Former Vice President Dick Cheney…
You probably remember him.
…anyway, Darth Cheney has a book out today (“In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir“): and the Left is acting – about as you’d expect, honestly (note that I’m including in that list a bunch of people who are still trying to pretend that they’re not on the Left, these days). The shrieking is highly amusing, not least for the reason that most of the poor schmucks doing it are fairly transparently trying to avoid thinking about the fact that the current administration is more or less doing a Cargo Cult imitation of Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Rice’s foreign policy. Which is to say, if you look at it from a distance and squint then it kind of looks like the previous administration’s foreign policy… but get up close and you realize that it’s all bamboo and palm fronds where steel should be. Not to mention all the people standing around and scratching their heads over why the magic spells weren’t working.
Then again, that’s an improvement over our 2008 expectations with regard to this administration.
At any rate, the book’s out today, and it promises to cause just as many hysteria-based aneurysms as Donald Rumsfeld‘s Known and Unknown: A Memoir did. So, you may want to check it out for that alone.
Moe Lane (crosspost)
Moe Lane
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Jeff Emanuel
The most qualified man
altexas Tuesday, August 30th at 4:52PM EDT (link)The most qualified man to ever serve as vice President was Thomas Jefferson under John Adams. At that time, the runner up became the second even though they were of different parties. As a result of their differences, Thomas went back to Monticello and grew plants animals and apparently, babies.
The next most qualified man did not occur until George Bush the First served under Ronaldus Maximimus. Even at that, his service was pretty standard for the position.
Not until Dick Cheney did we have a vice-President that actually exercised administrative function. A function so meaningful (for a vice President) that it warranted and still warrants criticism from the popular media. Rather then being the brunt of jokes like an Algore or a Lyndon Johnson, Dick Cheney is actually hated for doing stuff, meaningful stuff. Stuff that changed the world for the better.
It is said that a vice President has two jobs; 1, he is to attend State funerals and 2. he is to check on the health of the President daily.
Dick Cheney did more than that. Dick Cheney gave up his Texas citizenship so he could serve under George Bush the Second. Now that is sacrifice. The man is a patriot.
In Which You Stumble Upon My Jeffersonian Raw Nerve: Qualified…and Dangerous
ntrepid (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 6:16PM EDT (link)First of all, great comment altexas. I won’t even touch the “most qualified” opinion but about that “went back to Monticello and grew plants animals and apparently, babies” I may quibble slightly. I have and will continue to argue that Mr. Jefferson was “The Most Dangerous #2” (1) we have had…from a 2008 RedState comment that seems to have also been related to a diary about the good Mr. Cheney:
“These attacks on Mr. Cheney are always quite amusing to me. In him (actually, his mythical MSM persona) the Democrats and the media have created the perfect bogeyman for all occasions. It will be interesting to see their reactions when history finally records him as probably the most relevant VP to-date for our republic. Or, maybe his legacy will just seem extra shiny against the irrelevant-arrogant backdrop of the Mr. Gore-Mrs. Clinton (respectively) duet that served as Mr. Clinton’s number two. But, I digress.”
“I’d really like to address this topic of most dangerous VP. U.S. history is littered with irrelevant, even unfilled VP offices so the pool is smaller than many may imagine. Certainly, it is hard to argue that the infamous Mr. Burr was bad before, during, and after his term. His actions were definitely dangerous at times…I just thank God that he was the one to step forward to fill that slot in history and not someone of greater character who may have succeeded in those misguided endeavors.”
“With that all said, the grand prize winner on my list of “Most Dangerous #2 in US History” goes to none other than Mr. Thomas Jefferson. Although the written history of his later career significantly shadows and blurs his performance as our countries second VP, it should be remembered how active he was in undercutting and orchestrating opposition to the first US President not to enjoy the honor and respect carried with the name “George Washington”. The country and our government were very young and very fragile in those days…Mr. Jefferson’s games were extremely dangerous.”
“Not to mention, he was a Democrat so this fits nicely into my overriding agenda.”
By the way, I’m also on record here as supporting a Cheney/Cheney ticket…pick any two of the top three and I will be happy in 2012.
Ntrepid
Proud Redstate Member since April 2006…?
(1) The RedState link doesn’t seem to work but here is the old path anyway: http://www.redstate.com/diaries/redstate/2008/oct/04/the-new-york-post-is-offended-by-bidens-deba/
“Everybody has an agenda. Except for me.” – Michael Crichton, State of Fear.
I'll More Than Quibble
edintexas Tuesday, August 30th at 7:42PM EDT (link)While all the “historians” (Leftists almost to a [wo[man) jumped on the DNA testing to say it “proved” Jefferson fathered a child with Sally Hemings. However, since Thomas Jefferson had no acknowledged children, the DNA passed from members of his extended family against which the Hemings family DNA was tested.
