The VEEP Wipes Away Philadelphia’s Tears: Cheney traveled to Philadelphia early Thursday morning to visit a government check-printing facility. He delivered a ten-minute speech to 100 workers at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center -- where 88 million paper checks will be printed over the next three months to give consumers a little more purchasing power and the economy a much-needed boost.
He called the economic stimulus package “an achievement that reflects credit on both political parties” and he acknowledged that “Everyone is paying more these days to fill up the gas tank, to put food on the table.”
He reminded the workers of what he viewed as administrative successes: tax rebate checks, reducing income tax rates, increasing the child tax credits, phasing out the marriage penalty/death tax and reducing capital gains taxes. He also urged Congress to make the death tax cuts permanent.
Before parting, he added: “Before long, I believe the tax rebates now underway will help strengthen the case for permanent tax relief. We're giving the American economy a shot of energy at the right time, and in the right way. And in the months to come, the American people will once again prove why our economy remains the envy of the world.”
A Birthday Party For Israel: On Thursday evening, the VEEP reunited with his long-lost cousin Barack Obama at the 60th annual celebration of Israel’s independence. "The United States and Israel have persevered through many difficulties, and the tests of history have found us ready,” Cheney told the crowd in Washington. “As fellow democracies, we cherish a friendship based on shared principles, a shared commitment to the safety of our peoples, and a deep willingness to labor intensively in the cause of security and lasting peace."
“What started as a tiny, struggling country is still tiny -- but has seen six decades of unceasing accomplishment. The desert has bloomed, and Israel has become a nation of world-class enterprises, great universities and medical centers, technological advancement, scholarly brilliance, and cultural beauty. Holocaust survivors and refugees have been welcomed from Europe, the Arab lands, Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union -- and they have found hope and opportunity in the land of Jacob.”
He went on to praise Israeli leaders like David Ben Gurion, Abba Eban, Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon.
A Wedding For Jenna Bush: Was the vice president at the president’s daughter’s wedding this weekend? We could guess that he attended… but no one will tell us for sure. The details of this wedding were shrouded in secrecy for the most part, but that didn’t stop the Veep from cracking a joke in Philadelphia at the financial center where stimulus checks are being processed. “President Bush is on his way to Texas for his daughter's wedding this weekend… so you can bet he'll be writing a few checks, too," he quipped.
Is the Veep a Creep? Rumors are aflutter that – just months after being busted on a fishing trip with a “naked woman reflection” in his sunglasses (which was actually just his hands on a fishing pole) – the vice president may have been courting prostitutes. After the “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s murky suicide/ murder, we may never know all the names that were in her hefty 46-pound black book.
The Wayne Madsen Report claimed, “Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during the time of his liaisons with the Pamela Martin & Associates escort firm. Palfrey's phone invoices extend back to 1996 and include calls to and from Cheney.” The story was set to run on an edition of ABC’s 20/20 but was mysteriously scrapped before airing.
In a radio interview, Palfrey said the releasing of these names would be “Watergate the new Millennium” and said “this will certainly go to the GOP and the White House.” After being dropped by ABC, it’s likely that this story will just continue to flounder as conjecture and hearsay in conspiracy theory circles, never seeing the light of day. With Bill Clinton’s fiascos during the 90s, is anything really shocking anymore?
Can Cheney Help Another GOP Win? Earlier today, the VP flew down to Mississippi to attend a “Get Out the Vote” rally. Republican mayor Greg Davis hopes to win the county seat with the vice president’s help. At 6pm, Cheney will appear at the DeSoto Civic Center. Republican strategists say there will be an uphill battle down South in corruption-beleaguered turf where Conservative Democrats are picking up steam in traditionally Republican areas.
Hey Hey Ho Ho! Next Wednesday, the VP will be attending the US Coast Guard Academy’s Commencement hearings in Connecticut… However, demonstration permits have already been issued to protesters who also appeared at last year’s ceremony led by President Bush. As can be expected, the St. Francis House will be calling for an end to the War in Iraq… but surprisingly, the Bush-Cheney admin’s buddies (The Gathering of Eagles) will also be present as a counterpunch. With 1,000 attendees last year, we can expect an art gallery’s worth of political signage, several traffic jams and enough clamors to raise the dead… but… that IS what American freedom is all about: the right to voice your opinion, even when no one cares.
Since it's prom week for many highschoolers, here's a sneak peak at a striking young Cheney, pictured with highschool sweetheart/wife Lynne. ("Almost human," isn't he?)
See Dick. See Dick Run: Cheney will be campaigning for GOP Rep Greg Davis in DeSoto County, Mississippi next week.The stakes are high and "The vice president intends on working hard this cycle to return a Republican majority to Congress," the VP's spokesman Jamie Hennigan said today. As you know, no one can energize a base like ol' Cheney!
Revvin Up The Base: Friday the VP was at a downtown Tulsa banquet where he spoke to over 400 people, drumming up more support for GOP candidates in his effort to take back the White House in 08. He said the tax rebates should help Americans through a "rough patch" in the economy and reiterated the party's core values, saying: "Right now, with the economy going through a rough patch, some in Washington view it as an excuse to expand the size and scope of the federal government," Cheney said at a fundraiser for the Oklahoma Republican Party. "Republicans believe when Americans are facing tough times, the first thing we should do is let them keep more of their own money."
He reminded that stability in the Middle East is essential to maintaining stable gas prices. He added that he'd like to see more fuel production in the US and accused the Democrats of impeding his efforts.
"The problem in Washington is that a lot of our Democratic friends year after year have tried to stand in the way of increased energy production,” Cheney said.
He reminded the crowd of the time he and President Bush tried to pursue drilling through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "The obstructionists obviously have prevailed so today we're no closer to ANWR production than we were 10 or 20 years ago,” Cheney said. "The American people are paying the price for that inaction every time they fill up their gas tanks.”
Pesky Legal Snafus: Last Tuesday, Cheney's lawyer Kathryn Wheelbarger raised eyebrows when she said that Cheney is outside of the Congressional scope of inquiry. "Congress lacks the constitutional power to regulate by law what a vice-president communicates in the performance of the vice president's official duties, or what a vice president recommends that a president communicate," Wheelbarger wrote to senior aides on Capitol Hill.
