Who cares if General Powell criticized Clinton and Trump?

COL Lee Flemming — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:12:45 -0400

General Powell privately threw the BS flag on our presidential candidates; his thoughts are public now, but do you fault him for speaking his mind to his friends and family?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 2:17 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:17:01 -0400

No one!!

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 16 at 2016 2:17 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:17:20 -0400

I don't fault him at all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Which you don't have to agree with if you don't want to.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Sep 16 at 2016 2:18 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:18:48 -0400

He called it like he saw it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 2:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:30:00 -0400

Seemed like what Secretary Powell was most annoyed with was the Clinton campaign's suggestion that it was all his idea to use a private server and personal email to do SecState business.
As far as his opinions of Trump and Clinton, they seem to conform to the consensus on RP.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 16 at 2016 2:35 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:35:03 -0400

Hell no. Bitch away. That's what makes this country great. I wish we had choices this election like someone with General Powell's abilities. This time we get the standby alternates for the Jerry Springer show.

Response by SGT Robert George made Sep 16 at 2016 2:54 AM

SGT Robert George — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:54:13 -0400

I think its great !!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 5:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 05:44:34 -0400

His thoughts, his feelings and I tend to agree concerning both candidates.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 16 at 2016 6:07 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:07:49 -0400

He is entitled to his opinion. I suspect he is not happy his personal emails were leaked and that is how we learned about it. Powell has his supporters and detractors like most public figures. I think his support of the left has been a major disappointment.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 16 at 2016 6:26 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:26:00 -0400

He has a right to state his opinion like everybody else.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Sep 16 at 2016 6:36 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:36:21 -0400

The only thing that bothers me about General Powell's criticism as opposed to other people, is that he may have been able to do something about it. People have been begging him to run for office for years!

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Sep 16 at 2016 7:09 AM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 07:09:20 -0400

Absolutely not! He has the right to an opinion as much as anyone and I respect his more than either candidate (sigh).

Response by TSgt Craig Crews made Sep 16 at 2016 7:39 AM

TSgt Craig Crews — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 07:39:31 -0400

There is nothing wrong with him stating his opinions. Freedom of speech. I think sometimes folks stay quiet much too long.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 16 at 2016 7:49 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 07:49:24 -0400

I could care less honestly. He can scream his opinions from the rooftops and it is all good.

Response by LTC David Brown made Sep 16 at 2016 7:59 AM

LTC David Brown — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 07:59:52 -0400

I think every one has a right to their opinion. Just remember, texts, e mails, cell phone photos may not be as private as you would like!

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 16 at 2016 8:26 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:26:55 -0400

I would actually see Powell running in their place. Yeah I said that out loud COL Lee Flemming

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 16 at 2016 9:07 AM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:07:22 -0400

He is retired and Is Only voicing his Opinions and Using His 1st Amendment Right of Free Speech

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Sep 16 at 2016 9:21 AM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:21:07 -0400

Pretty sure Freedom of Speech hasn't been struck down (yet) so let the man speak his mind!

Response by SSG Kyle Stromgren made Sep 16 at 2016 9:27 AM

SSG Kyle Stromgren — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:27:49 -0400

He was having a privet conversation by e mail that got hacked not out on the sunday morning circuit

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 16 at 2016 9:39 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:39:19 -0400

I do not care that the General insulted Trump or Clinton. I do care that Trump insulted the General. However, a dingle-berry like Trump insulting General Powell is about the same as a mouse giving crap to a Lion.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 16 at 2016 9:39 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:39:58 -0400

Powell lost credibility with me when he surrendered to the Siren Song of identity politics

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 16 at 2016 9:41 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 09:41:55 -0400

Once a general always a general, but he's been out of the military for so long he's more of a politician now. Does anyone care about a politician criticizing another politician? The military side of him lets the BS meter come out so he should be as free as anyone to comment on that.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 16 at 2016 10:01 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:01:11 -0400

I do not care in the least that he did this...it is his right to do so COL Lee Flemming

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 16 at 2016 10:11 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:11:12 -0400

COL Lee Flemming No, he has the right to express his opinions.

What is interesting (but not unexpected) is that the mainstream news media highlighted his comments/criticism of Donald Trump, while downplaying his comments/criticism about Hillary and Bill Clinton

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 10:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:12:31 -0400

He has a first amendment right too. He has a right to privacy and what was said behind closed doors should have stayed that way.

That said, it's a safe assumption to note that anything you say on the internet isn't safe. The Internet is the Wild West.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 16 at 2016 10:27 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:27:13 -0400

Let me check my GiveAShitOmeter. Needle hasn't moved. Funny thing is I never was critical or snippy in any email, even now. eShit can be dug up pretty much at will. When I was really torqued, it's always more rewarding to get in the problem child's face. Or buy a ticket and watch my SEL massage away. That's my version of speaking softly and carrying a big stick.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Sep 16 at 2016 10:29 AM

SPC Kevin Ford — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:29:30 -0400

He has as much right to express private or public opinions as any other citizen. I'm sure he would have rather that his private comments, remained private, but that's the world we now live in.

Response by PFC Jay Miner made Sep 16 at 2016 10:37 AM

PFC Jay Miner — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:37:57 -0400

Not at all, as it is his right as an American Citizen. I feel that since it was behind closed doors it should have stayed there.....but people have big mouths and you always run the risk of loose lips....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 16 at 2016 10:38 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:38:12 -0400

COL Lee Flemming I am embarrassed for General Powell's sake. We know he has too much class to publicly make comments like that!

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Sep 16 at 2016 10:48 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:48:35 -0400

Last time I checked people could think and say what they want in these here United States. That includes former CJCS and SECSTATES.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 11:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:19:19 -0400

I admire his candor and the fact that he kept it private. Then again, I generally admire GEN Powell.

Response by LTC Stephen B. made Sep 16 at 2016 12:02 PM

LTC Stephen B. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 12:02:10 -0400

I think most people are aware that each candidate has multiple flaws. I never personally put any weight behind any candidates' endorsements, military or otherwise.

Response by LTC Stephen B. made Sep 16 at 2016 12:30 PM

LTC Stephen B. — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 12:30:18 -0400

How can you fault anyone for "speaking his mind to his friends and family"? It's not like he was saying these things in an interview on network TV or a campaign podium. These were his private thoughts and conversations, and his privacy was violated. But since it provides more grist for the mill, each side is going to try to spin it in their favor or at least use it to attack the other side.

I for one can't wait until the election is over and we can get back to the business of hunkering down for another 4 years hoping the system will change when we know it's not about to.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 1:19 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:19:09 -0400

it doesn't bother me at all. For the most part I agree with him. I would vote for him if he ran for sure.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 2:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 14:03:09 -0400

not me LOL

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Sep 16 at 2016 8:11 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 20:11:45 -0400

It was his private Gmail, it's his own opinion. And he exercised it....lol

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 17 at 2016 6:26 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 18:26:03 -0400

He is entitled to express his opinion, doesn't bother me a bit. Would be curious to know how his Volvo collection is doing........media never reports on it.