America’s moral leader: Open them borders — for PR purposes
posted at 3:35 pm on September 11, 2007 by Allahpundit
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He’s like Geraldo without the intellectual heft. At least when the mustache and KP shill for open borders, they do so out of sincere if dopey compassion. Powell, ever the diplomat and “realist,” is actually a step to the left of that: he’s grafted the policy onto progressives’ eternal desire to be seen as good and fair and true. It’s amnesty as a goodwill gesture, like relief aid to some country that’s been hit by an earthquake. Never mind the seismic cultural, political, and economic changes it would cause.
How can we restore America’s image?
We should remember what that image was, back after World War II. It was the image of a generous country that sought not to impose its will on other countries or even to impose its values. But it showed the way, and it helped other countries, and it opened its doors to people—visitors and refugees and immigrants.America could not survive without immigration. Even the undocumented immigrants are contributing to our economy. That’s the country my parents came to. That’s the image we have to portray to the rest of the world: kind, generous, a nation of nations, touched by every nation, and we touch every nation in return. That’s what people still want to believe about us. They still want to come here. We’ve lost a bit of the image, but we haven’t lost the reality yet. And we can fix the image by reflecting a welcoming attitude—and by not taking counsel of our fears and scaring ourselves to death that everybody coming in is going to blow up something. It ain’t the case.
Nice to see that he and Geraldo are on the same page with their straw men, at least. Incidentally, this is only the very end of a much longer interview; at another point we’re treated to the spectacle of a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs laughing at the idea that nuke-seeking fanatics might pose some sort of threat to America’s survival. So follow the link, ’cause you won’t want to miss that.
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Allah, you are a master of the image capture.
MadisonConservative on September 11, 2007 at 3:40 PM
What a shame, I used to like Nelson Mandela
Kini on September 11, 2007 at 3:41 PM
You’ve got to be kidding.
saiga on September 11, 2007 at 3:41 PM
You’ve got to be kidding.
saiga on September 11, 2007 at 3:41 PM
Is this the same guy that was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in ‘91?
He must have misplaced his testicular matter somewhere along the way.
infidel4life on September 11, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Oh brother
This is like Dracula from Van Helsing – everything you try to do to kill him doesn’t work so there must be some damn secret to saving this.
Defector01 on September 11, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Affirmative action can help you get promoted to general but it wont give you good judgment.
TheSitRep on September 11, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Yeah, I read what he said. He said in part:
Lets think about that. Hey, they can kill people. Well, that is not exactly something most sane people would say is not the biggest threat we face.
How about we are the only ones that can change America? Well, a sane person would say that if America is destroyed, what is left that would possibly change? I for one like living in a secure country. Most sane people do. Like PM Begin of Israel said: “I’d rather be alive and hated, than dead and loved.” Begin was a wise man. Powell? F’ing insane.
Andy in Agoura Hills on September 11, 2007 at 3:47 PM
Proof?
Andy in Agoura Hills on September 11, 2007 at 3:48 PM
I support and honor the troops, right up until the point where they become jackasses. Colin Powell is an honorable man who has reached a level of success and prominence far beyond what his abilities warrant.
Drew on September 11, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Idiot. He’s probably itching to get picked up by one of the Dem candidates for ‘08.
Bad Candy on September 11, 2007 at 3:50 PM
No, but it only takes one or two. So glad he didn’t run for President.
Ordinary1 on September 11, 2007 at 3:51 PM
D-VP. Billary/Powell
Limerick on September 11, 2007 at 3:52 PM
And why do we care about our image in the eyes of the World, why? Except for maybe China and Japan, when the U.S. farts, the rest of the world should enjoy the fragrance. As much as they hates us, without the U.S. Economy and taxpayers, all the rest would be 3rd world $hitholes, including most of Europe. Maybe this would be a good time to pull our forces out of Korea, Europe, and Japan.
Also, might be a good time to cut off all the medicine and vaccines to the “Global South.” Let mother nature take care of their over-population problems. I am so sick of these ungrateful SOB’s.
Wuptdo on September 11, 2007 at 3:55 PM
Instead of dwelling on the above “Republican in Name Only,” I prefer instead to think about this quality leader as well as this future U.S. Senator.
Both will be popular GOP favorites in the future when the GOP abandons its country-club, Open Borders mentality and returns instead to Conservatism of Ideas.
ColtsFan on September 11, 2007 at 3:56 PM
*^*^*^*banging my head on my copy of men dot style dot com*^*^*^*^
I don’t get it. I just freeeeking don’t get how otherwise intelligent people can disconnect their frontal lobe when it comes to issues of sovereignty, regulated borders, national security, etc.