The Democrats are calling for Cheney's chief-of-staff David Addington to testify about his involvement in the harsh interrogation tactics used at Guantanamo Bay. It's a familiar tune on all accounts. With seven months of the Bush-Cheney administration's term left, it seems the public is generally disgusted -- but not unhappy -- twiddling their thumbs until it's all over.
Cheney vs. the Whales: Leaked documents reveal that the vice president is at the heart of obstructing yet another environmentalist's wet dream. He recently thwarted efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from being killed by ships. US scientists at the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are calling for ships to slow down to 10 knots or less when passing the birthing grounds of the 300 or so remaining mammals, but Cheney's office sent repeated letters asking if the rules were "really necessary." They sought additional evidence that suggested slowing down would have any effect. The World Shipping Council argues that slowing down traffic will only hurt the economy and needlessly slow down their shipments. And so the battle wages on.
Lynne Creates An Oprah Winfrey Style After-Hours Stir: Nothing's worse than when a prominent guest shows up unannounced. You can blame it on a lousy intern for mistakenly making an appointment with the Southwest Washington Design Center rather than the Georgetown location. (Imagine getting to work and finding the Secret Service waiting impatiently for you to open the doors! Yikes!) Lynne spent an hour perusing the rooms and reportedly "had a ball." Now that they'll be moving out of the Observatory Circle and into a new residence, she may need some ideas to decide "which hue inspires" her and whether she wants an "Urban Orange" dining room or a "Green Envy" library.
When the patriotism of Rev. Jeremiah Wright was questioned (following his "God d--- America" comment), he pulled out the big guns and attacked Papa Cheney.
"Those citizens who say that have never heard my sermons, nor do they know me," Wright argued. "I served six years in the military, does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?"
If you recall, several weeks back Cheney appeared on Sean Hannity's show and gave his two cents on Pastor Wright, saying: "I thought some of the things he said were absolutely appalling. And, you know, I haven't gotten into the business of trying to judge how Sen. Obama dealt with it, or didn't deal with it, but I really -- I think, like most Americans, I was stunned at what the reverend was preaching in his church and then putting up on his Web site."
Cheney Hates On Congress in last week's speech at the Manhattan Institute:
"In the field of international relations, the House Democratic leadership is trying to derail a free trade agreement with Colombia that's been in the work for many years. So there's a good base of support for the agreement in both houses of Congress. The problem is the House leadership is refusing to bring it to a vote -- and has even changed the rules to keep it off the floor. If they persist in unfair action, the result will be a tremendous setback for one of our closest allies in Latin America, severe damage to our nation's credibility in the region, and a boost of confidence for demagogues who want to subvert democratic values in our own hemisphere. In both of these cases -- both with respect to surveillance of the enemy, and the Colombian free trade agreement -- Congress has resorted to gimmicks, from meaningless expiration dates to last-minute switches in the rules. With these tactics, they only undermine the American people's confidence in the legislative branch of government...But I didn't come here today to dwell on the current shortcomings of Congress."
Instead, Cheney focused on where Iraq's progress is today, despite explosive violence in Basra:
"There's been much discussion about the events in Basra, and much of it misses the point," Cheney said. "This was an Iraqi initiative for their security forces loyal to the government to take back a city that had become overrun by extremists and thugs. And this is exactly the kind of initiative we seek from Iraq's leaders. In general, Iraq's security forces accomplished their mission, and have taken back most of the city. This show of strength by Iraq's democratically elected government against an Iranian-backed militia has inspired a new unity of purpose among Iraq's political leaders, Shia, Sunni, and Kurd alike."
He also reiterated the fragility of the situation in Iraq, adding that maintaining troop levels is essential now:
"As General Petraeus has put it, the achievements thus far have been fragile, and they are reversible," the vice president admitted. "So it's necessary, first of all, that we keep sufficient troop levels on the ground in Iraq. The plan is to withdraw all the five surge brigades by the end of July. By then we'll be back to the pre-surge levels of 15 combat brigades. At that point, General Petraeus and the command staff will make a full and candid assessment, and give further recommendations on future troop levels to the President. By now all Americans know exactly how the President will make that decision. He will not look at the polls, listen to the pundits, or read the editorial pages. He will look at all the facts -- and then he'll do what's right for the United States, for our long-term security, and for the cause of peace and freedom in Iraq."
He spoke of the legacy the Bush-Cheney administration will leave behind and admonished the fact that history will hand down its own judgments, adding:
"As much as a nation of influence, we're also a nation of character. And that sets us apart from so many other great powers in history -- from ancient empires to the expansionist regimes of the last century. We're a superpower that has moral commitments and ideals that we not only proclaim, but that we act upon. Today, in a tough fight, we are turning events toward victory. And the world will be a better place because of what the United States of America did."
On Friday, U.S. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen accused Iran in a televised news briefing of increasing its shipments of weapons to militants in Iraq and also equipping the Taliban in Afghanistan. Cheney knows Iran is of utmost importance, but time is running out.
Mohammad Ali Hosseini: “Mr. Gates and Mr. Cheney made some comments about military choice. According to the problems that the Americans face and their disastrous situation in Iraq and Afghanistan and their interior problems, we think it would be unlikely the Americans would take the decision to get themselves into a new fiasco, the consequences of which they themselves have acknowledged would be painful for the region and the world.”
Mullen argues that the Navy and Airforce are particularly ready to strike, if necessary.
According to sources close to Cheney and reports regarding his meetings: Cheney was 'very aggressive' in asking Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul, as well as Turkey's chief of general staff General Yasar Bukyukanit to get 'on board' with such an attack, according to the source, who has access to reports from the Cheney visit.
