Gen. Colin Powell - "I Tried To Avoid This War." September 26, 2007

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1452

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell responds to critics who claim he could have personally done more to prevent the current U.S. war in Iraq.

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Jim Lehrer interviews General Colin Powell at the 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Some of the most inspired and provocative thinkers, writers, artists, business people, teachers and other leaders drawn from myriad fields and from across the country and around the world all gathered in a single place - to teach, speak, lead, question, and answer at the 2006 Aspen Ideas Festival. Throughout the week, they all interacted with an audience of thoughtful people who stepped back from their day-to-day routines to delve deeply into a world of ideas, thought, and discussion.

Gen. Colin L. Powell served as the 65th US Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. As a professional soldier for 35 years, Sec. Powell held many command and staff positions and rose to the rank of four-star general. From 1989 to 1993, he served as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the US Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw many crises, including Operation Desert Storm. He served previously as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. His civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the Presidents Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.

Jim Lehrer is the anchor and executive editor of PBS's The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Lehrer has been honored with numerous awards for journalism, including a presidential National Humanities Medal in 1999. In the last five presidential elections, he moderated ten of the nationally televised candidate debates. Lehrer has written 16 novels. His latest, The Phony Marine, was published in November 2006. He also has written two memoirs and three plays. His 17th novel, Eureka, will be published in fall 2007.