Paul Begala: Mr. Cheney, You Did Not Keep Us Safe — If 3,000 Americans had been killed on your watch, in an attack that could have been prevented, perhaps you’d be a little hesitant to accuse anyone else of endangering America. And if you had advocated torture, and the torture produced false information that you used to mislead America into an unwise, unjust and unwarranted war, you might be a tad sheepish about defending the use of torture.

The truth is the Bush-Cheney policies did not keep us safe, and Mr. Cheney is not a credible spokesman on issues of national security.

First, this awkward fact. When it came time to risk his hide to serve our country during the Vietnam War, Cheney got five draft deferments. He later told the Senate, “I had other priorities in the sixties than military service.” John Kerry did not. Nor did John McCain. Nor Gen. Colin Powell, nor Gen. Jim Jones, nor Gen. Wes Clark, nor Jim Webb. These warriors – and so many others – strongly oppose the use of torture. They were willing to die to protect America. It is insulting for a doughy draft dodger like Mr. Cheney to suggest they would endanger us today. [ READ MORE ]

The Cheney CULT — Polluting The Jury Pool

The Cheney CULT — Polluting The Jury Pool (2)

Cheney Continues The MEDIA Blitz

Bob Cesca: The Real Motive Behind the Cheney Family Torture Tour — I believe it’s the desperation of a crook who’s under significant strain and duress. And as information related to his authorization of torture trickles out, the reason for his desperation becomes increasingly evident. [ READ MORE ]

Jesse Ventura: “Torture Is Against The Law”

Shining Light on Bush Torture Programs

Obama halts Torture Photos Release

Bill Clinton: Cheney should stick to target practice

HERNDON, Virginia (CNN) ? Bill Clinton jokingly laughed off a question Wednesday about former Vice President Dick Cheney and his recent claims that the country is less safe under the Obama administration.

“I wish him well,” Clinton told CNN while greeting voters after a campaign stop with Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. “It’s over,” he added, apparently a reference to the Bush administration.

“But I do hope he gets some more target practice before he goes out again,” Clinton said with a grin before moving along the ropeline.

The former president was alluding, of course, to Cheney’s infamous 2006 hunting accident in which he mistakenly fired birdshot into the face of a campaign contributor during a South Texas quail hunt.

References:

1. As Cheney Seizes Spotlight, Many Republicans Wince — By Dan Balz, Washington Post Staff Writer – Thursday, May 14, 2009: As vice president, Richard B. Cheney famously spent much of the past eight years in undisclosed locations and offering private advice to President George W. Bush. But past was not prologue. Today Cheney is the most visible — and controversial — critic of President Obama’s national security policies and, to the alarm of many people in the Republican Party, the most forceful and uncompromising defender of the Bush administration’s record. His running argument with the new administration has spawned a noisy side debate all its own: By leading the criticism, is Cheney doing more harm than good to the causes he has taken up and to the political well-being of his party? [ READ MORE ]

2. Rogue Diva of Doom: Just as the Republicans are trying to get kinder and gentler, Dick Cheney has popped out of his dungeon to carry on his nasty campaign of fear and loathing. Cheney, who had five deferments himself to get out of going to Vietnam, would rather follow a blowhard entertainer ( FAT Limbaugh ) who has had three divorces and a drug problem (who also avoided Vietnam) than a four-star general who spent his life serving his country. [ READ MORE ]

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