CHENEY FIGHTS BACK

Drudge Report ^ | Nov. 16 2005 | Dick Cheney

[Oeconomicus]

CHENEY FIGHTS BACK Wed Nov 16 2005 18:56:46 ET Excerpts As Prepared For Delivery Tonight by Vice President Cheney

THE VICE PRESIDENT: "As most of you know, I have spent a lot of years in public service, and first came to work in Washington, D.C. back in the late 1960s. I know what it’s like to operate in a highly charged political environment, in which the players on all sides of an issue feel passionately and speak forcefully.

In such an environment people sometimes lose their cool, and yet in Washington you can ordinarily rely on some basic measure of truthfulness and good faith in the conduct of political debate. But in the last several weeks we have seen a wild departure from that tradition.

And the suggestion that’s been made by some U. S. senators that the President of the United States or any member of this Administration purposely misled the American people on pre-war intelligence is one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city...

Some of the most irresponsible comments have, of course, come from politicians who actually voted in favor of authorizing force against Saddam Hussein. These are elected officials who had access to the intelligence, and were free to draw their own conclusions.

They arrived at the same judgment about Iraq’s capabilities and intentions that was made by this Administration and by the previous Administration. There was broad-based, bipartisan agreement that Saddam Hussein was a threat … that he had violated U.N. Security Council Resolutions … and that, in a post-9/11 world, we couldn’t afford to take the word of a dictator who had a history of WMD programs, who had excluded weapons inspectors, who had defied the demands of the international community, who had been designated an official state sponsor of terror, and who had committed mass murder.

Those are facts.

What we’re hearing now is some politicians contradicting their own statements and making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war. The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out. American soldiers and Marines are out there every day in dangerous conditions and desert temperatures – conducting raids, training Iraqi forces, countering attacks, seizing weapons, and capturing killers – and back home a few opportunists are suggesting they were sent into battle for a lie.

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.

We’re going to continue throwing their own words back at them. And far more important, we’re going to continue sending a consistent message to the men and women who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other fronts.

We can never say enough how much we appreciate them, and how proud they make us. They and their families can be certain: That this cause is right … and the performance of our military has been brave and honorable … and this nation will stand behind our fighting forces with pride and without wavering until the day of victory.

Developing...

[gidget7]

Never in my life, have I seen the level of unpatriotism, and total lack of respect or manners, as the folks over there display every single day. Absolutely no, not even a semblance of, class. NONE!

As much as I disliked Clinton, I would never have thought of being that vile against the President of my country.. It wouldn't have occurred to me. Sure I disagreed with him, lost all respect for him, but NOT the office he held. Or the office of the Vice President for that matter. And especially not my country. Vile people over there.

[nevergore]

Give them hell Cheney!

All I can add is it's about time!

[HHKrepublican_2]

Bump for Contact list

[USMCPOP]

Karl, I wish it didn't have to come to this. Before you left, we both agreed that we would have to see this through to the bitter end, no matter what, or why it started. You didn't question it, nor did I. Pal, it's been exactly one year to the day that you left for Iraq, to do your part. I am so sorry that you came back to us in only a couple of months, in a box that we were advised not to open. So everlastingly sorry. I still believe, but there are many who do not. Please forgive them Karl. We are caught in a web of our own deceit, and that is a dangerous place to be, as you might well imagine. Farewell. We will deal with this as we can. We honor you, and will never forget you.

- Dad
Proud father of
LCpl. Karl R. Linn -0517, USMC
KIA 1/26/2005 Haqlaniyah, Iraq

[bnelson44]

What we’re hearing now is some politicians contradicting their own statements and making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war. The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out. American soldiers and Marines are out there every day in dangerous conditions and desert temperatures – conducting raids, training Iraqi forces, countering attacks, seizing weapons, and capturing killers – and back home a few opportunists are suggesting they were sent into battle for a lie.

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.

We’re going to continue throwing their own words back at them. And far more important, we’re going to continue sending a consistent message to the men and women who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other fronts.

We can never say enough how much we appreciate them, and how proud they make us. They and their families can be certain: That this cause is right … and the performance of our military has been brave and honorable … and this nation will stand behind our fighting forces with pride and without wavering until the day of victory.

[conservativebabe]

I second every single thing you just said gidget. Well done.

[bnelson44]

Thank him!!!!

vice_president@whitehouse.gov

[LaineyDee]

Done!

[tang-soo]

Yeah! What he said.

[gidget7]

Thank you! I monitored what they were saying, for a while. Absolutely sickening. Had to shut it off, it almost brings you to tears. None of them have even a fraction of an ounce, of the character and integrity Vice President Cheney has. They aren't fit to clean his bathrooms, or his boots after a ride on the range!

It's incredibly sad that people like that exist in this, of all countries. Ungrateful ignorants.

[section9]

What pisses me off is that this should have started months ago.

The unanswered charge of BushLied was allowed to go on until the President's ability to successfully prosecute this war was placed in jeopardy. We cannot blame the Democrats for being craven and dishonorable: that is to be expected. Dishonor is in their nature. We can blame George Bush for placing support for the war, a critical strategic necessity if you read your Clausewitz, in doubt by allowing these lies to stand unchallenged.

That was a political mistake that, in the long run, was a disservice to the troops in the field. A lie unanswered does damage to the cause for which good men died. I don't care how much you people think that "rope-a-dope" is a stroke of genius. I don't happen to agree.

As Churchill said, "a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth gets its pants on."

Bush has rolled out, Cheney has rolled out. I expect to see Condi rolled out in the near future. These bastards asked for it. They want to peddle appeasement? They're welcome to it!

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[DogBarkTree]

Great words Mr Cheney but how about now you and the boss back it up with some good old fashion Bully Pulpit. Sir.

[Lakeshark]

They aren't fit to clean his bathrooms

I beg to differ, it is their desstiny....

[snugs]

[Lakeshark]

Waaaaay overdue........

[freema]

+

[makoman]

God I love the man! He tells it like it is.

[snugs]

[gidget7]

done

[snugs]

I have read the transcript - great speech