Colin Powell Finally sees the Error of his Ways

[tockit]

Colin Powell Airs Doubts on Obama Agenda

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/03/powell-airs-doubts-on-obama-agenda/

Colin Powell, one of President Obama's most prominent Republican supporters, expressed concern Friday that the president's ambitious blitz of costly initiatives may be enlarging the size of government and the federal debt too much.

"I'm concerned at the number of programs that are being presented, the bills associated with these programs and the additional government that will be needed to execute them," Mr. Powell said in an excerpt of an interview with CNN's John King, released by the network Friday morning.

Mr. Powell, a retired U.S. army general who rose to political prominence after a long and accomplished military career, said that health care reform and many of Mr. Obama's other initiatives are "important" to Americans.
But, he said, "one of the cautions that has to be given to the president -- and I've talked to some of his people about this -- is that you can't have so many things on the table that you can't absorb it all."

"And we can't pay for it all," said Mr. Powell, who was the first African-American to serve as secretary of state, under former President George W. Bush. He was also national security adviser to President Reagan, and was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993.

Mr. Powell was considered a possible Republican presidential candidate as early as 1996, and in 2007 he donated the maximum amount allowed to Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who won the GOP primary. But less than a month before last fall's general election, Mr. Powell endorsed Mr. Obama over Mr. McCain.

Mr. Powell's comments represent the growing concern that began with hard-line fiscal conservatives but is now spreading to moderates about the rate of government spending and debt under President Obama, and the long-term impact on the country's fiscal sustainability and national security.

The national debt stands currently at $11.5 trillion and the deficit for the current fiscal year is projected to be close to $2 trillion.

Mr. Powell expressed alarm at "budgets that are running into the multi-trillions of dollars" and "a huge, huge national debt that, if we don't pay for in our lifetime, our kids and grandkids and great-grandchildren will have to pay for it."

"So, I think the president, as he moves forward with his initiatives, has to start really taking a very, very hard look at what the cost of all this is. And, how much additional bureaucracy [will] be needed to make all of this happen?" Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Powell said he has been in touch with Mr. Obama regularly, including recently.

"I don't insert myself. But, we stay in touch," he said. Mr. King prompted Mr. Powell's comments by showing him video archive footage of Mr. Powell's comments at the 1996 Republican Convention in San Diego, where Mr. Powell talked about his opposition to big government.

"The federal government has become too large and too intrusive in our lives," Mr. Powell said then. "We can no longer afford solutions to our problems that result in more entitlements, higher taxes to pay for them, more bureaucracy to run them, and fewer results to show for it." Mr. Powell said that now that he still believes what he said then, but that he would put it in different terms now.

"I don't like slogans anymore like 'limited government.' That's not the right answer. The right answer is, give me a government that works," he said. "Keep it as small as possible. Keep the tax burden on the American people as small as possible, but at the same time, have government that is solving the problems of the people."

[Gary_Busey]

This is important because he's half black.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Tocket is a fucking retard.

[freegood]

I wonder if liberals listen to Powell more than conservatives do.

[potaters]

Yo man, dat fool iz played out yo! His error began when dat nucka was born yo. Yea, he one of dah few ejewmackated nuckas, which iz far an few in between, but dat nucka supportin da nucka who got elected yo, and dat shits whack yo!

werd!

[tockit]

I wonder if liberals listen to Powell more than conservatives do.
Right now liberals don't listen to anyone but liberals.

They have their own agenda, and damn anyone who tries to get in their way, since the democrats control the presidency and both houses of congress.

Not hard to see when you consider Obama has broken most of the promises he "supposedly" campaigned on.

Yet his supporters still love him?

[potaters]

Right now liberals don't listen to anyone but liberals.

They have their own agenda, and damn anyone who tries to get in their way, since the democrats control the presidency and both houses of congress.

Not hard to see when you consider Obama has broken most of the promises he "supposedly" campaigned on.

Yet his supporters still love him?

Werd, dat nuckas whack, son. Nuckas dont be-lawng runnin da white mans country...dat nucka shoulda stuck ta smokin, enjoyin sum fried chicken an 40s and hangin wit da bitches in da hood yo. Yo, he a ignut nucka...n dem guilty white folk voted dat nucka in.

