| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Michelle Malkin" |
| Date: |
05 Feb 2007 11:00:34 AM |
| Object: |
Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012263.php
(February 04, 2007 -- 09:01 AM EDT)
In a piece headlined "Vice President's Shadow Hangs Over Trial," the WaPo
has a nice synopsis of Cheney's involvement in the Plame matter.
Actually, you could headline just about every story that way these days:
"Vice President's Shadow Hangs Over _________."
Fill in the blank: Iraq. Iran. Global warming. Renditions. Domestic
surveillance.
I will confess to having been extremely skeptical in the early years of the
Bush Presidency that Cheney was really running the show. It seemed too
facile an explanation for what I was convinced was a far more complicated
situation. Until the 9/11 Commission report came out.
Even the watered-down version of events in the Commission's report made it
absolutely clear that Cheney, ensconced in the White House bunker on the
morning of the attacks, had issued shootdown orders outside of the chain of
command and then conspired with the President to conceal this fact from the
Commission.
Since then, I've gone from being open to the idea of an Imperial Vice
Presidency to being convinced that historians will debate whether something
approaching a Cheney-led coup d'etat has occurred, in which some of the
powers of the Executive were extra-constitutionally usurped by the Office of
the Vice President.
Last week, in trying to break the lock on who actually works in the
OVP--which the Vice President refuses to reveal--the guys at Muckraker
stumbled across this entry from a government directory known as the "Plum
Book":
The Vice Presidency is a unique office that is neither a part of the
executive branch nor a part of the legislative branch, but is attached by
the Constitution to the latter. The Vice Presidency performs functions in
both the legislative branch (see article I, section 3 of the Constitution)
and in the executive branch (see article II, and amendments XII and XXV, of
the Constitution, and section 106 of title 3 of the United States Code).
It appears that Cheney's office submitted this entry in lieu of a list of
its employees, as federal agencies must do. It sounds like something
Cheney's current chief of staff, David Addington, might have written. Cheney
and Addington have been the among the most powerful proponents of the theory
of a "unitary executive," but there are indications that they have also
advanced, though less publicly, a theory of a constitutionally distinct and
independent vice presidency.
For a long time, talk of Cheney's unprecedented power carried with it a
whiff of left-wing radicalism and Oliver Stone conspiracies. But in the last
year, several serious journalistic efforts have explored the Cheney vice
presidency. Robert Kuttner surveyed the field in his essay, "See ***** Run
(the Country)," for The American Prospect. While it is axiomatic that Cheney
is the power behind throne, what remains missing, as Kuttner pointed out, is
the sort of relentless, day-to-day media coverage of Cheney that befits his
claims to constitutional power:
If Cheney were the actual president, not just the de facto one, he simply
could not govern with the same set of policies and approval ratings of 20
percent. The media focuses relentless attention on the president, on the
premise that he is actually the chief executive. But for all intents and
purposes, Cheney is chief, and Bush is more in the ceremonial role of the
queen of England.
Yet the press buys the pretense of Bush being "the decider," and
relentlessly covers Bush -- meeting with world leaders, cutting brush,
holding press conferences, while Cheney works in secret, largely
undisturbed. So let's take half the members of the overblown White House
press corps, which has almost nothing to do anyway, and send them over to
Cheney Boot Camp for Reporters. They might learn how to be journalists
again, and we might learn who is running the government.
The other thing missing has been congressional oversight. Since Kuttner
penned his essay, Democrats have gained control of Congress. A hearing on
the constitutional role of the vice president might be an excellent place to
start. From all indications, Cheney has amassed considerable power due to
his experience and savvy vis-a-vis the President's relative lack thereof.
But that is a separate issue from the constitutional role of the OVP, and
whether, or in what ways, various statutory regimens, particularly in the
national security arena, apply to the OVP.
By custom and tradition, the Vice President's role had been circumscribed by
how little express power and authority the Constitution granted the
position. Hence, all the jokes over the years about the vice presidency. But
in a move that is decidedly anti-conservative, in the conventional sense,
Cheney moved to fill the void. I fear that what we will eventually find are
structural flaws that were deliberately exploited by the OVP, which in turn
further undermined constitutional and statutory structures.
Still, I can't help but be fascinated by the more pedestrian issue of how
Cheney continues to assert himself so vigorously without running up against
the ego of a cocksure President. How is it that Bush, who is so caught up in
macho public demonstrations of his own personal strength and courage, can
tolerate a shadow presidency within his own White House? What kind of spell
has Cheney cast that allows Bush to continue to believe he is the decider?
