Cheney: Obama's detainee policies make U.S. less safe

I pretty much agree with what Cheney has said here, with the possible exception of Scooter Libby being an innocent man.

His points are not unreasonable but what gets me is that we didn't hear from this guy the past 4 years and now he's spouting off every few days about Obama. Someone had to let him off his leash. Also, about Libby, I believe Cheney could have saved him the conviction by owning up to his own wrongdoings in that whole affair. Scooter was obstructing justice, but what was he trying to hide?

Cheney is right of course. Fitzgerald went after Bush and Cheney to make a name for himself and instead got Libby on a a technicality unrelated to the matter he was investigating in the first place. Libby was found guilty of perjury about a crime he didn't commit. Fitzgerald knew who the crime was committed by before his investigation started but he did not pursue charges against the real culprit - Richard Armitage. That is pretty much proof that he was only interested in a political jihad against Bush or Cheney. Libby was caught in the cross-fire of an overzealous and politically motivated prosecutor and a politically motivated Liberal press. These hate-mongers wanted Bush or Cheney so badly that they whipped themselves up into a raging frenzy of bile and righteousness. I just have one question, when will Armitage be pilloried and 'frog-marched' in front of CNN's camera's for his crime? Answer: Not going to happen - the Left like Armitage.

wolfpack: he got what he could after Bush and Cheney expanded executive powers to cover their lying scheming butts. Hope Cheney gets to experience some of the suffering he and like moron puppet Bush have inflicted on millions of people after they were asleep a the wheel between 2000 and 9/11. Liars and crooks looking after their own peoples interests in the name of expansion of govt control. "Liberal press" that gave the administration a free pass on the WMD thing. You really have swallowed the Limbaugh porky pies.

spudman: He got what he could? His job was to find out who leaked a CIA agents name to the press. He knew that before his investigation began. No one disputes that Armitage - not Libby or Cheney - leaked the name. He should have closed up shop right then. Dude, it's more like you are being brainwashed by too many hours on MoveOn.org. I am no fan of Bush's big government spending on domestic boondoggles like prescription drugs and the banks, but he was right on the big issues of national security. Not only did he have to fight the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, but our own Democrat's that back-stabbed of our military and the flat-out untruths propagated by the Liberal-leaning press on so many matters when things became difficult in Iraq. The Plame matter was just part and parcel of that whole 'vast Left-wing conspiracy' - to paraphrase a well known wife of purjurer.

No your swallowing the Novak spin as the end of story. See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/novak-vs-armitage-was-t_b_29400.html for some deeper questions. You forgot that Bush and Cheney were at the wheel on 9/11. Odd that GOP memory of national defense starts at 9/12? Domecrats back stabbed who? they bent over backwards to kiss bush and cheney's collective butts. Fact is the Bush Cheney administration has been a huge failure that weakened the US. Armitage is falling on his sword for what payback we will never know?

Cheney is a warmongering fool, and it is HIS policies (his government's) that made the US less safe. They are now the least safe they've been in recent history. Thanks, Dick. You really do live up to your name.

"Thanks Dick. You really do live up to your name."

Explain!

I think a more accurate headline would be:

"Bush & Cheney ignoring clear attack warning let 911 attack in."

Cheney - "‘Well, George Bush was president and that is why everything is screwed up,’ because that is simply not true.”

The global economic meltdown emanated from the U.S. under George and Dick's watch while they let the finance markets do whatever they wanted.

Cheney proves once again he is clueless.

Well of course he would. To say any different would be to criticize what he did while in office.

Also, he is laying down political markers in the probable event that America is attacked again (this expectation was predicted even while Bush-Cheney ruled the roost). It is low hanging political fruit ready to be pick when something happens. Shrewd politics, but doesn't really help anyone outside his kool-aid drinking circle.

while we are all arguing whether is is right or wrong, let's just hope he is wrong...If we are going to play nice from now on!

Talk about re-ploughing old ground. Who is this Cheney chap anyway? Oh yeah! He was the guy along with Rummy who sabotaged the US war on terrorism to legitimize the US invasion of Iraq, thus putting US security at greater risk. Furthermore, he (along with Rummy) was the guy who made sure that the US military did not have the manpower needed to successfully occupy Iraq (despite what the military advised). He is also the guy whose minions committed treason by revealing a serving CIA officer (are these the actions of a patriot or the actions of a small-minded fool?). To boot, when he was young he got numerous deferments from military service because he had "more important things to do" than serve his country. What a clown.

