[Rhodes22-list] POLITICAL- Is the Powell Endorsement Important for Us?

[Herb Parsons]

Ben,

While you may assign your choice to that of Colin Powell, I hope you 
understand that many have views vastly different than yours, and even 
Powell's, and thus are not willing to do the same.

I respect Powell's courage and leadership abilities; that does not mean 
I agree with him on every issue regarding politics or society. Were it 
so, I would be in quite a quandry, as there are other military leaders 
that I also respect that have vastly differing views than he.

He may be impressed with Obama's "style and substance", but I am not. 
I'm not impressed with his style, and am disappointed in his LACK of 
substance. He announced his candidacy years ago in the home of Ayers, 
and has had many associations with him since, and now denies any 
relationship with him. He sat and listened to Dr Wright for 20 years, 
and quoted him liberally in his book, stated that he could no more 
disavow him than he could his grandmother while stating that he did know 
know of the Dr's views, then did indeed disavow him as the public looked 
closer at his the association. I could go on, but you've heard the list, 
it has not changed. The little political slip with "Joe the Plumber" 
about "sharing the wealth" is a further example of my issues with the man.

So I disagree with Powell.

I too was "troubled" by the false accusations about Obama being a 
Muslim, and I too asked myself "so what?" By the same token, I'm 
troubled by the false accusations against Palin about her religious 
beliefs, including the idiotic statements made by asses on this forum 
that should know better about her being a "religious kook". However, 
statements from morons from others supporting either side is not a 
reason to vote for (or against) a candidate.

So, I disagree with Powell on that issue. As a matter of fact, I find 
his reasoning on it faulty.

I agree that the Republican's campaigning has become "narrower", and I 
wish they could have done better. However, to talk about that and ignore 
the campaigning done by Obama, including the slanderous remarks made by 
groups closely affiliated with his campaign, seems to belie his stance, 
and make it look like he's looking for an "excuse". Truth be told, Barak 
Obama falsely accused the McCain campaign of "100% negative 
advertising". How can Powell trust a man that will openly lie, or use 
false information that is so easily vetted, whichever the case may be?

So, I disagree with Powell that McCain's campaigning style is reason to 
vote for Obama. It looks to me more like an excuse.

While I may respect Powell's opinion about Palin, I disagree with it. 
Obama has talked about "change", and then picked a candidate that 
represents everything "business as usual" in Washington politics. Obama 
chose as his running mate, a man that had repeatedly stated that Obama 
was not qualified to serve as President of the United States. A man that 
has since, made multiple gaffes indicating he views an Obama 
administration as HIS administration.

McCain, on the other hand, chose someone who has views that largely 
mirror his. Who is willing to go against her party when she sees the 
need, just as McCain has done in the past. McCain knows that he is left 
of the most Republicans, so he wisely chose someone to his right. In 
spite of the "pooh poohing" of Palin's experience, she has EXECUTIVE 
branch experience which none of the other three candidates have, and 
she's the governer of a state with a constituency that roughly matches 
that of Senator Biden's.

I think he made a wise choice.

So, again, I disagree with Powell.

As to your own observations.

Yes, the talk of whether or not Joe the Plumber is really a plumber is 
off the subject. However, the Obama campaign's TREATMENT of the man for 
daring to ask a question, and especially Obama's response says volumes 
about the man and his campaign, AND his plans for the future. I do not 
want any more "sharing the wealth", which means taking the money from 
one at the end of a gun, and giving it to another.

Yes, we are at war with two countries, one of which Obama has publicly 
endorsed surrender; and even now that the tide has turned, will not 
state his commitment to victory.

Your view of Republicans saying that Joe the Plumber should not have to 
"pay his share" is either ignorantly simplistic, or an outright lie, 
either way it's a misrepresentation. We believe that EVERYONE should pay 
there share, and no more. We do not believe that Joe the Plumber, either 
now or if and when he achieves his goals, should have to pay the share 
of those that have no goals or aspirations, or haven't yet found the 
means to meet them.

I disagree with your view about what should be, and I know that your 
view of the Republican stance is wrong.

