Cheney told Murtha. "I don't know a blankety-blank thing about defense."

[dajoki]

The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=38198

Posted 11/18/2005 @ 1:04pm
Cheney Picks a Fight With a Marine


When Dick Cheney, a Wyoming congressman who had never served in the military and who had failed during his political career to gain much respect from those who wore the uniform he had worked so hard to avoid putting on during the Vietnam War, was selected in 1989 by former President George Herbert Walker Bush to serve as Secretary of Defense, he had a credibility problem. Lacking in the experience and the connections required to effectively take charge of the Pentagon in turbulent times, he turned to a House colleague, Pennsylvania Democrat John Murtha, a decorated combat veteran whose hawkish stances on military matters had made him a favorite of the armed services. "I'm going to need a lot of help," Cheney told Murtha. "I don't know a blankety-blank thing about defense."

<<snip>>

In the 2004 vice presidential debate, Cheney noted that, "One of my strongest allies in Congress when I was Secretary of Defense was Jack Murtha, a Democrat who is chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee." The vice president was particularly complimentary over the years of the Pennsylvania representatives decision to provide high-profile backing of the administration's 2002 request for authorization to use force against Iraq.

But the cross-party relationship has soured as Murtha, whose concern has always been first and foremost for the men and women who serve in the military, has reached the conclusion that the Iraq intervention has steered U.S. troops into a quagmire from which they must be extracted. Typically blunt, Murtha said this week: "The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring (the troops) home."

Cheney's response to the man he begged to help him understand military affairs during the first Bush administration was to rip into Murtha and other Democrats who had tried to work with the administration. "Some of the most irresponsible comments have, of course, come from politicians who actually voted in favor of authorising force against Saddam Hussein," the vice president growled in a speech to the conservative Frontiers of Freedom Institute. In another clear reference to Murtha, Cheney said, "The president and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone -- but we're not going to sit by and let them rewrite history." Of course, it is not Murtha but Cheney who is rewriting history -- or, at least, attempting to obscure it.

[sonofliberty]

1. Wow I am so shocked .... when reason fails? bluster

wait is that the repuuke moto?? hmmmmmmmmm

[dajoki]

2. welcome to DU sonofliberty

:hi:

[hlthe2b]

4. I doubt anyone questioned that Cheney was a Sociopath...

but if there was any lingering doubt....

[flying_wahini]

3. cheney is so full of shit

everyone knows it but him....
if his mouth is moving, he's lying.....
i think he will burn in hell...............

[dajoki]

12. yep, to all n/t

[nickyt]

5. The one word signifying this admin for me?: BETRAYAL. n/t

[Vincardog]

22. "The one word signifying this admin for me?: MALIGNANT. n/t"

[gratuitous]

6. Uh oh, The Nation is remembering stuff again

Why, oh why do they hate America so much that they'd use Dick Cheney's own words against him? And where would they get such a dastardly idea to do that in the first place?

[dajoki]

7. i don't know...

but i'm glad they do.

[PDittie]

8. This deserves to be

kicked.

[guidod]

9. Murtha to give speech

sometime this morning about the war. Turn on CSPAN

[tk2kewl]

10. .

:kick:

[tk2kewl]

11. .

:kick:

[sandnsea]

13. Not exactly

The Frontiers of Freedom speech was Wednesday, Murtha's statement was Thursday. Clearly Cheney isn't referring to Murtha in those statements, but I guess truth doesn't matter to anybody anymore.

[dajoki]

15. what do you mean?

article is not about that.

[IntravenousDemilo]

14. Blankety-blank?

As in "Blankety-blank you, Mr Cheney, blankety-blank you, you asshole"?

[MADem]

20. I'm guessing it is the same word he used to Leahy on the Senate floor

Which, in polite society, would have sounded like "Go blankety-blank yourself!!!"

Incredible, that Dick! Just incredible...

[BigBearJohn]

16. This should be sent to MSM. It really makes Cheney look like a big fool:

I can just see the caption:

"THIS is how the Vice President
of America talks about his FRIENDS?#?!!"

[dajoki]

18. how's the war going Mr. Cheney?

"I don't know a blankety-blank thing about defense."

[DarleenMB]

17. I cringe

everytime Cheney is associate with Wyoming. We've lived here for 27 years. Cheyney and Al Simpson are a black eye to this state.

