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Some low-level lackey will delete it long before it works its way up to the high and mighty, but I feel better at least knowing I tried.
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Dear Secretary Powell:
As you gained prominence over the years, as director of the Pentagon, author of the book "My American Journey," and now as Secretary of State, I was always one of your biggest fans. I was hoping you would run for President some day so that I could finally vote for a Republican.
Your proven experience and judgment as well as your service to your country and your sense of decency gave those of us who distrusted the current resident of the White House some hope that his appalling ignorance and radical agenda could be moderated by a team of seasoned veterans like yourself.
In looking back over the last three and one-half years, however, it is clear what happened: Mr. Bush has used reasonable men like yourself and Senator McCain to present the illusion that he isn't FUBAR. This worked for awhile. However, now anyone who reads a newspaper knows that the man is working only to improve the narrow interests of his wealthy backers and has no concern for or ability to improve our society.
Here is what you said to the United Nations on February 5, 2003--(holding up a photo) "the two arrows indicate the presence of sure signs that the bunkers are storing chemical munitions." Of course, the whole world knows that those "sure signs" were sure of nothing except that the radical right wing wanted to invade Iraq and seize control of some of the largest oil fields in the world.
Those who spend time as I do analyzing the news (not just consuming it) know that you were always an outspoken opponent of the wrong-headed, unlawful, and counter-productive invasion of a country that posed no threat to the United States. While no one would believe that Mr. Bush would have the knowledge, let alone the motivation, to speak the truth about Iraq, you could be believed because of your stature earned over decades of honorable service to your country.
How does it feel to be used like a tool by venal, power-hungry ignoramuses who never served a day in the military? How does it feel to again watch soldiers die like your brothers-in-arms died in Vietnam, shipped home in a box for a bright, shining lie, a lie that you against your better judgment helped promulgate and perpetuate?
According to one news magazine's report, when you were first asked to read the prepared argument for war with Iraq, you took one look at it and said, "I'm not reading this load of bull-shit." You were right. The whole world now knows what a pathetically flimsy set of falsehoods, misapprehensions, and damned lies this war in Iraq is based on. Meanwhile, almost one thousand American soldiers who signed up to defend their country have died there.
While you can never undo the damage you've done nor will your reputation ever return to its pre-Bush state, you can serve your country one last time by standing up and repudiating what you always knew to be wrong from the beginning. You can help staunch the blood on the hands of this administration by condemning the lies and resigning in protest.
You have demonstrated your courage on the battlefield of war. Now let's see it in the battlefield of politics. Give those of us who believed you the hope that one good man can stand up and fight back against the corrosive power of wealth and the corruptive power of self-interest.
Sincerely,
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, c
Concerned citizen
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