Colin Powell and loyalty

By Ed Lasky

Colin Powell calls for Guantanamo Bay to be closed "this afternoon." Once it is closed, it would be all but impossible to ever reopen and America would lose an invaluable and unique asset in these perilous times that have seen the proliferation of "unlawful combatants" and terror.

Powell also announced that he would not necessarily support a Republican Presidential candidate, despite Republicans having rolled out the red carpet for him during two Presidential Administrations.

He was so loyal to Cap Weinberger (whom he served under when Weinberger was Secretary of Defense) that he appropriated his doctrine regarding force to be used against nations that threaten America and renamed it the Powell Doctrine-a plagiarism that was promoted by the very reporters Powell has empowered with a constant stream of leaks throughout his career.

Perhaps at least we can say that Powell taught his lessons well. His deputy and friend Richard Armitage allowed the nation to be convulsed with the Plame outing, remaining silent while Scooter Libby (who had previously provided him free legal help) was left twisting in the wind.

Update: Powell is giving advice to Barack Obama. From AP:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has sought out former Secretary of State Colin Powell for advice on foreign policy matters.

While Powell served in the administrations of two Republican presidents, he said Sunday it was too early in the 2008 race to say whether he would back the GOP nominee.

"I'm going to support the best person that I can find who will lead this country for the eight years beginning in January of 2009," Powell said.

Powell was secretary of state under President Bush and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman for the first President Bush.