LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.Best Political Blog Winner, 2007 Webby Awards, People's Voice and Jury.   Dateline: Iraq - Anna Badkhen and Sarah Stillman on Assignment
 
May 18, 2008
Log in / Register

 Choose a size
Text Size

Reports

Arts & Culture

Digs
Inside the Data Mine

Ear to the Ground

A/V Booth

Truthdig Bazaar more items

 
Ear to the Ground

Cheney’s Fightin’ Words For Iran

Email this item Email    Print this item Print   
Posted on May 12, 2007

Vice President Dick Cheney made the symbolic move of delivering a warning to Iran while aboard a nearby U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.  Cheney said the U.S. would use military force if necessary to prevent Iran from interfering with oil trade or “gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”


International Herald-Tribune:

Cheney’s sharp warnings appeared to be part of a two-track administration campaign to push back at Iran, while leaving the door open to negotiations. It was almost exactly a year ago that the United States offered to negotiate with Iran as long as it first agreed to halt enriching uranium, a decision in which Cheney, participants said, was not a major player. Similarly, the speech Friday was not circulated broadly in the government before it was delivered, a senior American diplomat said.

“He kind of runs by his own rules,” the official said.

Read more

Email Newsletter

Get truth delivered to your inbox every week.

Previous item: New Jersey Considers Mandatory HIV Test

Next item: Karachi Shootout Kills 34

Jump to Comments

Advertisement


Elsewhere: .

Comments

Are you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig.

By Frankie Five Angels, May 15, 2007 at 5:25 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

What am I talking about.  The whole point of George Bush and Cheney coming on all religious is to mobilize the Christian Right voting block every four years.

The question is, are they cynical hypocrites or just smart political operators?

Reply to this | Report this

By Frankie Five Angels, May 15, 2007 at 4:41 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

For men of Faith, George Bush, Cheney and that crowd seem pretty selective of their scriptures where it suits them.  Maybe if they meditated upon these words, the world might be a more Humane place:

1 Corinthians 13:2 ...... and though I have all FAITH, so that I could remove mountains, and have Not CHARITY, I am NOTHING.

Reply to this | Report this

By Dawn, May 15, 2007 at 3:57 am #
(45 comments total)

Why do we have to go one more day without impeachment being brought up for discussion in congress? What dose Cheney have to do to get impeached? He has gutted our Constitution and used his office for empowerment and enrichment of himself and his brutal banking buddies.

Our troops are dying daily. Iraqi children are drinking water from the Euphrates River where the dead bodies are floating in the sewage. Halliburton is being paid billions to supply clean water. The Iraqi mothers do not see liberation. They see the detention and death of their husbands and now the sickness and death of their babies. Democracy? Empty words don’t bring back a life.

Call the House of Representatives today to support HR333—articles of impeachment against Dick Cheney.

Reply to this | Report this

By rowdy, May 14, 2007 at 11:18 am #
(300 comments total)

it would be terribly amusing for some isreali fighter jet to “accidentally” sink one of our 10 billion dollar carriers.it would be blamed on iran before you could whistle the first bars of “dixie”.

Reply to this | Report this

By Fat Clemenza, May 14, 2007 at 6:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Become a Millionaire Now!!!  Iran war approaching.
Check with your Stock Broker today.  There is big money to be made if Iran is attacked by the two US Carrier Battle Groups.  The price of oil WILL jump to over 100 dollars a barrel, so if you are smart like the Neocons, you can make millions.  The other sure winner is Weapons and Technology investments.  You won’t believe the smart killing machines these days.  And the beauty is the Oil will pay for it all (and the American Tax payers of course).

Avoid Walter Reed though, or any others who survive the coming onslaught. Some soldiers might bitch and moan too much from their injuries.  Don’t let them ruin your appetite so watch only Fox News as they avoid dead and dying children in Iraq, and will do so with Iran too.  Go to Monaco and buy a luxury apartment to enjoy your new found wealth and beautiful friends.
Some of us are going to become so Rich.  It’s a beautiful world.

Reply to this | Report this

By Fat Clemenza, May 14, 2007 at 6:10 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

King George the 1st?  I think not. 
He was hand picked for the top job Because he lacked any driving curiosity.  Being Intellectually Shallow was just the kind of amiable puppet Rove and the Neocons liked; front man for the real power, Darth Sidious, Dick Cheney. 

We are being bludgeoned into silence with cute words like Honour, Patriotism and Terror...all adjectives by the way, and meaningless in the real world.

All that matters is the Middle-east energy policy Enron helped them formulate, just before Enron went down.  Oil and Weapons contracts; Halliburton and Lockheed Martin; Peaches and Cream....Death and Taxes.

