Powell’s Tribute to Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan

Hello, my name is Colin Powell, and I’m a recovering cabinet member of the Cheney/Bush Administration.  I’m here today to explain why I support Barack Obama for the next President of the United States.

First, let me say, that my pre-war speech to the United Nations accusing Iraq of harboring weapons of mass destruction was a “blot” on my record.

Secondly, let me say this to those who think I vote based on the color of my skin: If my support was racial, I would have given it to Obama long ago.

I watched Mr. Obama, “particularly in recent weeks,” Powell said, “and he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge . . . in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor.”

“I think he is a transformational figure,” Powell added. “He is a new generation coming … onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I’ll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama.”

Here are more of Colin Powell’s concerns expressed in his own words:

1. “McCain is unsure and lacks a grasp of the Economic Crisis.”

2.  “Palin is not ready. All villages have values…I don’t believe she’s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president.”

3.  The Republican Party “has moved further to the right and Palin indicates this shift.”

4 “It [the negativity of McCain's campaign] troubled me…what they’re trying to connect [Obama] to is some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that’s inappropriate.”

5.  “This business, for example, of the congressman from Minnesota [Bachmann]….We have got to stop this kind of nonsense and pull ourselves together and remember that our great strength is in our unity and our diversity.” (Follow this link to Chris Mathews, Hardball, for more info on Bachmann)

6.  “I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that’s what we’d be looking at in a McCain administration.”

7. “Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?  Is there something wrong with some seven year old Muslim kid wanting to be President?”

And then, folks, General Powell gave us this example:

“And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son’s grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards–Purple Heart, Bronze Star–showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn’t have a Christian cross, it didn’t have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life.”

NJ Soldier Dies in Iraq by Claire Heininger posted in The Star-Ledger Aug 9, 2007

Kareem Khan: Age 20  Home town: Manahawkin

Circumstances: He and three other soldiers died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

A 20-year-old Ocean County man has died in Iraq, officials said today.
Army Spc. Kareem R. Khan of Manahawkin was killed Aug. 6 in Baqubah, according to the Department of Defense. He and three other soldiers died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

A most moving part of the statement Colin Powell gave on Meet The Press endorsing Barack Obama for president centered on one grave in Arlington Cemetary. It was the grave of a young man from New Jersey who was so moved by the tragedy and shock of Sept. 11, 2001, when he was just a boy, that he enlisted in the Army as soon as he could: Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan.

Khan liked video games, the Dallas Cowboys and orange Starbust candies.