Obama’s Cheney Dilemma

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  • Posted By: ASpadeIsASpade @ 01/14/2009 9:17:25 PM

    There's only one fact that really matters in the final analysis: due to Bush/Cheney we haven't had another 9/11 on American soil. Love them or hate them, they've done their job in protecting the citizens of the United States. If an entity makes it his sworn duty to kill you, you do what is neccessary to stop him. Trample some civil liberties? Fine, if it stops him. Assassinate a leader/terrorist? Fine, it it stops him. Dribble water on a terrorists nose? Fine, if it prevents another attack. Peel him like a potato if you have to. Like it or not, we live in a Darwinian world. Maybe that's what terroristic violence is in some way: natural selection acting to remove a maladaptive trait such as hugging the person who's going to kill you in any event. Self recrimination, heart-on-your-shoulder liberalist hand-wringing wouldn't have beaten Hitler in WWII, and it won't defeat terrorism today. You're not making archane mathematical computations in quantum physics: be soft, you die; be firm, you live. Not a lot of gray area there. Unless you think victory is thinking, "Wow, I'm sure a concientious victim..." as the plane hits the tower or the bomb goes off and the light in your head winks out. Well, you won't be cluttering up the gene pool anymore.

    • Posted By: patrichenry @ 01/14/2009 9:31:43 PM

      give me liberty or give me death

      • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:51:44 PM

        Republicans are more than eager to give you the latter, but only after you've fully funded Halliburton.

    • Posted By: rapidron @ 01/14/2009 9:24:54 PM

      I think one 9/11 on Bush/Cheney's heads is enough -- don't you think??

  • Posted By: VictorFairfellow @ 01/14/2009 9:48:49 PM

    Newsweek has just proven themselves to be slanted far to the left. Hey, Newsweek! Do you happen to know everything which has gone on in the Bush Administration? NO! There things in the coming years which will reveal that Bush and Cheyney did mostly a good job in their offices. Sure, a few mistakes and mishaps, but overall okay. I bet you anything that Barack Hussein has already learned that his approach to Iraq and terrorism is NOT going to work. That his troop withdrawal will have to be called off to protect America. It's because of these two good leaders that the tyrant and would be Hitler Saddam Hussein was killed, that Alqueda has been pushed back to the point where they cannot attack us, that the almost recession in 2001 (right after 9/11) was turned quickly around, that small and home businesses are still alive, reduced taxes on capital-gains, that has reduced the estate tax and marrige penalty, prevented nuclear war between Pakistan and India, got Libya to renounce terrorism and give up WMDs (with out a war!), calmed North Korea and is going to turn off nuclear developments, and has been the president who has given the most aid to Africa and other illfortuned societies (don't liberals usually go for that sort of thing?). The thing is, Bush and Cheney have kept us alive. Let's see if Barack Milhouse will be able to do what he wants and still keep us safe. I think not. Your friendly talk show host Victor Fairfellow of Vic Underground

  • Posted By: VictorFairfellow @ 01/14/2009 9:48:36 PM

    Newsweek has just proven themselves to be slanted far to the left. Hey, Newsweek! Do you happen to know everything which has gone on in the Bush Administration? NO! There things in the coming years which will reveal that Bush and Cheyney did mostly a good job in their offices. Sure, a few mistakes and mishaps, but overall okay. I bet you anything that Barack Hussein has already learned that his approach to Iraq and terrorism is NOT going to work. That his troop withdrawal will have to be called off to protect America. It's because of these two good leaders that the tyrant and would be Hitler Saddam Hussein was killed, that Alqueda has been pushed back to the point where they cannot attack us, that the almost recession in 2001 (right after 9/11) was turned quickly around, that small and home businesses are still alive, reduced taxes on capital-gains, that has reduced the estate tax and marrige penalty, prevented nuclear war between Pakistan and India, got Libya to renounce terrorism and give up WMDs (with out a war!), calmed North Korea and is going to turn off nuclear developments, and has been the president who has given the most aid to Africa and other illfortuned societies (don't liberals usually go for that sort of thing?). The thing is, Bush and Cheney have kept us alive. Let's see if Barack Milhouse will be able to do what he wants and still keep us safe. I think not. Your friendly talk show host Victor Fairfellow of Vic Underground

  • Posted By: Newsweek Pundit @ 01/14/2009 9:27:23 PM

    How many 9/11's were there before 9/11? That's right zero. Is it a big surprise that there's been none since?

    • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:47:03 PM

      There was one in 1993(?) at the same location, only a little smaller.

