Colin Powell: " You can surge all of the American troops you want, but they can’t stop this."

[RiverStone]

From Colin Powell's GQ interview released 9/11/07-

Do you think the surge makes sense?

You can surge all of the American troops you want, but they can’t stop this. Suppose I’m a battalion commander. My troops ask, “What do I do today, boss?” “Let’s go fight the Shia militias!” “What do I do tomorrow?” “Let’s go fight the Sunni insurgents!” “What do I do the day after tomorrow?” “Let’s go chase Al Qaeda!” “What do we do the day after that?” “We’re going to guard streets!” Our kids are fantastic. But this is not sustainable. Our surge can work only with an Iraqi political and military surge.

Are you sorry you didn’t question things more forcefully?

At the time, when I felt the president might not have focused on all the potential consequences, I said I needed to see him. I went to the White House and had a private session with him. I told him that we could knock over Saddam’s regime but he needed to understand what we would be faced with once we had done that. It was my “When you break it, you own it” speech. I said that this invasion would tie up the better part of 40 percent of our army for an indefinite period of time. It will be hugely expensive. You will be dealing with this for a long time to come. I said, “Take it to the U.N. See if we can get something from the U.N. that might allow us to avoid this war.” He said, “Let’s share this with the others.” And a few days later, we had a discussion with everyone, some by videoconference. They eventually agreed that we should take it to the U.N., some more willingly than others. Dick didn’t think it would work, and Don I was not sure about, because you couldn’t always tell his opinion. Had I done my duty? I think so.


full interview here:

http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_5900&pageNum=6

[jgraz]

1. Gee thanks, Colin

Now please go crawl back in your fuckin hole.

[keopeli]

2. You are directly responsible for our current predicament. Apologize and withdraw. n/t

[Justitia]

3. And yet, you still lied to the UN, and by extension, the world. Spare us. -eom

[rwheeler31]

4. So sad to see a fallen man,

[fooj]

5. If LYING to the American people is doing YOUR duty then you did a swell job, Colin.

You sold out, Colin. Was it worth it?

[pinto]

6. Don't discount the weight of this interview if it gets legs. He was a willing apologist

for the administration line on Iraq, as SOS, yet many of his statements - while short of a mea culpa - shed some light on the machinations which led us to the occupation. They are damning in the fact that they come from a spokesman who helped foment the Iraq fiasco.

[hang a left]

12. Well I read today how Keane and Hamilton are releasing a book

about their 9-11 investigation and report. And how they knew evidence was being withheld and their investigation obstructed and how they "thought" about leveling charges.

But yet we have a 3 inch thick report titled "Commission Report".

I didn't hear any of them complaining back then. Even after they had to submit their report to the WH for editing and redactions.

All the unclean want a bath now.

Don't expect me to forgive them. I don't give a damn how big of an audience the MSM wants to give them now.

If they are willing to report it NOW!!!!!! Then there is an agenda. I believe whole-heartedly it is not one to benefit the masses.

So sue me.

[charlie]

13. Wholly expected from Hamilton

He got rolled on the October Surprise and bumbledfucked Iran-Contra. It was dismaying, but hardly a surprise when the Dems picked him for 911 (Compare and contrast how Repubs first proposed Henry Fucking Kissinger, mobbed-up fixer supreme). Any chance of holding a real inquiry went out the window the moment Hamilton climbed aboard. He's the Bob Shrum of Democratic congressional investigations, perfect for the party with battered wife syndrome.

[EVDebs]

18. My jaw just hit the floor ! '"thought "about leveling charges'

That's a knee-slapper !

[lligrd]

7. Come On Powell Don't Stop There

Out with the entire truth and maybe, just maybe, some of us will be able to forgive you for selling us out.

[snot]

8. Powell is like Brutus --

an "honorable man" who lacked the imagination to fathom the ignobility of others.

[Indenturedebtor]

10. Mmmm good analogy

Very very good.

At least another voice joins the chorus... whatever good it will do.

[Benhurst]

15. Powell had already thoroughly compromised his honor by participating in the

My Lai and Iran-Contra cover-ups.

By the time the corrupt corporate press started puffing him up as a "great man," he had little to no integrity left.

His disgraceful performance at the United Nations crowned a long career of deceit and deception.

[hisownpetard]

9. Too little, too late. Too bad! nt

[ClayZ]

11. K and R

[Disturbed]

14. Powell & Tenet lied to preserve their jobs & were fired anyway.

Now they both reap $Millions by talking but still not telling the truth. What a country Amerika is.

[GeorgeGist]

16. Lest we forget ...

when duty called, Colon went to the UN and took a shit.

[Beelzebud]

17. Thanks for the words of wisdom Powell, you fucking disappointment...

[Supersedeas]

19. see how quietly the GoP/Television Media Establishment tucks this away

[Cha]

20. Excellent..however we

have him on tape at the UN lying his ass off that he conveniently omits. Could never be as BIG a LIAR as fartboy, though.

[bdamomma]

21. oh, Colin you lay with dogs you get fleas

give it a break too.

[Javaman]

22. colin, ass for name, powell will now be known as

colin backpeddling powell.

I think it has a better ring

backpeddling powell