GP2,

Yes, Powell is on my former “good guy” list. Unlike Bush and Cheny - who never appeared to be reliable sources of information from well before the 2000 election - Powell had integrity to spare. I had absolutely never read nor heard of a single negative attribute about the man. So when he made his presentation to the UN regarding the presence of WMD in Iraq and the imminent threat they represented, I considered that information more believable than anything provided by any other administration representative. It turns out he sold a position that turned out wasn’t supported by the information available to him. Bright people like Powell don’t make those kinds of errors. He never would have risen to his previous positions if he had. Powell spent his integrity in my book, and that’s why I deleted him from my good guy list. His action at the UN was more in keeping with being an administration political hack, unfortunately. I really, really, respected him a lot, quite independent of his association with Bush, and going back to Gulf War I, even though his positions on issues didn’t always reflect my own. And I didn’t call him an idiot or a bad man. Why do you insist on reading in your own meanings that are not present in my statements? (Are your own meanings more interesting to you?) Does my logic seem shallow to you still?

Regarding what’s the boss supposed to do? Admitting making a mistake would be an appropriate first step toward developing integrity. But Bush just doesn’t come across as an integrity kind of guy. It doesn’t seem to be one of his interests. Too bad, because personal integrity is so presidential.

Your example speech for our fearless leader would at least be his first that contained more elements of truth than of lies. I’d give him a B+ if he said it.

Aunty,

You go, girl! That speech is a winner. As good a guy as Al likely is (at least until he became a presidential candidate 4 years ago), he wouldn’t fit the ticket. Now, replace Cheney with McCain (ooh, there’s that personal integrity element so lacking in this administration) - not that John would go for it - and you’d have some formidable publicly appealing political horsepower.

TK,

Freedom does not bring responsibility. People are either given or earn freedom. It is theirs to do with as they please. Now leadership, that incurs responsibility. And responsible leaders lead by example. Hmmm, former AWOL, cocaine user, alcoholic, become business icon using his daddy’s connections, become the President who squanders US goodwill, alienates allies, enriches only the rich - usually at the direct expense of the unrich, and degrading the environment that supports my life and that of all Americans. No wonder I sense a leadership and responsibility void.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.