  • Posted By: allbutgone @ 01/14/2009 9:45:06 PM

    Maybe the question of what is torture should be left to the families of our armed forces. What degree of questioning would you want your husband, son, cousin, uncle to endure if captured by the enemy? Would you want your country to at least have the moral high ground in trying to protect your loved one in the world court of public opinion or have to shut up because your country is doing the same thing . As my daddy said a long time ago, two wrongs do not make it right

  • Posted By: mitchellmmm @ 01/14/2009 8:03:26 PM

    Torture is a requirement to gain wartime knowledge. Even if we have policy that states Torture of any kind is illegal, there will be a component of the SS that will still use any measure necessary to gain info. Any country would-ANY. I mean geez, look at Mel Gibson! He was tortured as a Scott, and an American and ge's ok, right??

    • Posted By: random_thoughts @ 01/14/2009 9:43:55 PM

      "But mom, all the other kids are doing it!" I don't think that excuse would work with your mother, and it won't work for our country either.

  • Posted By: SalemCat @ 01/14/2009 9:00:06 PM

    When Obama's ineptitude causes the next Terror Attack, the Survivors will be praising the Bush/Cheney Presidency.

    • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:03:58 PM

      What a great choice in your private little Idaho - terrorists or tyrants.

      • Posted By: SalemCat @ 01/14/2009 9:23:50 PM

        "Bush is a Tyrant" - yeah, sure, a regular Adolf Hitler.

        • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:39:53 PM

          Got a Consitution where you live? We used to have one here, but then the fear mongers ripped it to shreds.

    • Posted By: rapidron @ 01/14/2009 9:06:15 PM

      Well if we were like you, we'd just blame Bush and Cheney like some idiots blame 9/11 on Clinton right?

  • Posted By: TheSilb @ 01/13/2009 6:41:23 PM

    While I have subscribed for many years, and will continue to do so, - I am appalled that Newsweek would take an editorial line attempting to support those who wish to avoid being tried for war crimes. Let me explain for your editorial staff, (who should know better): What sets civilization apart from troglodytes is aspiring to be better and more humane than barbarians. The USA has sunk beneath this level by using torture and waterboarding, effectively making the US now now better than our terrorist enemies. This is a huge and gross mistake, diplomatically, politically, militarily and ideologically. Intelligence experts in Iraq who have interviewed those captives that were successfully recruited as suicide bombers, hear an overwhelming percentage state that the reason they would give their lives to further their cause is because of the news of US torture techniques.
    So, Cheney and his gang of thugs, (now assisted by Newsweek), have effectively assisted in the killing of US troops and civilians; well done! The fact that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld don't see this, or don't care about US servicemen's lives lost comes as no surprise to me. To see Newsweek support their psychopathic behavior is, quite frankly, a bit of a shock!

    • Posted By: jimbo3800 @ 01/13/2009 8:49:05 PM

      "Intelligence experts in Iraq who have interviewed those captives that were successfully recruited as suicide bombers, hear an overwhelming percentage state that the reason they would give their lives to further their cause is because of the news of US torture techniques."

      And you believe them?! You don't think they would getting the 'call of Allah' and killing Americans otherwise?! I find this to be breathtaking niaeve of you.

      Hey, btw, I've got some property in Florida for sale....

      • Posted By: chris_holte @ 01/13/2009 9:05:25 PM

        What the author says just happens to be true and could be verified by anybody intelligent enough to follow the facts. Not only they, but a group of ex Generals, have been pushing to reverse and expose these heinous crimes against humanity and America's honor:
        http://www.essentialliberties.com/archives/000901.php
        Their arguments include the fact that torture endangers our own soldiers, in addition to it being a recruiting tool for potential enemies. Additionally it is an ineffective means to get valid information, the information given is usually suspect. The promoters claim that "torture lite" works because of the total control and breaking of the prisoner, but this process takes so long that by the time the prisoner is completely broken the remaining information he has is anachronistic. Quick torture, such as waterboarding, yields mostly useless information as a person being tortured will mostly tell what he thinks the torturer wants to hear.

        No the people who think this is a legitimate method for getting information have bought the bridge already. The main value of torture is terrorism. It is best when used to terrorize a population and raise the antagonisms of people against each other. Dictators use torture in order to dirty their followers and control people. Democracies don't indulge in torture unless they are turning into oligarchies and are afraid of their own people.

        I believe that those who are advocating torture are simply cowards. Their fear of risk makes them willing to give up freedom for non existent "security." It takes courage to stick up for democracy when the heavy hand of the state is telling you to put up or shut up. It just takes a jelly backbone to go along with violence and authoritarianism.

        • Posted By: jimbo3800 @ 01/13/2009 10:24:49 PM

          First off, nothing impresses me less than a link to a left-wing website with an obvious agenda. All that proves is that you have nothing to back up your statements.