I’m not a conspiracy/CFR/black helicopter kinda guy, but what the hell happens to people when they set foot around all that marble near the potomac??
Why is it this notion of open borders, damn the law, and free-for-all-
migrationinvasion appeals to so many in the ivory halls of govt power???WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME!!!
locomotivebreath1901 on September 11, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Of course he feels safe and secure. He’s always had the whole MSM to protect him.
NellE on September 11, 2007 at 4:02 PM
“America could not survive without immigration.”
- – – – -
Excuuuuuse me ?
#1 – we would be fine without immigration.
#2 – we would be fine without “illegal immigration”.
#3 – we would be better if we were to try “controlled immigration”, where we select immigrants based on what’s good for the country, for us citizens. This means we would allow people in who would benefit us, not those who would be a net drag on society. Look at England, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway: they have permitted their countries, their marvelous old-world civilizations, to become hosts for a parasitic wave of third-world immigrants who do NOT want to adapt to their cultures. Their freedoms are being abrogated; the crime rate is skyrocketing; their local customs, even the subjects taught in school, are being changed to appease the volatile illiterates who were brought in to be “cheap labor” but who are, in fact, an onerous burden. The governments of these countries and their bureaucrats crow about “diversity” and its benefits; but average citizens (far from the comfortable communities of those “civil servants”) have to deal with burgeoning ghettos where Europeans are outsiders; where native citizens are considered to be “targets of righteous anger” of the ethnic newcomers who want to dominate, not assimilate into, the culture of their new countries. Is this what we want for America?
A_Nonny_Mouse on September 11, 2007 at 4:04 PM
After WWII, the world RESPECTED us because they FEARED us. We just exploded the most massive bomb on the planet TWICE. The world was afraid we would do it again if they didn’t do what we said.
Now, they KNOW we won’t do it so they don’t fear us. They want to come here anyway because they are jealous of our country. They will continue to be jealous until we let enough non-Americans come in here to make America less able to prosper.
I agree, lets get back to where we were after WWII. . . RESPECTED AND FEARED. Countries did what we said because we said.
ThackerAgency on September 11, 2007 at 4:08 PM
Ouch – that was brutal … but deservedly so.
I’ve always thought Powell was an intellectual lightweight despite the fact that (channelling Chris Rock) “he speaks so well.” His words quoted above are proof of that and proof that good usage and grammar is not equal to intellectual heft.
Also, let’s not forget that this backstabber covered for Richard Armitage all through the whole Plame investigation and had no qualms about letting Libby twist in the wind. That says all that needs to be said about Powell’s moral character (or more precisely, lack thereof).
thirteen28 on September 11, 2007 at 4:09 PM
Sometimes one can be so wrong about people. What a shame.
rplat on September 11, 2007 at 4:15 PM
low blowww
lets keep it above the belt people
ernesto on September 11, 2007 at 4:23 PM
locomotivebreath1901 on September 11, 2007 at 3:56 PM
It’s the open society / new world order thing where money trumps everything, corporations vote with money under the table to politicians and pesky laws, borders, and voters can be bypassed. They live in a world where business outweighs the desires of “we the people”, where George Soros owns a huge amount of Haliburton stock and moves it’s headquarters to Dubai and orders the Democratic sheeple to stop bleating about how bad Haliburton is because it’s hurting his profits. In short, he’s one of the people who took over the Democratic Party years ago and is trying to destroy the Republican Party today.
Buzzy on September 11, 2007 at 4:24 PM
Powell – “America could not survive without immigration.”
Bravo Sierra!!!
He sounds like Rudolf.
How did he ever get to be a General?
Probably by being the “Perfumed Prince” as they called him in the Pentagon.
MB4 on September 11, 2007 at 4:25 PM
Colin must be lonely, he knows that if he gets in line to kiss the new masters of the universes’ a$$es he might get a chance at one of the recent administration job openings, since we know that illegal a$$ kissing is a prerequisite for a Bush hire.
After supposedly giving in to overwhelming public demand, where is the promised crackdown on illegal residents, illegal entry and just exactly where the hell is the GD fence?
The ‘nonunion‘ integration of Mexico and America doesn’t seem to have slowed a bit, in fact with Mexican largely uninspected trucks making our highways more crowded and even less safe, integration seems to have picked up a pace.
After American citizens making it crystal clear what it is we expect why are we still getting bait and switch?
Wouldn’t be because we’ve been lied to again, is it?
Nah, couldn’t be that, for the millionth time.