Reply to this | Report this

By DennisD, May 13, 2007 at 6:17 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

It’s always interesting that the people calling loudest for war will be NO where near the fighting. This Congress is a disgrace to every man and woman who has ever fought for this country. Why Bu$hChen haven’t been impeached yet is the question all voters should ask themselves next November and act accordingly. Rep & Dems alike should pay the price for being nothing more than co-conspirators.

Reply to this | Report this

By Ernest Canning, May 13, 2007 at 4:57 pm #
(1624 comments total)

compare comment #69756 by mediamouse.org, “it seems highly unlikely that the administration will attack Iran” to the Nov. 21, 2006 Democracy Now! report commenting on a Seymour Hersh “New Yorker” article which stated that “Vice President Dick Cheney told a White House meeting one month before the mid-term elections that a Democratic victory would have little effect on the administration’s decision to go to war.  But plans for a military option were made ‘far more complicated’ by a secret CIA report which has found no conclusive evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.”

If history, and the Downing Street memo, are a gauge , that type of complication would not be a problem for the Bush regime.  They would simply get to work on fixing the intelligence and facts around the policy.

On the ramifications of such an attack, Hersh noted during the same program that “the consequences could be much worse than...they might think.  You could actually drive the Sunni and Shia worlds, at least the Arab street,...together in a way that hasn’t been done since the Khaliphates of...eight to nine hundred years ago.”

Unless mediamouse can point to information to refute Hersh, his (or her) statement that an attack is unlikely appears, at best, to be wishful thinking.

Reply to this | Report this

By mediamouse.org, May 13, 2007 at 3:31 pm #
(14 comments total)

It’s hard to know what to make of this… While on the one hand it seems highly unlikely that the administration will attack Iran, there have been persistent warnings to Iran for a few years now and Bush’s time in office is running short.

I agree with the person mentioning impeachment, efforts to get rid of Bsh and Cheney need to be stepped up.

Reply to this | Report this

By Dale Headley, May 13, 2007 at 10:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

One thing George Bush should take into serious consideration before attacking Iran is this: the only meaningful support he has in the international community will soon come down to one person - Gordon Brown.  Though he is an unabashed Americaphile, Brown is unlikely to risk his predecessor’s fate by going down with Bush’s ship.  If George Bush, facing not only unanimous international condemnation, but massive abandonment by his own party, goes to the terrorism/patriotism well one last time and attacks Iran in desperation he will go down in history, not only as the worst U.S. president ever, but the most pathetic.  George Bush began his reign with expansive dreams of becoming Emperor George and gaining eternal glory.  He will be lucky if he ends his decadent tenure with even an iota of respect.  The best he can hope for is sympathy - sympathy he hasn’t earned from anyone but Fox News and Rush Limbaugh.

Reply to this | Report this

By Dawn, May 13, 2007 at 9:57 am #
(45 comments total)

Can we just impeach this guy already?

He is basically flying under the radar because people still think Bush is the president. Cheney is the acting president while Bush makes ridiculous statements about being the “commander guy”.

The only way to stop the war in Iraq and the impending bombing of Iran is to impeach Cheney. Urge everyone you know to call congress and support HR 333. If the house is inundated with phone calls for impeachment they will have to act.

Reply to this | Report this

By Ernest Canning, May 13, 2007 at 8:45 am #
(1624 comments total)

So what else is new?  We’ve known for some time that the plan is and always has been “regime change.” WMDs, mushroom clouds, links to terrorism.  It’s a re-run of a bad “B” movie.  If you think Iraq is a mess, just wait until these sociopathic morons cross the nuclear threshhold in Iran.  The “blow-back” is likely to be catastrophic.

Oh, Shvadogi.  I am not certain what language you used or if it is some sort of computer-speak.  But if you are going to post on an English-speaking web site, common courtesy demands that you do so in English.

Reply to this | Report this

By Douglas Chalmers, May 13, 2007 at 8:43 am #
(2932 comments total)

#69696 by Steve Hammons on 5/13 at 8:28 am “...“Military draft needed for war with Iran and Syria?”

No, no, there won’t be a draft. They can’t afford to run the war as it is and the National Guard’s equipment has disappeared and been shipped to Iraq. Where are they going to get the money from - borrow from China???

Reply to this | Report this

By Hammo, May 13, 2007 at 8:28 am #
(372 comments total)

According to published reports and sources, including reporting by Seymour Hersh, the Bush-Cheney administration and some of their supporters and associates may be planning to attack Iran before the administration leaves office.