IIRC Jefferson’s nephew, and perhaps one other member of his extended family (my recollection is fuzzy on exactly who was living with Jefferson at the time), lived with Jefferson and had equal opportunity to have relations with Ms. Hemings. It is not possible to definitively state that Thomas Jefferson fathered a child with Sally Hemings. It is equally possible that it may have been Thomas Jefferson, or another member of the Jefferson family. The Left was most happy to claim it was definitive, but that is not possible and we should not simply accept their version of history as truth.
Two nephews, I believe
Adjoran (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 3:49AM EDT (link)frequently stayed at Monticello and had the run of the place, Jefferson having no sons of his own.
You are correct that it can never be known for sure, the family agreed to accept the Hemings descendants to end the controversy, since they are related somehow, and even if by the nephews, that’s as close as ANY of the Jefferson family today is to Mr. Jefferson himself anyway.
"We should not simply accept their version of history as truth."
davesinsanantonio (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 5:42AM EDT (link)should be one of our accepted axioms. Too often we let the Left get away with murdering history with their fables and lies. Too often we let them dictate the terms of the debate. I believe that one of Reagan’s strongest points is that he would not let them get away with either. “There he goes again” was one of his most effective lines.
"we should not simply accept their version of history as truth."
davesinsanantonio (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 5:46AM EDT (link)This should be one of our basic operating principles. Too often we let the Left get away with murdering history with their fables and lies. Too often we allow them to dictate the terms of the debate, and accept their definitions of words. I believe that one of Reagan’s strengths was that he did not let them get away with these things. “There he goes again” was one of his most effective lines.
New book coming out Thursday...
ofby4thepeople Friday, September 2nd at 10:29AM EDT (link)disputing the claims that Jefferson had children with Hemings:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/30/new-book-disputes-claim-jefferson-fathered-childre/
Hannity 8/30
popdaddy Tuesday, August 30th at 10:39PM EDT (link)Hannity had a good interview tonight with the best VP in my 60+ years. Dick Chaney deserves the respect of all Americans.
God Bless Dick Chaney, we need more patriots like him to step forward to rescue America and it’s exceptionalism!
Jefferson was a venal VP in his slander against Adams behind his back
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 11:08PM EDT (link)He was great in many ways, esp as President in the Louisiana Purchase, the Navy and the war against the Barbary pirates. He sucked on economics and left us in a great depression. more later
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
the navy?
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 7:59AM EDT (link)Jefferson attempted to reduce the US Navy from Adams’ which thrashed the French during the Quasi War to gunboats for harbor defense.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Yes, but as President he wised up and used the navy
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 1:52PM EDT (link)to great effect.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
I wish 2000 had given us Cheney/Rumsfeld.
mbecker908 (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 5:22PM EDT (link)nt
becker, that is something on which I can wholeheartedly agree! nt
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 6:48PM EDT (link)…
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)
Remembering 2000 well
Scope (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 8:02PM EDT (link)A friend had said that with Cheney on the ticket, he was the experienced adult in the room, so to speak, and provided the strength to the ticket. Agree Cheney should have been at the top of the ticket.
yes, MB, we can dream, but do you agree with me re the hatred of Cheney
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 11:10PM EDT (link)and Bush to a lesser degree, that the level of hatred from the Left is due to their hatred of strong men that dare to speak the raw truth about the evil and threats we face and what we must do? Mush like the child that is getting his linch money taken by bullies, wants it to stop but resents Dad for making them stand up to the bully?
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Dick Armey
devereaux Tuesday, August 30th at 8:06PM EDT (link)http://tinyurl.com/6rn35h
Stormin Norman and Robert Gates
http://tinyurl.com/3ub8ae7
devereaux- Is there any chance
Scope (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 8:37PM EDT (link)that you could post your links in a clickable fashion, or at least give someone a hint at what you are posting. I have no desire to chase a story that I have no idea what it is about. It’s like a good headline that can draw your attention to want to read further.
Obama has tortured terrorists but where's the left?
Juggernaut (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 8:37PM EDT (link)Bunch of fake liberal cowards. Where is FOX news and its so called fair and balanced reporting of the facts on Obama’s renditions?. Obama tortures and its concealed, Bush and Cheney do the right thing and its an international crime. Cheney was wise to support doing the right thing just as Clinton and Gore tortured and where was the left then.
Want to see the left really come unglued, its time for the conservative media to write and talk about Obama’s Renditions aka torture. That will awaken the sleeping anti war left and it it will also compel the media to give Obama the same treat. Nah, the left would never do that, not even MSNBC aka MSDNC but they would have to cover the issue as the momentum grew.
