Powell's rationale - "...ability to inspire..." - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Ma'ake · 10-19-2008, 01:56 PM

People bag on Obama's talent for rhetoric, but the nation needs a leader who can inspire.

I would think those on the other side of the fence would feel a bit more comfortable with a voice like Powell in an Obama cabinet.

Powell for Sec of State - that's my call.

T Blue · 10-19-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

People bag on Obama's talent for rhetoric, but the nation needs a leader who can inspire.

I would think those on the other side of the fence would feel a bit more comfortable with a voice like Powell in an Obama cabinet.

Powell for Sec of State - that's my call.

Yeah the man inspires me to go take a shit.

Give the guy 4 years and if any of his great inspired ideas get put thru that will be all, America cannot afford Obahma.

Hopefully average joe plumber american is smart enough to realize that the media is declaring obahma the winner so they won't actually go cast a vote, heaven help us if obahma is president.

Cali Coug · 10-19-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Blue

Yeah the man inspires me to go take a shit.

See- that is fantastic! The man inspires you to be full of less crap than you were a minute ago. That truly is transformational!

UtahDan · 10-19-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

See- that is fantastic! The man inspires you to be full of less crap than you were a minute ago. That truly is transformational!

10 points to Cali!

Cali Coug · 10-19-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

People bag on Obama's talent for rhetoric, but the nation needs a leader who can inspire.

I would think those on the other side of the fence would feel a bit more comfortable with a voice like Powell in an Obama cabinet.

Powell for Sec of State - that's my call.

This is a big get for Obama. I have always been an admirer of Powell; in fact, I would have voted for him if he ran in 2000 or 2004 (but alas...). I am a bit disappointed in his silence on his disagreement with the Iraq war. He clearly was not on board with what the administration was doing, and clearly felt like the administration was being deceptive and tunnel-visioned, but he still went before the UN and still helped bang the drum for war. It was his job, but I think his duty was greater than his job, and I feel he neglected his duty. That said, he remains a remarkable man with remarkable accomplishments, and I could be open to the idea of him serving in a capacity like Secretary of State (though I don't think he wants it).

UtahDan · 10-19-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

He clearly was not on board with what the administration was doing, and clearly felt like the administration was being deceptive and tunnel-visioned, but he still went before the UN and still helped bang the drum for war.

I can see why you are having a tough time resolving this. On the one hand, he is a moderate who is a big get for Obama. On the other hand, if you are part of the "Bush lied" crowd there are only two choices: Powell is a liar himself or Powell is willing to lie for others. If he thought they were being deceptive and passed on that message lending his name and gravitas to the lie then he is utterly without honor. He should have resigned.

I think all he is guilty of is the same poor judgment and lack of foresight that the administration is guilty of. But from the viewpoint of the typical Obama supporter some real mental gymnastics are required to forgive him for the sins of the Bush administration.

Cali Coug · 10-19-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UtahDan

I can see why you are having a tough time resolving this. On the one hand, he is a moderate who is a big get for Obama. On the other hand, if you are part of the "Bush lied" crowd there are only two choices: Powell is a liar himself or Powell is willing to lie for others. If he thought they were being deceptive and passed on that message lending his name and gravitas to the lie then he is utterly without honor. He should have resigned.

I think all he is guilty of is the same poor judgment and lack of foresight that the administration is guilty of. But from the viewpoint of the typical Obama supporter some real mental gymnastics are required to forgive him for the sins of the Bush administration.

More or less. Some of the strongest evidence that Bush was deceptive about our intelligence comes from Powell and the State Department. It is hard for me to accept, given all we know, that Powell shouldn't have resigned (a "noisy withdrawal"), or gone to Congress with his dissent. I have a hard time getting past it. It is a blemish on an otherwise stellar record of public service.

Ma'ake · 10-19-2008, 09:09 PM

On Iraq Powell is being the good soldier, IMO. Time to get on with '09, as Powell said.

myboynoah · 10-20-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UtahDan

I can see why you are having a tough time resolving this. On the one hand, he is a moderate who is a big get for Obama. On the other hand, if you are part of the "Bush lied" crowd there are only two choices: Powell is a liar himself or Powell is willing to lie for others. If he thought they were being deceptive and passed on that message lending his name and gravitas to the lie then he is utterly without honor. He should have resigned.

I think all he is guilty of is the same poor judgment and lack of foresight that the administration is guilty of. But from the viewpoint of the typical Obama supporter some real mental gymnastics are required to forgive him for the sins of the Bush administration.

Yeah, that was pretty convoluted logic. But Powell endorses Obama, so all is forgiven and he is a stellar example of national service. Looking back, I see Powell as one of the biggest losers from the war. I remember thinking that if someone like him was convinced of and argued for the presence of WMD, then there must be WMD. It was either extremely poor judgement or he just jumped on board and added credibility to flimsy evidence. What a strange ending to a storied career. Given his past performance, why would we want him as Sec of State again?

I really don't know how big a "get" this is at this point. It's as if Powell waited for things to break and jumped on board the leading car. I guess Obama wasn't that inspiring one month ago when there was some doubt.

Jeff Lebowski · 10-20-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myboynoah

Given his past performance, why would we want him as Sec of State again?

Agreed. He's damaged goods at this point.

10-19-2008, 01:56 PM	#1
Ma'ake Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SLC Posts: 441	Powell's rationale - "...ability to inspire..." People bag on Obama's talent for rhetoric, but the nation needs a leader who can inspire. I would think those on the other side of the fence would feel a bit more comfortable with a voice like Powell in an Obama cabinet. Powell for Sec of State - that's my call. Last edited by Ma'ake; 10-19-2008 at 01:59 PM.

10-19-2008, 09:09 PM	#8
Ma'ake Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SLC Posts: 441	On Iraq Powell is being the good soldier, IMO. Time to get on with '09, as Powell said.