[Das Kahlua]

From Colin Powell only a few months ago:

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
by Chris Strohm (cstrohm@nationaljournal.com)


The Republican Party is in big trouble and needs to find a way to move back to the middle of the country, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday.
Powell said the GOP is "getting smaller and smaller" and "that's not good for the nation." He also said he hopes that emerging GOP leaders, such as House Minority Whip Cantor, will not keep repeating mantras of the far right.


"The Republican Party is in deep trouble," Powell told corporate security executives at a conference in Washington sponsored by Fortify Software Inc. The party must realize that the country has changed, he said. "Americans do want to pay taxes for services," he said. "Americans are looking for more government in their life, not less."


Powell, secretary of State during the first term of former President George W. Bush, made waves last year when he came out for the Democratic presidential candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. Powell described the 2008 GOP candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, as "a beloved friend" but said he told him last summer that the party had developed a reputation for being mean-spirited and driven more by social conservatism than the economic problems that Americans faced.


Powell also criticized other GOP leaders, for bowing too much to the right.


He blasted radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, saying he does not believe that Limbaugh or conservative icon Ann Coulter serve the party well. He said the party lacks a "positive" spokesperson. "I think what Rush does as an entertainer diminishes the party and intrudes or inserts into our public life a kind of nastiness that we would be better to do without," Powell said.


He also said that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate last year, is "a very accomplished person" but became "a very polarizing figure." He said the polarization was created by Palin's advisers.


Powell said he does not want Republicans to turn into Democrats but rather to build a vibrant party.


On other fronts, Powell said he was concerned that the Pentagon is reportedly going to create a new command to manage military cybersecurity affairs. "I smell a bureaucratic fight taking place inside the administration," he said. "I'm always nervous when people want to create new commands because new commands create new stovepipes."


According to Obama administration officials and media reports, U.S. government information networks are being attacked by criminals and attackers working for foreign governments, namely China and Russia. Powell said creating a command might be the correct solution, but he added: "My own view is take it slow, make sure you get it right."


http://www.nationaljournal.com/congressdaily/print_friendly.php?ID=cda_20090505_8843

How can you not laugh about this shit.

[Archangel]

Coming from a guy who voted for the jackass who made Powell stand in front of the entire world and lie until he was blue in the face, to the point where even a great patriot like him couldn't take working for those criminals and nincompoops anymore and had to quit, this thread title is not without a certain irony.

[Das Kahlua]

Coming from a guy who voted for the jackass who made Powell stand in front of the entire world and lie until he was blue in the face, to the point where even a great patriot like him couldn't take working for those criminals and nincompoops anymore and had to quit, this thread title is not without a certain irony.

Really? I'm sorry, I guess I missed where during Powell's various public speaking events on the subject Dubya or Cheney were behind him with a gun. I bet if you could find the exact moment during Powell's presentation to the UN where he was nudged from behind by Cheney's hunting rifle, you could make a lot of money off it it.

[Archangel]

Yeah, appealing to a soldier's sense of patriotism, and then twisting it until he breaks is far more noble.

[Das Kahlua]

Yeah, appealing to a soldier's sense of patriotism, and then twisting it until he breaks is far more noble.

Just because you have a twisted hatred for Dubya and everything he stands for doesn't make you right or anyone who disagrees with you wrong.

Funny how you were celebrating Powell 'finally speaking the truth' when he supported Obama, and yet now that he's opposing Obama again, Powell is just 'mistaken' or 'manipulated' by the right.

Or, it's also possible that you can't get past your hatred of Bush to realize that he's been out of office and out of the public spotlight for 6 months, and yet everything is still his fault.

If this persists, and you start hearing (more) voices in your head, you should look into medication. Too bad that the best care for these sorts of things is in the US. Irony is a bitch, isn't it?

[Archangel]

Just because you have a twisted hatred for Dubya and everything he stands for doesn't make you right or anyone who disagrees with you wrong.

Yeah, I have a "twisted hatred" for people who invade other countries for made up reasons and cause the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

I dunno, but if somebody doesn't have a "twisted hatred" for, say, Adolf Hitler or Kim Il Sung, I tend to steer clear of them. Supporting people who invade countries who pose no direct threat to you or your allies makes you and anyone who agrees with you wrong, let alone if they're too fucking stupid or self absorbed to execute that invasion properly. It's really that simple, no matter how much they wave that pretty flag, or how many of the people were behind them.

