Blot on Record?

With the death of Colin Powell, the phrase “he only suffered one major blot on his career”. That blot is the time he testified before congress that ‘weapons of mass destruction’ were harbored by Iraq and military action was necessary to combat the threat.

OK. Yes, that was a blot on Powell’s career, his reputation. After all, it was his reputation that sold that point of view and off we went into another wasteful war with little to show for it. A trillion dollars here, a trillion there, what does it matter?

But I don’t hold that against Colin Powell. Why? Because his entire life’s story is much more than one mistake.

We all make mistakes. Some huge, some tiny. All count in the end, but the overwhelming pulse of a person’s life is the sum of the good as well. Powell’s lifetime score is very positive.

The blame game takes a toll we can ill afford, both nationally and globally. Mistakes happen. We make judgments that are not fully supported by the facts. Of course, all facts are not known usually when we do make decisions; that is life. That is the risk we all take when making decisions or uttering something we wish later we had not said. In real time there are no edits.

Heroes slip up from time to time. Regrets are part of all biographies. Making decisions always comes with risks. Unintended consequences tend to appear long after a key decision is made. There is no going back, only the present to repair the damage as it is noticed.

Colin Powell’s life is a monument to calm thinking, applied logic, and a commitment to be involved in the important matters of life. He dedicated his life to public service to his nation. He was not a politician and avoided entreaties to become one. He knew deep down he could not be a politician. Yes, he served politicians, but observed what they had to contend with; it wasn’t for him, and he said no quickly.

We are stronger for that. Powell continued to provide perspective, caution and advice that helped us navigate dangerous times. We enter the future without his guidance and that is a scary thought.

We can hope that other ‘Colins’ are among us and ready to step forward to serve. With distinction. As he did.

October 22, 2021