Cheney raises $180,000 for Rep Jeff Miller Friday 4/25
In a personal moment, VP Cheney reflected on his wife Lynne and how Dwight Eisenhower unknowingly played matchmaker:
"I'm sorry my wife, Lynne, couldn't be with us today," he explained to a group of 70. "She had something she had to do; she had a speech last night in New York, so I'll meet her when I get back to Washington. She, lots of times, comes down on these trips with me, and we still enjoy campaigning together after all these years. But I tell people -- I like to tell people that we have a Republican marriage; that in 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower ran for Congress, I was living in Lincoln, Nebraska with my folks. Anybody here from Lincoln? (Laughter.) You're making it up. (Laughter.) And we -- Dad worked for the Solar Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture. And after Eisenhower got elected, he reorganized the Agriculture Department, Dad got transferred to Casper, Wyoming, and that's where I met Lynne. We grew up together, went to high school together, and in August we'll celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. And we explained to a group of people the other night that if it hadn't been for that victory by Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, I would never have moved to Wyoming, and Lynne would have married somebody else. (Laughter.) And she said, right, and now he'd be Vice President of the United States -- (laughter and applause) -- no doubt in my mind."
As expected, he had kind words to say about Jeff Miller: "You know Jeff well here in the First District. You've sent him to Washington four times, and he's repaid your confidence and trust every single day he's been there. He's a common-sense conservative, a good steward of the taxpayer dollar, a hard worker for the people of the region he represents." He added, "I can't think of a stronger advocate for veterans, or a more reliable supporter of our military in these challenging times. Your Congressman is the kind of man who belongs in the House of Representatives. And come November, I know you'll give Jeff another term on Capitol Hill."
He talked about the tax relief package passed through Congress, phasing out the death tax and successes like the child tax credit and keeping capital gains/dividends taxes low. He warned, "When you hear politicians saying they want to get rid of the Bush tax cuts, what they're promising is a major tax hike for everybody, including working families. And they wouldn't have to move a muscle to do it, because under the law the tax cuts -- those rates we put in place in '03 -- will simply expire. So without passing legislation, those rates will kick back in, the old high rates, and automatically there will be a tax increase across the board."
Cheney discussed how the 9/11 terrorism changed everything and lambasted Congress for allowing the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act to expire. "One of the ways we've prevented attacks and saved lives is by monitoring terrorist-related communications. Last year Congress passed major revisions to the foreign intelligence surveillance law, the FISA, but those revisions have now expired. And so we've lost an important means for protecting the American people. For Congress to let that happen was simply irresponsible, and it makes the nation more vulnerable to attack."
He copied portions of his speech from the same address he gave at the Manhattan Institute. He said it was crucial that they get the job in Iraq done right so another generation doesn't have to go back and fight. He added, "John F. Kennedy once said, "There is no way to maintain the frontiers of freedom without cost and commitment and risk." We are learning this lesson once again, in these decisive early years of a new century. And when the history is written, it'll be said that we lived in a safer country, and a more hopeful world, because George Bush was President of these United States."
"You know how to make a guy feel welcome," Cheney began. "Obviously you're not the kind to look down on a bitter man who clings to his guns."
If you've ever needed a reason to warm up to our vice president, just watch this Youtube video of his gut-busting humor at the annual Press Correspondents Dinner. It's a shame this will be his last one as vice president. He pokes fun at himself, Obama, Clinton, Al Gore, Romney and even the Pope's visit.
"I spent the morning with one infallible authority, and now I get to spend the evening with a thousand of them," Cheney remarked. "I was glad to talk to the Pope. It's rare that I run into somebody who's heard more secrets than I have..."
Cheney Advises Mitt Romney on becoming VEEP: "Mitt, let me give you a little nugget of advice: nevermind the resume, the policy ideas, or any of that other stuff. Just get yourself on that search committee."
Cheney In The Big Apple...
Cheney Gets Spiritual: Cheney hosted the farewell ceremony to wrap up Pope Benedict XVI's six-day American visit. Before a crowd of 3,250 at Kennedy International Airport's Hangar 19, both Dick and Lynne Cheney reflected upon the significance of the pope's visit. “It has been a memorable week and Pope Benedict XVI has stepped into the history of our country in a very special way,” MrCheney said. “Some 60 million Americans belong to his fold and all of America respects this messenger of peace and justice and freedom."
As expected, there was copious flattery. "Nearly 57 years have passed since the day of your ordination as a priest in June 1951," our VEEP reflected. "You might have found it hard to imagine then that you would stand before all of humanity as a teacher, as a statement and as a shepherd of more than a billion souls. That is what God has called you to do. In these 57 years your wisdom and your pastoral gifts have been extraordinary blessings to our world. In these six days, you’ve shared those blessings very directly with the people of the United States. Your presence has honored our country."
As also expected, Cheney reminded us why New York is a significant destination. (Yes, it has to do with events that occurred 7 years ago and justify his Draconian methods.) "Here in New York, you have addressed representatives of many nations and celebrated the Eucharist before many thousands and you have moved us by your visit to Ground Zero," said Cheney. "There, you prayed for eternal light and peace upon the innocent victims of September 11th, 2001, and you asked that the rest of us may live so that all who died on that morning may not have been lost in vain. That is our daily meditation as well, and it remains our daily prayer."
What does a #2 do in the last year of his rule? As you may have already pieced together: he parties, he schmoozes, he inveigles and he exerts pressure over dinner. Cheney will be attending yet another fundraiser on Monday, April 21st. This Manhattan luncheon will benefit US Representative Vito Fossella Jr. (who is running for his sixth term and probably doesn't really need Cheney's help. But then again, would YOU turn down a free lunch if you were already planning to be in town to hang with the pope?)
Mr. Fossella said of Cheney's attendance: “I’m pleased not only that he has stepped up, but that so many others have supported my re-election."
While Fossella has classically done well against Republican-esque Democrats in a largely Democratic state, some charge that his support of the war may damage his case for re-election and Cheney's visit only signals that he's in trouble. “Republicans in New York are in free fall, and Cheney’s visit to New York just proves Vito Fossella’s campaign is flagging,” said Carrie James, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington. “Rather than bring home necessary resources to meet the needs of his district, Vito Fossella is embracing Dick Cheney and his Big Oil money to resurrect his failing campaign.”
