Cheney Defends Bush Appointments

[NVMojo]

Mr. Potatohead speaks ...

Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page A01

Vice President Cheney said yesterday that the elevation of White House loyalists and supporters of the Iraq war to key diplomatic posts puts the United States in a stronger position to force changes at the United Nations and improve the U.S. image abroad.

In an interview aboard Air Force Two, Cheney said the nomination of John R. Bolton to serve as ambassador to the United Nations in particular shows President Bush's commitment to ending corruption and changing the culture at the world body.

"There is clearly a lot that needs to be done at the United Nations," he said pointing to the oil-for-food scandal and recent charges of sexual assault by a U.N. official. "There is ample evidence here at home a great many Americans are not happy with the performance of the United Nations," Cheney said.

"We are the host country, we're the biggest contributor to its budget, and success long-term, I think, depends on the continued support of the U.S. and the American people," he continued. Cheney said the fact that Bolton has been a critic of the United Nations will give him "a great deal more credibility" tackling the challenges there.

In the interview conducted en route from Reno, Nev., the vice president bluntly acknowledged the administration's shortcomings in overcoming international hostility to American foreign policy and communicating a positive image of the United States abroad, especially to the Arab and Muslim world.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A58398-2005Mar22?language=printer

[punpirate]

1. Uh, credibility about what and by whom?

The rest of the UN? The rest of the world? Maybe North Korea will retract their remarks about him?

Mr. Potatohead, indeed. In more ways than one.

I predict fistfights in the halls of the UN days after his confirmation....

[NVMojo]

2. yeah, like he can end "corruption" ...what version of it??

I am so sick of these people....

[punpirate]

10. Doncha just love the talking points...

... though? Corruption--still harping about Annan's son dipping his hand in the oil-for-food till, but politely ignoring the Volcker report about most of the major US oil companies making side deals with Hussein's people for billions while the US government and the UN Security Council looked the other way....

If the banks in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands were suddenly required to open their books, what tales those books would tell....

Cheers.

[anarchy1999]

3. Yes sir, Condi, Negroponte, Wolfowitz, gee I just can't get over it.

How could anyone round the world not feel good about all these special appointments?

[Old and In the Way]

4. Let's open up all the files on Halliburton and see what true corruption

looks like. Cheney is a pathological sociopath. A world-class war-profiteering war criminal....few people, with his baggage, could utter these statements and keep a straight face.

[NVMojo]

5. good point ...a vacant conscience ....

[blogbear]

6. amen

[saigon68]

8. Cheney is a pathological sociopath

And also poses a from time to time as a Right wing Fundy NutCase

[ninkasi]

7. I can't get past

the part about these appointments improving the U.S. image abroad. I mean, he's got to have some serious short circuiting in his brain to say something as ridiculous as that.

Bush appoints, without fail, the least qualified criminal and/or political hack he can, and it's supposed to make things better. The fact that the sneering one has to defend the appointments should give him a clue that they aren't going to improve our image, or relations, or anything else abroad.

People in Europe, for example, have a real press. Their reporters don't lie on their backs waiting for Smirky to rub their bellies.

[lovuian]

9. the next move is US leaving the UN!!!

I can see us walking out!!!

this is coming!!!

[cornermouse]

11. Or the U.N. moving their headquarters out of the U.S.

[Rose Siding]

12. "Up until now, that has been a very weak part of our arsenal."

"If we are going to be successful long-term in the war on terror and in the broader objective of promoting freedom and democracy in that part of the world, we have to get the public diplomacy piece of it right," Cheney said. "Up until now, that has been a very weak part of our arsenal."

Uh, you think maybe that's because you and your monkey go around invading, threatening and using military imagery for EVERYTHING?

[Moderator]

13. kick to combine

[lovuian]

14. Cheney attacks Powell, says U.S. diplomacy very weak until now

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=680a5e06ff7ea5c0

Big News Network.com Wednesday 23rd March, 2005

U.S. diplomacy has been very weak up until now says Vice President Dick Cheney.

