No Patraeus
I’ve no idea about what kind of man Colin Powell is. He seems to have been an earnest young man who served well in the Army as a young officer.
But from Lieutenant-Colonel on, one things seems to have been paramount on Colin Powell’s professional mind… what’s good for Colin Powell.
So during the 80’s he did the Reagan thing. Then the Bush thing. Then he did the Clinton thing. Then the Bush thing again. Whoever was in power, he was cool with them.
And now that Obama is in power, he feels the need to apologize for Bush.
This article by Michael Wolff thinks Powell is correct now:
He has been wrong about nearly everything that matters, as so many have, but he has, as the result of what seems to be great suffering and some respect for the obvious, admitted it
But is Wolff right about Powell always being wrong until now.
Or am I right about Powell always doing what’s best for Powell, including now, with right or wrong not playing a critical role?
Or are we both right? I’ve agreed with some things he has said over the years, but I’ve never felt I could trust that he believed them.
Powell epitomizes, to me, the ultimate careerist. And his careerism has had real costs that I don’t think apologies will help. Careerists, whether in the Army or in the Senate, do us all harm.
He should do us all one last BIG favor and just shut up and collect his pension.
BTW: Another general that fits this category is Wesley Clark.