Charlie Rose Science Series
Click here to watch previous episodes of the Charlie Rose Science Series
02/21/2008
Samantha Power
A conversation with Samantha Power
Keywords:
A conversation with Samantha Power author of Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World .
DVD
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
i am a big fan of samantha power. she is my mentor and i will be like her one day. thank you charlie. please interview her again soon..
One can see Samantha is serious, but on the level of what she has written on Sergio. The results were not totally true. Some holes , some kliches. Hate US ? Sometimes, it depends on how and which situation and when in his life. And hate is not the real word. His private life : if one reads SIDHARTA ( Herrmann Hesse )one will understand what happened. He was burned out, needing Vitamin, confused, lost. He wanted to find himself, first of all after a certain time. Sidharta again. The very, very close Sergios'friends knows. Sergio in Harmony. Quiet. Crying. Controlled. Looking for Beauty. And a spiritual sign in Life. I have been on his side during 40 yeras and personally till 1998, when I became very sick. But the contact remained. He died before achieving the < RIVER >, what SIDHARTA did. And he wanted the Mission to continue. Sergio had a Secret Treasure inside of him. The relatioship I had during so many years aloud me to say all this. I am very sorry Samantha. TeresaDS
I am so disappointed that this faux pas of public name calling has occurred from Ms. Power, but I am still very much a fan of hers. Even the most polished politicians have their bad moments (remember Hillary's "I'm not sitting home baking cookies like Tammy Wynette singing stand by your man" flap or Bill's "I didn't have sexual relations with that woman"). I would have admired Hillary so much more if she had said something funny (for heaven's sake, I call my 3 year old a little monster-- he laughs!) and admitted that we all make mistakes. Samantha Power is a gem of an intellect and someone I really want in government. The reaction from Hillary and her campaign is small minded, and petty. I used to think I liked her, but lately, I'm not so sure anymore.
To: Karen C and Tim, Lighten up! Dr. Power is neither the first nor the last highly regarded politcal/academic/ public person to make an unfortunate remark in public. John McCain made a horrible joke about Chelsea Clinton and his apology was accepted by "The Clintons". Dr. Power's remarks to "The Scottsman" were inappropriate as an adviser to Senator Obama, but to say she "disgraced herself" and to describe her words as "vile" are a bit much. Disqualified for a position in the Obama administration over the top. She, like all human beings messed up. She's only 37, give her a break. She is brillant, interesting and inspiring and like all of us deserves a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chance etc. Besides as a guest on the "Today Show" said the other day: Just when you think you've won and it's over, The Clintons will meet you at your car. To me they have proven themselves to be ruthless in their pursuit of power. The numbers show even if she (Senator Clinton)won all of the remaining primaries she still would not have enough to win the nomination. She is dragging out the campaign to the detriment of the Democrats.
Samantha Power has disgraced her position with her vile remarks about Senator Clinton and the poor. Watching this interview post-Power's remarks is highly illuminating.
The Samantha Powers Interview on Charlie Rose has become fascinating in light of her comments to The Scottsman with regards to Hillary Clinton being a monster. Her subsequent apology did not cover her barely hidden contempt for the poor as being somehow duped by Hillary into thinking Obama is going to take their jobs away. Should Senator Obama become President of these United States, Samantha Powers should remove herself from consideration for a position with an Obama Administration due to her lack of respect for those who are less fortunate. What does wealth have to do with intelligence? Samantha Powers is a testament to having been given every opportunity this Country has to offer and yet lacks the political acumen that she attributed to the very poor for whom she has contempt.
I should add: RIP Sergio, and thank you. Also, thanks to Ms. Power as well.
The good and the bad. S. Power is extremely intelligent, and has a good understanding of these situations. She is learned and brings a lot to the table. On the other hand I sense an anti-establishmentarianism, an idealist's committment to her principles that could be a little dangerous itself. Perhpas she didn't have to put herself in such situations to understand humanity, or the limits of her (or Sergio's ideas about humanity). Does it all lead back to force? freedom from violence? free will?
since Ms Power is a foreign policy advisor to Senator Obama, I wonder that she didnt advise him to hold some oversight meetings. Advise means more than rah rah. having said that, her book sounds worthwhile. The world needlessly lost a great man that tragic day.
