Dick Cheney

The Capture of Adam Gedahn: Will Dick Cheney And The Republicans Stop Calling Obama Weak In The War on Terrorism?

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The just announced capture of American expatriate and Muslim convert Adam Gedahn, who grew up in California and became a spokesman for Al Qaeda in 2004, and is on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, is a great step forward in the war on terror worldwide!

This comes on top of arrests recently of other Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives, primarily by cooperation between the Pakistani spy agency and our CIA.

To accuse the Obama Administration of being weak in the terrorism fight, as Dick Cheney, other Republicans, talk radio, and Fox News Channel asserts, is obviously ridiculous and outrageous! 🙂

It is time to stop politicizing this threat to our security and unite around the President. However, is that likely? Don’t bet on it, as the Republicans and conservatives are only interested in promoting fear and division, rather than unity and support for our President, whose administration is doing a fantastic job, way beyond anything accomplished during the Bush-Cheney Administration!

NOTE:  IT TURNS OUT THAT ADAM GEDAHN WAS NOT CAPTURED, AND IS STILL AT LARGE!

Best Argument For Health Care: Dick Cheney And Bob Dole!

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Two of the leading Republican party figures of the past thirty years are now in the hospital recovering from crisis health conditions, and they are receiving the best possible health care, and that is a good thing!

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, 69, suffered his fifth heart attack since the age of 37. Former Senator Bob Dole, 86, who ran for President in 1996 and Vice President in 1976, and served as Senate Majority Leader in the past, had knee surgery and is recovering from Pneumonia.

Hopefully, both men will have a speedy recovery, and despite those who would have disagreements with both of them, and particularly Cheney, any decent person would wish them well.

But the point is, why should not all of the American people be entitled to good health care, when we are paying for their health care? This is a question of fairness and equity!

Military People Against Cheney And McCain, And Lieberman Against McCain

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This past weekend, we saw some interesting commentary by General David Petraeus and former General Colin Powell.

Both made it clear that they did not believe that utilizing torture, such as water boarding, and the abuse at Abu Graib prison in Iraq, had been productive and wise. Both also believe that abandonment of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is very likely in the future, and neither expressed opposition to this changed attitude toward gays in the military.

In so stating their thoughts, both of these prestigious generals contradicted the statements of two leading Republicans, former Vice President Dick Cheney and 2008 Republican Presidential nominee and Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Cheney continues to uphold the use of torture as a viable method, and McCain continues to uphold continuing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the armed forces.

Interesting point, though, is that McCain’s opposition to open gays in the military is opposed by one of his closest friends in the Senate, Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who was on McCain’s short list for Vice President.

Lieberman, who already has angered Democrats for his opposition to health care reform, seemingly is trying to repair his ties to the party ahead of his election campaign for his seat in 2012. But also, one must remember that in many ways, Joe Lieberman IS a true Independent, as his voting record is indeed difficult to label!

Colin Powell Defends Obama National Security Record

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Former Secretary of State Colin Powell went on Face The Nation today to defend President Obama’s record in the war against terrorism.

He criticized those who have claimed that Obama is undermining our national security. These, of course, include former Vice President Dick Cheney, the Republican leaders and many rank and file members in the House and Senate, and the conservative talk show hosts.

It is a major point in favor of Obama that he has Powell willing to defend his record, which has been outstanding in fighting against terrorism in Afghanistan, and working to overcome the dangers at home.

But realize that no plan on national security can absolutely guarantee total safety, as the bad guys still have the edge. However, the intellligence gathering has worked well so far, and many objective observers feel this charge of weakness on the part of Obama is just a cheap shot by the opposition!

CPAC And The Two Dicks (Cheney And Armey)

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CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) is meeting in Washington, DC this weekend, and is demonstrating the ability to issue personal insults against President Obama, and to show the American people that they do not wish to work with the President to find solutions, but rather continue the obstructionism that they have been engaged in for the past 14 months.

