WP: Bush Detainee Plan Adds to World Doubts Of U.S., Powell Says

[DeepModem Mom]

Bush Detainee Plan Adds to World Doubts Of U.S., Powell Says
Ex-Secretary of State Defends Conventions
By Karen DeYoung and Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 19, 2006; Page A04


Colin L. Powell said other nations are questioning whether the United States is following its moral code. (Evan Vucci - AP)

Former secretary of state Colin L. Powell said yesterday that he decided to publicly oppose the Bush administration's proposed rules for the treatment of terrorism suspects in part because the plan would add to growing doubts about whether the United States adheres to its own moral code.

"If you just look at how we are perceived in the world and the kind of criticism we have taken over Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and renditions," Powell said in an interview, "whether we believe it or not, people are now starting to question whether we're following our own high standards."

Powell, elaborating on a position first expressed last week in a letter to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), also argued that the administration's plan to "clarify" U.S. obligations under the Geneva Conventions would set a precedent for other nations that would endanger U.S. troops.

"Suppose North Korea or somebody else wants to redefine or 'clarify' " Geneva Conventions provisions prohibiting "outrages against personal dignity" and "humiliating and degrading treatment" of prisoners, he said.

Powell's opposition marks a rare public breach with the administration he left 20 months ago. As secretary of state, he repeatedly clashed privately with Vice President Cheney and others who had more hard-line foreign policy views. But since leaving office he has declined nearly all opportunities to publicly criticize even those policies he opposed internally....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801414.html?nav=hcmodule

[GetTheRightVote]

1. Thank God that Powel is taking this stand, it makes a difference I am sure

:kick:

[Erika]

2. Maybe Powell is finally standing up to W's BS

and telling him to knock it off. About time.

[pinniped]

3. It doesn't matter. This is a job for image polisher Hughes.

taken over Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and renditions," Powell said in an interview, "whether we believe it or not, people are now starting to question whether we're following our own high standards."

[Eugene]

4. Colin Powell is absolutely right but he certainly took long enough

to find his voice. He has his own case to answer
for going along with BushCo as long as he has.

[calimary]

5. You're a little LATE, Colin.

That he's laid so low for so long just completely frosts me. A memo to a prominent senator and a couple of milquetoast comments after the abominations we've suffered through and what bush would like to do to our Constitution - none of that is enough to save your soul, Colin. I'm not impressed. Too little, too late. Powell could be a tower of strength and truth, and defiance against the bush trainwreck. And he disappoints - yet again.

[saigon68]

9. COLON BOWEL according to Harry Belafonte

CNN LARRY KING LIVE

http://www.blackcommentator.com/14_belafonte.html

Interview with Harry Belafonte

Aired October 15, 2002 - 21:00 ET

HARRY BELAFONTE, ACTIVIST: There's an old saying in the days of slavery. There are those slaves who lived on the plantation, and there were those slaves who lived in the house. You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master. Colin Powell was permitted to come into the house of the master.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

KING: All right, Harry, what did you mean?

BELAFONTE: First of all, let me hasten to say, Larry, that this was never meant to be a personal attack on Colin Powell's character.

[Felinity]

12. Only one way for him to redeem himself

Sing loud. Sing long. Sing unceasingly.

[rodeodance]

6. Condi R. dismissed this new article on the morning talk shows today--and

instead said something about how people the world over want to come to the US (flowery apprasial).

[rodeodance]

7. i am glad he is speaking up at this critical time.

[lonestarnot]

10. Beaver is on whistling through her teeth again.

[Felinity]

11. People all over the world would like to see her and

her pals in Le Hague.

[Supersedeas]

14. lemme guess--not one iota of scepticism or follow-up from morning whores

[bobthedrummer]

8. Colin Powell's history with Republicans is shameful and criminal.

It's encouraging that he has found his voice, yet he has a lot to account for.

Behind Colin Powell's Legend: Part 2
by Robert Parry and Norman Solomon
12-19-2000

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2000/121900a.html

[Disturbed]

13. Even though Powell has been a Weasle throughout his

career, many Americans still respect him. They are ingorant of his past complicity with the RW regarding atrocities in Vietnam and his lies at the UN. Powell has been a great disappointment for America and his integrity is highly over rated. In spite of that, it is still important that he is speaking out now.

[Supersedeas]

21. redemption begins with baby steps -- let's hope some integrity continues

to flicker from within

[ClintonTyree]

15. How DARE Powell think!

If Bush wanted Powell's opinion he'd give it to him. NOBODY crosses Little Boots and his tirade last week was just a glimpse of what happens should they do so. We saw Bush burst a blood vessel in front of the White House Press Corps. Imagine what went on behind closed doors? :argh: I'm sure there were a few things flying around the Oval Office and I wouldn't doubt Barney was one of them, considering Bush's history with small animals.

Powell should have blown the whistle on those clowns a long time ago. Where the hell has his conscience been until now?

[PegDAC]

17. Did you hear

Keith Olbermann's comment on *'s reaction to Powell's letter? Another gem. Video is on Crooks and Liars.

[porkrind]

16. NEWS FLASH: Lying to the U.N. also adds to world doubts of U.S.

Of course this is all election season posturing, but jeez Powell, why don't you crawl back under your rock! After shamelessly lying to the U.N. to start a war, now you want to take the high ground? You and McCain have zero credibility. You can't pin this all on B*sh, he was YOUR war president, and you, McCain, and all republicans lined up with him. Beltway insiders, some D's, mostly R's, OWN this shame. It's all on you, all of it.

[Time for change]

18. I have mixed feelings about Powell for this

On the one hand, it's very good to see him demonstrate evidence of a conscience, and I assume that it must have taken some courage for him to do this.

But on the other hand he helped Bush get elected twice (I doubt that Bush would have been elected either time without his help), and he was a major player in paving the way to acceptance of the Iraq invasion, even though he must have known full well that the rationalizations he was presenting to the UN and to the US public were LIES.

So, he's trying to make amends now, but for the most part it's too little too late - though not entirely.

[The Stranger]

19. Fuck the "perception" by the rest of the world -- its the TRUTH.

Why always the lying, falsifying, equivocating? What the rest of the world "perceives" is the fucking truth.

[johnlal]

20. Its about time somebody spoke up.

Now, I wish somebody with credibility and integrity would speak up.