Keith Olbermann spent about a minute talking about Obama’s renditions, very inspiring choad considering the hours of rants about Bush and Cheney. Turn up the heat and watch Obama drop in the polls.
http://www.alternet.org/world/142686/obama_brings_gitmo_and_rendition_to_bagram_%28and_not_the_geneva_conventions%29/
Obama Brings Gitmo And Rendition To Bagram (And Not The Geneva Conventions)
RomneyCare is Right Wing Socialism –
Romney “severely conservative”? That’s the opposite of a “compassionate conservative” like George W. Bush? Actually, we know what a severely conservative is. It’s Dick Cheney and Mitt Romney is no Dick Cheney.
yes, just as Clinton had rendition and ECHELON
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 11:11PM EDT (link)nt
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Agreed, Clinton tortured 3 terrorists and lied
Juggernaut (Diary) Friday, October 7th at 10:38PM EDT (link)about genocide in Kosovo plus the failed Op Blackhawk to take a hostage . The left never cared that Clinton said 100K were killed in Kosovo according to intel sources. The body count was less than 8% of that.
RomneyCare is Right Wing Socialism –
Romney “severely conservative”? That’s the opposite of a “compassionate conservative” like George W. Bush? Actually, we know what a severely conservative is. It’s Dick Cheney and Mitt Romney is no Dick Cheney.
I don't suppose many of you know that Cheney's middle name is
Tbone (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 10:15PM EDT (link)Gravitas.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Bruce.
rickbull Tuesday, August 30th at 10:25PM EDT (link)But Gravitas fits him better.
WE ARE THE 53% (who actually pay taxes).
Cargo cult...
macbookben (Diary) Tuesday, August 30th at 10:24PM EDT (link)…what a deliciously rich metaphor for summarizing Obama’s cut-and-paste anti-terrorism policy adapted specially for his politically correct sensibilities. I would like to find a copy of Richard Feynman’s graduation address and re-read it with a big smile on my face. You nailed it good, Moe.
Proud reformed liberal, born-again conservative (since 1999)
Cheney never sold out
victrola Tuesday, August 30th at 10:56PM EDT (link)and I also agree I would have greatly preferred Cheney in the White House to Bush. I never got that queasy feeling in my stomach when Cheney was at a debate, doing a speech, or answering questions from reporters. The biggest failure of the Bush Presidency was that Bush came off being completely in over his head. Whether you agreed or disagreed with him, no one could question Cheney’s competence.
Call me delusional, but had Cheney had a better ticker, I think he would have at least made the 2008 election with Obama a race instead of McCain who only has a killer instinct when it came to his fellow Republicans.
your delusional
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 12:35AM EDT (link)what? you told me too
but seriously, cheney had no chance. I personally, thought the GOP did the smart thing going with McCain. It was a desperate move, but the mood of the country at the time was running as far away from bush as they could, it would have been impossible to get a “3rd bush term”. I don’t like McCain, and it was a desperate move, kinda like a hail mary, but it was the best option at the time. the only better thing would have been to run ron paul and get that annoyance over with.
Even today people still hate “darth” cheney. I guess some just can’t get over that whole ‘iraq not having wmd’s’ thing. losers.
HUH?
gunslingr45 Wednesday, August 31st at 9:29AM EDT (link)I personally, thought the GOP did the smart thing going with McCain.
He had about as much chance of winning as that crazy woodpecker, woody.
Yes that is true
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:41AM EDT (link)however, the mcain/woddy ticket had twice the chance of anyone close to bush. the dems strategy was paint the candidate as bush (remember the mcsame label) and the gop strategy was to distance yourself from bush as much as possible.
"Deficits don't matter"
harshlightoftruth Wednesday, August 31st at 7:07AM EDT (link)If that isn’t a sell out of small, fiscally-sound government, I’m not sure what is.
they don't
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 8:02AM EDT (link)but that is a different debate
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Deficits DO matter, if they are Large enough
YnotNOW (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:22AM EDT (link)Small deficits are OK as long as the National Debt has not reached the size where interest payments on the debt are dragging down the economy. But the fact is that the Debt has reached (and exceeded) that size, and it is a major factor in the difficulty in emerging from the current recession.
Therefore the Debt must be lowered.
Therefore the Deficit must be lowered – or reversed to start paying down the absolute size of the Debt.
YnotNOW
If not me, who? If not now, when?
that's the point
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 12:04PM EDT (link)deficits, per se, don’t matter. The size of deficits matter a lot.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
are you a liberal?
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:35AM EDT (link)if deficits dont matter, why do we tax at all? why dont we just defecit finance everything? why do we have limits on the debt?
our problems are solved! just borrow and spend! oh wait, why are we in this economic mess again?