There are those of us that believe that the killing of an innocent 
human, born or unborn, for the convenience of the people that created 
that human is as important as whether or not we allow murder. We 
established over 140 years ago that one human owning another is wrong, 
and we're still working out problems associated with that practice 
today. Allowing one human to decide to kill another is another form of 
"ownership", and the practice today is as abhorrent to some as the 
slavery issue, possibly moreso.

There are those of us that realize that statements such as "Health care 
is not available to 40 million" is hyperbole, and either again 
represents ignorance is misdirection. It's been reported that as many as 
1/3 of those that don't have health insurance, do not have it because 
they choose not to. The vast majority of those remaining have other 
options that they choose to take.

I for one, and I can't speak for all others, do not want the government 
running a health care program. I've not seen the government improve many 
programs, and have no reason to believe they will this one.

Finally I disagree with your statement that "most American's don't give 
a rat's ass about Mr Ayers". I think more of them do than you think. I 
believe that they haven't heard the story yet, and the fact that Obama 
doesn't want the story told tells volumes.

As to the thrust of your post, I would pick Powell to make just about 
any military decision, but I believe I'm going to reserve my decision 
for the best candidate for the country to myself.


Ben Cittadino wrote:
> Colleagues;
>
> As those of you who follow the political posts on this list undoubtedly
> know, Gen. Colin Powell (ret.)endorsed the candidacy of Sen. Obama yesterday
> on the NBC Sunday news show "Meet the Press".
> Is this an important development worthy of sober reflection and
> reconsideration by those who have heretofor supported Sen. McCain, or is it
> simply a matter of expected racial politics, or something else?
>
> My view is that this endorsement represents a very important development. 
> Here's why:
>
> Colin Powell is an indisputably loyal American.  He served as Chairman of
> the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking uniformed military position
> in our Country during the first Gulf War. He was President Reagan's National
> Security Advisor, on of the most sensitive intelligence posts in our
> Country. He was Secretary of State under President GW Bush, the first
> Jamaican/American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. His personal courage
> is beyond question having been personally decorated for bravery during
> service in Vietnam.  In 2007 he donated the maximum amount allowed by law to
> the McCain campaign. 
>
> While there are those among us who discount endorsements, and say that they
> make up their own minds, I am not so sure of my own opinions on these
> subjects that I am unwilling to consider the opinions of others, especially
> when the others are in a position to make better judgements than mine, and
> where the others are people who I have good reason to respect.
>
> And so, what about Powell? He said about Sen. Obama on "Meet the Press":
>
>  "his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign,
> because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his
> rhetorical abilities", in addition to his "style and substance." Powell
> additionally called Obama a "transformational figure."[45][46] He was also
> "troubled" by the "false intimations that Obama was Muslim." Powell stated
> that "[Obama] is a Christian - He's always been a Christian...," and
> continued, "But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there
> something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's
> not America." Powell later stated, "I look at these kind of approaches to
> the campaign, and they trouble me [...] Over the last seven weeks, the
> approach of the Republican Party has become narrower and narrower."
>
> This observation of the Republican Party's narrower approach is completely
> consistant with the remarks I have previously posted by the NYTImes
> columnist David Brooks. Powell also opined that the choice of Sarah Palin as
> a running mate showed poor judgement by Sen McCain. 
>
> I frankly, see all the talk of "Joe the Plumber" and whether he is actually
> a plumber as a bit off the subject.
> We are at war in two countries.  The economy is in terrible shape by any
> measure.  Health care insurance is not available to what, 40 million?,
> Americans. We have no energy policy other than developing more fossil fuels.
> Lots more people in the world hate us, than used to hate us. To borrow the
> joke, my 401k is now a 201k.  The Republicans will not tell me who is going
> to pay for the wars, bailouts, the health care, etc, except that apparently
> they don't think "Joe the Plumber" should have to kick in his share. 
>
> And so we argue about whether gays and lesbians should be able to marry,
> whether women in crisis prgnancys should be able to abort them, whether it
> is OK to be a muslim-American, whether science or creation-science should
> inform our students, and Rome continues to burn.
>
> So getting back to Colin Powell, if Obama is OK with him he's OK with me.
> Apparently, Powell (like most Americans) doesn't give a rat's ass about Mr.
> Ayres.
>
> Best,
>
> Ben C.  "s/v Susan Kay"  Highlands, NJ
>