[dajoki]

19. well i'm sure...

you make it a little brighter.:hi:

[AlinPA]

21. Yep, typical republican: slime anyone who disagrees, call him a coward

even though you got 5 deferrments. Then history shows that he worked well with Murtha. Rotten slime.

[klook]

23. "I'm going to need a lot of help" - Cheney

Yes, f*ckhead, you are. But I don't think you'll be getting any more from Rep. Murtha.

[PegDAC]

26. "I'm going to need a lot of help" - Cheney

Yeah, Dickie, you most certainly will. But the kind of help you need you can't get from Rep. Jack Murtha. He's not a psychiatrist.

;-) :evilgrin: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Tom Joad]

24. Murtha has a very checkered past. His stance today may lead to

redemption, but thousands and thousands are dead because of his support for US militarism. From the killing fields of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua to the torture chambers of Abu Grahib, this man has much to account for.

His past support for Cheney is despicable.

He is, however, doing something that few have done. Admit he was wrong.

[JohnnyRingo]

28. I was initially thinking that too

I considered the wisdom however, of changing course amid a dynamic scenario that worsens by the week.
"Staying the course" when a situation deteriorates is apparently a trait of Republicans and lemmings.

My own personal theory is that given the close relation of Murtha and Field Commanders in Iraq, that he's echoing the sentiments of officers who can not find an interested ear in Rumsfeld's office.

I doubt Murtha would express opinion that differed from those soldiers he holds so dear.

That makes Murtha a real loose cannon for Bushco, and lays open the rift between active military command and the White House.

The White does seem in panic mode over this, and rightly so.

[JohnnyRingo]

25. He certainly seems well versed in political attack however.

Leading a White House policy that apparently only represents and serves about half the country.

Our "CEO Vice Pres" doesn't seem aware that we're ALL stockholders in this "company". He treats Democratic citizens as competition that needs removed from the market.

[Canuckistanian]

27. Ah, so it was a personal message to Crashcart

Murtha was probably thinking "you ungrateful bastard".

[IronLionZion]

29. That's right you fucking dumbass!!!

You didn't know jack then, and you don't know jack now! Incompetence is the word.

You all know shriveled up Dick was a college dropout and worthless failure that used his friendship with Donald Rumsfeld to advance his career right? That piece of shit can't make defense policy and he can't make business policy either. Where would Halliburton be if he didn't give them no-bid contracts?

Cheney, you are no Jack Murtha. Just go crawl into your secure undisclosed location (The "top-secret" military command center deep inside Raven Rock Mountain in southcentral Pennsylvania) and go "Cheney" yourself till you get impeached or have another heart attack.

[Raffi Ella]

30. Here Here!

Damn!THIS was the man they put in charge of the Chimp who also had NO CLUE what he was doing?
No wonder we're in such a crisis in this country.We've had idiots running things.Evil,criminal corrupt IDIOTS!

[dajoki]

49. you get a...

standing ovation for that post.

[PurpleChez]

55. So THAT'S the Undisclosed Location!

As a native of Harrisburg, Raven's Rock (AKA, if I recall correctly, "Site R") was always a piece of local "mythology." I knew a guy in grad school whose dad worked there and he told me about going to an "open house" where sheets had just been thrown across all of the consoles and what-not. Sad to think that such beautiful territory has been befouled by Vice President Penguin's scat and leavings.

[LittleClarkie]

31. Verbal gymnastics: voted in favor of authorizing force

Not "in favor of force" but "in favor of authorizing force"

And then there were your blatant lies about WMDs, saying they existed, then lying about the fact that you said they existed. You lied them into war and now you blame them for believing you. Nice.

Lies! Lying Liar!

[ypsiguy]

32. Why

and how did we get stuck with these guys, with this mess?

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

33. Frankly, I blame the Clenis.

It is a goddamn shame that the great President Albert Gore is not well into his second term, and the only reason why is that Bill couldn't keep it in his pants.

Just as surely as Nixon should have burned the tapes, President Clinton should have restrained himself.

[Raffi Ella]

35. Gore DID win

Unfortunately the Court Appointed Bush instead of letting the process play itself out.

I swear to God is there ANYthing they won't atleast try to blame Clinton for?

