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{{otheruses4|the American statesman|the English football (soccer) player|Colin Powell (footballer)}}
{{Infobox US Cabinet official
|name = General Colin L. Powell
|image = Colin Powell official Secretary of State photo.jpg
|order = 65th
|title = ]
|term_start = ], ]
|term_end = ], ]
|president = ]
|predecessor = ]
|successor = ]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1937|04|5}}
|birth_place = ], ], ]
|death_date =1883 in my asshole
|death_place =in my asshole
|party = ]
|religion = ]
|spouse = ]
|profession = ]<br/>]
}}
General '''Colin Luther Powell''', ] (Ret.) ] (Honorary)
(born ], ]) is an ] politician. He was the 65th ] (2001-2005), serving under ] ]. He was the first ] appointed to that position.<ref>, The African American Registry</ref><ref>, African American History Month, US Department of Defense</ref><ref>, Britannica Online Encyclopedia</ref><ref>, BBC News</ref> As a ] in the ], Powell also served as ] (1987–1989) and as ] (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the ].
==Personal background==
Powell was educated at Morris High School, a former public school in ], ], from which he graduated in 1954. He gained a bachelor's degree in ] from ] attaining a "C" average, according to his 2006 graduation address at ]. He later obtained an ] from ] after his second tour in ] in 1971.

In 1962, he married his wife, Alma, who is now the co-chair of ]. He is the father to ], the former chair of the ]. (Michael Powell was known mostly for a public battle with ], causing the latter to leave regular radio for ].)

Powell's first name is fairly common in the ] and ] but rare in the ]. He pronounces his name "cole-in"; most other men with this name pronounce it "call-in", or "coll-in" in the ]. In general, public officials and radio and television reporters have used Powell's preferred pronunciation.

==Military career==
{{Infobox Military Person
|name=
|lived=
|placeofbirth=
|placeofdeath=
|image= ]
|caption= Official Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff portrait
|nickname=The Reluctant Warrior
|allegiance= ]
|branch = ]
|serviceyears= 1958-1993
|rank= ]
|commands=]
|unit=]<br/>]
|battles=]<br/>]<br/>]
|awards=
|laterwork=], ] of the ], ]
}}

While at ] Powell joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and later described it as one of the happiest experiences of his life: finding something he loved and could do well, he had "found himself." Cadet Powell joined the ], the ROTC fraternal organization and drill team started by GEN ]. Even after Powell became a General, he still kept on his desk a pen set he had won for a drill team competition. After graduating from City College in June 1958, he was granted a commission as an Army ].<ref> {{cite web |title = Secretary of State Colin L. Powell (biography)|publisher = The White House|date = undated|url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/powell-bio.html|accessdate = 2007-02-03}}</ref> Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held a variety of command and staff positions and rose to the rank of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com|title=Colin Powell|publisher=Biography |accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> Powell obtained an ] from ] in 1971 and then served a ] under President ]. In his autobiography ''My American Journey'', Powell mentioned several officers he served under that inspired and mentored him.

As a ] serving in ], for example, Powell was very close to General ]. Powell said he regarded this man as one of the most caring officers he ever served under. Emerson reputedly had a somewhat eccentric personality. For example, he insisted his troops train only at night and made them repeatedly watch the television film '']'' to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed, however, that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare.

While serving with the ] in Germany as a Lieutenant, he met ], then serving in that unit. During the ], Powell served as an advisor from 1962 to 1963. He returned to Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 where he served as the executive officer and later as the assistant chief of staff of operations for the ] (the 23rd Infantry Division) with the rank of Major, was charged with investigating a detailed letter by Tom Glen (a soldier from the ]), which backed up rumored allegations of the ]. Powell wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent." Later, Powell's assessment would be described as ]ing the news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public. On ], ], ] Colin L. Powell said to ], "I mean, I was in a unit that was responsible for My Lai. I got there after My Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen every now and again, but they are still to be deplored."<ref>
{{cite web
|title = Interview on CNN's Larry King Live
|publisher = U.S. Department of State
|date = ]
|url = http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/32160.htm
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

In the early 1980s, Powell served at ]. It was there that he had a major clash with General ], his commander. Hudachek said in an efficiency evaluation that Powell was a poor leader who should not be promoted. Many of Powell's supporters have said this was pettiness and spite on Hudachek's part{{Fact|date=September 2007}} and Powell's rising military career was unhindered by Hudachek's evaluation report. After he left Fort Carson, Powell became senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense ], whom he assisted during the invasion of Grenada and the raid on Libya.
In 1986, he took over the command of V Corps in Frankfurt Germany from Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel. In 1989, prior to being named Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell served as the Commander in Chief, Forces Command headquartered at ].