It is always a matter of scale/proportion
JSobieski (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:43AM EDT (link)We could have a deficit equal to 3% of GDP forever and it wouldn’t really matter.
Gravity is irrelevant to microbe or even an insect, but gravity is deadly when an elephant falls out of a plane.
Did you know that China has been losing manufacturing jobs since 1995? For the specific data, see Table 1 in the following link: http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/07/art2full.pdf
Size matters
YnotNOW (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:49AM EDT (link)in that the Debt should not be allowed to grow faster than GDP growth – at least over a longer term. So a 3% growth in Debt (caused by a deficit equal to 3% of GDP) is only allowable if the economy is growing at a 3% rate (which it is not).
But this is only long-term.
We have been growing debt so much faster than GDP growth for the past 4 years (Bush later years and then accelerating wiht Obama), that we need a “correction” – requiring a balanced budget for several years just to get the debt level back on track.
YnotNOW
If not me, who? If not now, when?
A deficit 3% of GDP???
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 11:12AM EDT (link)Holy crap, that is still running up half a trillion dollars a year!
you don’t get to pay interest on just the deficit, you have to pay it on the whole debt! what happens when interest payments on the accumulated debt become unsustainable? (which is a guaranteed under your suggestion).
3% of GDP
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 12:06PM EDT (link)is sustainable infinitely via an expanding GDP. It’s a fact. Look it up.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Sure,
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 1:45PM EDT (link)if you add all the neccessary “if’s”, but that isn’t reality.
It’s like saying a ponzi scheme will work if you keep adding investors. which is a good analogy based on the economic similarities.
So basically what you are saying is, “deficits don’t matter if you live in fantasyland”.
Unintentional funniest comment of the day?
acat (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 10:48AM EDT (link)streiff. A liberal.
Just .. no.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
well, if it walks like a duck
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 11:13AM EDT (link)and talks like a duck…
I mean you gotta ask right?
Let me put it this way. Lawyers reportedly don't ask questions...
acat (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 11:39AM EDT (link)that they don’t know the answers to.
In this case, asking whether streiff is a liberal is .. silly. A few minutes with google, using the tag “streiff site:redstate.com” or – better “streiff site:archive.redstate.com” should show why.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
lol
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 1:47PM EDT (link)there are lots of things you can say about lawyers
are you trying to be banned?
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 12:05PM EDT (link)if not 1) don’t insult me and 2) don’t misrepresent a factual statement for the sake of some orthodoxy you adhere to.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
sorry man
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 1:51PM EDT (link)Just trying to have a little fun while discussing a matter of importance to me. Don’t take it personal.
Try that apology again, jonnymadison.
Moe Lane (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 1:54PM EDT (link)Only this time mean it, and don’t do it again.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
Honestly
jonnymadison (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 2:44PM EDT (link)Honestly Moe, I did mean it the first time.
I don’t want to hurt feelings, but I do understand that sometimes you can’t tell intent of good natured fun in the written form, so maybe this will help mend fences:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLR25EJtfE
Clever, jonny
westcoastpatriette (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 3:02PM EDT (link)Not to impose myself in the middle of this brouhaha–but if I were angry with you, that link would have sufficed as a sincere, heartfelt apology.
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:1-3
8 hours
DerKrieger (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 12:33AM EDT (link)…without any new posts? Is the RS crew on vacation?
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
5 for the Feynman reference alone
Finrod (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 2:21AM EDT (link)Richard Feynman was the first IIRC to generalize the term cargo cult, with his description of cargo cult science (which is still a problem to this day).
Personally, my favorite way of using Dick Cheney to make liberals’ heads explode is to tell them that he’s in favor of gay marriage. Works almost every time.
PETA and the ASPCA are pure evil. See here and here.
Thank you, Moe!!!
peg_c (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 5:55AM EDT (link)This is my current profile pic on FB and I’ve been telling my friends about this and the caption for 2 full years. Hands-down my favorite photo on RS ever. Love this man!
He was great on Rush yesterday, looking forward to his “Hannity” appearances on my DVR. He’s not robust anymore and we need to appreciate this national treasure while we have him. What a man.
Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
try
gunslingr45 Wednesday, August 31st at 8:53AM EDT (link)saying the name Karl Rove around a liberal. even if he is plugging for the wrong center way left candidate right now.
A True Patriot
rsmith7042 (Diary) Wednesday, August 31st at 9:28AM EDT (link)Everything anyone on this blog has said that is positive about VP Cheney is correct and deserved. I would add that Cheney dodged the Vietnam draft citing he had other priorities. He had no problem sending others to war but ran when it was his turn. He is probably the only draft dodger I would vote for, for President.
Russell A. Smith, M.Ed.
LTC, IN, USA, Ret.