They are very good at talking about smaller government, lower taxes, and a stronger defense, failing to realize that much of the national debt problem we face is due to our extended involvement overseas and the fighting of two wars, and the overexpanded and wasteful defense budget.

Apparently, we can do what we are doing overseas without raising taxes, and should in fact lower taxes. So if that means cutting off all domestic programs or privatizing social security and medicare, so be it!

It is hard to imagine the intelligent, sensible part of our population in this country accepting this jargon and propaganda. But certainly, the two Dicks, Cheney and Armey, are spreading the word with preposterous assertions.

Former Vice President Cheney said he foresees conservatives taking over the Congress in 2010, and predicts that Barack Obama is a one term President. Former House Majority Leader Armey (Texas), who has formed Freedom Works and flirted with the Tea Party Movement, said that Barack Obama has demonstrated that he is the most incompetent President in his lifetime!

Now let’s see: Cheney is the person who said the Iraqi people would greet us with flowers when we invaded in 2003. Did that work out? 🙂 He also said that deficits do not matter, and yet now he and his party and conservative activists are making the national debt the number one issue. Is Dick Cheney good at his predictions and assessments? I don’t think the evidence shows that! 🙂

Armey thinks that Obama is worse than his past favorite for being the worst President in his lifetime (that is, Jimmy Carter).  I am sure that former President Carter must be thrilled to hear that!  :)   But somehow, isn’t Armey forgetting Richard Nixon and George W. Bush, or is he trying to rewrite history, therefore promoting more lies and deception, as he did as a leader of Congress under the leadership of Newt Gingrich?

Is CPAC or these and other Republicans and conservative leaders interested in solving problems, or just pointing the finger and sowing division? I think the answer is VERY clear! 🙁

Something Forgotten After Massachusetts Election: The Democrats Still Have A Vast Majority!

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As the nation and the political parties adjust and react to the reality of Scott Brown’s victory for the Senate seat in Massachusetts formerly held by Ted Kennedy, it is easy for Democrats to panic and forget the reality that exists today!

That is, the Democrats have a tremendous majority in both houses of Congress–79 seats in the House (257-178) and 18 seats in the Senate (59-41).

You would think from the political commentary and rhetoric going on today that somehow the Democrats have lost control of Congress and any chance to accomplish any part of their agenda.

That is not so, as while there may have to be compromises made on health care, it does not mean that nothing can be accomplished on this issue.

It does not mean that the President should drop his other plans for domestic reform on energy and the environment and regulatory reform.

How easily many forget that even in the Senate, it is not essential to have to gain 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, because there is another tactic that has been used plenty by the GOP when they controlled Congress from 1994-2006. That is the method called RECONCILIATION, which only requires a 51 vote margin in the Senate, a bare majority, to accomplish action.

President George W. Bush used it to promote his economic plans in 2001, 2003, and 2005, and even had to utilize Vice President Dick Cheney’s tie breaking vote twice to pass his agenda into law.

Imagine that: 51-50 votes twice, and now somehow, it is claimed we cannot have that happen on Obama’s health care plans, but indeed, it CAN be done and MUST be pursued!

It is, of course, preferable to promote bipartisanship and cooperation when possible, but it is clear that the GOP has no desire to do anything of the sort, so with some minor concessions, the Democrats and President Obama CAN accomplish many of their goals and overcome the effect of the election of Senator Scott Brown and the loss of the so called “filibuster proof” majority of 60 votes!

Barack Obama And National Security: A Man Who Accepts Responsibility And Accountability!

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President Obama was a class act yesterday afternoon as he issued a report on the failure of security agencies to prevent the attempted terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253 over Detroit on Christmas Day.

Rather than blame specific people, he simply said that there was a failure to connect dots, and that action was being taken to help prevent that from happening again.

He also said what Harry Truman had said in the White House: that “the buck stops here” in the Oval Office. He said he took full responsibility and accountability for what had happened, and that was so refreshing! John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan had also said that in different crises, but George W. Bush had avoided and even often denied responsibility and accountability many times during the various blunders and disasters of his administration.