Commenting on proposed appointments of hard-liners John Bolton and Paul Wolfowitz Cheney said, "If we are going to be successful long-term in the war on terror and in the broader objective of promoting freedom and democracy in (Arab and Muslim parts) of the world, we have to get the public diplomacy piece of it right. Up until now, that has been a very weak part of our arsenal."

Colin Powell as Secretary of State has been the architect of U.S. diplomacy for the past four years and often was seen to be at odds with other Bush administration officials, principally the vice president.
In an interview with the Washington Post Cheney said, "What the president has done ... is make some personnel changes that he felt would strengthen our capacity as an administration to achieve our objectives."
more...

The most important change was that lousy Colin Powell!!!
Colin Powell must be livid!!! Hee Hee Hee!!!

[Jack Rabbit]

15. I guess we'd better not make Powell and Cheney cell mates in The Hague

It might not work too well.

[RaleighNCDUer]

31. Oh, hell, despite his lies and weaseling, I'd happily give Powell

immunity if he would turn states witness against the BFEE.

[saigon68]

36. the New face of diplomacy

pure Satanic evil




666

[Massachusetts]

52. Yikes!

[alarcojon]

71. True dat!

B-)

[The Backlash Cometh]

49. LOL!

The truth is, if Powell wasn't as diplomatic as he was, Bush and Cheney would never have been voted in a second time. He slowed things down just enough to allow for a semblance of diplomacy. If Cheney and Bush had their way, the would have come across like conquerors and we'd probably be in a bigger war than we are in now.

[coloradodem2005]

16. Real fuckin' classy.

Powell should rip Cheney a new one.

[saigon68]

23. COLON WAS TOO UPPITY FOR CHENEY'S TASTE

colon for all his faults was in the service. Cheney is a goul and a grave robber.

[auburngrad82]

51. It's Colin. Colon makes him sound like an asshole. eom

[kiraboo]

63. gee, I just thought somebody was being clever! n/t

[saigon68]

74. Apparently he hasn't spoken (farted) lately

His take is more of a baritone whoosh.

[Massachusetts]

53. Let us not forget the DICKS resume...

Name: Richard "Dick" Cheney (R-WY)
Born: 1942
Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
Notes: Says he had "other priorities." You bet he had other priorities. Imagine how early in life you must begin scheming to get away with what this guy has. He was too busy thinking about Halliburton to go fight Charlie. Compliments The New Hampshire Gazette

[driver8]

43. More proof that Cheney is the biggest asshole in the admnistration

What a classy guy...

I am so glad that these "statesmen" are running our government. Where would we be without them??

[July]

69. Yep, once again, they eat their own.

Backstabbers would throw their own mothers away like used toilet paper.

[Frances]

17. Is this Adam Clayton Powell III who I think he is?

<<Cheney who made his comments to the Washington Post Tuesday while flying from Reno to Washington was supported by Adam Clayton Powell III, visiting professor and senior fellow at the University of Southern California Centre on Public Diplomacy. In commenting on the Hughes appointment he said, “Regardless of the merits of US policies or the lack thereof, there is almost universal agreement that the US has been woefully lacking in effectively stating its case. This is not a brief for propaganda, marketing or public relations: it is a simple recognition that the US has not stated its policy or policy objectives clearly or in ways that audiences in most of the world can understand.”>>

2 thoughts:

(1) Colin Powell sold his soul for Bush and this is the thanks he gets!

(2) Adam Clayton Powell must be turning over in his grave

[redirish28]

18. no big surprise. Cheney and Powell haven't...

gotten along since back in the 1st war in Iraq.

[deadparrot]

19. Hate to say it, Dick, but Powell

was the best part of the last administration, and that ain't saying much.

[katsy]

25. Let's "FRAME"

that a little differently okay?

Let's get the word out to all our freeper and sheeple friends like this:

OMG! DICK CHEEENY called Colin Powell weak on foreign policy????

THE Colin Powell???? The WAR HERO?

There they go AGAIN... attacking another WAR HERO!

