Studied history and thought about writing something that was a little less of a paean (great word by the way) but I decided against it.

Off the top of my head, if you look at history, you have everything from the trail of tears to Iran-Contra to the imprisonment of Japanese americans. Yes, many of our presidents have made several (hundreds) decisions that we aren’t proud of. Many cooperations have represented the worst of America to the 3rd world.

So, I would not assume that I know history.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

If u read Bob Woodward’s second book on the bush administration you realize that Powell and Armitage spent a ton of time in the CIA going over the raw data. he threw out many of the more bogus claims.

I admire General Powell. I also understand that he had been in and out of Washington for the past 20 years. He needs to know when he is being used. He thought that he was being hung out to dry which is why he insisted that George Tenet sit right next to him during the presentation.

thanks for your comments.

Mr. Thompson, you forgot to include ‘of all time’ in your above paean.

Your post is full of the American exceptionalism that is used by the Republican cabal to justify torture and military aggression. ie. Its good if we do it.

I think you need to study your history more to understand just where you have gone wrong.

P.S. Please, you are not the envy of developed countries. Third world, yes. Don’t speak for the rest of us.

Just because he’s Republican doesn’t mean he’s a wingnut and a liar. (Remember how he got booed at a convention because he stated his belief in a woman’s right to choose?)