Ridiculous things said by Vice President Cheney in his speech today

"Today Ariel Sharon's voice is silent, and our thoughts are with him as he battles for his life. It's a comfort to know that his deeds will live on, and in our memory the man himself will stand like a rock. We honor him as one of the great statesmen of our time, and a man of peace."

(06/23/01) -- A criminal investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's role in the massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla should be launched, Human Rights Watch urged today. The Israeli leader will meet on Tuesday at the White House with President Bush. (From Human Rights Watch website)

"Over the last several decades, Americans have seen how the terrorists pursue their objectives. Simply stated, they would hit us, but we would not hit back hard enough. In Beirut in 1983, terrorists killed 241 Americans, and afterward U.S. forces withdrew from Beirut. In 1993 we had the killing of American soldiers in Mogadishu, and the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York. . . . With each attack, the terrorists grew more confident in believing they could strike America without paying a price --- and indeed, believing that if they killed enough Americans, they could change American policy."

The 1993 acts did not involve "terrorists" in any conventional sense of the word. Under United Nations' mandate, the U.S. military conducted a raid to capture top aides to Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. During the raid, soldiers loyal to Aidid (as well as frustrated armed Somali citizens) attacked the U.S. forces, killing 19 total. This had nothing to do with terrorism. More ironically, it was the Republicans in Congress who uniformly called for a pull-out from Somalia and roundly criticized Pres. Clinton for nation building.

"Second, we are determined to deny safe haven to the terrorists. Since the day our country was attacked, we have applied the Bush Doctrine: Any person or government that supports, protects, or harbors terrorists is complicit in the murder of the innocent, and will be held to
account. "

This is complete horseshit. We've negotiated with North Korea, done nothing to stop Iran (because we can't), bargained with Pakistan (even though it isn't pursing the reconstituted Al Qaeda), and generally ignored the Bush doctrine completely. This is false bravado masquerading as policy, and it's embarassing.

"Progress in Iraq has not come easily, but it has been steady."

The ramblings of a delusional madman: does Cheney think that if keeps spouting this nonsense, it will become true?

"It is not hard to see why the terrorists oppose and rage against the rise of democracy in Iraq. They know that as liberty advances, as men and women are given a say in the affairs of their country, they turn their creative gifts to the pursuits of peace. People who live in freedom are able to choose their own destiny, and this gives them real hope for material progress in their own lives, and a better future for their children. As democracy advances, ideologies that stir anger and hostility lose their appeal, and terrorists lose recruits, safe havens, and sources of funding."

But what about the sectarian clensing among Iraqis themselves? Again, the broad misnomer of "terrorist" creates complete idealogical confusion. And that's for a specific reason: to confuse and conflate the battle against Al Qaeda with the War in Iraq.

Note also the pie-in-the-sky optimism about the Islamic embrace of democracy.

"As Americans, we have faith in democracy, but no illusions."

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, one of the basic truths of the world we live in today is that George W. Bush is a man of his word."

Do I need to say anything here? Brownie, you are doing a heck of job? We recently learned that the Iraqi government purchased large quantities of yellowcake? Mission: Accomplished?

"Indeed, the whole world can see the change, and the rising hope in places like Lebanon."

Rising hope, you say? You mean the same Lebanon that was devastated by the Hezbollah-Israel standoff last year that lead to a small war?

"The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose meaningful consequences. (Applause.) For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime. (Applause.) And we join other nations in sending that regime a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

Or we'll do what, exactly? Invade? Who does Cheney think he's fooling?