"Troop Surge Still Relevant": Cheney was preaching to the choir today at a Conservative think tank gathering at the Manhattan Institute today. Cheney argued, "Those who can now say we can afford to turn our backs on Iraq are inviting the same kind of outcome that we saw in Afghanistan [prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks]: a period of chaos and recrimination, a violent power struggle won by a brutal minority, and safe haven for terrorists."
"The difference is now we're in the midst of a global war on terror," the VP continued. "Failure in Iraq would have even further, more serious, and far-reaching consequences."
Cheney says "Mind your own business" (in not so many words): Should it be public knowledge who visits the White House to meet with Dick and George? Or should their secret service advisers be kept shrouded in secrecy (you know, hence the name... SECRET service)?
On one hand, the public watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wants to use the visitor logs to prove the influence that religious conservatives have on the Bush administration. Allegedly more than two dozen other agencies and news organizations (including the Associated Press) would like this information made public.
On the other hand, Cheney and the Justice Department lawyers argue that, "The prospect of each and every appointment record immediately becoming the subject of forced public disclosure would surely cast a chill over the ability of the president and vice president to collect information and advice."
In December, a Judge ruled that the information should be released, even though the White House said it would "infringe on the separation of powers." (They just love to come back to Constitutional wording to get out of a pickle! Remember when Cheney claimed he was "not part of the executive branch?") The Bush administration appealed the decision and will be arguing in court today.
This week over 83,000 Google browsers were searching "Dick Cheney sunglasses," hoping to hunt down what some bloggers called "the naked woman in Cheney's sunglasses."
While he claimed to be fishing in Idaho this week, some people thought he might have been up to no good. However, it's probably just a suggestive shot of his naked hand. George Costanza has a run for his (hand modeling) money!
Wanna See The Cheneys' Tax Return?
Adjusted Gross Income: $3.04 million
(Income includes Lynne's book royalties, American Enterprise Institute salary and $32,000 pension from Reader's Digest, as well as the Veep's $212,208 salary and a $32,500 pension from Union pacific.)
Taxable Income: $2,528,068
Federal Taxes Paid: $602,651
Charitable Donations: $166,547
By contrast, the Bush family raked in just $923,807 last year.
"I just think the single most important issue we're faced with in this election is the future of the republic, national security, global war on terror, et cetera,’’ the vice president continued. "And I've had my differences with John over the years, but I think he's the right man for the job at this time.
"And I think he's head and shoulders above a man like Sen. Obama in terms of his experience and his ability to make these decisions,’’ said the vice president, who has served four presidents during his own time in Washington.
"The Vice President For Torture":
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's aide -- Retired U.S. Army Col. Larry Wilkerson -- raised a furor this week when he told CNN's "Late Edition" who the mastermind of torture was...
"There's no question in my mind where the philosophical guidance and the flexibility in order to do so originated -- in the vice president of the United States' office," he said. "His implementer in this case was [Defense Secretary] Donald Rumsfeld and the Defense Department."
He added, "The vice president had to cover this in order for it to happen and in order for Secretary Rumsfeld to feel as though he had freedom of action."
"I can only assume that, when the vice president of the United States lobbies the Congress on behalf of cruel and unusual punishment and the need to be able to do that in order to get information out of potential terrorists... that it's still going on."
In response, Cheney issued a statement reminding us: "Our country is at war and our government has an obligation to protect the American people from a brutal enemy that has declared war upon us. We are aggressively finding terrorists and bringing them to justice and anything we do within this effort is within the law."
Police force was working over-time in Colorado this weekend when the Veep came to town. It was no easy task either, with two unruly Cheney-haters requiring a trip to jail. Grand Junction Police Chief Bill Gardner called up two-thirds of his force for the occasion and says local authorities will foot the bill! (They just love helping out the Secret Service that much!) "It’s my experience we’d have no chance to collect," Gardner said, adding that it would be "bad protocol" to bill federal authorities or the GOP.
Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=yaxS0JQvrzY
Cheney on Hannity Last Thursday:
"Ahmadinejad is I think a very dangerous man. On the one hand, he has repeatedly stated that he wants to destroy Israel. He also has -- is a man who believes in the return of the 12th Imam; and that the highest honor that can befall a man is that he should die a martyr in facilitating the return of the 12th Imam.
It's a radical, radical point of view. Bernard Lewis once said, mutual assured destruction in the Soviet-U.S. relationship in the Cold War meant deterrence, but mutual assured destruction with Ahmadinejad is an incentive. You have to be concerned about that."
Tough Talk: Bluntness is one of our VP's greatest* qualities. Over the last few years, Cheney never hesitated to point out his observations that Russian officials were quarreling with its (democratic) neighbors like Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova...
At the NATO summit, Cheney said matter-of-factly: "No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation; and no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements."Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov tersely responded Saturday night: "We cannot accept some statements today by Mr. Cheney."
He later told USA TODAY: "The energy sources that Russia possesses must be used for our own people, not to help development of democracies in neighboring countries."
(*Think of my use of "greatest" as being much like Ivan the Great or Alexander the Great... "great" of course, meaning, terrifying)
Have you ever wondered what Dick Cheney eats... or if a cyborg of his magnitude eats at all? Well, food writer Sharon Thompson tells us what was in the VP's belly during his recent stop in Kentucky:
"When Vice President Dick Cheney visited Lexington Monday, he received a Kentucky breakfast at the home of Kelly and Judd Knight. Caterer Selma Owens prepared homemade biscuits and pastries, country ham and grits casserole. 'They ate every country ham and biscuit, and we made 200,' Owens said. When the visit was first scheduled, Cheney was expected for lunch, and the menu featured bison burgers. Still using local products, Owens and Kelly Knight substituted a menu that was 'simple and homemade and very flavorful,' Owens said. Guests began the breakfast at 9:30 a.m.; Cheney appeared shortly after 11 and eventually took a box of food 'to go.'"
... Do you think it's unprofessional of Owens to "cook & tell?"