Cheney needs to realize that protecting the flag (and the nation) does not just mean wrapping yourself in it while other people's kids do the dying for you. He also needs to realize that rather than just commenting on Gitmo, he should be thankful that he is not occupying a cell there himself.

And people claim Pres. Obama hasn't brought about "change."

Pishaw, I say! Pishaw!

Why, just a couple of months ago, not supporting the President during a time of war was something that would, "give the enemy comfort." It was considered, "very, very close to treason." It was not that long ago that it was debated that opposing the president's plans for Iraq was something that people debated in the "liberal media" as something that might be deemed as punishable by hanging or by being put "into a hole until the war is over."

That was then, America. That was then. Sad days, indeed.

Not anymore. No sir!

NOW...

Because of the election of President Barack Hussein Obama, republicans have been granted the freedom to disagree with their president, even in time of war.

No one is saying dick cheney should be hung for his comments. No one is saying he is a traitor (dumbass - yes; devoid of a soul or sense of irony -yes/traitor - NO).

Yes indeed, America! Yes indeed, WORLD! President Barack Obama has made it OK to disagree with the president's war strategy.

Tomorrow morning, as the sun begins to rise, dick cheney will return to his coffin safe in the knowledge that no one will be coming to take him to Gitmo (or expose him to direct sunlight). He can rest easy because Pres. Obama has taken the shackles of fear off of free speech and free (lack of) thought!

Well done, Mr. President! Well done!

Taka

Cheney is right.

'Yes, we can' really only means the Democrat Party honestly believe 'Yes, we can send a boy to do a man's job.'

sarge: "Explain!"

Do I really need to spell it out? The former VP's name is Dick, and I said he 'lives up to the name' because he is one. That help you? I suggest you type his first name an internet search field and see what comes up. You'll get the picture then, so to speak.

Dick Cheney is very unpatriotic by opposing the President, i guess he needs to be arrested for opposing the peace-effort, i think waterbooarding is in order.

Who can honestly argue with dick - I bet politicians world-over dream of having a similar approval rating.

Cheney's right. Obama wants the U.S. to return to the role of being a policeman against jihadists. And everyone knows how well that turned out the last time we tried that.

" And everyone knows how well that turned out the last time we tried that."

Indeed. Bush and Cheney invaded two countries, fueled islamic extremism and dragged the good name of the US through mud and blood and caused lots and lots of dead people.

I'm glad to see people appreciating President Obama's more intelligent GWOT, even if the only real difference in policy is a leader who can speak proper.

i think waterbooarding is in order." Well, if its no ok to do it them, why him? Would you say beheading is in order for a few of them?

Indeed. Bush and Cheney invaded two countries" I'll give you Iraq, but were you against the idea of catching OBL in Afghanistan too? fueled islamic extremism" How's that? you are telling me that by putting possible terror suspects in a prison that had some high facilities and putting several of them through water boarding while the extreamist would cut off a person's head and put it on you tube, drag a dead infidel through the streets like he was nothing more than a dead cat (while his family gets to watch it on cnn).. you're telling me that old dick made them angry.

and dragged the good name of the US through mud" when was it ever out? The guys who've been after us were after us when Clinton was in power as well, or would you prefer to forget that? and blood and caused lots and lots of dead people." Who started the fight.

Yes Taka: Why, just a couple of months ago, not supporting the President during a time of war was something that would, "give the enemy comfort."" Yes, criticize the stimulus package, and the NAACP calls you a racist. Put Obama in any negative light and you are shut down or paying out something...

At least we could have fun with Bush's face, family, etc.. You can't do a damn thing now.

After all these years it still thrills to say 'Bush invaded 2 countries!' and, tee-hee, fueled Islamic "extremism" worldwide.

the only real difference in policy is a leader who can speak proper.

As long as Obama's teleprompter is plugged in.

guys who've been after us were after us when Clinton was in power as well, or would you prefer to forget that?

Liberals tend to overlook the fact that while Clinton was in office we were attacked around the world on average of once every 18 months.

But hey, to them, they are content that Obama can "speak proper" as long as his script rolls smoothly on the teleprompter.