Obama also said we are involved in full scale war against Al Qaeda, again enunciating what he has said many times, but the question is whether we will finally see the GOP shut up about this issue.

Specifically, Dick Cheney, his daughter Liz Cheney, and South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint and Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra have exploited this issue for political gain. Will this statement by Obama finally get them to do what Obama suggested?: that we should all be promoting citizenship, rather than partisanship, in the fight against terrorists? Don’t bet on that! 🙁

Obama also said he would never allow any violation of our civil liberties while fighting Al Qaeda, as those basic liberties are too important to be broken in wartime, as often has happened in the past.

This is very inspiring, and shows just how outstanding a President Barack Obama is, a true model of what a President should be all about. We should all applaud him and unite around our Commander in Chief as he fights the war against those who wish to disrupt and destroy our society with their religious madness!

Dick Cheney And The Truth: Not Someone Who Can Be Trusted!

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Former Vice President Dick Cheney has real problems dealing with the truth.

He claims that President Obama acts as if we are not fighting a war against terrorists, when Obama has constantly spoken about it, and is making more of a military commitment to Afghanistan.

Cheney also says that Obama is wrong to release people held in Guantanamo Naval Base, and yet the Bush Administration released numerous (in the hundreds) so called terrorists, and returned them to countries in the Middle East, including Yemen, and some have gone back into the war on terror.

Cheney and others say that the Christmas Day Bomber should not have a civilian trial, and yet Richard Reid, the Shoe Bomber in 2001, had just such a trial, and is serving life in prison without parole at a maximum security prison in Colorado.

So, Vice President Cheney, what is the problem you have with consistency and the truth? But then again, it is obvious you have been doing a lot of lying since you became Vice President in 2001. In fact, it could be said that you are a pathological liar who cannot be trusted! 🙁

Republicans And The Use Of The Word “Terror” Against Barack Obama

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Republicans have been on the offensive since the Christmas Day Bombing attempt in Detroit, accusing President Obama of refusing to use the word “terror” and to fight a war against it.

This is absolutely amazing, since Obama CONSTANTLY uses the word “terror” and has decided to send more troops to Afghanistan to fight against terrorism. But you would never know it from what GOP leaders are saying.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, Missouri Senator Kit Bond, and Michigan Congressman Peter Hoekstra have all be lying through their teeth just for political advantage, thinking that the American people will believe what they have to say.

Of course, they are being assisted by talk radio and Fox News Channel, so the battle to tell the truth must continue, as the Republicans will stop at nothing to politicize the problem of terrorism for partisan advantage.

Again, as often in the past, the GOP is best at promoting fear and insecurity to gain and keep power. Telling the truth is not half as important! 🙁

The Nerve Of Dick Cheney To Attack Barack Obama!

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Former Vice President Dick Cheney has a lot of nerve attacking President Obama for trying to deal with the economic, diplomatic and military mess left by the Bush-Cheney Administration.

Cheney thinks Obama is a leftist radical who undermines the country and has committed treason. This is very strong language, considering Obama has decided to stay in Afghanistan and escalate American involvement, has kept on Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke (both Bush appointees), and has continued the TARP program initiated by Bush.

To call Obama a leftist radical is ridiculous, as he is a clear cut moderate when it comes to military and economic matters. If anything, he has been criticized by liberals for not fighting hard enough for the public option on health care, going slow on gay rights, and trying to support the auto industry, banks and insurance companies that helped to cause this economic mess we are in.

Obama has, like Franklin D Roosevelt before him, saved the capitalistic system and aimed at restoring our diplomatic image abroad. This makes him a mainstream moderate with some liberal tendencies, not a radical leftist in any form.

But then again, when was Dick Cheney correct? There is a long list of inaccurate statements, misjudgments and actions by the former Vice President, and one could only wish that he would just go away, but that, unfortunately, is not going to happen.

Dick Cheney is a burden on the Republican party, and until he is repudiated as a lost cause, the GOP has no future!