The Hypocrisy of General Colin Powell

I watched the CNN interview with General Colin Powell today, and was personally disappointed and irritated with his comments. By way of background, I am retired from the Air Force, have long admired Gen Powell for his accomplishments and leadership, and met him in person at his book-signing in the Pentagon. Therein lies my irritation with his perspective on the Republican Party.

He said that Governor Palin "had pushed the Party more to the Right, and had a somewhat polarizing effect". Really? Palin espoused family values and a traditional conservative line that is part of the Republican ideology. Who did she polarize? Blacks? Hispanics? Asians? I doubt it, as these three groups always overwhelmingly vote for Democrats, regardless of their ideology.

Another comment of his dealt with Palin's espousal of "small town values". Powell went on to say that "most of us don't live in small towns", and that he was raised in the South Bronx. What's his point? If you watch the interview on YouTube, it's obvious that her remark centered on the average person that doesn't live in a metropolitan area. Powell seemed to take umbrage with that, almost deriding her remark. If he doesn't believe in small town values, then how important are Iowa and New Hampshire in the campaign scheme of things?

He went on to chastise the Repubs for their West Virginia campaign tactic, calling it "polarizing" (once again) and a tactic that "backfired". Doesn't Powell think that the nomination of Obama, the most Liberal Senator on record, is polarizing in itself? Doesn't he think that the Dems forcing the gay agenda on the country is polarizing? Doesn't he think the Nanny State created by Liberal Dems is atrociously polarizing? The good General seems to have a monocular perspective when it comes to American politics.

On another topic, he says the fabric of this country is changing, citing a New York Times article that states the current majority (read: White) in the U.S. will be the minority within twenty years. He therefore says the Republican Party needs to change its ways and start appealing to Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Excuse me, sir, that's what the Democratic Party does. It accomplishes it by an ideology that inculcates socialism in every sphere, forcing a mindset upon minorities that only the Dems (Big Brother) can look out for their interests, provide them the welfare, benefits, etc., without having to work for them. In contrast, the Repubs normally operate on a person being self-sufficient, independent, and self-motivating. If anyone should understand that, General Powell should - he's a major success story in that regard.

He wants the GOP to listen to the hearts and minds of Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, to find out what they need and not force the dogma of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps". Is he serious? Go to any inner city ghetto and see how that works. The social fabric of the 'hood is a total mess. Bill Cosby spoke the truth and got blasted because of it.

His final remark was that "the Party has to stop shouting at the world and take a hard look at itself". Shouting at the world? I can't believe I heard him say this. If it's what I think, meaning the war on radical Islam, then he should turn in his four stars and his uniform. If anyone should understand what we are facing on a global level, he should. Frankly, I could care less what Europe thinks of us, and the rest of the third-world countries for that matter.

I am totally disappointed with Gen Powell's statements. They are hypocritical and disingenuous.