POWELL'S EGO BLINDNESS: GEE, COLIN, YA THINK THESE GUYS MIGHT USE YOU AND DISCARD YOU?

Ego is a horrible filter through which to view the world.

When they told Colin Powell he was the smartest, most necessary part of the team (back in '00) he honestly believed they saw his merit. Then they used him to hold up the little vial at the UN. Next they suggested that Iraq war was fought under the "Powell Doctrine" (nothing could be further from the truth). Finally, as we now know from Powell, Card and Woodward, they tossed him aside like a used Kleenex.

If you'll pardon the biblical paraphrase, one doesn't lay down with neocolonialists without a price.

Colin, you egocentric fool. These people didn't want your talents. They just wanted to trade on your reputation, which has been soiled in the process.