More on Cheney The Man: As we reported last week, Cheney listens to Country-Western on his iPod, carries a green duffel bag and reads non-fiction on the road. This week CNN reports more personal details in an attempt to make this omnipresent "god" seem more human. He was allegedly reading Rick Atkinson's WWII non-fiction novel "The Day of Battle" and a collection of WWII essays and a book about the Revolutionary War (while Lynne edited a children's book). This work-o-holic brings a white three-ring binder for each country he visits and scribbles furiously on note cards prior to meetings. Since his menagerie of heart surgeries, Cheney brings his exercise bike with him and eats a strict diet of yolk-free eggs, fake sausage and carrots (but only when Lynne is around). His drink of choice is Scotch, while Lynne sips her elegant white wine. Lynne offers him a choice between "The Tudors" medieval mini-series and the "John Adams" HBO special. Say what you will, but this man eats, sleeps, breathes and poops out History & Government. How could he possibly care what us peons think? We're just part-timers (at best) in this world.
Jesse Ventura calls out Dick Cheney: Youtube Video
Cheney's Letter: An unearthed 1997 letter shows Cheney's intense distrust in shadowy governments around the world and his widespread belief that Interpol units are simply incompetant. He said that "the technology to manufacture chemical weapons is simply too ubiquitous, covert chemical warfare programs too easily concealed, and the international community's record of responding effectively to violations of arms control treaties too unsatisfactory, to permit confidence that such a regime would actually reduce the chemical threat."
He also never trusted the CIA's efforts to gather intelligence or the UN's ability to run Middle East weapons inspections. Turns out, Cheney is just like the mother who chases you out the door shouting: "Be careful, Watch out for drunk drivers, Don't set your drink down at the bar, Don't speed, Don't talk to strangers, and Look out for suspicious men!"
Reading Material: I know VicePresidents.com gives you all the Dick Cheney reading material you could ever hope for, but occasionally I come across some supplementary material I think you may enjoy. AlterNet.org is releasing a satirical book called "Young Dick Cheney: Great American," which is formatted much like a children's book. Check here for a sneak peak.
Cheney Revs Up Israel?: This week, Israeli officials held a simulated national emergency drill. Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer was clear that this was not irrelevant. "We, as a ministry, must be prepared for the possibility our strategic facilities will be hit. We have to be ready for the worst case scenario; but nevertheless, this drill is a test of readiness for us and should not be perceived as a threat to any of our neighbors," he stated. "An Iranian strike on Israel will lead to an Israeli response that will devastate the Iranian nation," Ben-Eliezer added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini blamed VP Dick Cheney for the display of "hostility" that has been boosting Israeli soldier morale and heightening tensions, saying: "Unfortunately, after every visit of senior American officials in the region and the occupied territories we witness similar actions by the Zionist regime."
Cheney's Dayplanner: Dick Cheney will be at a fundraiser for Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-Grand Junction) in Colorado this Friday. The closed reception is open to 450 party members (at $500/couple), and is strangely located at the home of Craig & Jeannean Springer, a couple that claims they're "not politically active." Craig says he's honored but also seems sort of flabbergasted, stating that he believes his home was chosen for its proximity to the airport. Cheney's visit is being hailed by Colorado newspapers as "the most prominent private residence reception" in Grand Junction. (
Bonus: The last stop made by a VP was Dan Quayle's 1997 stop at his oh-so-classy $40-per-plate dinner at the Horizon Drive motel!)
Cheney will also be traveling to Sacramento for another late afternoon private fundraiser for Rep. Dan Lungren, (R-Gold River.) In case you were wondering... Yes, the protests are already being planned!
Afterwards, he'll be spending the night at one of his residences in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Cheney's New Mansion: Does anyone else find it very intriguing that Cheney's retirement residence will be situated in Langley Woods... just 2,000 feet from the CIA headquarters? Do you think he'll be one of those "Can't-Stop-Working" retirees that micromanages everything and still acts like he owns the place?
Ever wonder what Dick brings on tour with him, what he's reading or what's on his iPod? I caught a neat little article about what it's like to be on the road with the VEEP.
"Dick Cheney, home from a 10-day tour that ranged from Iraq and Afghanistan to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, 'is not your regular road warrior.'"
"So writes Deb Reichmann, of the Associated Press, who accompanied the vice president who travels with 'a green duffel bag stuffed with nonfiction books about military campaigns and political affairs… an iPod and noise-canceling earphones to listen to oldies and some country-western.'’’
Kentucky Clamor: Nothing is more annoying than a traffic jam when you're in a rush. That might have been what Dick Cheney was thinking on his way to Kentucky Senator Brett Guthrie's fundraiser in Lexington this morning. Strangely, the traffic wasn't other cars... but rather, the bodies of twelve angry protestors as they stormed the streets in hopes of serving the VEEP with a “Citizens’ Indictment and Arrest Warrant.”
Watch Cheney on ABC News from last week.
Former VEEP Al Gore talked trash about Dick Cheney and his supporters this past week on 60 Minutes. Watch the video here!
IRAN: One thing that McCain and Cheney can agree about. Watch this video about their recent tours around the Middle East.
Early in his trip, Cheney was the highest ranking official to visit Kurdistan.
At a meeting with President Masoud Barzani, Cheney praised Kurdistan as “quite remarkable progress in the areas of development and prosperity” and as "an extraordinary example” for the rest of Iraq. Barzani praised Cheney for his visit in the usual series of back-patting and even Lynne was allowed to have a tea party to discuss women's issues.
"Terror and rockets do not merely kill innocent civilians, they also kill the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people," said Cheney during his visit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "A negotiated end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that addresses the legitimate national claims of both peoples, would have limitless value. Years of mistrust and violence have achieved nothing, and the extremists who have stood in the way of a settlement, have only caused further grief and suffering for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples."
He added: "I am reiterating the President's commitment to his vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Reaching the necessary agreement will require tough decisions and painful concessions by both sides, but America is committed to moving the process forward."
Abbas responded: "Peace and security cannot be achieved through settlement expansion, or erecting roadblocks around cities and villages, or military escalation against Gaza or continued incursions into the cities of the West Bank, or the arrests that have led so far to the presence of more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails."
