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Asked about two thirds of Americans' opposition to war, Cheney says, 'So?'
Here is your trusted public servant exposing our governments true attitude towards the American people.
Watch the vidieo.
The Raw Story | Asked about two thirds of Americans' opposition to war, Cheney says, 'So?'
The White House later said Cheney didn't say "so," but the video proves he did. So it's not enough that the VP ignores continued public unhappiness? The White House lies to defend the VP?
"I think we cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations of the public opinion polls "
Yes ;leaders do not make policy based on public opinion polls.
Thank goodness for context:
"The White House later released a transcript which shows that Cheney's first response wasn't "so" as ABC presented on its broadcast.
"When first informed by Raddatz that "two-thirds of Americans say [the Iraq war] was not worth fighting," the vice president responded, "They ought to go spend time, like you and I have, Martha. You know what's been happening in Iraq. You've been there as much as anybody. There has, in fact, been fundamental change and transformation, and improvement for the better. I think even you would admit that."
This could be titled, or sub-titled, "Driveby Media v. Cheney".
Does the media ask Americans what they think about paying taxes? What is the approval rating of the IRS? What about the approval rating of Congress?
And yes, I guess "SO" this is of course why the US is a republic where the government can and do not always follow the majority but do things for the benfit of the county. And for course I am sad that 100 percent or people don't dislike war, So of course when it is for the national defense, and the protection of our nation.
And as George mentioned merely people not liking something has little effect on it, such as the IRS, Congress, and many other things.
So to answer "so" is not polite but very true, I guess he should have said that the country has a obligation to do things for the safety of the US and the World, but "so" sota says it all.
We have and enjoy a free press, and it is an adversarial press, which is fine.
So why does Billary not release their tax returns? Because their campaign understands fully well there will be a tsunami of adverse public opinion about the sources of their income.
Fr_Chuck is exactly right in that our three branches of government have not been chosen to follow the will of public opinion, as the U.S. is not a democracy; they are entrusted with and are given a presumption of doing what is right.
Yes, the idea that we are a democracy, which appears to be taught in school now adays for some reason, is just not true, there are many safe guards to protect the government from the will of the people, one is the process to elect a president, they are not elected by popular vote for example, look at the process of the super delegates for the democratic party, to protect the party from the will of the people if they go after someone that is not in the best interest of the party
Which is why Supreme Court Judges are appointed not elected. Which is why we don't vote on almost any issues, but allow the laws to be passed by those elected.
Hello George:Quote:
Originally Posted by George_1950
I don't disagree.
However, being a fellow who agrees with Ronald Reagan when he said, the problem IS government, I would change your last sentence to read thusly:
"... they are given the powers of government, we hope they use them wisely, and we're going to watch 'em closely to make sure they do.
Personally, I don't PRESUME that anyone in government is doing ANYTHING right.
excon
I agree with the Padre. He was just being his rude self. His Momma named him right. She took one look at the baby and said, "Now that's a Di#K if I ever saw one!"
The presumption is not a blank check. Did you catch any of the oral argument on C-SPAN this weekend concerning the total ban on handguns in Washington D.C. "The city's 31-year-old law has prevented most private citizens from owning and keeping handguns in their homes...The District of Columbia reported 143 gun-related murders last year. In 1976, when the handgun ban was enacted, the district's medical examiner said 135 homicides were firearm-related." Looks to me as though the D.C. crowd has exhausted their use of the presumption, and I am very hopeful that the Supreme Court justices appointed by our president will throw out this senseless law.
Supreme Court hears arguments on gun ownership - CNN.com
Yes I would like to see some change in our government (less of it) but I don't see that happening with any of the current canidates for office.
I am afraid this election will be a choice between bad and just plain sad.
** you can decide which you think is which
Not the best of responses to a question but then I haven't seen the video of the interview. I have seen the transcript:
Overall I think he handled the interview well, but you guys can crucify him for one word taken out of context. Just don't whine about holding Obama and his pastor accountable.Quote:
Q And how long do you do that? There are no consequences.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: You do it as long as you have to until you get it right. You don't quit because it's hard.
Q So there are no consequences, it just goes on until -- as long as it lasts? You let the Iraqis go and go and go, even --
THE VICE PRESIDENT: What if we quit two years ago or three years ago?