Most impressive interview.Of particular interest to me , a Canadian. My son is the Leader of the New Democratic Party,in Opposition ,as a Member of our Federal Parliament in Ottawa. He is fighting hard to have our troops withdrawn from the war and requesting aid and mediation instead of following the Bush policy. I will get her book for him to read what some of the women are organizing. He has had some visiting Canada already for encouragement- they are so Brave.
Most impressive interview.Of particular interest to me , a Canadian. My son is the Leader of the New Democratic Party,in Opposition ,as a Member of our Federal Parliament in Ottawa. He is fighting hard to have our troops withdrawn from the war and requesting aid and mediation instead of following the Bush policy. I will get her book for him to read what some of the women are organizing. He has had some visiting Canada already for encouragement- they are so Brave.
Samantha Power discussion was one of your best. She's exceedingly articulate and truly is a solid source for helping "peel the onion" on what's going on in the world. Because she brings a fresh look to issues, for which there is dire need, you would be wise to consider giving her a full hour (as suggested by others) so you can dig deeper. Further, would appreciate your considering pairing her with someone with opposing/different views so we get another side as well. I hadn't realized she was on the Obama "team"; that in itself was useful to learn -- and encouraging.
I would have liked it if Charlie pressed her further on what a withdraw from Iraq would look like. This is the most important issue for me. My opinion is that we will not be able to leave substantially for the next four or five years. A full extrication after 60 days in office seems very unrealistic if we expect the country to actually hold together, and the Iraqi military and civilian agencies to be ready to serve its people and defend the country. These institutions have to be rebuilt. I also would have liked Charlie to ask if she thought the United State government needed any reform or reorganization in order to take the course the Obama administration would have in mind. We don't have enough diplomats and they are not trained to be de Mellos. After withdrawing from Iraq, I doubt our military (and for that matter the nation) would be ready or confident about handling humanitarian crises caused by conflict, or to put it bluntly, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Charisma cannot compensate for confidence lost, and especially fear of incompetence immediately after failure. I hope Charlie can ask her or the Senator about these concerns.
Riveting interview, unfortunately terminated before end of segment. Hope you will post the remainder.
Thank you so much for the interview! I have read Samantha Power's articles, and look forward to reading her book. It is obvious that her analysis is the product of impressive knowledge and original insight. Our country's foreign policy is in critical need of scholars of her caliber and intellectual integrity.
Thanks for the insightful interview with Ms. Power. She needs two full-hour segments to do her justice. Having said that, please consider posting an unedited version of this interview. There was a tragic edit (at the 23-min mark in the video) when discussing the criminal tardiness of US military rescue services while the two American rescuers watched Mr. de Mello bleed to death, in the rubble, in front of their eyes...
Very interesting interview indeed. I have only seen Dr. S. Power only once in the past and I like the sanity she brings to the table. I am glad people of such detailed information suppliers are o the side of Obama advising him with foreign policy issue. Like Dr. Power said we need to look at the Iraq case from a different angle. I like the way she discribed the America like a car in a bad road, changing the driver will not make the coast clearer just because. Obama is completely free of Iraq's problems, he die not give his endorsement to authorize war on Iraq, I trust a man of coviction. That is why I think he will make a great president for the United States, especially improving the image of the country in other places. We need sanity back in the oval office, the world needs America to lead and guide with sanity. The way I preceive in the current administration is that not too many of them in the State Department sector have clear vision where the country is heading. If you look at the chaos in the Horn is new American made, but the State department african Affairs (Ms. Jendayi Frazer) has messed up that region beyond repaire. She allowed election to be rigged in Ethiopia and saved the regime, now the Kenyan dictator has realized that if the US can tolerate Ethiopian dictator, then he thought they can tolerate him too. Surprisingly, he was corect in his assumption. Jendayi told the world there opposition is promoting ethnic cleansing, this was a charge to salvage her mistaken support for the election rigger, Kibaki. I am sure that Obama's presidency will be so different that America will have the necessary break from instigating troubles elsewhere and enough time to reflect inward as well as deal with the already instigated troubles by this administration. The economy is in slowing down, the pension issue is there waiting to be looked at, immigration issue is another matter that deserves close attention, the subprime market issue is getting bigger by the month many homlesses are resenting the fact that they have to be in earlier in order to get a bed, I am not sure all this can be resolved in one tenure. If some of the issue gets resolved sooner then Obama might find things easier, if not then we are in for the long haul. What can get bad has gotten bad already, God forbid another major harricane would bring the country in stand still. As it is everything is streched beyond. Thank you, Charlie for such a nice conversation, I will look for Dr. Power's book.