Speakup on September 11, 2007 at 4:26 PM
Aside from the obvious straw man here, this is also galling because by reverting to the traditional open borders description of the debate, he is flatly contradicting the argument the Senate bill pushers used at the climax of the bill fight this year–after years of denying that concern about loose borders was anything but paranoia and xenophobia, suddenly they were telling us that there was no time to put off dealing with aliens already here, we had to get them on to some kind of record now because we have no idea who they are and they could blow at any minute!!!!
Alex K on September 11, 2007 at 4:27 PM
We can open our borders when Mexico agrees to open theirs … and change their immigration policy to allow half of South America in.
darwin on September 11, 2007 at 4:27 PM
I strongly agree with you.
But what the mainstream media, Ted Kennedy, Democrat Party, Lindsey Graham-Amnesty , John Kyl of Arizona, Trent Lott of MS, Mel Martinez of Florida, and the Country-Club, “good ole boys”, Open Borders, amnesty-loving, Republican-in-Name-Only wing of the GOP forget is this:
we as a nation can only accomplish military SUPERIORITY (”feared and respected”) if and only if we have a robust, capitalistic, free market economic system as a strong foundation of our society.
Take away free markets, take away capitalism, take away private investment and destroy personal responsibility & personal initiative, and then replace it with a Socialistic Welfare State, then all of a sudden the economic funding for military superiority drys up really quick.
The point is that America is changing. We are becoming a Third World country slowly over time. Seven amnesties in the recent past, together with the future amnesties with the Democratic Congress (and likely Democrat President) will slowly erode and eventually destroy our free markets. And then we will lose our military superiority really quick.
ColtsFan on September 11, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Powell – “America could not survive without immigration.”
Neither India or China have much immigration and they both seem to be doing just fine now as far as economic growth goes.
Japan is doing pretty well. How much immigration do they have?
MB4 on September 11, 2007 at 4:29 PM
Never liked Powell. Like Rice, the tragectory of his life is another affirmative action case study and one which illustrates that just because someone is black and doesn’t carry a bullhorn to work, doesn’t mean they should be mistaken for a conservative.
jihadwatcher on September 11, 2007 at 4:29 PM
The world’s greatest pretender…
Entelechy on September 11, 2007 at 4:32 PM
Agreed Coltsfan. We are not a great nation because we elect representatives. We are a great nation because we are free and capitalistic.
If we elect people who take away our freedom and capitalism through democratic government, America will cease to be great. . .while still being a democracy.
ThackerAgency on September 11, 2007 at 4:35 PM
If our image was better with people “around the world”, great. However, there would be no “around the world” if they were all here!
Our image was better for helping them “over there”! Mexico and Mexicans have simply gone TOO DAMN FAR. Anyone who does not see that is a complete idiot.
20 Million illegals is an ARMY capable of affecting any economic, political change necessary. I am glad to help them. But they do not even try. Where are the freedom fighters?
Agrippa2k on September 11, 2007 at 4:35 PM
Only the befuddled Bush Administrations (GHW and W.) could appoint a total mediocrity like Colin Powell to such high positions. Powell was never loyal to his bosses and was never a Republican.
Hilts on September 11, 2007 at 4:36 PM
It is all Perot fault. He confused everyone about NAFTA. He was right, but shortsighted. The very thing that he warned about happened anyway, but the jobs went to China. Now is that better or worse?
Thanks to his hysterics, conservatives and Republicans were hands off in Mexico and the whole think collapsed. I remember when I could buy TVs made in Mexico.
Democrats and Liberals ruined every potential in Mexico, and here we are, with a failed state on our doorstep.
Agrippa2k on September 11, 2007 at 4:42 PM
And to think some were ga ga over this guy.
KBird on September 11, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Imagine this man as President with this sort of scrambled thought process.
First, he says …
Then he follows that by saying …
He’s absolutely correct that the answer is “no” when he asks … “But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system?
But is he too blind to realize that the “American way of life” and our “political system” is being changed drastically BECAUSE we have so many immigrants who do not share our philosophy, morals, and “vision?” Massive immigration and lack of desire to assimilate IS the single greatest cause of change to our way of life.
Gregor on September 11, 2007 at 5:09 PM
Aww man… Powell used to be one of my favorite role models as a kid. Poopey.
BadgerHawk on September 11, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Is he insane?
Now, I’ll admit I am softer towards the immigration issue more than my “fellow pundits” who comment here, but opening our borders to everyone would be national suicide!!!
Everyone includes the good and the bad, and we need to SECURE our borders lest we find ourselves looking like Iraq with suicide bombings on Monday and “neighborhood cleansings” on Thursday.
