Powell, after reservations, says he’s OK with detainee bill

[sabra]

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2006/10/04/mn/01mnstate1004.txt

Powell, after reservations, says he’s OK with detainee bill

MINNEAPOLIS — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday he was satisfied that a congressional bill dealing with the treatment of terror suspects honors the Geneva Conventions.

Powell recently criticized a Bush administration plan to redefine the conventions — which set international standards on prisoner treatment — saying he feared it could cause the world “to doubt the moral basis” of America’s fight against terror.

Those comments supported maverick Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Warner, whose opposition forced the administration to alter its proposal before a deal was reached. The measure passed by Congress prohibits the worst abuses of detainees, including rape and biological experiments, while allowing other tough tactics determined by the president.

Asked about the bill during a speech at the University of Minnesota, Powell said he’s confident it will ensure the humane treatment of detainees. “We can do all the interrogating we want inside the Geneva Conventions,” he said.

Powell said he knew his reservations — revealed in a letter to McCain — would be controversial, “but I believe it strongly.”

[shadowknows69]

1. Colin get an anthrax letter?

n/t

[acmavm]

5. Nope. True colors.

[pooja]

2. What kind of dirt are they holding on his head. n/t

[aquart]

3. What useless pontificating hypocritical lumps they are.

[Solly Mack]

4. Someone tell Colin he too could be charged for war crimes?

For his support of Bush policy while a cabinet member??

So now it's A-OK? And he better pretend like no crimes are being committed or have been committed, or he could face charges as well?

Some lawyer sit Colin down and explain the facts of life to him? That if Bush goes down, Colin goes down as well?

Or is it just a case of Powell playing his usual role...the respectable (cough cough) former General voicing his concern and saying there needs to be a change...and now the "compromise" by McPain, Grim and Waterboarder has the Powell seal of approval..so how bad can it be?

[endarkenment]

6. Again proving that he is a shameless toady. nt.

[leesa]

7. I'll never forget seeing this guy 'entertainin' his superiors at some

function. It was like an old 1920s comedy routine. I fully expected him to start tap dancing for them. This man has no self respect. Course it was after he lied to the UN for them, so why should he have any self respect.

[indepat]

8. Auchtung, herr Powell

[kurth]

9. Powell: "Come to think of it, Iraq had WMDs too!"

"The President is always right."

[Kagemusha]

10. Shorter Powell: "The bill doesn't actually REQUIRE us to torture."

After all, we can do all the interrogating we want inside the Geneva Conventions. And, he did not add, we can do all the interrogating we want OUTSIDE the Geneva Conventions, too. He's apparently convinced himself that the government won't go there now that it's been given legal authority to do so at its own discretion.

[Demit]

11. I don't ever want to hear what he has to say ever again. His credibility,

which was plummeting rapidly in my estimation, has now reached its final resting place—zero.

[flordehinojos]

12. more bush ass kissing by powell !!!!!!!!!

[gratuitous]

13. Powell confident of humane treatment

And that's based on what, exactly, Mr. Powell? The same voices in your head that told you Saddam was running mobile weapons labs around Iraq? Because those voices were lying then and they're lying now, you delusional, despicable, lump of sycophancy. But at least now you can sit in massah's house again as the Yankees are coming up the long driveway even now.

[uppityperson]

14. Alternate universe headline"Powell detained at Gitmo for supporting terror

Sometimes a person has to do what they have to do. Amazing what fear can make a person do, isn't it?

[BattyDem]

15. You flushed your career and reputation down the toilet for BushCo!

You served with honor, but ended up as a disgrace. Crawl back under your rock! :grr:

[AlCzervik]

16. theres the enabler i remember!

[hatrack]

17. Buh-bye.

Asshat.


Oh, I'm sorry, that should be "General Asshat", shouldn't it?