REST IN PEACE HONEST COLIN POWELL

 In Defense of Colin Powell 

We learn today of the passing of a truly great man, a patriot, and an example to all how even those from difficult circumstances in our inner cities have a choice for life’s outcome,  and in the USA an almost unlimited opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of power for the qualified.  Powell was a four star general, a military advisor to four presidents and ultimately the Secretary of State, as well as a political icon in  our great nation . It saddens one to learn of his passing. 

If Powell’s career had some how ended before 2004 when he made that fateful speech supporting the  non-existent “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq,  he would still have been touted as an all-American hero and patriot.  

But his post 2004  life has given even greater depth and nuance to our understanding and appreciation of this very human and yes honest man.  

The irony of that disastrous speech was that at the time General Powell had  a well-deserved reputation as a staunchly truthful man of honor, The rabid war hawks in the George Bush jr Administration callously used Powell’s reputation of honesty to foster and build support for  their deadly, disastrous plans for war in Iraq.  A war which caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands  soiled our reputations with numerous atrocities and torture, and destabilized vast swaths of the Middle East.   Before 2004 Powell made several attempts to counter the war hawks and slow the headlong rush to war, but was in the end unsuccessful and submitted to the BushCheney demands.  The hawks needed him to make the case for war to an uncertain public—Powell made it possible. .  All he had left at his disposal was his reputation for probity.  At that critical moment he lacked the will— the courage- to stand up to his superiors who he knew were making a grave mistake.  

We are all human, we all have flaws, even great generals and honest men have moments of weakness. Most will never admit them. Here Powell was different 

Perhaps the full and embarrassing revelations of the WMD lie, as well as the dire consequences in blood and treasure of that war and of Powell’s duplicity had a cleansing effect.  In fact,  the open revelations of these sad events in Powell’s life and may have been the impetus fir modern day younger military officers (like  Marine Lt. Col Scheller ) to courageously stand for honesty in more recent events in Afghanistan.. 

In the end, it was Powell’s honesty that won out.  After the war he “ came clean” and admitted his error, as well as his  responsibility for his past actions,  an act which I submit here  to a great extent expunged the stain on his record.  

Powell died an honest man. Rest In Peace Colin Powell.