Funny how you were celebrating Powell 'finally speaking the truth' when he supported Obama, and yet now that he's opposing Obama again, Powell is just 'mistaken' or 'manipulated' by the right.

"You"? Who are you talking about - or are you lashing out at some nebuous generalised "left wing" again? Because I couldn't care less about your left wing.

Where did I say that, anyway? Colin Powell is a smart and educated man, is thus fully entitled to his opinion, and may very well be right. Name one post where I defend the policies of Obama which Powell criticises. What I did is point out the irony of your butt buddy tockit's thread title, and you throw a hissy fit. Telling, that.

Or, it's also possible that you can't get past your hatred of Bush to realize that he's been out of office and out of the public spotlight for 6 months, and yet everything is still his fault.

Wow, six months! So did the dead in Iraq resurrect yet?

Are you so fucking ashamed of what you did that you have to sweep all of your crimes under the rug right the fuck now? The statute of limitations on war crimes is a bit longer than six months, you fucking pussy. You let mercenaries murder civilians and give them immunity, you'd better be prepared to hear about it from the world for the next fifty fucking years.

If this persists, and you start hearing (more) voices in your head, you should look into medication. Too bad that the best care for these sorts of things is in the US. Irony is a bitch, isn't it?

Yeah, you obviously have the highest quotient of crazy people in the world; dozens of millions seem to think that electing a guy who would gladly send 5,000 of their sons and daughters to their deaths for no good reason is "patriotic".

[Das Kahlua]

Yeah, I have a "twisted hatred" for people who invade other countries for made up reasons and cause the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

And you're so put off by that, you're marching down to Berlin today to renounce your German citizenship for their past crimes against other countries, right?

I dunno, but if somebody doesn't have a "twisted hatred" for, say, Adolf Hitler or Kim Il Sung, I tend to steer clear of them. Supporting people who invade countries who pose no direct threat to you or your allies makes you and anyone who agrees with you wrong. It's really that simple, no matter how much they wave that pretty flag.

I would think that dead horse would be worn and smelly, after you've been beating it for so long, but I guess you keep returning to it like an old friend. It's your ace in the hole, your trump card, no matter that no one takes you seriously when you bring it up again and again and again and again and again and again.... in every thread possible, it only matter that you keep repeating it yourself. It's become your own personal mantra, and it's cute and all, but tired and pathetic at the same time.

[qoute["You"? Who are you talking about - or are you lashing out at some nebuous generalised "left wing" again? Because I couldn't care less about your left wing.[/quote]

Don't want you to have an inferiority complex, I was talking about you and only you, since you seem to be so in love be Obama, especially when he's playing your favorite tune, "America Ain't What It Used to Be.

Wow, six months! So did the dead in Iraq resurrect yet?

Nope, neither did the millions who die all over the world everyday. I'm sure they're all weeping for the couple thousand dead in Iraq.

Are you so fucking ashamed of what you did that you have to sweep all of your crimes under the rug right the fuck now? The statute of limitations on war crimes is a bit longer than six months, you fucking pussy.

I thought we as Americans had an obligation to go into Iraq at the time, I'm not going to play monday morning quarterback now, years later. Honestly, I don't really give a shit what you, what your country, what anyone else thinks. At the end of the day, each country has an obligation to itself first and foremost. We were given credible information by intelligence agencies all over the world that Iraq had or was seeking nukes, including the Germans that helped provide them the technology, and with Saddams threats post 9/11, we had to act.

Sit in front of your computer and let all your rage out, I couldn't care less, we did what we thought was right at the time. End of story. If Obama wants to try and rewrite history, it'll just blow up in his face.

So far he's been nothing by one foreign policy disappointment after another. He was an idiot to try and kiss up to the rest of the world when most of the hate us to begin with, and that was proven by his trips overseas. At the end of the day, having people in Germany chant 'Yes We Can' is not a substitute for actual results, no matter how much you or Obama want it to be so, and you're only deluding yourselves if you think otherwise.

Yeah, you obviously have the highest quotient of crazy people in the world; dozens of millions seem to think that electing a guy who would gladly send 5,000 of their sons and daughters to their deaths for no good reason is "patriotic".

You pompous asshole. We sent millions of Americans to fight and die so both Germany and South Korea could have the same freedoms we enjoy--we were just being 'imperialistic,' 'imposing our values on others' and 'wasting lives for no good reason' then, too?