Bush has been President for 5+ years now with the Government run entirely by Repubs.THEY have been running everything.It's one of the things I consoled myself with after Kerry conceded.Atleast THEY will have to answer for the absolute mess they themselves have created.Atleast they will have to take care of it and the Dems can't be blamed for it.But low and behold they are still TRYING to blame Clinton.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

36. Gore won with too tight a margin.

Sure I ultimately blame the 5 clowns in robes, but, minus Bill's predilictions, Gore wins decisively and we are much better off (God Almighty!)

[dajoki]

48. lets not forget...

the Nader factor.

[dajoki]

43. they'll blame Clinton...

when shrub gets constipated.

[AuntPatsy]

37. Oh God get over it, it is common knowledge the election of 2000

was stolen....why do you people continue to bring up such bs? I really don't understand it?

[0007]

38. A stiff prick has no conscious.........

[PegDAC]

34. Let's see...

There was Jebby, and Kathy, and Billy, and two Tonys, and Clarence, and Sandy...

[dajoki]

44. and a bunch of butterflies n/t

[grateful581]

39. wow cheney told the truth once

"I don't know a blankety-blank thing about defense."

[dajoki]

50. mark it...

down,'cause it'll never happen again.

[GoreDean2008]

40. I Am Glad Cheney Is Coming Out of Closet

Cheney has been hiding in his own American Kremlin for the last five years. He knows or has reason to know that the public appearances of his cold-hearted blood-sucking evil face can only drive ordinary Americans away from the Republican Party. The fact that Cheney himself came out of the closet to publicly counterattack John Murtha only confirms that Cheney is feeling more and more defensive. And Cheney's public appearances will drive Americans away and away from the Republican Party.

Americans who are worried about the country should wage more severe attack and more stern rebuke against Cheney so he cannot just hide inside his Kremlin. Remember, Bush-Cheney Republicans have absolutely no patriotism. They just want ordinary Americans' pure-hearted patriotism to satisfy their own greed while maintaining the facade of presidential legitimacy because on the night of December 12, 2000, they stole the presidency from the legitimately elected President of the United States, Al Gore.

[dajoki]

45. good post n/t

[Raksha]

51. Yep, that's what Cheney knows about defense, all right!

Re >>The fact that Cheney himself came out of the closet to publicly counterattack John Murtha only confirms that Cheney is feeling more and more defensive.<<

The ONLY thing Cheney knows about defense is how to be defensive. And it's all the chickenhawk asshole ever will know.

[JohnWxy]

41. Schmidt's Disgrace of Congress and the Nation - she should resign

After recovering from my initial shock and outrage over the incredible remarks of Rep. Schmidt, Republican, of Ohio, I felt compelled to express my disgust at this individual’s repugnant behavior. To insult and malign a decorated veteran of 37 years of courageous service to his country is to assault all veterans of all wars. Ms. Schmidt has seen fit to attack a man who has risked his life time and again for his country. I can ‘t imagine how it must feel to have sacrificed so much for your country and to then have to listen to such a despicable attack from one who has not committed herself to any public service, let alone put her life on the line for her country. This act by Schmidt was certainly one of the most obscene displays ever witnessed in the halls of Congress. Ms. Schmidt has brought shame upon the institution of the Congress. If she had any shred of decency, she would apologize, sincerely, to the members of Congress, to all veterans and to the country and then she should walk out of the building and give up her seat so a special election could be held to put someone of basic human decency in her place.

But since it’s obvious this person doesn’t harbor even a shred of decency within her, she will stay, an excrescence on the face of Congress. Ms. Schmidt seems determined to demonstrate her unique talent for verbally defecating from her mouth for all to see and hear. I can only hope she will confine further offensive displays to her circle of friends in the Republican Party. They seem to take a peculiar delight in these repugnant, shameful acts of character assassination and calumny. Maybe we should all send Ms. Schmidt a bedpan so she has something to speak into when she feels moved to utter further excretia.

Where does the Republican Party come up with these abject beings? This Party seems to be a magnet for them. Do they go trolling for wretched souls in dark sectors known only to them? Or do they install neophytes in special boot camps of punk politics where they teach them the techniques of mean-spirited behavior inspired by misanthropy and despair.