===Dates of rank===
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]
*]: ] ]

====Badges====
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]

====Military medals and ribbons====
{|
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with 3 ])
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
|-
|]
|]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
|-
|]
|'']'' (order of precedence, if worn)
|-
|''no image''
|'']'' (order of precedence, if worn)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|] (with 1 Silver Service Star)
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|] (with ] 3)
|}

====Foreign decorations====
*]
*]
*Honorary ] (KCB) (United Kingdom)
*] (France)
*] (M.S.C.) (Canada)
*Order of Stara Planina in the First Order (Bulgaria)

==Presidential appointments==
===National Security Advisor===
] and National Security Advisor Powell in 1988]]
At the age of 49, Powell became ]'s ], serving from ] to ]. He retained his Army commission (he was a ] at the time of his nomination) while serving as National Security Advisor. After his tenure with the NSC, Powell was promoted to 4-star ] under President ] and served as Commander-in-Chief (CINC) of the ]'s ] (FORSCOM), overseeing all Army, Army Reserve, and ] units in the Continental U.S., ], ], and ].

===Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff===
]
His last military assignment, from ], ] to ], ], was as the 12th Chairman of the ], the highest military position in the ]. At age 52, he became the youngest officer to serve in this position. In 1989, he joined ] and ] as the third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without ever being a divisional commander. During this time, he oversaw 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 to remove General ] from power in the ] and ] in the 1991 ]. During these events, Powell earned his nickname, "the reluctant warrior". He rarely advocated military intervention as the first solution to an ], and instead usually prescribed ] and ].

] (right) and ] (middle) listening as Secretary of Defense ] hosts a press conference regarding the War.]]

Powell mentioned in his autobiography that he is haunted by the nightmare of the Vietnam War. He felt the leadership was very ineffective. Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a military advisor, and was badly injured when he stepped on a bamboo "]." The massive infection nearly killed him and it shortened his first tour. It was also during his Vietnam service, his second tour, that Powell was decorated for bravery. He single-handedly rescued several men from a burning helicopter, one of them being Maj. Gen. ], the commander of the ].

Powell opposed the majority of George H.W. Bush Administration officials who advocated the deployment of troops to the ] to force ]i leader ] to withdraw his armies from neighboring ], believing the dictator could instead be contained through ] and a buildup of forces around Kuwait.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}

As an officer, Powell also valued ] very highly. As a military strategist, he has advocated an approach to military conflicts that maximizes the potential for success and minimizes casualties. A component of this approach is the use of overwhelming force, which he applied to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His approach has been dubbed the "]".

Colin Powell's experience in military matters made him a very popular figure with both American political parties. Many ] admired his moderate stance on military matters, while many ] saw him as a great asset associated with the successes of past Republican administrations. Powell eventually declared himself a Republican, and began to campaign for Republican candidates. He was touted as a possible opponent of ] in the ], but Powell declined.

In 1997 Powell founded ] with the objective of helping children from all socioeconomic sectors. Powell often wears the ] of the organization in the form of a red wagon pin on his lapel.

In the ] Powell campaigned for Texas Governor George W. Bush, serving as a key ] advisor to the campaign. At the same time, it was often hinted that Powell might have been appointed to a position within a Democratic administration, should ] have won.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Bush eventually won, and Colin Powell was appointed Secretary of State.

==Secretary of State==
] and Secretary of Defense ] listen to President ] speak.]]

As ] in the Bush administration, Powell was perceived as moderate. Powell's great asset was his tremendous popularity among the American people. Over the course of his tenure he traveled less than any other U.S. Secretary of State in 30 years. Powell was unanimously voted in by the United States Senate.

On ], ], Powell was in ], ], meeting with President ] and US Ambassador to Peru John Hamilton, and attending the special session of the ] that subsequently adopted the ].

