Graham on Powell

Michael Graham, author of Redneck Nation (reviewed by Ed Driscoll here), has a blog and a nice take on the Powell speech:

Saddam stooge Amir al-Saadi said that Secretary Powell’s speech was a “typical American show including stunts and special effects.” I don’t know about the stunts but Secretary Powell’s appearance was typically American in so many great ways.

First of all, Powell made arguments based on reason, facts and science – NOT on the arbitrary words of ridiculous dictators or angry Mullahs. Saddam is a lying, violent, dangerous whackjob because the FACTS say he’s a lying, violent, dangerous whackjob–not some kangaroo court.

Second, Powell own presence made his speech typically American. Here was a Jamaican son of immigrants and a member of an ethnic minority speaking for all of us, and against a tribal dictator whose stated goal is to kill all the Jews. Could there be a bigger difference between what Saddam Husein represents and what Colin Powell embodies?