"After all these years it still thrills to say 'Bush invaded 2 countries!' and, tee-hee, fueled Islamic "extremism" worldwide."

Uhm, it's quite the opposite for those of us who actually understand what Bush's catastrophic policies have done to fuel extremism.

I'm not surprised you personally find it amusing, as all this is a bit of fun from your favourite rightwing hate blog - those of us that see the hated Reality, of a future were US policies under Bush have guaranteed the extremists un-imaginable recruitment potential, aren't chuckling about it.

aggie,

"As long as Obama's teleprompter is plugged in."

Wow, you and the boy are now just parroting each other.

"Liberals tend to overlook the fact that while Clinton was in office we were attacked around the world on average of once every 18 months."

Most are probably thinking of the every eighteen seconds US forces came under attack looking for a "WMD" that Bush Co made up. Really ramen, you used to flame better..

"How's that?"

Skip, if you don't think Islamic extremism has been fuelled by the GWOT - or at least some aspects of it, namely Iraq - that really had nothing to do with the GWOT - and actually did the opposite and created a breeding ground for the bastards - then I can only say you've been out of it since '01.

OK, the detainee policy is only a tiny part of that - but each time suspects are released - like the British national of late - who proceed to recant alleged torture at the hands or at least on the instructions of our own spooks - it just gives more fuel to the fire and is totally counter-productive from what the so-called war on terror set out to achieve.

Bush and Cheney's policies made America less safe. Obama hasn't had the time in office yet to change that, only idiots like Cheney and the few remaining bush faithful here delude themselves into blaming everything on Obama.

What saddens me are the individuals on the boards that are hoping for Obama to fail to get partisan brownie points, like their hero and opfficial Shrieksperson, rush Limbaugh. I'm sure some are secretly hoping for another 9-11 style attack on US soil in order to blame about the new president.

And what's even more amusing and/or disturbing is that these individuals consider themselves "patriots".

Simply amazing what you can learn here.

Bush is personally responsible for the Sunni - Shia split in Islam and he has fueled "extremism" from Bali to the burning banlieues of Paris. Though still a governor in 1998 he is the reason for bin Laden and Al Qaeda's 1998 fatwa declaring war on America.

Did I miss anything?

rollonarte: "Simply amazing what you can learn here."

What's amazing is that you think you still have any credibility after your.... what handle number is this?

Anyway, you're right about bush/cheney being one of the causes of the terrorism increase, you're just off about the timing, place, and... well... just about everything (though that's nothing new). I doubt even cheney is talking about, as you try to make it seem, 'America being less safe' in regards to the the Sunni - Shia split.

Come on, bud... try to post on the topic at hand.

"Bush is personally responsible for the Sunni - Shia split in Islam"

Nobody has said that. Please at least try to follow the debate.

"and he has fueled "extremism" from Bali to the burning banlieues of Paris"

Bush Co's ME agenda has fuelled extremism. As usual you're adding as many subjects as possible in the vain hope the subject will get lost (heh, Paris banlieu's my ass), but sorry rolllo, no dice.

Bush co's ME policy has fueled international terrorism and it's recruitment, whilst it's made the US a whole lot less safe.

Keep hoping for an attack on US soil, old friend. We know what you really are.

He will soon be back with Haliburton so who cares. Good riddance and bye bye Dick. Have a nice retirement and please do not go near too many microwaves.

Can this man be any worse for our nation. He and his gang robbed us blind, lied and cheated our nation. Who is he to try and say someone else is doing something wrong? Hell we got hit by Bin Laden because of the Bush administration. Good riddance hope he gets back to working for Haliburton and move to Adu Dhabi where he belongs....

Mad, I recall being sent to Somalia. Was this an invasion? Clinton then sent me back there, was that an occupation? What did the Somali's do to us? Oh, we were helping them.

I'll put it like this: the leaders of our worlds throw out words, we decide which side we play on. We heard about the torture, how bad it was... well, its still open! Can you give me 100% proof that everything is all hunky dory? Why aren't they all let out? He's the commander in chief, he still has 100% control over them with out Nancy's approval. So tell me why is still even there? I am willing to bet something is keeping them there and you won't know about it because Obama is the man! He has half of America kissing his feet.

don't get me wrong, I'm not down with Cheney, but I would like to see a more open mind on how things are going.