Q So it could be 10 years?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I don't know how long it's going to take. I do know we have to get it done. And if it takes a long time, that doesn't make it any less worthwhile. This has been a hard-fought, difficult, challenging thing for us to do, when you think about what we've done here. We've gone in and toppled one of the world's worst dictators, liberated 25 million people, helped them hold three national elections and write a constitution. They've been through some very difficult times themselves, but we kept at it, because it's the right thing to do. And when we needed to make a major decision, as the President did a year ago January, he made that decision and committed more troops. When we needed to modify our strategy to win on the ground from a security standpoint, we did it. And General Petraeus, his forces performed magnificently with a new counterinsurgency doctrine. He could have quit two years ago, and today Iraq would be chaos; al Qaeda would control large swaths of the country; it probably would be a safe haven for terrorists; certainly it would have been a much worse situation from the standpoint of the Iraqi people.
It's hard to go into a country that has never experienced democracy and expect to be able to flip a switch and have it turn overnight. But it is turning. They do have a democracy today. They have basic --
Q Two-thirds of Americans say it was not worth fighting.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: They ought to go spend time, like you and I have, Martha. You know what's been happening in Iraq. You've been there as much as anybody. There has, in fact, been fundamental change and transformation, and improvement for the better. I think even you would admit that.
Q Let me go back to the Americans. Two-thirds of Americans say it's not worth fighting, and they're looking at the value gain versus the cost in American lives, certainly, and Iraqi lives.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: So?
Q So -- you don't care what the American people think?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls. Think about what would have happened if Abraham Lincoln had paid attention to polls, if they had had polls during the Civil War. He never would have succeeded if he hadn't had a clear objective, a vision for where he wanted to go, and he was willing to withstand the slings and arrows of the political wars in order to get there. And this President has been very courageous, very consistent, very determined to continue down the course we were on and to achieve our objective. And that's victory in Iraq, that's the establishment of a democracy where there's never been a democracy, it's the establishment of a regime that respects the rights and liberties of their people, as an ally for the United States in the war against terror, and as a positive force for change in the Middle East. That's a huge accomplishment.
Q Are you certain of victory?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: You can't, say -- get up some morning and say, gee, the polls are critical of what we're doing, and quit. It doesn't work that way.
So?
Cheney's "So?" is right there in your face.
But the point he then made is valid, that the government, being our loving parent looking out for us in the best possible way, shouldn't depend on public opinion to make decisions. After all, this isn't a democracy, is it.
So?
Cheney On 4,000 Dead Americans: They Volunteered
Quote:
Wrapping up a nine-day overseas trip to Iraq, Vice President Cheney was asked, in an exclusive interview with ABC News, about the effect on the nation of today's grim milestone of at least 4,000 U.S. deaths over the five-year Iraq war.
Noting the burden placed on military families, the Vice President said the biggest burden is carried by President Bush, and reminded ABC news that the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan volunteered for duty.
You may have a case of "John Kerryitis"; Cheney is saying the American soldiers are patriots, and their service is sacred, not profane as you suggest.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
Hello George:Quote:
Originally Posted by George_1950
Nope, it was dismissive of them.
excon
He said nothing of what you mention. Read the quoted again: "...and reminded ABC news that the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan volunteered for duty"Quote:
Originally Posted by George_1950
I would have to say that the MSM like ABC news is giddy over this milestone . Cheney did say they are volunteers, but he did not mean ;or said it in a way that insinuates that their lives are expendable and meaningless.
“the United States has an “absolute obligation” to remain in Iraq long enough to make it a success.”...“The failure of the Iraqi state would be a disaster,”.”It would dishonor the 900-plus men and women who have already died. . . . It would be a betrayal of the promise that we made to the Iraqi people, and it would be hugely destabilizing from a national security perspective.”
(Obama 2004)
Hello tom:Quote:
Originally Posted by tomder55
To say that the MSM is happy about 4,000 dead Americans is about as outrageous a statement as you've ever made here. Assuming you don't think 4,000 dead neighbors is bad, I'm sure you'll be happy with John McCain's 100 years of war. You're right, 4,000 dead is going to be NOTHING compared to what McCain has in mind.
Furthermore, Cheney meant exactly what you say he didn't.
excon
^^ excon said it perfectly.
Iraq was off the radar until this milestone approached... why ? Because all the news coming out of Iraq was good. My statement is not outrageous at all. I have watched the news coverage and read the press.
iraq - Search results for iraq - CNN.comQuote:
Originally Posted by tomder55
You're funny tom but not when you try to pass off the bullcrap.
Hello again, tom:Quote:
Originally Posted by tomder55
It WAS off the radar, until we realized that 4,000 dead Americans isn't worth what you perceive as good news from Iraq.