I swear, if I don’t see a presidential candidate find a REAL solution for our borders by 2008, I’m leaving the US of A for good.
I’d rather be in a slightly more hostile nation that understands the concept of guarding its citizens then suffer from the stupidity of federal politicians.
Aaaaggggghhhhh!!!!!!!
Darnell Clayton on September 11, 2007 at 5:25 PM
True, but a hundred million Mexican nationals in control of the system can. That is our real threat here Einstein!!!!
Jeez
conservnut on September 11, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Powell worked in the present administration four years.
You don’t think he fit the team goal profile?
Speakup on September 11, 2007 at 5:25 PM
No kidding, I remember hoping Bush would choose him as his running mate. Thank God that didn’t happen, we might have had a White House trying to push through ammnes…..Never Mind.
conservnut on September 11, 2007 at 5:27 PM
On immigration issues there’s no doubt, although if Powell was in charge I suspect he would be doing a lot more Muslim a$$ kissing.
Gregor on September 11, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Every few months or so Colin Powell says or does something controversial to get himself back in the news and justify the fee some idiot is willing to pay to hear one of his brilliantly silly speeches.
This week’s “open borders” diatribe is his way of saying my calender is open, in case some rich Latino want to throw some coins my way…
RMR on September 11, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Colon Powell;
Sounds like something that you go to a proctologist for.
Dang but he is an embarrassment.
LegendHasIt on September 11, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Powell used to be one of my favs too. But after watching him operate o’er these past few years, most recently his role in Armitage-Libby affair, I see him now as a common everyday snake.
Great picture, by the way.
petefrt on September 11, 2007 at 6:23 PM
So much for his Commissioning Oath as an Officer in the US Army to defend against all enemies foreign and domestic while protecting and defending the constitution of the United States of America. Can’t believe he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Illegal invaders helping the economy while vastly increasing violent crime, rape, murder, child rape, and many other felons most American’s just won’t do. He has just made himself irrelevant in the political landscape. I guess he will be running for POTUS with the rest of Surrendercrats.
KC-135A on September 11, 2007 at 6:37 PM
To think that a lot of conservatives looked at him as a possible presidential candidate ? Scary.
SIJ6141 on September 11, 2007 at 6:39 PM
If you had taken the time to read the entire interview you would have seen he is not interested in elective office.
Kind of sad to see so many willing to toss a good man over the side and question his patriotism because he has a different opinion about immigration. Comments about his abilities as an officer or how he made it to the top of the military hierarchy due to his color are out of order in my opinion, but do illustrate why so many black voters are less than enthusiastic about switching parties.
Bradky on September 11, 2007 at 6:45 PM
This guy is so full of crap. The only thing people want is the US to get taken down because a) they’re jealous or b) we’re standing in the way of some tyrant or dictator.
darwin on September 11, 2007 at 6:45 PM
AP, if you want some comment volume, you’ll have to stop sucking all the air out of the room.
Nothing left to say, except … heh.
Jaibones on September 11, 2007 at 7:01 PM
Brad, we disagree on this one. Here’s what I would have respected more in him:
1. He was for ending the first Iraq war in short order. He could have been against this one and not pretended.
2. He could have switched parties and be done with.
I loved his biography and thought highly of him. He lost all credibility with his ‘games’, which he continues to play. He also earns way too much (not only from the lecturns) to enter politics.
Entelechy on September 11, 2007 at 7:12 PM
Entelechy,
On your 2 points I would agree. On the observation about games, according to the interview he told the president what his views were. Not sure what games you are referring to.
But the thing that is irking me from some of the comments is that all of a sudden is a sell out, made it to the top solely because of skin color, etc.
regards,
Brad
Bradky on September 11, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Brad, I don’t agree with those commenters. I believe he worked hard and got where he got by persisting and working, rather than by studying. It’s possible that his skin color helped in the times he functioned but I don’t hold it against him.
I deplore his poor performance in handling the foreign ministers of Germany/France ahead of the Iraq war. Dominique de Villepin ran all over him and he showed no fortitude to set him straight. Villepin told him that he’s with us and then stood him up and announced publicly that they were not joining us, while Powell was waiting to have lunch with him, seeing Villepin on TV rambling against the U.S.
His performance at the U.N. was deplorable, and his restrained or hidden opposition to Mr. Bush the same. He should have resigned in protest, as just one strong option, if nothing else worked.
To this day he ‘plays’ under the radar for politics and that’s the only thing, and major item, I hold against him.
I still appreciate his service in the military and to our country.
