An Open Letter to Colin Powell

Dear Sir:

It was never a better time for you to tell the truth.

I am not talking about the one sorry episode in your otherwise sterling public service – the “weapons of mass destruction’ fiasco, which, in retrospect, we understand was not your fault. No, I am talking about the need for you, as the most respected black Republican in the country, to come out and tell the truth about our President – to tell all people, especially Republicans and Blacks, that the re-election of Trump in November would be an utter disaster.

In this polarized world, both siloes are just speaking in echo chambers to each other.  The most eloquent and convincing voices we hear from Democrats fall on the deaf ears of Republicans and vice-versa. What we desperately need is an eloquent and convincing voice who can penetrate that divide. You are that voice.

It was never a better time for you to tell the truth.

You spent your life in an effort to make this country better.  Your military, administrative and diplomatic service was never considered partisan. The respect that you still engender with the American public is in-estimable and well-deserved.

You are especially situated to build the bridge that we so desperately need. You are a Republican who can overcome the sad, sycophantic support that our present Republican leaders have given the worst President in our history.  Waiting for Mitch McConnell to call out Trump is as useful as waiting for Godot. And you are a person of color who can meaningfully address others whose denigration has been a hallmark of the present racist Administration.

It was never a better time for you to tell the truth

This kind of thing would not be new to you.  You endorsed Barack Obama in 2012 and Clinton in 2016.  In October of last year, in an interview, you told the Republican Party to “get a grip” and put the country before their party.  Now, more than ever before, it is important for you to express these views. 

Without the support of the people who you are so well situated to influence, a Trump re-election is likely.  Why would you stand by and let that happen if you could do something that might stop it? One of the qualities for which you are best known is your judgment and decisiveness. You were so right when, about Iraq, you taught George W your “Pottery Barn Rule” – if you break it, you own it. He didn’t listen.  Please now, listen to your own wisdom.  You can help us avoid breaking the foundations of this nation. You don’t want to own that. None of us do.

It was never a better time for you to tell the truth.