Yglesias: Why Colin Powell’s foundation treated differently than Clinton’s
Colin Powell was considered a “good guy” without a hint of scandal. The press has always been suspicious of the Clintons, and so anything they do is suspect.
Click here for reuse options!…Colin Powell launched a charity. Named America’s Promise, it’s built around the theme of Five Promises to America’s children. And while I’ve never heard it praised as a particularly cost-effective way to help humanity by effective altruists, it was surely a reasonably good cause for a famous and politically popular man to dedicate himself to.
…it kept raking in donations from corporate America. Ken Lay, the chair of Enron, was a big donor. He also backed a literacy-related charity that was founded by the then-president’s mother. The US Department of State, at the time Powell was secretary, went to bat for Enron in a dispute the company was having with the Indian government.
Did Lay or any other Enron official attempt to use their connections with Alma Powell (or Barbara Bush, for that matter) to help secure access to State Department personnel in order to voice these concerns? Did any other donors to America’s Promise?
…Because Colin Powell did not have the reputation in the mid- to late ’90s of being a corrupt or shady character, his decision to launch a charity in 1997 was considered laudable. Nobody would deny that the purpose of the charity was, in part, to keep his name in the spotlight and keep his options open for future political office. Nor would anybody deny that this wasn’t exactly a case of Powell having super-relevant expertise. What he had to offer was basically celebrity and his good name. By supporting Powell’s charity, your company could participate in Powell’s halo.
Copyright 2016 Liberaland
13 responses to Yglesias: Why Colin Powell’s foundation treated differently than Clinton’s
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anothertoothpick August 30th, 2016 at 10:34
The answer to that question if fairly obvious to me.
You can thank the right wing hate machine.
The lies always start at the Drudge Report.
Then piled on by fox entertainment.
Then they bring in experts like Rudy, Sarah, to display what lies and stupid people actually look like.
And by this time the lies become fact and part of the American fabric.
A recent poll revealed that 40% of the trump dummies believe that A.C.O.R.N. is going to steal the election from trump.
mistlesuede August 30th, 2016 at 12:30
And 0% know that Russia is already hacking into our voters roles and computer programs used for voting. I am more than terrified by this.
fahvel August 30th, 2016 at 13:14
and of course the usa never does any international hacking – just the nsa spying on their own people indiscriminately.
mistlesuede August 30th, 2016 at 13:25
So you are a communist sympathizer?
When you have proof that we have interfered in Russian elections by these means, maybe we could have a serious conversation.
anothertoothpick August 30th, 2016 at 14:17
I’m with you!
mistlesuede August 31st, 2016 at 00:16
TU.
kita123 August 30th, 2016 at 10:46
Yea, for sure Colin Powell is being treated different than Hillary Clinton when it comes to Charities and Pay to Play accusations. However she can’t use this to defend her work because it’s Colin Powell.
anothertoothpick August 30th, 2016 at 10:52
The vast majority of the US citizens have no clue about the suspicions of Powell’s charity.
I wonder why.
mistlesuede August 30th, 2016 at 12:31
Every single day there is more proof that the right has done an effective job of labeling the media “liberal” and just how enormous and dangerous that lie and misinformation really is.
The Original Just Me August 30th, 2016 at 14:29
It’s “”””YUGE”””” !
OldLefty August 30th, 2016 at 13:12
The funny thing is, while Colin Powell has his own “trust” issues;
-My Lai
-Powell v Schwarzkopf in the first Gulf war
-Making the case for the war on Iraq, “a “painful” “blot” on his career.”…
I don’t think he should be raked over the coals any more than Hillary (or maybe visa a versa), but somehow the media feels there can be no such questions asked of Sec Powell, but it’s almost a middle school herd like mentality with the Clintons;
“OMG! Buffy, Muffy, Biff and ALL the cool kids hate the Clintons!”
I also think that because Powell was always the “good solider”, doing the bidding of his higher ups, he was never criticized.
No one suggested that he resign rather than give the Iraq presentation.
Meanwhile,
The Sec State MAY or may not have some influence over the POTUS, but the Speaker runs the House from which ALL spending bills originate.
– Ryan hosts major donor retreat in Wyoming
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/paul-ryan-republican-donors-227346
And those guys are not making donations to HIV medications and seeds in Africa.
fahvel August 30th, 2016 at 13:13
wasn’t powell the general who fully fell for the bush line with a white board and military explanation?
The Original Just Me August 30th, 2016 at 14:28
Republicans are the Only Ones that complain, Complain, COMPLAIN. Powell is a Republican so they don’t complain about him. But The Clinton’s are Democrats so they are on target for the Republican Hatred and Complaints.