Tell you what, from now on I'll support nothing but American isolationism: US out of the UN and the UN out of the US; remove all US presence from both NATO and the world as a whole, return all US personel to American soil immediately, fuck the consequences; let the WHO and World Bank crumble and die with no US support, who needs the US anyway; oh, and heaven forbid any country has a flood, hurricane, typhoon or tidal wave, cause we're not coming to help.

We will never be blamed for being 'too involved' in the world, and see how you like reaping what you sowed.

[Archangel]

And you're so put off by that, you're marching down to Berlin today to renounce your German citizenship for their past crimes against other countries, right?

No. But when someboy isn't ashamed for the crimes, or even extols them, then I, as a German citizen, will argue that they are wrong. Not the other way around.

I would think that dead horse would be worn and smelly, after you've been beating it for so long, but I guess you keep returning to it like an old friend. It's your ace in the hole, your trump card, no matter that no one takes you seriously when you bring it up again and again and again and again and again and again.... in every thread possible, it only matter that you keep repeating it yourself. It's become your own personal mantra, and it's cute and all, but tired and pathetic at the same time.

"No one" being roughly 6.5 billion people who think that Iraq was a fucking crime. If the truth to you is a dead horse, then go fuck yourself. As for GMF, you have Goat, tockit, Yelram and redsox on your side; I have Sink and freegood, and most of the non-US posters. See my point? But your confidence is admirable, ill deserved though it may be.


Don't want you to have an inferiority complex, I was talking about you and only you, since you seem to be so in love be Obama, especially when he's playing your favorite tune, "America Ain't What It Used to Be.

Nice. Point out examples.


Nope, neither did the millions who die all over the world everyday. I'm sure they're all weeping for the couple thousand dead in Iraq.

That's a brilliant argument: You'd make a fantastic Holocaust apologist.

I thought we as Americans had an obligation to go into Iraq at the time, I'm not going to play monday morning quarterback now, years later.

So you were duped at the time by idiots, and now are too ashamed to admit it. Gotcha.

Honestly, I don't really give a shit what you, what your country, what anyone else thinks. At the end of the day, each country has an obligation to itself first and foremost. We were given credible information by intelligence agencies all over the world that Iraq had or was seeking nukes, including the Germans that helped provide them the technology, and with Saddams threats post 9/11, we had to act.

Lulz.

Sit in front of your computer and let all your rage out, I couldn't care less, we did what we thought was right at the time. End of story.

Yeah, so did Germany in '39. At least we were duped by smart people.

So far he's been nothing by one foreign policy disappointment after another. He was an idiot to try and kiss up to the rest of the world when most of the hate us to begin with, and that was proven by his trips overseas. At the end of the day, having people in Germany chant 'Yes We Can' is not a substitute for actual results, no matter how much you or Obama want it to be so, and you're only deluding yourselves if you think otherwise.

So wait, the people who hate America in the first place cheer for the new US President?

It's beautiful, you're so blinded by party loyalty that you think that makes sense. Trust me, 70% of people who hated America one year ago did so for one reason only.


You pompous asshole. We sent millions of Americans to fight and die so both Germany and South Korea could have the same freedoms we enjoy--we were just being 'imperialistic,' 'imposing our values on others' and 'wasting lives for no good reason' then, too?

You are really comparing WWII to Iraq. That freedom shit aside - we were beaten in Stalingrad, and your main reason for coming to Europe was to curb the advancing Soviets - you had a GOOD AND MANIFEST REASON to wage war against Hitler and Kim Il-Sung.


Tell you what, from now on I'll support nothing but American isolationism: US out of the UN and the UN out of the US; remove all US presence from both NATO and the world as a whole, return all US personel to American soil immediately, fuck the consequences; let the WHO and World Bank crumble and die with no US support, who needs the US anyway; oh, and heaven forbid any country has a flood, hurricane, typhoon or tidal wave, cause we're not coming to help.


Oh, so if you decide to do that, that's what the US does. And I'm the pompous one.

[Morfin]

The point I get from Kahlua is that Bush's invasion of Iraq was, IMO, embarrassing to US, a dark chapter in our history, relatively speaking. And so was slavery. Not to equate the two, but just using them as two examples of conduct we, the U.S. should be ashamed of.