Maybe they put ads in sniper magazines. They might look something like this:

The Republican Party seeks individuals for candidacy for public office. No intelligence, skills or aptitude required. Do you like to work with people, help people? Then go somewhere else. No interest in public service is considered a plus. Little to no work involved. Once elected, lobbyist will advise or even write the laws for you and tell you what to vote for or against. Ample paid vacations (by lobbyists) year round. No campaigning skills required (although an aptitude for lying is a real plus), our party has extensive experience in fooling voters and subverting elections. (We campaigned in 2000 promising tax reductions for everyone and got millions of middle income suckers to vote for our candidates. Then, when we took the White House, we passed a tax law which gave most of the tax reductions to the very wealthiest in the country. Hey, they’re asking to be ‘taken’!). Those technically minded can get positions with our election subversion unit at Diebold).

Extremely good compensation, basic Government salary plus commissions and tips (many corporations and wealthy cronies pay very well for our services, basically undermining smart public policy and trading the public welfare for private profits -- for those who pay.) Opportunity for rapid advancement. Positions at the highest levels of government may be opening up soon (unless we can GET that dirty rotten partisan, anti-capitalist, commie bastard, Fitzgerald). Paid training in techniques of disinformation, character assassination, misdirection and intimidation (our Neo-Con wing is loaded with the best in the business in these specialties). You learn how to work with network news people to help them to cover news events in a “balanced” way (advanced training in intimidation and subtle coercion by our Neo-con unit included).

Positions also available posing as journalists for assignment to the White House Press Corps, FOX News, ABC, etc. – You will file stories and reports frequently written by our own skilled (and Government paid!) propagandists and disinformation specialists. It’s fun! You’ll be treated like real journalists by television talk show hosts and interviewers.
For those going into television news positions you will be given news delivery training.

We’ll even give you special terms and buzz-wards to use such as “partisan political action” e.g. “Well, on the - partisan politics front - the Democrats, again, raised questions about .. /How the President oversold the intelligence/ Tom Delay’s ethical troubles/ Karl Roves involvement in the Valerie Plame outing…/ Jack Abramoff’s involvement in defrauding…/ Dick Cheney’s involvement in…/” (take your pick) – Brian Williams – NBC News

As opposed to: “Tom Delay was indicted today and characterized the Texas D.A as an extremist and the indictment as a partisan political action.”…(end of statement) – Brian Williams – NBC News.

Or, here’s a good one: “smell blood in the water”

“Well, Tom Delay has been indicted, and the Democrats smell blood in the water.” __ Gwen Awful – PBS Washington Week

Our party has demonstrated expertise in subverting elections, perverting the justice system and disrupting meaningful public debate of issues through EXTENSIVE use of techniques of disinformation, mis-direction, and when all else fails, use of, through repetition, the simple Big Lie. As a member of our party you must be able to develop a self-righteous tone of voice and demeanor while scrambling for cover: “Why, I am shocked, shocked I say, at these accusations leveled by the …/ District Attorney/ Special Prosecutor/ the Grand Jury/. This is obviously the statement of a fanatic. A fanatic, I tell you! I am shocked at such PARTISAN behavior!”

If you feel you have the qualifications or the character flaws to work for our organization, we at the GOP want to talk to you.

Yes, where do they get these deviants or do they train them.

[dajoki]

47. they are training them...

check this out
http://www.phc.edu/about/default.asp
Great post, by the way!!

[librechik]

42. Worst. American. Ever.

[dajoki]

46. which one?

[raccoon]

52. For someone in a party who claims to support "family values"

Cheney sure has a potty mouth.

[PurpleChez]

56. Silly Liberal! It's different when Republicans do it!

It's different when Republicans cheat on their spouses.
It's different when Republicans use foul language.
It's different when Republicans become alcoholics or drug addicts.
It's different when Republicans avoid military service.
It's different when Republicans perjure themselves.
It's different when Republicans write books about bestiality.
It's different when Republicans mock their churches' teachings.
Haven't you heard?

[raccoon]

57. Yeah, you're right, PurpleChez,

And most of all, being Republican means never having to say you're sorry!

[dajoki]

59. or tell the truth n/t

[butterfly77]

58. And when they call people liars...

But I say bush is lied about weapons of mass destruction!

[lebkuchen]

53. The one honest statement Cheney has made in his life

[dajoki]

54. like i said before...

mark it down, 'cause it won't happen again.