Colin Powell set himself on the path to redemption in my eyes this morning.

[Jackpine Radical]

I have always seen him as one who has served the interests of the American Empire, a willing tool of evil from Vietnam to Iraq, climbing in rank by stepping on the bodies of the innocent, and my view has in no way changed on his past. However, for whatever reason, he has decided to make one grand, honorable gesture in endorsing Obama, thereby taking the first step in a break with that past. I don't know if he will ever understand the damage he has done in the world--somehow, it is hard to believe that he does not know--but I will honor him for this act of courage and integrity.

[TTUBatfan2008]

1. The main thing is he's standing up against the BIGOTRY...

that is being used in this campaign.

[monmouth]

2. I can see why he is a General. Good, deep analytical skills. Knows

how to lay out his thoughts and the reasoning behind them. Excellent speaker and thinker. Thank you General. He will be an asset to President Obama in the military milieu, glad he's for him.

[Captain Hilts]

3. The Iraq invasion is forgiven? Gitmo is forgiven? Abu Grahib is foregiven? Not for me.

Powell is a shameless opportunist.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. No. I said "first step."

Let him start to make amends for his crimes, and we can see where it goes from here. Not that I'm holding my breath.

[Motown_Johnny]

7. do you hold everyone who voted for the war to the same standard?

[Captain Hilts]

11. No, because they were in no position to stop it and had nothing to do with blocking -

gays in the military and permitting Abu Grahib and Gitmo to happen.

Yes, Powell was vocal in opposing Prez Clinton's attempt to permit gays in the military.

[searchingforlight]

5. I admit that I was not impressed by the expected endorsement when I hear about it.

I lost respect for him when he brought the case for war to the U.N. I still think he is in denial about how few questions he asked of the administration before he brought his gravitas to the position the administration presented and his role in taking this country into an unnecessary war. I think that his conditioning as a career military man was partially responsible for his decision to support the Administration.

I do believe that his reasons for voting for Obama were well presented and that his assessment of the two choices and their campaigns were reasoned and compelling.

I may have to give him a second chance.

[riverwalker]

6. Redemption Road

I agree. I was crying with the story of the Muslim soldier. Cried more as he described Obama's vision of this country. If Powell can move me to tears, as much as I have despised and insulted him since the war, then I can only imagine his effect on Mr. and Mrs. America this morning.
This was not a lukewarm endorsment. It was damn near poetry.

[gademocrat7]

8. I agree

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

9. Colin Powell has always been a big Yes Man

He'll do whatever the person in charge wants him to do. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes or inside his head.

I agree, this is at least a step in the right direction for him.

[mitchum]

10. I guess that nails down that important WAR CRIMINAL demographic