At a news conference with Olmert, Cheney said,"Both our nations have stood firm against forces of terror and intimidation. America's commitment to Israel is enduring and unshakable, as is our commitment to Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism and rocket attacks and other threats from forces dedicated to Israel's destruction." Olmert thanked Cheney for his support and said that Cheney has "always been a good supporter and friend."
"We have this problem of the Iranians who want to build two satellites, the Hezbollah and the Hamas in Gaza. ... Nobody can control us and say that declarations by Ahmadinejad are less serious," Peres said. He discussed how Iranians were moving weapons through Syria and were plotting to take over Lebanon just as Hamas took over Gaza. "We have to take it seriously. Iran's only intention of developing ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads is to destroy Israel and threaten the entire world."
The VP agreed that he, too, thought the Iranians were bastards and marked in his agenda:
PUSH WAR WITH IRAN BACK IN WASHINGTON.
Cheney took every opportunity he saw a reporter to let them in on the secret intelligence he was gathering from Middle East leaders regarding "the pest also known as Iran." He added that arms were being struggled across the Egyptian border and into Gaza, where Hamas was bolstering its arsenal to use against Israelis.
"There's evidence that Hamas is supported by Iran and Syria, and that they're doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters in Jerusalem before heading to Turkey
"Hezbollah went through the dustup with the Israelis in '06. They've been completely resupplied by the Iranians, oftentimes providing materials through the Syrians and then flying materials into Damascus and then taking them by road into Lebanon," Cheney told ABC News on Monday. "There's been a very close relationship over the years, obviously, between Iran and Hezbollah. I don't think there's any question but what Iran and Syria have no interest in seeing the peace process succeed. That's a conclusion that I arrived at not just on my own, but also from talking with people in the region."
Cheney's never been exactly subtle about his support for Israel, but truth be told, he'd like to get out the carving knife and divvy up parcels of land to everyone -- even Palestine.
Here they discussed how to ensure Afghanistan's stability, what to do about Iran's nuke program and strengthening bilateral relations in the fight against terrorism. In the meantime, there was a Turkish rally protesting Cheney's visit with placards reading loving slogans like: "Israel Will Be Destroyed," "We Will Settle Accounts with the Murderer Israel," "If Every Muslim Pours Out a Bucket of Water, Israel Drowns," "The Way of the Shahids is Our Way" and my personal favorite, "Yankee Go Home!"
One participant said, "The vice president of the White House gang of terror, occupation, murders and massacres, whose hands are in blood, is coming to Turkey to seek Turkey's cooperation and support against Palestine or Lebanon, against Syria and Iran. He will ask Turkey to be an accomplice in their satanic plans and assaults. So we say to this bloody terrorist, to this murderer, before he sets foot on Turkey's Islamic land: 'Hey, murderer! Hey, terrorist! Do not come to this country! Get out! Go away from here!'"
It seems that our beloved VP is still just as popular as ever.
Yes Folks, it's time for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn! Mrs. Cheney just loves these events. What better time to promote her book to six-year-old aspiring readers? It's also when the White House makes a first impression on these voters-to-be...
"Yes, Johnny, the Government IS, in fact, all colorful flowers, costumed characters and candy!"
Watch this hilarious VIDEO of Dick's Appearance at the 2007 Easter Egg Roll!
Bombs and mortar explosions overshadowed Cheney's Middle East breakfast... But don't worry... "Nobody came running in to wake me up," he says. "I was up early."
During a meeting with Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the powerful Shiite party (aka "the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council"), the vice president commended the Iraqis for the "tremendous amount of progress" made in terms of security and politics.
In Baghdad, Cheney dismissed the idea of troop reduction, stating, “It would be a mistake now to be so eager to draw down the force that we risk putting the outcome in jeopardy. And I don’t think we’ll do that.”
RE: Iraq - “I come away with a sense that there's been significant progress in the 10 months since I was last here, that we've made progress not only on the security front, but that they've made progress in governing, as well."
RE: Progress - "It's clear that there's still a number of major issues that need to be addressed that they are focused on as a government. You can't help when you come here, after you've been here a few times over the years, and watched these events unfold, and focus on the fact this is the -- this week marks the fifth anniversary since we launched into Iraq in March of '03 – all that has transpired, not only in the last, what, 14 or 15 months since the surge decision by the president and Gen. Petraeus' arrival with his counterinsurgency strategy. It's been a remarkable turnaround in the overall security situation and the level of violence, both in terms of military and civilian casualties."
RE: Withdrawal - "We have no intention of abandoning our friends or allowing this country of 170,000 sq km to become a staging ground for further attacks against Americans. All Americans can be certain that we intend to complete the mission so that another generation of Americans does not have to come back here and do it again."
RE: War - “Five years ago this week, we led a coalition to liberate this country from tyranny. It's never been easy. But we know from history that it's worth all the effort we put into it.’’
RE: War - “We're helping them fight back because it's the right thing to do, and because it's important for our own long-term security. As President Bush has said, the war on terror is an ideological struggle. And as long as this part of the world "remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export."
RE: Oil - "There's just not a lot out there, and some of that excess capacity represents high sulphur crude for example, it's not very attractive and not easily marketed. You look at all of that and you look at the much closer balance if you will between supply and demand, as well as the declining value of the dollar, you've got a situation in which we've seen the price of oil rise fairly dramatically in recent months. But it reflects primarily the realities in the marketplace."
Dick in the Desert I: This Sunday our VP will be heading on a much-anticipated tour of the Middle East, winding his way through Saudia Arabia, Oman, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey...
He'll meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to "remind them of their obligations under the Road Map Peace Plan," says GW Bush. His goal in Saudi Arabia is to put pressure on OPEC to push production and ease oil prices for consumers.
Stars and Snipes: Today (Tuesday) Vice President Cheney is speaking at the Heritage Foundation dinner marking the 25th anniversary of President Reagan’s strategic "Star Wars Speech." The dinner will be held at Four Seasons and will give Cheney another opportunity to compare/contrast the Bush legacy to Reagan's, reiterating the importance of new technology and the War on Terror.
