Colin Powell resigns

[Arwin]

Most people will have heard about this by now. This thread would be a nice place to speculate on why?

 

[LoudMusic]

He wanted to spend more time with his dogs? (:

 

[cardude2004]

Too stressful.

 

[milefile]

He claims he always intended to serve one term. I see no reason to think he's lying.

But maybe he realized that Bush hates blacks.

 

[ledhed]

He asked Bush if he could quit because even though he promised one term , that was before all the war happened. If Bush needed him to stay he would have . Ther speculation was that he would stay but I think with Condi in place as his successor both he and Bush felt it left in good hands. It was nice to have him around as a counter to all the war hawks though.

 

[a6m5]

It was nice to have him around as a counter to all the war hawks though.

I agree with you.

When Powell was interviewed in Portland(OR) earlier this year, he was already hinting retirement, saying he was tired and didn't want to continue his "politician" career much longer.

I thought he was the greatest man in the D.C., until he made an Anti-Taiwan/Pro-China remark recently. Too bad!

 

[milefile]

What was the remark?

 

[a6m5]

What was the remark?

Here's where you can read an article about the that:

http://www.citizen.com/november_2004/11.23.04/comment/commentary_11_23_04.asp

Basically, he supported One China Policy. If any conflict can start World War III, it's the Taiwan Strait in my opinion.

 

[Arwin]

I think Powell struck a deal with Bush. They disagreed on a number of fundamental issues and it is generally thought here in Europe that the two would hardly get along as a result. But I think they made a deal that Powell would support Bush unconditionally during his first term, if after that he would be allowed to work on a number of things he thought were more important.

 

[///M-Spec]

What was the remark?

To paraphrase, Powell told the press the United States follows the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as an independant nation.

Funnily enough, we still offer to sell Taiwan advanced weapons systems like Patriot missles and Orion sub-hunters.


M

 

[milefile]

The article says Powell didn't think about what he was saying. I doubt Powell says anything off-the-cuff.

The article says Powel said lots of things, but doesn't quote him once, unless I missed something.

I felt like I was reading a term paper.

Powell's job is to be the ultimate politician, to say lots of things in order to maintain a fine international balance. If keeping the Chinese happy for a while is what is needed then that's his job.

I wouldn't worry about Taiwan.

 

[a6m5]

The article says Powell didn't think about what he was saying. I doubt Powell says anything off-the-cuff.

I agree, he is an very intelligent man, knows exactly what he's doing. Sorry about the quality of the article, I found it in a quick google search, I didn't read it first.

I wouldn't worry about Taiwan.

Actually, U.S. Navy had to send in like 7,8 strike forces(carriers and their help) to Taiwan few years back, just to intimidate China. China is always threatning to invade Taiwan, almost annually. To those who doesn't know the how serious it is to send 7,8 aircraft carriers, it's enough to destroy an country. I don't think U.S. has mobilized that much naval force since Vietnam, or WWII. What scares me is that I never, ever hear this stuff on the news.

 

[daan]

He wanted more time time to learn how to pronounce his first name. Colin is not pronounced Coe-lin.

 

[ledhed]

Colon Powell ...the terminus for waste product ?..ko- lin Pow- ell ..??? Hmmm however you pronounce it, he's done a very good job in a very bad time IMO .

 

[a6m5]

I guess Mr. Powell is officialy out as of today.

It's kind of funny that only person(that mattered) in Bush Administration who opposed the invasion of Iraq, which now is a total mess, is leaving. You'd think he is more valuable to the President than ever. I wish Bush asked him to stay.

What do you guys think of Condoleeza Rice. I'm hoping that she will pick up, right where Powell left off.

 

[Zrow]

I guess Mr. Powell is officialy out as of today.

It's kind of funny that only person(that mattered) in Bush Administration who opposed the invasion of Iraq, which now is a total mess, is leaving. You'd think he is more valuable to the President than ever. I wish Bush asked him to stay.

What do you guys think of Condoleeza Rice. I'm hoping that she will pick up, right where Powell left off.

Powell opposed going into Iraq?

 

[Solid Fro]

Powell advocated the war to the UN. He may have had reservations about it, but never opposed it.

 

[a6m5]

Powell said in the 2004 radio interview(here in Oregon), he advised the President against invading Iraq. In the same interview, he indicated that he was retiring, was no longer interested in running for Presidency.

Even when he was talking about how he opposed going in Iraq, he was still very respectful to the President. He was a class act.