Are they going to pull the purple bandaid BS again?

Did Cheney serve? Who the HELL does Cheney think he is?

What... is Cheney crazy or something?

DISGUSTING comment!

-------------------------

There are a lot of VOTERS who respect Powell. Instead of implying they're stupid/uninformed and attacking their war hero (tongue-in-cheek), let's cause a little OUTRAGE at Cheney's remark.

[FrankBooth]

26. brilliant ...

if only they would seize on stuff like this.

[katsy]

28. If we ALL make enough noise...

here and with our acquaintances/friends/family... maybe it'll get some traction.

Send an email to WAPO and the NYT and MSM asking for clarification. Tell them you JUST can't BELIEVE cheney would diss another war hero! Ask them if they have some "mental" problem always dissing war heros.

[lovuian]

29. Katsy thats brilliant!!!

Ya this is the GENERAL who represents our Military!!!
Who made the case for the Iraq War!!!

showed us chemical plants and nuclear facilities!!!

Colin your the military general who must fall on your sword!!!

[katsy]

30. YIKES!!!!!!!!!

I never thought of it that way!

MILITARY!

You're brilliant!

Anybody have links to military blogs?

They should know what that draft dodger cheney just said about GENERAL Powell!

On edit: I get your point about the real powell. But unless we start speaking to people other than the like-minded... we haven't learned a thing about the goal here. Which is WINNING ELECTIONS and then cleaning up the mess the gop has left behind.

The gop is great at marketing themselves. It would be beneficial for us to try marketing ourselves. The gop has given us at least FOUR great issues to run with this week. This being the 4th. It'll go away if we sit here on this blog and piss and moan. There's a chance, slim chance that we can start a dialogue with people who voted for monkey boy but would be appalled at the attack upon powell.

What we know and feel about powell doesn't matter. What the general public would feel if they know he's been dissed DOES matter.

[lovuian]

33. Katsy he is a military man He only did what his superior told him

just like the Abu Ghahib military did the superiors said Torture
they tortured

but when all the hell starts flying

the Military man must fall on his sword like a good little soldier

and the superior goes out to lunch and collects millions

and laughs!!!

[katsy]

35. I know that.

Don't misinterpret the "frame" for my belief or the facts.

I'm not speaking of powell the military man. I'm saying we reach out to people who respect powell and would be disappointed that cheney would criticize him. I'm speaking to those who monkey boy has disappointed this week and suggesting that we use this to add fuel to the fire.

In short, I'm talking about cheney and his sleazy tactics.

[leQ]

37. here! here! (eom)

.

[unhappycamper]

47. don't forget Paul O'Neil

He was fired for telling the truth also.

[FrankBooth]

20. If Dick is ripping Powell so openly ...

... maybe Powell is (or was) about to spill some of the beans on these corrupt, Machiavellian assholes.

But probably not, I'll believe it when I see it.

[caledesi]

40. I am waiting for the book!

Notice how Powell just disappeared as if he doesn't even exist anymore to these thugs...except of course, for the dick, Cheney who was not in the military. He was busy getting DUIs and having kids so he wouldn't have to go.

Makes me sick. :puke:

[DrZeeLit]

65. Yep... it's their MO... Powell must be about to drop a bomb.. because

this is a pre-emptive strike.

I hope it's a really BIG one.
Powell might be sticking his toe into the 2008 Presidential Waters -- so he's going to drive a stake and some garlic into the neo-con hearts.

I hope we take a page.
Sit back and watch them self-destruct for a while.
That's what they love to do with every group left of center -- watch 'em bicker, then take the spoils.

Let's turn the tables.

I hope this becomes a HUGE, BLOODY melee.
How can we pile on?

[caligirl]

21. Cheney ought to know that Powell is very capable of enforcing

the part of the constitution that says ,


We shall defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Without reservation , so help me God.


:mad: :spank:

[lovuian]

22. Look at the Washington's Post article in contrast to this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A58398-2005Mar22?language=printer

There is nothing mentioned here about Cheney dissing Powell and yet he did terribly!!!