I always enjoy Smantha Powers when she is on your show; I always get a new perspective on this Iraq war. I was pleased to learn that she is part of Obama's team. I always have the feeling that you personally question Obama's ability to run this country. I note that you ask every political guest whether or not they think Obama is prepared to be President. Not one has said that he isn't. Obama is highly intelligent -- and based on what I've read, he borders on genius, and I'm sure that he is intelligent enough to surround himself with very capable and learned people such as Ms Powers. There is a saying, "birds of a feather flock together." This country needs a boost in transforming and updating our government with new ideas from our young people. This is the age of global technology and it belongs to the young. Old people don't have any new ideas; we're tired.
Extremely interesting - a full hour devoted to Ms. Powers would be greatly appreciated.
I wish you had Samatha Powers on for the whole hour. What a thought provoking conversation. Did you ever have this fellow that she wrote about on your show?
Through her maladroit jugglery and mummery, Ms. Power thinks that she can confuse the judgment of the oppressed and dispossessed peoples of this earth. No, we do not believe Barak Obama any more than we believed Jimmy Carter however slick they may think they are. Be of good sheers, Ms. Power. Our expectations are not high at all. We do not think that the Christianity of Barak Obama and Jimmy Carter is any different from that of George W Bush and Richard Land. We can see through the marble veneer all the dead mens bones. We can see the theology and practice of Cain run a mock. But, we still like the likeability of Obama, nonetheless.
Through her maladroit jugglery and mummery, Ms. Power thinks that she can confuse the judgment of the oppressed and dispossessed peoples of this earth. No, we donâ??t believe Barak Obama any more than we believed Jimmy Carter however slick they may think they are. Be of good sheers, Mr. Power. Our expectations are not high at all. We donâ??t think that the Christianity of Barak Obama and Jimmy Carter is any different from that of George W Bush and Richard Land. We can see through the marble veneer all the dead menâ??s bones. We can see the theology of Cain run a mock.
I absolutely love your show Charlie. I am only 21 years and extremely concerned about where our country and the world is going. To watch your show is a breath of fresh air. To know there are intelligent people fighting for the betterment of not just America but the world is refreshing. To say your show is liberal is ignorance of the truth. I love your guests and the conversations you have with them. I'm tired of the I'm A and your B so lets fight interviews on the news. I know Samantha may not be a big fan of Bush but thats doesn't mean she isn't the brilliant woman she is. I have never heard of this man Sergio Vieira but he seems like an amazing person. I probably don't agree with Samantha on a number of issues. However from hearing her speak she's obviously not a stubborn person who isn't willing to admit mistakes.
Excellent interview Charlie, thank you. If Ms. Power is an example of the type of adviser that Barack Obama surrounds himself with, and will have on his team, then my confidence in his leadership, and opportunity to be successful with "change", has increased tonight. Thank you for this, I hope you do manage to have a follow up interview with Ms. Power.
Charlie this was an incredible interview. Samantha's book is a must read. For the record PBS and your show is hardly liberal-leaning. The guest line-up alone shows this. If I want liberal news I'll tune to Air America, if I want conservative I'll switch to Fox News. Keep up the good work.
Dear Chuckster, AS always you and your liperal posse take great pleasure in denying George W. credit for anything, but not only HAS he been able to "get a word in edgewise" in Tanzania, but he has actually been cheered in the streets and the Tanzanian President said Osama's test would be to see if he could be "as good a friend to Africa as President Bush has been." I saw the video , Sam, so please don't tell me what I saw. You have plenty of liperals just dying to gulp down your over-processed pabulum. Let's see where the personality cult is in 3 years.
Samantha was an eye-opener. Obama has more to him than realized. Concern finally for Iraq's by us is so new it's mind boggling. To actually be considering their fears and concerns when we leave is so refreshing his message of hope and change may have substance behind the oratory. If they become convinced we are leaving without control of their oil they may become hopeful themselves with whatever that will bring.