A Dinner to Remember: Cheney's notorious for bailing on dinner parties, which is probably why his trip to Atlanta for the Republican President's Day Dinner wasn't widely announced. However, seeing that his buddy Senator Saxby Chambliss couldn't make it, he needed to be there to talk him up.
"I know Saxby is going to win another term this November," Cheney announced. "Saxby, of course, is a very courageous man. I know that because he's one of my hunting buddies."
Dick was, as always, the life of the party. He made his usual jokes that his warm reception "almost" made him want to run for office again. Then he took a few moments to downplay his role as VEEP, saying: "As vice president, the only real duties you have under the Constitution is to preside over the Senate and to cast tie-breaking votes," he said. "In fact, before the Constitution was written, some believed the vice presidency was entirely unnecessary. Benjamin Franklin said that if the office were to be created, anyone who served as vice president should be addressed as 'Your Superfluous Excellency'... That's a lot better than some of the things I've been called," Cheney added humorously.
More seriously, he spoke of uniting and strengthening the Republican party in preparation for battle with the Democrats. Among his top strategies were "strengthening the economy" and "fighting against enemies who are determined to inflict great harm on this country."
Do Vice Presidents play video games? No, but they DO like to watch simulated missile strikes at naval training facilities. Last Friday, Cheney made an appearance at a Great Lakes, Illinois "capping" ceremony which gave new recruits their official Navy caps. Cheney admired the "great system" they had while walking through a replica destroyer. He gave a typical Cheney pep talk that defended their mission in Iraq, their controversial interrogation tactics and the need to press on in a dangerous world.
He then surprisingly entertained with a very personal story regarding his father, who trained at the base during WWII. "It's one of my earliest memories, so I wasn't very old, obviously, at the time,'' the vice president told a crowd of 5,000 sailors. "I had a lot of questions for him -- where had he been? What had he been doing? He explained to me that he was now in the Navy. He said he was a yeoman. He pointed to the insignia there on his shoulder, which looked to me an awful lot like a bird,'' Cheney said. "Being only four years old, I concluded that when Dad was home, he was just Dad -- but when he went back to the Navy, he turned into some kind of bird.... You see, very early in life, I decided the United States Navy could do just about anything.''
$1000 Photo Opp Went Well: In case you were wondering, Cheney DID, in fact, spend a few hours at Tim Wahlberg's Fundraiser on Friday. (I know some of you may be thinking, "Well wasn't he meeting with the navy on Friday?" Yes, he was... our Vice President is a furious multi-tasker who puts even Martha Stewart to shame.) He stopped at the home of Fred and Arlene Homann in Marshall, Michigan to schmooze (if he's at all capable of that) and give pep talks about how the administration is working on core issues to be ready for November elections.
"I think any day you can talk to the second most powerful person in the world about your community is a good day," said Republican county Commissioner Jase Bolger, an attendee at the exclusive party. "Vice President Cheney energized people and let them know how important the race is. It's getting a lot of attention." He said Cheney talked about local races, implementing the tax cuts and the military.
"Any time you have a sitting vice president campaigning for you, it draws attention and builds excitement," added Brent Williams, a Marshall City Council member. "I don't see the vice president's visit being any kind of last-ditch effort or going to extraordinary measures to win."
AP Blunder: The Associated Press has smeared and implicated our VP in yet another disturbing case -- this one involving troops who were sickened by water. The report claimed that "soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq" and that the water was "supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney's former company."
I thought that everyone knew Cheney was the Chairman of the Board/CEO of Halliburton from 1995 - 2000, NOT the owner...? I suppose one could argue he was a big shareholder, but then again... so were a LOT of people. Why isn't the AP just publishing massive lists of people we should label troop-haters? While the article is overtly misleading, someone's head must roll for this carelessness... but more than likely someone at contractor KBR who's directly responsible, rather than Halliburton, the parent company.
Cheney Leaks? It's a defense attorney's worst nightmare. The military's itching to have a video of your client building a road side bomb in Afghanistan handed to the media while the case is still in a Gitmo Court. "Then low and behold it ends up on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks later"...
Protection laws should have kept the tape confidential until the trial was over. Defense attorney William Kuebler said that prosecutors have considered the video the "smoking gun" in their case against his client, Omar Khadr, and that the leak is coming from none other than Tricky Dick Cheney.
Is this really something we need to be harassing Cheney about? Can't we just add it to our grandiose list of "Things Cheney's Gotten Away With?" Perhaps we can present him with a trophy at the year's end?
Vermont Town Votes to Arrest Bush & Cheney: Remember that story a few months ago where that kooky Vermont town decided that it would circumvent the federal government and just issue their OWN arrest warrant for Bush and Cheney? Call it sour grapes for the duo never making it to Vermont during their entire tenure as President and Vice Pres, or call it "a symbol of justice" -- albeit a useless one. The point is: Vermont's not afraid to hold those "crooks" accountable!
Cheney Skips on Gala to Honor Aussie PM John Howard: In a signature move, Cheney's "forced to cancel" yet another appearance (this one at the Irving Kristol Award ceremony for John Howard.) Of course he's got alibis, but the likely truth is that he simply doesn't like these "socialite" events.
Don't worry about Lynne, though -- John Bolton, Scooter Libby and Paul Wolfowitz kept her entertained
Get Your Photo With Cheney!: Bring your credit cards to US Rep Tim Wahlberg (of Tipton MI)'s fundraiser next week! You can get a personal photo opp with Cheney for just $1000! (That might be enough to ensure he actually attends.)
Lynne Cheney Hates On Obama: Poor, Lynne... stuck doing the dirty work again (and no, I'm not referring to dishes). She spoke to a crowd of 1,000 at the annual fundraising breakfast for Rep Eric Cantor. Her main topics were the recent tax cuts and military victories. She also seized the opportunity to get her opinions about Barack Obama heard, saying that he "was not speaking for me and for the rest of the people in this country when he called for an immediate pullout of American troops from Iraq. Wars don't end, they are won or lost."