After ], Powell's job became of critical importance in managing America's relationships with foreign countries in order to secure a stable coalition in the ].

In April 2002, he visited the site of the alleged ] in the ] and later said while testifying to Congress, "I've seen no evidence that would suggest a massacre took place." Details of the events were unclear at the time, ] was quoted by ] speaking of a ] and IDF estimates of the dead were in the 100s. Later investigations by human rights organizations and the United Nations placed the number of deaths amongst Palestinians at 52.

Powell came under fire for his role in ] for the ]. In a press statement on ], ] he had said that sanctions against Iraq had prevented the development of any weapons of mass destruction by ]. As was the case in the days leading up to the Persian Gulf War, Powell was initially opposed to a forcible overthrow of Hussein, preferring to continue a policy of containment. However, Powell eventually agreed to go along with the Bush administration's determination to remove Hussein. He had often clashed with others in the administration, who were reportedly planning an Iraq invasion even before the September 11 attacks—an insight supported by testimony by former terrorism czar ] in front of the ]. The main concession Powell wanted before he would offer his full support for the Iraq War was the involvement of the international community in the invasion, as opposed to the unilateral approach some advocated. He was also successful in persuading Bush to take the case of Iraq to the United Nations, and in moderating other initiatives. Powell was placed at the forefront of this diplomatic campaign.

], presented by Colin Powell at the UN ]. On 27th May 2003, US and UK experts examined the trailers and they had nothing to do with biological weapons.]]

Powell's chief role was to ] for a multi-national ] to mount the invasion. To this end, Powell addressed a plenary session of the ] on ], ] to argue in favor of military action. Citing "numerous" anonymous Iraqi defectors, Powell asserted that "there can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more."<ref>
{{cite web
|title = Remarks to the United Nations Security Council
|publisher = U.S. Department of State
|date = ]
|url = http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/17300.htm
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> Powell also stated that there was "no doubt in my mind" that Saddam was working to obtain key components to produce nuclear weapons.<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.publicintegrity.org/WarCard/Search/Results.aspx?SearchTerms_All=&SearchTerms_Phrase=&SearchTerms_None=&SearchTerms_Person=Powell&SearchTerms_Subject=Nuclear&SearchTerms_DateFrom=01%2f29%2f2001&SearchTerms_DateTo=11%2f03%2f2007&SearchTerms_OrderBy=Record_Id&DisplayAll=False
|title = Iraq: The War Card
|accessdate = 2008-02-13
|publisher = The Center for Public Integrity
}}</ref>

Most observers praised Powell's oratorical skills. However, Britain's Channel 4 News reported soon afterwards that a ] that Powell had referred to as a "fine paper" during his presentation had been based on old material and plagiarized an essay by an ].
A 2004 report by the ] concluded that the evidence that Powell offered to support the allegation that the Iraqi government possessed ] (WMDs) was inaccurate.

A Senate report on intelligence failures would later detail the intense debate that went on behind the scenes on what to include in Powell's speech. State Department analysts had found dozens of factual problems in drafts of the speech. Some of the claims were taken out, but others were left in, such as claims based on the ].<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Miller
|first = Greg
|title = Flaws Cited in Powell's U.N. Speech on Iraq
|publisher = CommonDreams.org
|date = ]
|url = http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0715-05.htm
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> The administration is currently under fire for having acted on faulty intelligence. Reports have indicated that Powell himself was skeptical of the evidence presented to him. <!-- anyone have a link? --> Powell later recounted how Vice President Cheney had joked with him before he gave the speech, telling him, "You've got high poll ratings; you can afford to lose a few points." Larry Wilkerson later characterized Cheney's view of Powell's mission as to "go up there and sell it, and we'll have moved forward a peg or two. Fall on your damn sword and kill yourself, and I'll be happy, too."<ref name=DeYoung2006>
{{cite news
|last = DeYoung
|first = Karen
|title = Falling on His Sword: Colin Powell's most significant moment turned out to be his lowest
|publisher = Washington Post
|date = ]
|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092700106.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

In September 2005, Powell was asked about the speech during an interview with ] and responded that it was a "blot" on his record. He went on to say, "It will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now."<ref>
{{cite news
|title = Colin Powell on Iraq, Race, and Hurricane Relief
|publisher = ABC News
|date = ]
|url = http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Politics/story?id=1105979&page=1
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

