Former Secretary of State Colin Powell calls for more civil conversation
General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, was in Phoenix on Tuesday to talk about leadership and the importance of civil discussion.
STEVE GOLDSTEIN: General Powell spoke in Phoenix as part of the O’Connor House Distinguished Speakers Series. Like Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, General Powell emphasized the importance of civil conversation in solving problems and meeting challenges. He says the personal touch is too often missing from today’s politics.
COLIN POWELL: In all of my years, I’ve never seen it quite this bad—where people are moving to the extremes of the left and the extremes of the right and just throwing grenades at each other. And not spending the quality time to just sit and listen to each other and try to gain respect.
GOLDSTEIN: General Powell says solutions can be found if voters get more involved and choose elected officials who will decide to work together, rather than emphasize a particular ideology.
