Even the good sources of information have to be watched.

And that includes me, of course, but I want to point to something that reminds us all to check links and cross-check information.

The Center for American Progress provides timely information on politics and world affairs in its Progress Report. It also provides copious links to source its information.

Tonight, I clicked the link to Powell's speech clip buried in these paragraphs:

With countries throughout the world re-evaluating their roles in the Iraq conflict, Secretary of State Colin Powell this morning directly contradicted the Bush Administration's assertion that "Iraq is the central front in the War on Terror." Specifically, Powell conceded that despite the White House's efforts to tie the fight against Al Qaeda terrorists to the invasion of Iraq, the recent terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda have "nothing to do with the war in Iraq" (see a video clip of Powell's statements). His statement essentially acknowledges that the War on Terror has little to do with the war in Iraq – a view recently echoed by the U.S. Army War College, which concluded that the war in Iraq is "a 'detour' that has diverted attention and resources from the threat posed by Al Qaeda." Powell's admission stands in sharp contrast to the President's comments after the Madrid bombings when he was asked why so many in the world "think the war in Iraq has little to do with the war against terrorism." The President responded by once again trying to conflate the war in Iraq with the War on Terror, saying "al Qaeda has an interest in Iraq."

...Powell's acknowledgement that the War on Terror is separate from the War in Iraq come at an important time: this week two key allies – Spain and South Korea – appeared more concerned about the general fight against terrorism as they began to reevaluate their deployments in Iraq.

...But [the right wing says the] electoral defeat isn't democracy at work; it's a victory for the terrorists." But Powell's comments this morning were a direct rejection of these claims, as he noted terrorism – and the fight against it – has "nothing to do with the war in Iraq."

That's taking what Powell said and making hay out of it. It's not at all the flavor or intent of what he said. His actual words (in the clip provided) are:

I don't think that it is the war in Iraq that was the source of instability throughout the world. We have seen terrorist attacks all over the world that have nothing to do with the war in Iraq.

Powell is dismissing any claim that the war in Iraq has created terrorism. He didn't say it has nothing to do with it. The Progress Report makes it sound like Powell was repudiating the White House's stance. Not at all. He was defending it. And if he said anything remotely resembling "despite the White House's efforts to tie the fight...to the invasion", it was not in the clip. I don't imagine he did, as what he did say wouldn't make sense following that sentiment. The Report also makes it sound like Powell is referring to the attacks in Spain and Baghdad, when he in no way narrows his comments to "recent" attacks. You could certainly, as an interviewer take Powell's statements and challenge him then on the issue of relating the recent attacks to the war, but that's not what happened.

I've found a Chinese news article giving a bit more of the speech, and the context, which is exactly what you would expect after viewing the clip:

"I don't think it is the war in Iraq that was the source of instability throughout the world," US Secretary of State Colin Powell told a press conference here.

He was answering a query raised by a Western journalist if the war has provoked terrorism, which could rarely be seen in Iraq before the US-led invasion but now spread around the world.

"We have seen terrorist attacks all over the world that have nothing to do with Iraq," Powell said. "They are attributable to the fact we have terrorists in the world who want to go after those nations who are trying to build a better future for their people."

  article

The Progress Report gives a fine (and disappointing) example of taking someone's statements out of context. Fortunately, they provided the link to check up on their report. However, I'm sure they know that most people will not check out all the links. (I admit that I don't.) And I really don't know why they would be trying to put Powell cross-wise with the administration. I think he's plenty well proved himself to be their boy.

I really wish the sources of information that purport to bring us the truth wouldn't bend it like the liars we're trying to get away from do.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.