petraeus is Bush's agent, just as Powell had been. Bush and his White House dread the "mockery" of Powell's "horrible shadow". If Powell remains silent in September it will be his last act of acquiescence as a spectral being.
even though i harbor deep, deep resentment toward colin powell for not speaking out when it was his constitutionally-sworn duty to do so, i still see him as a noble, albeit tragic, figure... his stepping forward, while it wouldn't completely erase his past, sad performance, would certainly go a long way toward rehabilitating his image in my mind... it's never too late to do the right thing...
Labels: Colin Powell, David Petraeus, George Bush, Iraq, Sidney Blumenthal, U.S. Constitution, United Nations, White House
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posted by profmarcus at
8/15/2007
