Colin Powell -- Report

Colin Powell -- Report
Originally uploaded by estherhoffman.

As I hinted at before, he and Abe Foxman (National Director of the ADL) seem quite fond of each other. Now, when reading this, keep in mind that not only was I eating lunch at the time, but I have lousy handwriting and it's kind of hard to read my notes. Also, I didn't necessarily hear things and remember them exactly right as I was jotting down thoughts. That said, let me try to fill you in. ;)

Abe talked about being a cadet with Colin Powell (not sure if this was true or a joke), but Abe dropped out. So they joked that Abe could have been one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Powell could have headed up the ADL. So Powell was keeping the jokes coming, especially about retirement, saying, "It's a great pleasure to leave the house and see you!" Having been unemployed for a good portion of the last 6 months, I can totally relate.

Major thoughts/impressions:

* US will not rest as long as there's a threat out there that says people are in danger because they are Jewish.

* Even though he's retired, he is still with us.

Like every speaker, he acknowledged the passing of the Pope, calling him a man of the people who reached out beyond just Catholics.

He encouraged us to continue our work, "Keep kvetching."

He then quoted his favorite lines, from the Declaration of Independence. "Inalienable rights given by G-d. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- government secures these rights. He made a point of saying that while we have G-d given rights... it's our government who secures these rights.

That's pretty much the extent of it.