The outrageousness of your statement is that you think people like Keith Olbermann is HAPPY that 4,000 American kids have lost their lives. It's NEWS. It's his JOB to put it out there. To say he's HAPPY about it is outrageous.
I watch the news too.
So?
excon
NK what I said is true . All you are showing is anything CNN picked up on the wire; Not what was on their broadcasts .
Did any of you actually read the article NK quoted or watch the interview on that page? There was absolutely nothing dismissive in Cheney's words and shame on all of you who contend - either dishonestly or ignorantly - that he did.
He goes on to call this all volunteer force a "tremendous national asset." Honestly people, to think Cheney is dismissive of the troops and their sacrifice is asinine.Quote:
"It obviously brings home I think for a lot of people the cost that's involved in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. It places a special burden obviously on the families, and we recognize, I think — it's a reminder of the extent to which we are blessed with families who've sacrificed as they have. The president carries the biggest burden, obviously, he's the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans, but we are fortunate to have a group of men and women, the all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm's way for the rest of us, and we wish nobody ever lost their life. But unfortunately that's one of those things that go with living in the world we live in. Sometimes you have to commit military force and when you do there are casualties. "
Nah, you're right, Cheney is a good guy who looks out for others.
Hello Steve:
Yes, I did read the quote. It's outrageous!
He has the balls to say that the president has a bigger burden than the parents whose children were KILLED.
UNREAL!
He thinks the troops are an asset, OK, but his meaning is clear. Since they VOLUNTEERED, it's THEIR fault they died, not his.
UNREAL!
excon
Come on ex, you said he was "dismissive" and he most certainly was not. He first mentioned the "special burden" on the families and how we are "blessed with families who've sacrificed as they have." Noting they are volunteers emphasizes the sacrifice, it doesn't diminish it - they know these men and women didn't have to serve. Bush and Cheney both know that and have praised their bravery and sacrifice many, many times.Quote:
Originally Posted by excon
Cheney also said "You regret every casualty, every loss. The president is the one that has to make that decision to send young men and women into harm's way. It never gets any easier." That sounds nothing like "Since they VOLUNTEERED, it's THEIR fault they died, not his."
Look, even I disagree that Bush carries the bigger burden than the families but he was not "dismissive." But right or wrong, to say he is " But right or wrong, to say he is " of their sacrifice is dishonest. Perhaps he was just thinking about what the left has been reminding us of for the past 5 years, that Bush is responsible for all of these deaths... that is a rather large burden.
So why did he refuse to allow photos of soldiers' caskets to be publicized?Quote:
Originally Posted by speechlesstx
Because he doesn't want the photos to become more fodder for the gleeful media and propaganda for the anti-war opposition ? Because he is showing sensitivity and respect for the privacy of the family members ?Quote:
So why did he refuse to allow photos of soldiers' caskets to be publicized?
Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace.
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Here's a little publicized fact Wondergirl.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
THIS Bush obviously did not establish the policy.Quote:
Under a policy adopted in 1991, the Pentagon bars news organizations from photographing caskets being returned to the United States, saying publication of such photos would be insensitive to bereaved families.
Weird:Quote:
Originally Posted by speechlesstx
Body of 2nd son killed in Iraq returned - USATODAY.com
Political Muscle : Los Angeles Times : California Nears 300 Dead in Iraq War
A painful farewell to a fallen Marine - The Boston Globe
What's weird, NK, that photos of the caskets of fallen soldiers are now being shown? Photos began to be released in 2005 as the result of a lawsuit.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
It is curious how folks perceive and react to events. I was reading a Time/Life book that included pictures of the Arizona just after the Pearl Harbor bombing. The legend said that the U.S. government (FDR) waited a year before releasing the photos. "Modern" warfare is said to have begun with the U.S. Civil War, with "unconditional surrender" and all. I wonder what the good folks in the Northern states would have said about Honest Abe if they had seen TV news about the Union Army burning its way from Atlanta to Savannah, and from Charleston to Charlotte; the path of destruction was supposedly 100 miles wide. I would suppose it was more destructive than Hurricane Katrina; fewer lives taken, but more destructive than the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is perspective and context to every event; does the American government bear responsibility for loss of life in Iraq? President Bush, V-President Cheney, and the Congress haven't killed anyone. In my view, most have been murdered by the opposition.
Let me lay it out for you George. The only difference is that our U.S. Soldiers believe they are doing the right thing. They are "patriotic." They, unlike a growing number of Americans, still believe the Mafia that has infiltrated our government. You know, the Bush Cartel.
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attach...1&d=1206488133
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