Bush and Cheney's policies made America less safe. Obama hasn't had the time in office yet to change that, only idiots like Cheney and the few remaining bush faithful here delude themselves into blaming everything on Obama." How long was Bush in when 9-11 happened? How long was Clinton in when WTC was bombed (but it failed to go off)?

What saddens me are the individuals on the boards that are hoping for Obama to fail to get partisan brownie points, like their hero and opfficial Shrieksperson, rush Limbaugh. I'm sure some are secretly hoping for another 9-11 style attack on US soil in order to blame about the new president." Well, you're talking to the wrong person. I ain't ever listened to Limbaugh, only heard him when news was covering him ( I dobn't listen to talk radio)

smithinjapan: "I suggest you type his first name ( Dick ) an internet search field and see what comes up"

I get "short for Richard."

rollonarte: "Bush is personally responsible for the Sunni - Shia split in Islam and he has fueled "extremism" from Bali to the burning banlieues of Paris."

Nah... what's amazing is your inability to actually stay on topic. No one said bush is responsible for Sunni - Shia relations; what people have said is that bush and co. are responsible for fueling terrorism, and that is a fact. The US is less safe now than it was before bush took office... which, ahem, if you don't know was also before 9/11.

Anyway, dude... seriously... try to read people's posts before you try to comment on them.

Most are probably thinking of the every eighteen seconds US forces came under attack looking for a "WMD" that Bush Co made up.

Young man, turn off your computer and get back to class. You're missing out on a free education.

Really ramen, you used to flame better..

what's a ramen?

smithinjapan: "No one said bush is responsible for Sunni-Shia relations"

Really? But a bunch of liberals here said Bush is responsible for the "illegal invasion" which "opened the bowels of hell" and "destabilized" Iraq and started a "civil war" between the Sunnis and the Shias.

But back to the topic at hand:

"Cheney... worried that Obama was using the economic crisis "to justify a massive expansion in the government and much more authority for the government over the private sector"

I'm worried about that too.

sarge: "I get "short for Richard."

Congratulations on choosing option 10,000,000 or so. Anyway, he still lives up to his name, Dick, if that helps you.

smithinjapan - So, Cheney's living up to his first name, Dick, whch is short for Richard. OK.

Moderator: Enough of this nonsense, please.

The man helped destroy your country as you used to know it. Obama is healing it. You ought to thank the latter for saving you from what the former was doing. You can once again take pride in your country, while poor old Dick can do nothing but wallow in shame. Last I heard, though, he's going to move out of the nation he claimed to love (but has really only increased the threats against), to go live in Dubai and avoid paying taxes.

"Asked if he was declaring "mission accomplished"... Cheney replied, "I wouldn't use that, just because it triggers reactions that we don't need."

It sure has triggered reactions we don't need on this board.

"It sure has triggered reactions we don't need on this board."

It's as far-fetched as a Spielberg movie, that's why.

Skip,

"How long was Bush in when 9-11 happened?"

Much longer than Obama has. And that's not the point - as I'm not blaming Bush policies implemented at the debut of his presidency directly for the events of 9-11.....knowing the attacks were imminent however, and being asleep at the wheel whilst being the boss is a completely different charge I'd level if this were the topic at hand.

Your Somalia reference has nothing to do with this topic either - that was a humanitarian mission for people who were risking starvation, until the US got bogged down into bloody intra-clan fighting and "nation building".....(ever hear that one before?) That had nothing to do with keeping America safe, it was a humanitarian mission.

"Well, you're talking to the wrong person. I ain't ever listened to Limbaugh, only heard him when news was covering him ( I dobn't listen to talk radio)"

I wasn't meaning your truly :) I was refering to the partisan nut-jobs that would rather see America turn into some place like Somalia to prove the GOP rules...

Credit where credit is due: cheney is consistent. Consistently wrong, but consistent.

Greeted in Iraq as liberators: nope.

Iraq cultivating WMDs: nope.

Pres. Obama's detainee policies make U.S. less safe: according to the 2006 NIE, another nope for the dope.

Taka

I love this. This is exactly how they bush administration ran their regime. Blame everybody else and don't take or admit any fault.

-- Agreed that Obama had inherited “difficult” economic circumstances but rejected efforts to blame the Bush administration.