Boy are American News Papers turning into propoganda piles of crap!!!

I find this disgusting!!!

the difference in the article is that the Washington Post didn't put in Adam Clayton Powell III

comment that agrees with Cheney
Powell sucked!!!

Oh and the headlines are different too!!!

[NEOBuckeye]

24. Cheney is a madman n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

27. "U.S. diplomacy very weak until now"

No shit, I would say diplomacy has been non existent, however, it has been that way intentionally, after all, diplomacy is the responsibility of the executive branch.

[rooboy]

32. You can bet that Cheney will take the cyanide rather than face trial..

like all the other great cowards in history.

[Theduckno2]

34. Cheney should have been grateful

for the State Department diplomacy that put together the small Coalition of the Willing in the face of strong international opposition. His new diplomacy has got the revolving door spinning with the Coalition making their exits. He is just a crybaby.

[Nostradammit]

38. "(Diplomacy) has been a very weak part of our arsenal."

Somehow I don't see how one could have diplomacy in one's arsenal.



My smile is my most valuable weapon.

Just doesn't work like that, does it?

[d_b]

39. Come on Powell

hurry up with that tell all book.

[huellewig]

41. If he was doing such a poor job...

why didn't they fire him years ago? Can't this administration accept responsibility for any thing? Even admitting they screwed up a small thing would allow me to stop banging my head against the wall so hard. I would still bang it into the wall every night but maybe the mornings wouldn't suck so much. *one little thing - throw me a bone GWB*

[trapper914]

55. Why didn't they fire him?

1) He was military

2) He was black

3) To date, he has been the most popular member of this mis-administration.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the man, only because he compromised what I believe were his genuine principles to further *'s agenda. You could often sense his discomfort when he was doing their bidding. I remember too, reading a piece in Esquire where he spoke of the weekend he spent at the White House removing the most ridiculous "evidence" from his presentation to the U.N.

[Biased Liberal Media]

42. Ack! The GOPers are turning on each other!!!!

[driver8]

44. Oh please, please let that be true!

I would love to watch these m'fers turn on each other...nothing would give me more pleasure.

[teryang]

45. Cheney equals "murder inc."

No one is safe with this meglomaniac in power. He may go down in history as the person who not only destroyed the Constitution but started the next world war.

[Zech Marquis]

46. the boss has spoken it appears

Hey Colin,are you still loyal to the BFEE now? :evilgrin: it's not like we didnt warn you either!

[Gin]

48. this is nothing more than payback....when Powell was head of the

Joint Chiefs...he basically kept the dickster out of the loop...never kept him informed....so...when he was chosen for the SS position...there was more to the selection than met the eye....remember how they kept him out of the loop?...embarrassed him at every opportunity? Dick has the memory of an elephant.

Payback is hell.....the dickster's day will come...and I hope its sooner rather than later.

[mmonk]

50. I didn't know

giving people the finger and refusing to work with anybody was called diplomacy.

[Massachusetts]

54. See Post #39 for the answer to being a Dick!

[harlinchi]

56. They're riding down the road in a raggedy, old truck piled with their...

belongings and so, in a reprise:

Sung to (or patterned after) the tune of the theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies":

If we follow Bush he'll lead the country straight to hell.
He lied to tilt at windmills and found cats for us to bell.
His disconcerting ramblings should give the country pause,
Since when the facts were known we found it was for the wrong cause.
Saddam, that is. Not bin Laden.

Dick Cheyney's actions as our veep should be a huge disgrace.
Our dollars go to his old firm while he smirks in our face.
He sees no problem spending lives be they girls or boys,
In places all throughout the world for Halliburton's toys.
Oil rigs, pipelines.

The misuse of Powell was an embarrassment to me.
He used to choose his words and deeds so very carefully.
But the choice that he got wrong was an important one...
...Running the State Department for the first George Bush's son.
Shrub, that is. MBA.