This cannot be ruled out, based on the past behavior of the Bush-Cheney administration. Take a look at:

“Will Bush, Cheney attack Iran? When and why?” (AmericanChronicle.com)

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle. asp?articleID=20093

- - -

“Military draft needed for war with Iran and Syria?” (AmericanChronicle.com)

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle. asp?articleID=11698

Reply to this | Report this

By Douglas Chalmers, May 13, 2007 at 8:09 am #
(2932 comments total)

Well, we all got it wrong, ha ha. “Bush...” is really the name of a new nuclear power plant in Iran!

Obviously, though, the Russians really have more or less control of what is happening in Iran and what is likely to happen as far as nuclear development is concerned.

“PARIS, March 19 — Russia has informed Iran that it will withhold nuclear fuel for Iran’s nearly completed Bushehr power plant unless Iran suspends its uranium enrichment as demanded by the United Nations Security Council....” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/world/europe/20iran. html?ex=1332129600&en=b09d495dc835dc4e&ei=5124& partner=newsvine&exprod=newsvine

In that case, Cheney has simply been sounding off at Russia and thus pitifully expressing the USA’s ever-increasing impotence as far as getting the upper hand in world affairs is concerned.

Reply to this | Report this

By RAE, May 13, 2007 at 7:45 am #
(353 comments total)

Isn’t it a HOOT? Have you EVER encountered such profound arrogance as Cheney warning Iran against “interfering with oil trade or “gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region”? Doing THAT is the exclusive privilege of the USA, right Cheney?

I think it’s still possible, folks, for the USA to repair it’s international reputation and return to a fair, respectful and legitimate leadership role in this world BUT NOT UNTIL THE GREEDY, LYING BULLIES ARE REMOVED FROM OFFICE IN WASHINGTON.

It’s up to the American people now. They’ll either make the changes necessary, or go down with the ship. The rest of the world isn’t going to put up with this nonsense much longer. Remember the lesson - Gulliver didn’t stand a chance when all the little guys ganged up on him.

Reply to this | Report this

By Akira_Maritias, May 13, 2007 at 7:23 am #
(521 comments total)

If anyone watched the daily show a few nights ago, they would’ve seen Cheney doing his ‘evil villain sitting position’. At this point, he’s not even trying to hide the pure evil around him; he’s just going with it and tugging Bushy right along with him.

I’m getting sick of the smell in Washington...and I really doubt that all of the Democratic candidates pushing for a ‘greener’ America are going to do anything besides shove fistfuls of money into Gore’s pocket.

This country is going down like Rome.

Reply to this | Report this

By Douglas Chalmers, May 13, 2007 at 5:45 am #
(2932 comments total)

As Cheney stands on the deck of “his” aircraft carrier for a photo opportunity and raves about conquering West Asia with shock and awe, he appears like Darth Vader on board the Death Star in an old Hollywood movie.

In reality, though, he and Bush are expensive friends to have around. Nobody wants them any more and all are loudly wishing behind the scenes that they would just go away. The price of oil (and gas) and the reliability of supply will be better without them.

Reply to this | Report this

By Verne Arnold, May 13, 2007 at 4:41 am #
(494 comments total)

Cheney is a ...oh hell...what’s the point!

Kharma rules, poor Cheney!

Reply to this | Report this

By Samantha, May 13, 2007 at 3:04 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

“We’ll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We’ll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We’ll continue bringing relief to those who suffer, and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom.”

I wonder if that sounds familiar to any Iraqis or Iranians. How you can talk about opposing extremist and strategic threats in the midst of making them yourself simply dumbfounds me.

The hypocrisy in this situation is astounding to me. Stupid, prideful, aggressive monkeys. Didn’t these people take history? This doesn’t end well. It’s this kind of “us vs them” that makes empires collapse. If they think of themselves as Christians, they may do well to learn some tolerance and moderation. So unbelievable.

Reply to this | Report this

By titchaba, May 13, 2007 at 12:57 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Darth Cheyney needs to get a grip, his manipulations and subversions of evidence are clear and present.  Given time, we will unearth every nasty plot.

He should really face facts and wipe the smug grin off his pudgy face.

Reality once again, dominates.

That it took this long, and this many dead, to actually have Americans see the damage that has been done, says that he sent them there in for no good reason, and they did a superb job for him, and yet he uses them again and again, a captive audience of cheerleaders.

Watch thier faces.

Reply to this | Report this

By THOMAS BILLIS, May 13, 2007 at 12:43 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

The sad thing is that between Cheney,Bush and Rice there is not a fully formed human brain between them.If this was the cold war it would not be hard to convince me that they were working for the Russians.To be this stupid in foreign policy should be criminal.We are hated as no other nation on earth thanx to these people.If this is not high crimes and misdemeanors I do not know what is.