Entelechy on September 11, 2007 at 8:35 PM
Ah, Brad, forgot the regards – please forgive :)
Entelechy on September 11, 2007 at 8:35 PM
I used to have a high regard for GEN Powell, until it came out that he had known all along about Armitage in the Plame affair and had never told his boss (The President). Then it occurred to me: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. If the fifty-something Powell had pulled this stunt on the President, how many of his previous superiors did he quietly backstab and ruin on his way to the top?
If I was writing a biography of the man, I would go back and look at the careers of the superiors he worked for in the Army, and how they fared during and after Powell had come and gone from their units.
As far as his race, no, I do not think he was “affirmative-actioned” up. He is too charismatic, too nice in person, too good an office politician for that charge to stand. And I do not fault him for not exposing himself and his wife to the kind of mud and crud politicians have to deal with as a matter of daily course.
Of course, if he did run, he’d either have to change party or move to California.
Lancer on September 11, 2007 at 9:06 PM
I hope he converts to Islam.
He’s already borderline insane.
Why not go whole hog?
profitsbeard on September 11, 2007 at 9:42 PM
Sorry Jailbones, that’s my job.
Signed, AP ;)
Mcguyver on September 11, 2007 at 10:11 PM
I know the feeling buddy and I’ve thought about it long and hard, but I believe it’s my duty towards future generations to stay here and help make it work. Because if we give up now, future civilizations will look back at us pussy futzahs and wonder why…. why we threw in the towel just when we were at the cusp of real change.
I really want you to rethink this in light of future generations.
Please respond, as I would like to discuss this with you.
Mcguyver on September 11, 2007 at 10:21 PM
You are wrong:
Let’s keep this simple; Allowing Rosa Parks to sit anywhere on the bus is Equal Opportunity.
Telling the bus driver he has to allow one (1) black person on the bus for every ten (10) white people is affirmative action.
Affirmative action didn’t make black people capable of going to college, better themselves and move up in the world, equal opportunity did.
Mcguyver on September 11, 2007 at 10:33 PM
I never thought you agreed with those commenters I mentioned. It would be sooo much better for the GOP if there were more thoughtful analysises such as yours and Lancer’s at 9:06 p.m.
Until the majority of the base begins to address issues in that fashion, there is little real chance the moderate democrats (or republicans at times) will be inclined to go with a GOP nominee in the general election.
Six years ago the country came together in an unprecedented way, party affiliation and ethnic background didn’t matter.
Is it so terribly wrong or naive to think that most of our fellow citizens still feel as strongly about OUR country? People are won over by appeals to what they have in common with a basic premise that both want nothing but good for the country.
IMHO whichever “base” gets this first will be the one that will do well next November.
best regards,
Bradky on September 11, 2007 at 10:35 PM
And we’re going to have that while also letting in everyone who ignores that policy… how?
Somehow having “optional” rules doesn’t sound much like rules… and optional policies never work. Odd that someone with a background in Politics and the Military would believe that an optional set of rules is sufficient to deal with people.
Unless his “policy” is “do whatever you want”; making it optional means it’s stupid, pointless, and useless.
Don’t believe me? All you employers, give your workers “optional” work instead of assigned work; and of course promise that this won’t be part of any evaluation and no consequences will come from missing “optional” deadlines.
And let me know the company ticker symbol first, I’ve got some spare cash to make easy money on a short.
Now Brad might see this as one issue, but it’s a pretty disconcerting viewpoint to have… if you think rules can be optional; then how can you be expected to make anything anywhere in the real world actually function?
gekkobear on September 12, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Needing a sound policy doesn’t mean having differing sets of rules. I think in this instance he supported the immigration bill, which did make allowances for illegals to self identify and step to the back of the line so to speak.
But too many people decided to use fearmongering tactics to have it killed. And how exactly has our security been improved or the flow of illegals stemmed?
You seem to be drawing an analogy with work which is not the same. If you think that illegals should be rounded up and deported because they are all lawbreakers by definition that is your opinion. The fact that they have broken the law is not in dispute. The fact that rounding up 12 million illegals in 40 states is a herculean task that will bleed scarce money that should be used in the war on terror is another. Crossing the border is a misdemeanor offense, being able to have an “anchor baby” is a constitutional issue. Getting a traffic ticket puts you in the same category as an illegal in terms of breaking the law. Being unwilling to start the process for amending the constitution and trying to bypass it with rules and procedures that are unconstitutional is the same strategy the far left uses to make social policy such as gay marriage.
Where exactly does Powell say we need to have multiple sets of rules anyway?
Bradky on September 12, 2007 at 6:20 AM
I just added his name to my list of treasonists/traitors.
Ugh…
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on September 12, 2007 at 10:42 AM
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