*Colonel* Wilkerson, after all. Powell was ex-military also.
Powell's philosophy was supposed to have been Pottery Barn if I recall correctly: "you break it, its yours" [to Bush] in other words, he uncomfortably went along with it. Good soldier.
Wilkerson: Good soldier's good soldier. We all know what happens to some high percentage of good soldiers: Suicide, homlessness, psychosis, tattoos, etc. Wilkerson, an officer of somewhat greater means, was able to choose his therapy - flying closer to the sun, but not to the point of getting Blumenthaled. Probably thinks he is doing some good.