I'll be glad when charges for crimes against humanity are made. < :-)

Taka313: "Pres. Obama's detainee policies make U.S. less safe: according to the 2006 NIE"

What?

sarge,

Pres. Obama wants to close Gitmo. dick says closing Gitmo makes U.S. less safe. NIE determined that the presence of Gitmo fueled the Jihad movement. Fueling jihadist recruitment is bad for America.

You with me now?

Taka

Gitmo houses jihadis from many different nations. If its continued operation only 'fuels' recruitment that would seem to confirm that militant Islam is transnational, the Bush - Cheney 'Neo-Con' worldview vindicated.

That's my boy rollonarte! What an argument. A true piece of neo-con work.

Devoid of logic is no longer enough, he's shooting for devoid of all ethics as well. Take a bow.

Gitmo aids in terrorist recruitment, which in turn leads to American deaths? Who cares? You got your "vidication."

Yours, much like your deities, truly IS a neo-con worldview. Not quite past the tip of your nose.

Taka

Cheney is right though. This administration worries more about the rights of terrorists than it does the safety of the American public it is pledged to protect.

It's also now clear that Obama and his fellow ideologues care even less for the health and welfare of those Americans who fight terrorists and guard violent enemy combatants - sorry - 'people who misunderstand Islam violently.'

Proof?

Just ask the leader of America's largest veterans' group:

The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization says he is “deeply disappointed and concerned” after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090316/pl_usnw/the_american_legion_strongly_opposed_to_president_s_plan_tocharge wounded_heroes_for_treatment

rollonarte: Demanding that private companies pay for the care of veterans is ensuring they are cared for, which is the opposite of what you are trying to argue. Or perhaps you'd like to remind us of the vets coming home from Iraq that were living in squalor with rats running at Walter Reed around while bush was president, were getting screwed in terms of equipment thanks to cheney's Haliburton, and in general getting little or no care upon return from a senseless mission.

wow... you are very far off the mark with that one.

Wow rollo, you've become an advocate for veterans' rights now bush has left the building?

Heh, buddy - you really are amusing.

Taka313 - "Pres. Obama wants to close Gitmo. dick ( Dick Cheney ) says closing Gitmo makes U.S. less safe. NIE determined that the presence of Gitmo fueled the Jihad movement. Fueling jihadist movement is bad for America."

You're all about equivocation, Taka313. You might as well just say, "All jackasses have long ears. Karl is a jackass. Therefore Karl has long ears."

So, the NIE dtermined that the presence of Gitmo fueled the Jihad movement, did they? And did they also say that if we bend over and grab the ankles, the Jihad movement will disappear?

sarge,

Boy, that's a lot of vitriol (and a thesaurus) from you, sargie.

did they also say that if we bend over and grab the ankles, the Jihad movement will disappear?

No, but you are free to give it a try. Even if it is unsuccessful, you will then be one of the few neo-cons worldwide who can say they actively participated in the war on terror. A thin claim, but, still, far more than your comrades-in-keyboards.

Don't forget to take a picture of yourself fighting terrorism. Perhaps JT can use it as their Pic of the Day!

DOUBLE the bragging rights for you then! What's not to like?

Taka

I do find it amusing that the far right has come out with guns a blaring to try and save themselves.

How do they deflect from the Rush vs Steele winner take all death match? Well that is simple, bring out a has-been that is loathed more than anyone else in the world. Yep you the Republicans bring out Dick Chenney!

Yep the only way to deflect from those two was by having someone who everyone really hates and make sure Dick says something negative against the President.

That way everyone will forget that little Republican uncivil war happening as we speak.

Wonder how the plan worked out?

BTW Sarge, who are you for Rush or Steele?

This from a guy who probably knew 9-11 was coming and did nothing to stop it. Then for the next seven years he lived out of a bunker plotting daily how to destroy the USA. He should be in jail now for the iraq lies and useless, needless death it caused.

Cheney is a war criminal who should be strung up....

Does anybody else remember the Righties demanding we support the President a few years ago? Disagreeing with the C-i-C was the same thing as sedition.

Suddenly, the most despised man in recent political history speaks out against the sitting President and we're all supposed to fall in line. The toad who used daily terror warnings to pre-empt dissent over the shredding of the Constitution, now says "Oooooh terror, terror, terror" all over again and expects to erode support for the legitimately-elected President.

Not going to happen, Dick.

Indeed the US is less safe without Cheney and his fellow thugs behind bars.