Mr. Powell's longtime ] Colonel ] said that he participated in a ] on the American people in preparing Mr. Powell's erroneous testimony before the United Nations Security Council.<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Brancaccio
|first = David
|title = Iraq Pre-War Intelligence
|publisher = PBS
|date = ]
|url = http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/wilkerson.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

Because Powell is seen as more moderate than most figures in the administration, he has been spared many of the attacks that have been leveled at more controversial advocates of the invasion, such as ] and ]. At times, infighting between the Powell-led State Department, the Rumsfeld-led Defense Department, and Vice President ]'s office had the effect of paralyzing the administration on crucial issues, such as what actions to take regarding Iran and North Korea.

].]]

After Saddam Hussein had been deposed, Powell's new role was to once again establish a working international coalition, this time to assist in the rebuilding of post-war Iraq. On ], ], Powell testified before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee,<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Pincus
|first = Walter
|title = Support for Intelligence Plan
|publisher = Washington Post
|date = ]
|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18890-2004Sep13.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> acknowledging that the sources who provided much of the information in his February 2003 UN presentation were "wrong" and that it was "unlikely" that any stockpiles of WMDs would be found. Claiming that he was unaware that some intelligence officials questioned the information prior to his presentation, Powell pushed for reform in the intelligence community, including the creation of a national intelligence director who would assure that "what one person knew, everyone else knew".
] while giving a presentation to the ]]]

Colin Powell announced his resignation as Secretary of State on Monday, ], ]. According to the ], he had been asked to resign by the president's chief of staff, ].<ref name=DeYoung2006 /> Powell announced that he would stay on until the end of Bush's first term or until his replacement's confirmation by Congress. The following day, George W. Bush nominated National Security Advisor ], as Powell's successor. News of Powell's leaving the Administration spurred mixed reactions from politicians around the world—some upset at the loss of a statesman seen as a moderating factor within the Bush administration, but others hoping for Powell's successor to wield more influence within the cabinet, and thus be a more credible negotiator.

In mid-November, Colin Powell stated that he had seen new evidence suggesting that ] was adapting missiles for a nuclear delivery system.<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Sciolino
|first = Elaine
|title = Exiles Add to Claims on Iran Nuclear Arms
|publisher = New York Times
|date = ]
|url = http://www.nci.org/04nci/11/pbs/ExilesAdd.htm
|accessdate = 2007-02-08
}}</ref> The accusation came at the same time as the settlement of an agreement between the ], the ] and ].

On ], ], Powell rang in the New Year by throwing the ball in ] with New York City Mayor ], ushering in the year 2005. He appeared on the networks that were broadcasting New Year's Eve specials and talked about this honor, as well as being a native of New York City.<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Anderson
|first = Cooper
|title = Transcripts: New Year's Eve Special
|publisher = CNN
|date = ]
|url = http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0412/31/se.01.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

==Life after diplomatic service==
After retiring from the role of Secretary of State, Powell returned to private life. In April 2005, he was privately telephoned by Republican senators ] and ],<ref>VandeHei, Jim and Wright, Robin. , ''Washington Post'' (]).</ref> at which time Powell expressed reservations and mixed reviews about the nomination of ] as ambassador to the ], but refrained from advising the senators to oppose Bolton (Powell had clashed with Bolton during Bush's first term).<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Borger
|first = Julian
|title = Powell's remarks harm Bolton's chances of UN job
|publisher = Guardian Unlimited
|date = ]
|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1468438,00.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> The decision was viewed as potentially dealing significant damage to Bolton's chances of confirmation. Bolton was put into the position via a ] because of the strong opposition in the Senate.

On ] ], an opinion piece in the '']'' by ] (a former top aide to President ]) claimed that Powell was in fact "conducting a campaign" against Bolton because of the acrimonious battles they had had while working together, which among other things had resulted in Powell cutting Bolton out of talks with Iran and Libya after complaints about Bolton's involvement from the British. Blumenthal added that "The foreign relations committee has discovered that Bolton made a highly unusual request and gained access to 10 intercepts by the ]. Staff members on the committee believe that Bolton was probably spying on Powell, his senior advisers and other officials reporting to him on diplomatic initiatives that Bolton opposed."<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Blumenthal
|first = Sidney
|title = The good soldier's revenge
|publisher = Guardian Unlimited
|date = ]
|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1471879,00.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

In July 2005, Powell joined ], a well-known ] ] firm, with the title of "strategic limited partner".