You can imagine all sorts of dysfunctional psychological dramas playing out
behind the scenes.
But whether it's the legal or political aspect of Cheney's role, it all
comes down to the same thing: we just don't know.
It's about time we find out.
-- David Kurtz
.
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| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
06 Feb 2007 01:52:10 AM |
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In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012263.php
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "Michelle Malkin" |
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| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
06 Feb 2007 02:21:28 AM |
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"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012263.php
--
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
Michelle Malkin (Mickey) aa list#1
BAAWA Knight & Bible Thumper Thumper
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
When fascism comes to America, it will be
wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross -
Sinclair Lewis
.
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| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
07 Feb 2007 01:09:31 AM |
|
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In article <U8mdnXGAcqkfp1XYnZ2dnUVZ_uCinZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Given the way things are going, I'll bet the rest of his cabinet and
staff give him as wide a berth as possible. Speaking of which, where's
Condi these days? She seems to have pulled a disappearing act.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012263.php
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "Michelle Malkin" |
|
| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
07 Feb 2007 02:03:32 AM |
|
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"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-22AD4C.23093106022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <U8mdnXGAcqkfp1XYnZ2dnUVZ_uCinZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be
just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Given the way things are going, I'll bet the rest of his cabinet and
staff give him as wide a berth as possible. Speaking of which, where's
Condi these days? She seems to have pulled a disappearing act.
Last I heard, she'd gone to Iraq. Did she ever
come back? Would anyone notice?
--
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
Michelle Malkin (Mickey) aa list#1
BAAWA Knight & Bible Thumper Thumper
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
When fascism comes to America, it will be
wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross -
Sinclair Lewis
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012263.php
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
08 Feb 2007 12:33:13 AM |
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In article <Jrudna7Mrf9QGlTYnZ2dnUVZ_tSunZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-22AD4C.23093106022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <U8mdnXGAcqkfp1XYnZ2dnUVZ_uCinZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be
just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Given the way things are going, I'll bet the rest of his cabinet and
staff give him as wide a berth as possible. Speaking of which, where's
Condi these days? She seems to have pulled a disappearing act.
Last I heard, she'd gone to Iraq. Did she ever
come back? Would anyone notice?
I think she testified at some Senate committee yesterday. She has been
very quiet lately. I thought it was strange when Dubya moved Negroponte
from head Intelligence guy to No. 2 at the State Department. Could Condi
be getting ready to leave?
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
16 Feb 2007 05:53:07 PM |
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On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 03:21:28 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in alt.atheism
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Then Shrub hates himself as he's a terminal failure and he's unable to
fail bigger.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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| User: "Michelle Malkin" |
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| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
18 Feb 2007 11:50:55 PM |
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"stoney" <stoney@the.net> wrote in message
news:qtgct2ldtddi4bubip9lab5ldggpbr9fak@4ax.com...
On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 03:21:28 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in alt.atheism
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Then Shrub hates himself as he's a terminal failure and he's unable to
fail bigger.
He has to hate himself, but, he'll never admit it to
himself. He's the 'decider', remember. He has to
be king or he's nothing. And, he doesn't care how
many people have to die for him to remain king.
He's a bomb that could go off at any time.
.
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| User: "stoney" |
|
| Title: Re: Is Cheney Really the' Decider' |
22 Feb 2007 07:34:01 PM |
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On Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:50:55 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in alt.atheism
"stoney" <stoney@the.net> wrote in message
news:qtgct2ldtddi4bubip9lab5ldggpbr9fak@4ax.com...
On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 03:21:28 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in alt.atheism
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-ED54A8.23521005022007@news.giganews.com...
In article <Lcidna5S5Loz_1rYnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
I recall reading, that when he was young, Dubya's dad was away a lot
with his oil ventures and later with Congress and the CIA. Perhaps he
sees Cheney as the father he never had. Cheney, of course, would be just
the one to take advantage of that.
That makes a lot of sense. And, considering how
Shrub really feels about his Daddy, Cheney had
better watch out. Shrub hates failure.
Then Shrub hates himself as he's a terminal failure and he's unable to
fail bigger.
He has to hate himself, but, he'll never admit it to
himself. He's the 'decider', remember. He has to
be king or he's nothing. And, he doesn't care how
many people have to die for him to remain king.
He's a bomb that could go off at any time.
No argument from me.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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