Powell said something many fear saying...

[Mesteryo]

Even Obama hasn't said this for fear he may look bad.


Powell said "And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. 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. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?"

[polichick]

1. It was a brave thing to do - I'm grateful for that!

[Mariana]

I'm grateful too, and he's RIGHT, but it's not all that brave.

He doesn't stand to lose anything, does he?

[polichick]

5. Well, imo it was brave for a Republican (the cowards).

[napi21]

2. Colin Powell isn't running for anything! It's amazing how straight

forward and hide nothing when you aren't a candidate for anything!

[boobooday]

3. It was the strongest point -- I really respect him for that

He made a beautiful argument against their bigotry and fearmongering.

[Donnachaidh]

4. this certainly doesn't forgive his cheerleading for an illegal war.

Sorry - he's trying for brownie points now because he knows a new administration is coming in.

[Mesteryo]

10. it doesn't matter...

Someone needed to say it without fear of sounding unAmerican.

[malaise]

6. It's a real pity that no Dem had the guts to say that

ages ago.

[VeraAgnes]

7. Today, Colin Powell came to the calling for a display of leadership.

He was fighting for all of us. To stop the malicious hate.

Thank You General Powell. :patriot:

[Faygo Kid]

8. The whole thing was extraordinary and unexpected.

I was stunned that he was so direct, and that he took the whole Muslim issue head on more effectively than anyone before. It was genuinely moving, and I didn't expect to be moved by Colin Powell.

[EFerrari]

11. What does he have to lose?

[Mesteryo]

15. who cares?

That's further proof it came from the heart. He is standing up to the GOP base more than McCain has been.

[EFerrari]

19. He's standing up to what? McCain has something to lose

Powell doesn't. And he has everything to gain by going with Obama.

Comes from the heart? Colin Powell cares deeply about Colin Powell.

[Tansy_Gold]

23. Yeah, but no Dem has said it.

Tom Daschle hasn't said it.

Howard Dean hasn't said it.

Hillary Clinton hasn't said it.

Bill Clinton hasn't said it.

Al Gore hasn't said it.

John Kerry hasn't said it.

John Edwards hasn't said it.

Keith Ellison hasn't said it.




By the way,


Tansy Gold has said it

[EFerrari]

24. Yes, you have.

:loveya:

[Alameda]

31. Exacttly!!! and may I add, why haven't they said it?

[Mesteryo]

25. he's standing up to the base..

You don't need to have something to lose in order for what you say to be inspiring. This statement could give hope to one Muslim kid who may have thought Muslims couldn't be President.

[EFerrari]

27. What base? He doesn't have a base. This cost him nothing. n/t

[Mesteryo]

32. the Republican conservative base...

Who cares if it cost him nothing. He still did an admirable thing.

[Tallison]

9. Bigots will have to die out like the dinosaurs

It's exciting to hear parents talk of their kids who question the big deal about Obama being black. Attitude change is less common than intergenerational shifts.

The world is getting smaller, and I envision a day, long after I die, that humans all over share the same shade skin, and we will discuss cultural differences conceptually, not cosmetically.

[eleny]

12. To me, it was about the most important thing he said

And when Obama took McCain head on about how McCain's campaign whipping up people to the point where someone shouted "kill him". It struck me how warm Obama and his wife embraced after the debate. I'd bet money that she's the only person who knew he would be saying the exact words.

To me those were the two most important push-backs of this past week and probably the campaign.

[Fire1]

26. I agree whole heartedly!

[Subdivisions]

13. I don't forgive him. I don't forgive him because I once respected him. I don't

forgive him because I once respected him and he lied to me. I respected him because, among other things, he seemed to be a resonably fair man. I respected him because I believed him to be honest and intelligent.

The fact that I cannot forgive him is bittersweet. I would much rather have celebrated his endorsement due to those things about him I respected. The quote you cited above fills me with regret that I can't celebrate it with the vigor of the respect I once had for him. But, I am glad he said it.

[marions ghost]

14. Attempts at Repentance

can be a good thing. Actually I see this as atonement and catharsis....and payback

Well-timed. Well said. Thanks Colin.

Should be a cautionary message in there for the "good soldiers" everywhere.

:thumbsup:

[Mesteryo]

17. quotes like Powell's..

Could give hope to some Muslim kid sitting at home who thought being Muslim hindered him/her.

If Palin stays in national politics Muslim kids will see enough negativity.

[marions ghost]

20. It gives hope

to anyone who has ever felt maligned because of who or what they are. You don't have to be a Muslim to be disrespected in this country. There are lots of groups who are unfairly targeted by those who thrive on carving a niche for themselves at others' expense.

But the use of a Muslim example was right to the point, given the foaming at the mouth resentment of them in this country and the tarring of Obama as "Arab" and "that one."

So Powell did a good job this time. It's symbolic to many that he endorsed Obama.

[Raine]

16. Powell made a really good statement he really

hits all sorts of issues that needed touching on. :thumbsup:

[Lugnut]

30. I thought so.

I thought his comments on MTP and to reporters after his appearance were more significant than his endorsement of Sen Obama.

[Joe the Liberal]

18. That was a really good statement from him. n/t

[Postman]

21. Outstanding statement.

[StrictlyRockers]

22. He is so right. I wish more people would say this, loudly!

America is an idea. We need to believe and respect that idea, not trample on it!

[bertman]

28. I can't believe Powell said that. He must be one of them Muslins too.

New Palin talking point.

[ForrestGump]

39. I'm sure they could make it stick, too (for some...too many)

Hmmm: Kahl-een Pow-Al. Should have known all along...

[bulloney]

29. I can't wait to hear the Limbaughs, Hannitys, etc. torch Powell on Monday.

Their true colors will really come out.

[Aristus]

33. In one awful day back in 2003, Powell lost all the credibility he had earned over a lifetime

of honorable service to the country.

Is it possible he gained it all back in just one amazing day in 2008?

We shall see...

[Horse with no Name]

34. then WHY did he knowingly tie Iraq into 911?

Because he KNEW most Americans don't know one middeasterner from the other and he was hired to sell a war. He did it on the ignorance of Joe Sixpack USING Muslims as a scare tactic.

[Mesteryo]

35. yet he did what even no Democrat did..

Come out and say without apology that a Muslim can be President. Hell, Hillary used Islamophobia as a campaign tactic.

[Horse with no Name]

36. BFD. There is a TERM for this. Hero Homicide.

Like when firefighters set houses on fire so they can "save" the victims becoming a hero in the process.

[Mesteryo]

37. You're really crapping on the importance what he said...

Don't downplay the message because you don't like the messenger. A prominent figure saying Muslim-Americans are Americans too is a big deal.

[Solon]

38. I think the problem is that the messenger in this case helped make a case...

based on lies and bullshit. His responsibility for that is not diminished because of what he says now.

[Mesteryo]

40. I never said it was..

I said the message was an important one which I respect.

[eppur_se_muova]

41. That was what went through my mind re the 'Arab' remark ...

JMcC was right to say "No, he's not an Arab", but he really should have added that it wouldn't matter if he was. That thought wouldn't occur to the "US{A} first" Repugs, and would be head-exploding material for the wingnuts.