In September 2005, Powell criticized the response to ].<ref>
{{cite news
|title = Powell criticises storm response
|publisher = BBC News
|date = ]
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4229238.stm
|accessdate =
}}
</ref> Powell said that thousands of people were not properly protected, but because they were poor rather than because they were black.

On ] ], he participated in a meeting at the ] of former Secretaries of Defense and State to discuss United States foreign policy with Bush administration officials. In September 2006, Powell sided with more moderate Senate Republicans in supporting more rights for detainees and opposing President Bush's terrorism bill. He backed the senators ], ] and ] in their statement that U.S. military and intelligence personnel in future wars will suffer for abuses committed in 2006 by the U.S. in the name of fighting ]. Powell stated that "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of fight against terrorism."<ref>
{{cite news
|title = Senators defy Bush on tribunals
|publisher = BBC News
|date = ]
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5347564.stm
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

Also in 2006, Powell began appearing as a speaker at a series of motivational events called Get Motivated, along with former New York Mayor ]. In his speeches on the tour, he openly criticized the Bush Administration on a number of issues. Most recently he joined the Board of Directors of ]'s new company ]. Powell also serves on the ] ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cfr.org/about/people/board_of_directors.html |title=Board of Directors-Council on Foreign Relations |accessdate=2007-12-06}}</ref>

Powell, in honor of Martin Luther King Day, dropped the ceremonial first puck in a game at Nassau Coliseum that featured the New York Islanders hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Charles Wang, owner of the Islanders, is a good friend of Powell and both of them enjoyed the game in the Owner's suite.

==Political views==
A moderate ], Powell is well known for his willingness to support ] or ] causes. He is ] regarding ],<ref>
{{cite web
|last = Frankel
|first = Barbara
|title = Colin Powell Lauds Bush, Rebukes GOP on Affirmative Action
|publisher = AAD Project
|date = ]
|url = http://aad.english.ucsb.edu/docs/epowell.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> in support of ], and in favor of "reasonable" ]. Powell was also instrumental in the implementation of the military's ] policy.

The Vietnam War had a profound effect on Powell's views of the proper use of military force. These views are described in detail in the autobiography ''My American Journey''. The ], as the views became known, was a central component of US policy in the ] (the first U.S. war against Iraq) and ] (the overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan following the events of "9/11"). The hallmark of both operations was strong international cooperation, and the use of overwhelming military force.

Powell was the subject of controversy in 2004 when, in a conversation with British ], ], he reportedly referred to ] within the Bush administration as "fucking crazies".<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Blumenthal
|first = Sidney
|title = Colin and the crazies
|publisher = Guardian Unlimited
|date = ]
|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1353796,00.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> In addition to being reported in the press (though generally, the expletive was censored in the U.S. press), the quote was used by ] in his book, ''The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency'', and by ] in his book, ''Cousins and Strangers: America, Britain, and Europe in a New Century''.

In a letter to Sen. ], General Powell expressed opposition to President Bush's push for ] of those formerly and currently classified as ]. Specifically, he expressed concern of Bush's plan to "amend the interpretation of Article III of the ]." He also pointed out that perception of the ] may be losing moral support saying, "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism."<ref>
{{cite news
|last = Barrett
|first = Ted
|coauthors = Koppel, Andrea
|title = GOP split as Senate panel bucks Bush on terror tribunals
|publisher = CNN
|date = ]
|url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/14/congress.tribunals/index.html
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref>

===View of the U.S. war in Iraq===
In July 2007 Powell revealed that he spent two-and-half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail upon the U.S. President. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado<ref>See </ref> Powell stated, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."<ref>{{Citation
|url=http://www.aifestival.org/library/transcript/Powell-Lehrer_transcript.pdf
|title=Conversation with Colin Powell
|publisher=Aspen Ideas Festival
|month=July
|year=2007
|accessdate=2008-02-22}}</ref>

Powell went on to say that he believed Iraq was in a state of civil war. "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew".<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2042072.ece
|title=Powell tried to talk Bush out of war
|publisher=The Times (UK)
|date=], ]
|accessdate=2008-02-22<!-- archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5QGmAUY9q-->}}</ref>

==Civilian awards==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
Powell's civilian awards includes two ], the President's ], the ], the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal, and the ]. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.