I got sick of taters constantly bringing up how the U.S. was bad because it allowed slavery. Well, that was 150 years ago and he was still bringing it up constantly. The U.S. is ashamed of its slavery history, but there is no reason to constantly bring it up -- don't forget it, but just don't constantly throw it in our faces. This is the same with Bush. He is out of office and done. He was one of our worst presidents (again, IMO). But he is done. Stop condemning us for it and move on.

[Archangel]

You stop defending him first.

[Morfin]

I don't defend him. I have been against the war from Day 1. I have been against the PATRIOT Act from before it was passed. I loathe the Department of Homeland Security and all of its power.

So, I don't defend him, and I am ashamed of his actions as a president. However, it is in the past, like Nixon. It is time to move on -- never forgetting, but looking forward.

[redsox39]

I love this...remember..if you don't like Obama, it means you were sucking Bush's dick all day for 8 years and loving it. Because there are only TWO types of Americans. Obama supporters and Bush Loving, Rednecks who believe that Grandpa rode a dinosaur to school. You stupid faggot, Arch. Remember, he has been here and knows powerful people in Chicago, so he is an expert!

How did I get grouped in here? Outside of calling Arch an idiot for comparing Bush to Hitler over and over again, I beg you to find a post where I defend Bush. Pretty sure I have been beating the "small government, limited spending" drum since high school debate, and Bush doesn not fit my ideal candidate. And I did support going to Iraq, because I foolishly thought we could bring some fucking order to the middle east and help the people there enjoy some of the things we enjoy. I forgot to be like Arch and write them all off as fucking retarded desert brownies who are too stupid and don't deserve our help.

My favorite part? He tries to justify what Hitler did by comparing him to Bush. It is laughable.

[Archangel]

I don't defend him. I have been against the war from Day 1. I have been against the PATRIOT Act from before it was passed. I loathe the Department of Homeland Security and all of its power.

So, I don't defend him, and I am ashamed of his actions as a president. However, it is in the past, like Nixon. It is time to move on -- never forgetting, but looking forward.

I didn't talk about you personally. But as long as there is one person alive in America who tries to justify the obscene shit that was Iraq, you will have to live with people pointing out that it's not justifiable.

I love this...remember..if you don't like Obama, it means you were sucking Bush's dick all day for 8 years and loving it. Because there are only TWO types of Americans. Obama supporters and Bush Loving, Rednecks who believe that Grandpa rode a dinosaur to school. You stupid faggot, Arch.

I am talking to tockit, mostly.

How did I get grouped in here? Outside of calling Arch an idiot for comparing Bush to Hitler over and over again, I beg you to find a post where I defend him. And I did support going to Iraq.

My favorite part? He tries to justify what Hitler did by comparing him to Bush. It is laughable.

I really want you to die in pain for even suggesting this. Fuck you for even thinking that I could EVER try to justify that shit. I'm not American enough to be that relativistic.

[atoms]

Damn....it's a screwed up thread when sox is making the most sense....no offense meant sox....you know it's true.

Arch, I think you've been channeling your inner Tater's lately. High on the vitriol, condescension, and derogatory remarks, low on facts (or at least they are getting drowned out by the rest). I think you have good arguments, and they are getting lost in your arguing style.

Frankly I disagree slightly with Morfin, only in that the people that voted for Bush are still voters today. So sometimes looking at how it was in the previous administration has some relevance. At least more relevance than does slavery. And Nazi Germany. That said.....looking more forward than back is probably going to serve us well.

[redsox39]

I really want you to die in pain for even suggesting this. Fuck you for even thinking that I could EVER try to justify that shit. I'm not American enough to be that relativistic.

OOH!! OHH!! Look! You guys had Bush! He's Just like Hitler!! SEE?!?! YOU GUYS DID IT TOO!!! The numbers might be different, but Bush did the same thing!! Americans are just as bad as the German's for supporting him!!! Bush wanted to be an Imperialist and take over all the World!! And he hates Black people!!

[Archangel]

Sure, redsox. The fact that that's what you glean from my posts tells a shitload more about you than about me.


To atoms: Good points. The thing is, when tater posted his dumb shit, I got into it with him. Same with tockit - as I said, my vitriol is commensurate to his increase in posts per day. I care little about political opinions; I do have a low tolerance for stupidity.

[Kerjack]

I care little about political opinions; I do have a low tolerance for stupidity.

Good thing for you your girlfriend isn't the same way.


*zing*