Mr. Powell damaged his country and ruined his reputation when he aligned himself with the second Bush administration, but his actions before that period were rather reasonable. His actions since deserting Dubya, like this quote from a recent issue of GQ, suggest a return to sanity:

"What is the greatest threat facing us now? People will say it’s terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing?

I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there—ones that we can take advantage of? It should not be just about creating alliances to deal with a guy in a cave in Pakistan. It should be about how do we create institutions that keep the world moving down a path of wealth creation, of increasing respect for human rights, creating democratic institutions, and increasing the efficiency and power of market economies? This is perhaps the most effective way to go after terrorists."

previously on wtg:

• the street: ron paul is the only republican candidate who's not an idiot
• schumer lays it out for bush
• the pentagon has a disturbing relationship with private evangelical groups
• mitt romney is a big fat phony
• the cradle will rock
  

via crooks and liars

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