The arrogance of Don Rumsfeld is measured in lives lost.
He tells us everything is fine but he won't tell the cost.
He parries questions from the press; they reproduce his bile,
While Rumsfeld irritates us with that condescending smile.
Sh!t-eating grin. Empire.

[salin]

57. Going to take it Powell?

These are the guys who twisted your arm to lie to the UN and erode any integrigy and esteem conferred upon you nationally and internationally. Reportedly in compromise you toned down some of the findings - but still there you went - with intel that was heavily footnoted but stated it as fact. And due to your, then, standing - some in the UN who were against - came around... breifly. You played the good soldier. Some to defend you have said that you stuck to your position in order to try to soften the actions of the hardliners.... but they nearly always won. Now they have moved to front out assualt.... Still going to play the good soldier, Mr. Powell? At what point do you fight back for your dignity and for your country?

[allemand]

59. Cheney's words prove that Powell did indeed "soften the actions of the

hardliners".

But I still think that Powell should have resigned before the election.

[salin]

61. No, Powell should have resigned in Feb of 2003.

Rather than going to the UN with that tripe. The outroar and backlash at home would have made too big of a question mark at home for bushco to try to go it alone in Iraq.

[allemand]

66. As it was Powell's idea to involve the UN (the neocons were against it

anyway), I doubt that his resignation would have changed anything. They would simply have started a media campaign against the "reluctant warrior" who had already opposed the first Gulf War.
And we would have seen strong "Cheney diplomacy" in action like taking the war to Damascus (remember all the reports about WMD being transfered from Iraq to Syria?).

According to Seymour Hersh, their plan was to go right into Syria: "That's why the fourth division was hanging for so long in the desert out there right on the border with Syria. In the early days of the war, before this government figured out how much trouble they were in -- which took them a long time -- they would drive practice runs... that amounted to the distance from the border to Damascus."
http://shrillblog.blogspot.com/2004/09/seymour-hersh-prays-for-second-coming.html

[salin]

67. Disagree - the public was still somewhat mixed on the issue

WHEN it involved the US going alone. Doing a high profile resignation - open with reasons why - just prior to going before the UN would have caused a HUGE scandal. Some of the questionable claims... which were getting a little press already would have gotten much greater airing as those still loyal to Powell (a great number, btw) would have taken sides against the big slime.

We may have lost the ability to get even Britain to go with us - which was key for the US public (the image of "allies.") They HAD to go to the UN for Britain to go along. There would have been much greater pressure to "give the inspectors more time!" I think the slowing of the wheels might have halted the show altogether.

[allemand]

70. The public was still undecided but the cheerleading by the media had

already begun. Maybe the resignation could have turned that around, but I doubt it.

It is also my impression that Tony Blair - in contrast to Jack Straw - was "on board, no matter what". He had caught the "Cheney fever"...

[wtmusic]

58. After Colin laid down and lied to the UN for Cheney

that's a nice comeuppance...may Dick rot in hell

[buzzard]

72. Up until then I had a lot of respect for him.n/t

[Beetwasher]

60. Hahahahaah!!!! SEE COLIN YOU ASSCLOWN!!! SERVES YOU RIGHT FUCKWAD!!!

You leave after whoring yourself out like nothing I've ever seen and it's STILL not enough!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHA!!!! Thank you sir! May I have another!!! Cheney's claiming YOU WERE FIRED CAUSE YOU'RE A PUSSY!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Hmmm, were you fired Colon?

[bobthedrummer]

62. THE "BUSH DOCTRINE" HAS FAILED. STFU!

[Betty]

64. Colin got what he deserved

he threw away his dignity and credibilty years ago.

One can only hope that some day, the evil neo-cons get theirs.

[rodeodance]

68. I think Powell should blast back at Cheney/Bush.

[Megahurtz]

73. What an idiot.

eom

[Hamsta1]

75. How much you wanna bet....

>In an interview aboard Air Force Two, Cheney said the nomination of >John R. Bolton to serve as ambassador to the United Nations in >particular shows President Bush's commitment to ending corruption and >changing the culture at the world body.

What are the odds they just switched the decals on the planes and nobody told *?