Colin Powell versus Sarah Palin
In 1968, Major Colin Powell (assigned to the “Americal Division” and serving in Vietnam) was involved in a helicopter crash and, although he himself miraculously avoided serious injury, he disregarded his own safety and made two trips back into the flaming wreckage to rescue two fellow soldiers. He went on to serve 35 years in the military and retired as a 4 star general. Along the way he served as Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs he orchestrated the first Gulf War in 1991. After retirement, he was tapped by President George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of State. His resume boasts 40 years of public service. Amazingly, none of that means anything to the GOP anymore. Why? Because he had the audacity to endorse Barack Obama for President.
On Meet the Press this past Sunday, Tom Brokaw asked Powell is he was ready to endorse one of the candidates. Powell said yes, and then gave a very clear explanation for his decision to vote for Obama. Within hours Republicans were denouncing him and insinuating he only endorsed Obama because of his color. How does someone go from a 40 year hero to racist zero? It’s easy, really. You just have to prefer a Democrat to a Republican. As a former military officer and patriot, this makes me absolutely ill. Evidently, selfless service and sacrifice for your country only counts when it’s done by far-right conservatives.
McCain is seen almost universally as weak on economic issues. As a result, he clings to the farce that somehow he is strong on foreign policy and national security issues because he spent 5 years as a POW being tortured (Just like the guys at Guantanamo Bay, right?). Having someone with the credentials of Colin Powell prefer a young, wet-behind-the-ears liberal over him is something that he just can’t stomach. By default, Powell must not be a true American. Amazingly, in today’s GOP, Sarah Palin is considered wiser, more patriotic, and more revered than Colin Powell. And they don’t see any problems with such a position.
Let’s be fair. Both sides have been negative and ugly in this campaign. However, calling a candidate old and out of touch is not exactly over the line – at least not as far over the line by comparison. There’s nothing illegal or unpatriotic about being old and not having your thumb on the pulse of the world. But hurling accusations of treason and “palling around with terrorists” can get you the death penalty under U.S. law. Does anybody else see the danger here? Below is a pamphlet that was circulated in Dallas, Texas on the morning of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. See any similarities in the criticism?
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
dickmill | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
The campaigns would want us to believe that there are no noble men or women anymore. If a true patriot like Colin Powell can’t lay out his logical and from-the-heart reasons for choosing the candidate of his choice without being attacked in personal ways (i.e. racist, no logic), then there’s little hope for ANY civil discourse.
Yamil | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Good article Randy.
bw | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Curious, was the pamphlet distributed that morning BEFORE he was shot, or AFTER? Also, I’m curious to know who drafted and distributed that head shot, GOP?
RHM | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
@bw
I assume it was distributed in the morning before the actual assassination. If he was already dead there wouldn’t be much sense in trying to incite people against him unless someone was justifying his murder.
And at that point the secret service and every other law enforcement in Dallas were out looking for suspects. I doubt many people would want to be seen handing these things out.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/waterboard-him.html
The above link goes to some pretty ugly stuff that was on the OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN WEBSITE in the state of California. Scary.
RHM
Next Gen Politics | Oct 25, 2008 | Reply
Great article. You made some interesting points,
“he clings to the farce that somehow he is strong on foreign policy and national security issues because he spent 5 years as a POW being tortured (Just like the guys at Guantanamo Bay, right?).”
Nice. I haven’t hear that before. And this is an important point, that more people should be enraged about,
“…calling a candidate old and out of touch is not exactly over the line(…)There’s nothing illegal or unpatriotic about being old(…) But hurling accusations of treason and “palling around with terrorists” can get you the death penalty under U.S. law.”
Thanks again for the great article. Keep up the good work.
Jerame Clough
-Next Gen Politics
Kathleen | May 6, 2009 | Reply
Nice article RHM. I saw Powell speak in 2005 re: education and using techology to raise the bar. What an amazing speech. Part of how I make my living is working backstage as part of production crew, so I see many types of speakers—this guy was top notch. No need for teleprompter. No need for a timer. Nothing. He asked how long he had to speak and used his wristwatch. Spoke completely from the heart. From my p.o.v. he had very forward-thinking ideas. Too bad that’s not the norm.