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?

we need a sound immigration policy.

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?

Entelechy on September 11, 2007 at 8:35 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,

the tragectory of his life is another affirmative action case study
jihadwatcher on September 11, 2007 at 4:29 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

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.

I’m leaving the US of A for good.
Darnell Clayton on September 11, 2007 at 5:25 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.

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

Sorry Jailbones, that’s my job.
Signed, AP ;)

He’s already borderline insane.

Why not go whole hog?

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.

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.

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

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.

He’s like Geraldo without the intellectual heft.

AllahPundit

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.

“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.”

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.

I guess he will be running for POTUS with the rest of Surrendercrats.

KC-135A on September 11, 2007 at 6:37 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.

Great picture, by the way.

Sounds like something that you go to a proctologist for.

Dang but he is an embarrassment.

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

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.

And to think some were ga ga over this guy.

KBird on September 11, 2007 at 4:57 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.

Imagine this man as President with this sort of scrambled thought process.

Powell worked in the present administration four years.
You don’t think he fit the team goal profile?