Reply to this | Report this

By davr, May 13, 2007 at 12:39 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Dickless Cheney belongs in one of those rendition prisons that he and the rest of the criminal Republicans have set up for war criminals.

Reply to this | Report this

By Jimmy AJ, May 12, 2007 at 7:32 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Hey, Deadeye Dick, your aircraft carriers won’t look so hot sitting at the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz blocking the oil tanker traffic.

Reply to this | Report this

By eoriol1955, May 12, 2007 at 6:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Why is evryone who work in the Cheney administration a killer?All of them,including Bush enjoy killing people.It has been reported that Bush used to insert sticks of dynamite inside live frogs,lit them up and watch them explode.Who knows whether the same type of sadistic behavior is not being used against human beings today?Our only hope is for one brave democrat to start attacking Cheney’s character and expose him and Bush for the criminals that they are.The mere fact that not one democratic member of the house or senate has not been arrested for speaking out,means that no one has yet dared to say anything worth paying attention to…

Reply to this | Report this

By QuyTran, May 12, 2007 at 6:12 pm #
(843 comments total)

The more he talks the sooner he get a huge grave. The very big fat VP comes close to his worse ending.

Reply to this | Report this

By mojo, May 12, 2007 at 5:37 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

‘he kind of runs by his own rules’ . . . oh yea, that’s an understatement.  What makes this guy tick ?
Answ:  His pacemaker.  He appears to be just some robotic monstrosity, a figment of a Neo- Frankensteinian Imagination.  Were, that it was true! This fellow member of the “human” race is treacherously “for real” and his selfish actions and menacing words are NOT representative of the good American people.
Hey, Rumsfeld displayed a similar arrogance until his demise. Is it conceivable that this chump’s final curtain call is imminent.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely!

Reply to this | Report this

By THOMAS BILLIS, May 12, 2007 at 5:05 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

This administration has a penchant for using aircraft carriers as a backdrop for speeches.I did not see any pictures was Cheney wearing a flight suit?
This administration has given Iran everything they could have wanted in that region and now is surprised that Iran is taking advantage of it.
Love or hate Saddam Hussein he was a barrier to expansion in that region for Iran.When you took Saddam out and a shia government was installed in Iraq which is the same faith as Iran what did the stooges of this administration think would happen?

Reply to this | Report this

By desertdude, May 12, 2007 at 5:02 pm #
(96 comments total)

Big talk from a little man who has done nothing for his country. They have to start another war to keep the American people scared so they can rip us of for more taxpayer money.

Reply to this | Report this

By James Yell, May 12, 2007 at 3:16 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

As opposed to the United States interfering in?

This is the Cheney person who did not care for military service because he had other things to do with his life and so didn’t serve? It isn’t that I think not serving is a crime, but after all if you are going to present yourself posture as a military gung-ho sort of person, don’t you think it a bit more than just hypocrisy to have turned you back on the country when you were young enough to serve. You do not have any respect for the US military and you have an incredible pay day coming as soon as you leave office. Money that was even made in Iran by Halliburton. Why isn’t Dick Cheney embarrassed?

Reply to this | Report this

By Trigger finger, May 12, 2007 at 2:44 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

WAY TO GO DICKIE!.  That region is OURS to dominate and do as we damn please and don’t you let them ever forget that. And Dickie, you keep reminding them that all that oil is OURS too and if they don’t like that, you just show them the business end of a couple of NUKES..and then watch them knuckle under.  Who the hell do those Iranians think they are? I’m so glad you are there and flexing in front of them.  In fact on your way back, why don’t you do a fly over IRAN, then accidentally drop some of that heat on them.  And don’t forget to open up a window, flip them the bird as you settle down with your bottle of whiskey and RAMBO movie.  It’ll make you feel better when you wake up and realize you have puked all over yourself again. Or, maybe just grab your shotgun, step across the border into Iran and watch them scatter.  OK, just keep on going and chase them all into the ocean. You are my hero, Dickie!

Reply to this | Report this

By shvadogi, May 12, 2007 at 2:01 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

awodjwfc http://fbdhlryj.com zxjwznit ahajxntj tagklzhy fnqxhkkt

Reply to this | Report this

Add Your Comment

Posts by unregistered readers are moderated. Posts by members
are published immediately. Why wait? Register today!






Notify you when others comment on this article?


Are you a human?
Retype the word you see here.


Please read and abide by our comment policy.
By submitting this comment, you agree to this site's terms and conditions.

Newsletter

Get Truthdig in your inbox

Privacy Policy

 
Click here to advertise with Truthdig
 

 
Join the Liberal Blog Advertising Network
 
Robert Scheer's new book offers first-hand insight into the presidential mind
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
Copyright © 2008 Truthdig, L.L.C. All rights reserved.