*In 1991, Powell was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans,<ref>
{{cite web
|title = Colin L. Powell
|publisher = The Horatio Alger Association
|date = undated
|url = http://www.horatioalger.org/members/member_info.cfm?memberid=pow91
|accessdate = 2007-02-03
}}
</ref> which "honors the achievements of outstanding individuals in U.S. society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education."
*On ], ], Powell was awarded the second ], by ]. Powell served as Reagan's ] from ]-].<ref></ref>
*On ], ], Colin Powell was made an honorary Knight Commander of the ] by Queen ].
*In 1998, he was awarded the prestigious ] by the ] for his commitment to the ideals of "Duty, Honor, Country."
*The 2002 ] was awarded to Colin Powell on July 4th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his acceptance speech, Powell reminded Americans that "It is for America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, to help freedom ring across the globe, unto all the peoples thereof. That is our solemn obligation, and we will not fail."<ref></ref>
*The Coat of Arms of Colin Powell was granted by the ] in ] on ], ]. Technically the grant was to Powell's father (a British subject) to be passed on by descent. ]'s ] is traditionally responsible for granting arms to Commonwealth citizens. Blazoned as:<blockquote>''Azure, two swords in saltire points downwards between four mullets Argent, on a chief of the Second a lion passant Gules. On a wreath of the Liveries is set for Crest the head of an American bald-headed eagle erased Proper. And in an escrol over the same this motto, "DEVOTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE."''</blockquote>The swords and stars refer to the former general's career, as does the crest, which is the badge of the 101st Airborne (which he served as a brigade commander in the mid-1970s). The lion may be an allusion to Scotland. The shield can be shown surrounded by the insignia of an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Honourable ] (KCB), an award the General received after the first Gulf War.
*In 2005 Powell received the ] for his contributions to ].
*] honored Powell with the 2006 AARP Andrus Award, the Association’s highest honor. This award, named in honor of AARP’s founder, Dr. ], is presented biennially to distinguished individuals who have generated positive social change in the world, and whose work and achievements reflect AARP’s vision of bringing lifetimes of experience and leadership to serve all generations.
*Colin Powell was initiated as an honorary brother in ].
*Powell is a recipient of the ], the highest adult award given by the ].

==Interests==

During his hectic political career Powell turned to his personal interests, mainly music, as a means of escape from the daily pressures which faced him. He is known to be an avid fan of Michael Jackson, and has been for a number of years. Indeed, during the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, CCTV images at the Wachovia Center appeared to show a man matching Powell's description trying to imitate Jackson's famous "Moonwalk" dance move along one of the building's main corridors. When questioned on the claims, none of Powell's staff were available for comment.


==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{portalpar|Military of the United States|Naval Jack of the United States.svg|65}}
*]
*]
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*], Powell's Chief of Staff 1989-2003

==Further reading==
*Powell, Colin A. and Joseph Persico, ''My American Journey,'' ], 1995. ISBN 0-345-40728-8
** '']'', ], ]
*DeYoung, Karen, ''Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell,'' ], 2006. ISBN 1-4000-4170-8
* 12-part series, by ] and ], The Consortium for Independent Journalism, June-December 1996
*{{Citation
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BMY79c675JsC
|title=The Black Loyalists: The Search for a Promised Land in Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone 1783~1870
|author=James W. St. G. Walker
|publisher=University of Toronto Press
|year=1992
|isbn=0802074022}}
*{{Citation
|url=http://web.mac.com/jamesdwithrow/iWeb/Site/Blog/0C7FF890-B6D6-4BB1-82B6-A6273F647B88.html
|title=Alex Haley’s Other Roots: African-Americans with Irish Ancestors
|date=], ]
|accessdate=2008-02-22}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikisource|Author:Colin L. Powell}}
{{commons|Colin Powell}}
{{wikinews}}
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Revision as of 00:32, 5 March 2008