Did you know this about Colin Powel

Somewhat true - but skewed. Check the below source.

Actually the question that George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury. asked Powell at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland was if he felt the U.S and its allies had given due consideration to the use of "soft power" - promulgating moral and democratic values as a means of achieving progress towards international peace and stability, basically - versus the "hard power" of military force.

Powell then had a lengthy response, this being just one segment of it (with different words). Below is the entire answer:

"There is nothing in American experience or in American political life or in our culture that suggests we want to use hard power. But what we have found over the decades is that unless you do have hard power -- and here I think you're referring to military power -- then sometimes you are faced with situations that you can't deal with.

I mean, it was not soft power that freed Europe. It was hard power. And what followed immediately after hard power? Did the United States ask for dominion over a single nation in Europe? No. Soft power came in the Marshall Plan. Soft power came with American GIs who put their weapons down once the war was over and helped all those nations rebuild. We did the same thing in Japan.

"So our record of living our values and letting our values be an inspiration to others I think is clear. And I don't think I have anything to be ashamed of or apologize for with respect to what America has done for the world. [Applause.]

"We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we've done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in, and otherwise we have returned home to seek our own, you know, to seek our own lives in peace, to live our own lives in peace. But there comes a time when soft power or talking with evil will not work where, unfortunately, hard power is the only thing that works."

I heard that and I thought it was a very true and right thing to say. It seems that there are a ton of people out there (many on YA) that don't have a clue as to the definition of what an Empire is.

I believe Colin Powel today could of been the Republican, "great black hope" had he stood up to Dick & W when they were planning there Iraq adventure.

I feel sorry for Colin Powell, having to correct Bush on numerous occasions.

Very moving.

Was this statement made while Powell was still toeing the line for the Bushies or after he smartened up?

Powell is a fine gentlemen what a great answer

I wish Colin Powell was running.

"It is a fine thing to fight for our freedom; it is a far sight finer to fight for another man's".

- - - Mark Twain - - -

You probably aren't getting the point. The point is "no" we aren't "empire building" as we ask for nothing in return except respect for our soldiers.

Hi.

What a shame that he was replaced by Condy Rice, she isn´t up to the job :-(