Yo Turkey!: After six years of giving the Turks his signature "cold shoulder," US Vice President Dick Cheney and friends (and by "friends" I mean military officials and a few of his favorite "civilians") will honor President Abdullah Gul, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. During his one-day stop in Ankara, he'll pack his iron punches regarding: the fight against PKK terrorists and how to proceed with Iran and Afghanistan.
Mystery Visit: Our beloved VP will be hanging out in Texas. He passes through Dallas and will be addressing 10,000 soldiers in Fort Hood.
To watch a Stalker's Account of Cheney's Texas landing, check out the youtube vid here!
Wondering who Cheney's donating to? According to NewsMeat, Cheney hasn't politically endorsed any of the presidential nominees since Giuliani first ran his exploratory committee!
On February 8th, Cheney spoke about the administration's 2008 agenda at the Pennsylvania State Victory Committee.
He had this to say, "It's a great privilege to serve the people of the country in a position first occupied by John Adams. President Bush and I have now begun our final year in office, and we're not going to waste a moment of it. (Applause.) We're going to take wise and careful steps to revitalize America's economy in a moment of challenge. And we'll press on in the fight against enemies who are determined to inflict great harm on this country."
He talked about the challenges of "inheriting a country on its way to recession" and emphasized that low taxes were imperative. He talked up the economic stimulus package again and called GW a "man of principle and a man of his word." He spoke of the War on Terror, noting, "The absence of another 9/11 is not an accident. It is an achievement."
They hope to leave this legacy behind: "When the last chapter is written, it'll be said that our nation became more prosperous and more secure because George W. Bush was President of these United States." Read his whole speech here.
Dick's Dog Died! Wow, that sounded like a passage from a Dick & Jane book. But seriously, Dave Cheney -- the youngest member of the Cheney family (a 10-year-old yellow lab) -- passed away February 15th.
He liked to dress up like Superman on Halloween. Dave went for a ride with the Secret Service in Daddy Dick's motorcade February 6th as part of a "routine check up"... all the while speeding through red lights and stop signs. Dave's survived by one vice president and a black lab named Jackson.
Taking Care of Business: This week Dick and George met with Republican congressional leaders to talk about those pesky Democrats who were busy playing during recess, while the "Protect America Act" expired.
VP Field Trips: Cheney's planning a visit to Turkey in March. He'll be taking a few military personnel, a few civilians and his best negotiating grimace. He intends to discuss Iran, the PKK and Turkey's continued military support. Not to be outdone, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, General James Cartwright and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will also hold meetings in Ankara.
Is it just me, or do you feel like the only person not invited?
Stealth-mode: Remember the story about the man who alleges Cheney smacked him? Well, the vice president is now requesting that the videotaped depositions of the purported witnesses not be released. "As courts have recognized, using digital technology, a video recording can easily be 'cut and spliced,' so as to embarrass and even humiliate a witness," his lawyers stated. Does anyone else find this incredibly petty? As Vail Daily writer Matt Zalaznick so aptly put it, "Because the whole thing would probably be kind of funny — Cheney might even come out looking good — if the vice president didn’t insist on making everything so creepy."
A New Name: Vice President Cheney was honored with the unofficial "Friend of Freedom" title for his stance on the DC handgun ban. (You can pry HIS guns from his cold dead hands!)
Hillary mocked Cheney's gun-toting ways in Wisconsin in a manner that can best be described as... "corny."
"FOR THE LOVE OF BETTY HALL, IMPEACH CHENEY!" Even the most staunch Cheney supporters have this piercing voice screaming in the back of their minds when they see 87-year-old NH Representative Betty Hall fasting until impeachment hearings take place. The Fasting For Peace movement was started by Leslie Angeline, who passed out in Joe Lieberman's office back in June when he refused to speak with her. I felt bad then, when I saw how emaciated she looked. But imagine if she were 87! That could be your grandma, for crying out loud! Betty says this cause is "worse than Watergate" and would be worth dying for.
Cheney's taking time off until Sunday to go quail hunting again at the South Texas ranch where he accidentally shot Harry Whittington in the face. We can only hope he's flying solo this time!
His spokesperson said the Vice President "won't be doing any public appearances." The Armstrongs, whose 50,000-acre ranch Cheney's shooting at, say "We have a wonderful quail crop and he's a fabulous shot."
Cheney @ CPAC: "A welcome like that is almost enough to make me want to run for office again, almost," Cheney told cheering Conservatives at CPAC on Thursday. He also quixotically mentioned, "You've got an impressive lineup of speakers over the next few days. Among these are some fine citizens now running for office — including, I'm certain, the next president of the United States."
Cheney Talks Torture: Cheney has been speaking out in support of harsh interrogations this week. He mentioned the need for “a tougher program, for tougher customers” and he mentioned that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was "questioned at a time when another attack on this country was believed to be imminent." He added, "It's a good thing we had him in custody, and it's a good thing we found out what we knew."
Cheney never uttered the word, but Mohammed was one of the people subjected to waterboarding, according to CIA director Michael V Hayden. Pres candidate John McCain is adamantly opposed to such tactics, having been a victim of torture himself, so it seems strange that Cheney would talk about this at CPAC, where McCain was embedded in the crowd.
Cheney Meets Conservative Fans: For the first time ever, both Bush and Cheney will speak at the 2008 Conservative Political Action Conference. Cheney's speech is scheduled for Thursday February 7th at 11am and President Bush will speak on Friday.
CPAC Chairman David A. Keene commented, “We are delighted that conservatives will have the opportunity to welcome both President Bush and Vice President Cheney this year. It will be a great opportunity for thousands of conservatives, particularly the large number of students from across the country who attend, to hear from the president in person and evaluate the accomplishments of his administration.”
Additionally, attendees can expect to meet with all four GOP candidates. McCain, who originally passed on the conference, is rightfully fearful of what could happen in his absence. (It's hard to tell which is more daunting -- facing immigrant-despising Conservatives or being rallied against by a rabble rouse more formidable than Hitler's WWII gatherings, in his absense.) Many Conservatives are simply looking for a leader to carry their base, so this event could have a large impact on undecided voters.