          Secondly, and most important, is the intentional distortion of the word 'torture'. Liberals and their apologists in the mainstream press have now defined not getting a culturally appropriate meal or a prayer rug as "torture". So let's be clear; I do not advocate real torture; but I have no problem with what the Bush administration has done in order to save American lives.

          As far as your definition of cowards, you couldn't be more wrong. Real cowards are those who are so influenced by political correctness and their need to 'adhere' to the pop culture party line that they will stand by and let their fellow Americans die.

          • Posted By: scaredtosay @ 01/14/2009 12:53:48 AM

            Right you are Jimbo. Well said! The Lefties will accuse their own president of war crimes and do their utmost to ensure America is defeated in Iraq. It is only the safety that GWB gave them that allows for their moral preening, for now. But, just one more 9/11-type attack on US soil and they will furiously demanding ever measure to ensure their own safety. Most of them supported the decision to go to war in Iraq for that very reason. They change their minds as political opportunity presents itself. Also, Louis Freeh (Dir. CIA) said there were only 3 instances of waterboarding and that the information absolutely saved thousands of American lives. It's a no-brainer, but the Lefties got no brains.

            • Posted By: Kyon @ 01/14/2009 6:28:45 PM

              Incorrect I am a leftist and have not once been furious over 9/11. I know it was wrong yes. But then again a good many people in the middle east have good reason to hate us. We actually instituted the dictatorships over there during the coldwar era that resulted in decades of tyranny and suffering for their peoples so that we could fight communism. We did wrong things that people justified as necessary then and it is now coming back to haunt us. Wonder what the next generation will have to deal with because of what we do now?

              • Posted By: jimbo3800 @ 01/14/2009 9:39:14 PM

                Thank you for validating everything that both Scaredtosay and I posted.
                You ignorant, America-hating, piece of crap.

            • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 01/14/2009 8:30:31 AM

              I'm going to really, really enjoy the next few weeks.

              Enjoy your meltdown.

          • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 01/14/2009 8:29:40 AM

            "Secondly, and most important, is the intentional distortion of the word 'torture'. Liberals and their apologists in the mainstream press have now defined not getting a culturally appropriate meal or a prayer rug as "torture". "

            That's nice. Now let's talk about waterboarding.

          • Posted By: tiredofobama @ 01/13/2009 10:40:12 PM

            Jimbo. That was well said. I don't advocate torture either. The media in this country has really screwed up.

    • Posted By: PaBR @ 01/14/2009 3:43:35 PM

      How do you capture a suicide bomber?

  • Posted By: stromprophet @ 01/14/2009 9:14:14 PM

    The disasterous Dick and George Show have been an evil disgrace that has set our nation back decades.
    A War Crimes trial at The Hague is still an option for the future.

    • Posted By: stiggi99 @ 01/14/2009 9:23:19 PM

      Stumph: I suppose with the Obama/Biden administration we'll all be holding hand with the whole world and terrorists included and singing Kumbuya!!!

      • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:38:24 PM

        Oh it's the same song and dance every time a democrat wins. We're all headed for destruction. The sky is falling, the sky is falling.

        Funny how sending half a trillion tax dollars to Halliburton in no bid contracts is perfectly OK, no economic destruction on that front.

    • Posted By: stiggi99 @ 01/14/2009 9:24:44 PM

      Excuse me the reply was for stromprophet

  • Posted By: Loleicxe @ 01/14/2009 9:38:07 PM

    The world is not what we think. Stop complaining. The best thing that could happen is for these moron terrorist to launch another attack on US soil. Then and only then will Americans of all poltical persuasion unite and address the menace before us. Until then we should all have a glass of wine and relax.

  • Posted By: ajay11 @ 01/14/2009 9:38:03 PM

    Ya right! Obama is going to be the answer to all the poblems, as he cons you into believing the goverment will take away all your problems. Since when does the government get up every morning to earn a paycheck. Oh thats right they don't,.They take it from you! Tax and spend!

  • Posted By: AutumnMyst @ 01/14/2009 9:36:18 PM

    Obama will be wise also to do more to secure our borders. Especially our Southern border. We have to many people coming into our country illegally and do not know who or where half of them are out of the 12 to 20 million that are already here. Our government hasn't protected us from the invasion from the Southern borders as it is. With drug trafficing, jobs and instant citizenship to those that are born in our country it will not stop until they change and enforce amendments. But in the meantime, how many of those here are (sleepers ( terrorists)? We just may have cells coming across the border and don't know where they are. It is insane to let this happen. And to give Amnesty would be the biggest mistake at this time and in the future.

    It is time to protect America as it states in our Constitution from this insane invasion. How we haven't had more attacks because of our borders being so open is beyond me.

  • Posted By: SuperSarah! @ 01/14/2009 9:16:54 PM

    Okay first of all,

    Bush has kept us safe for 8 years, and we haven't had any more terriost attacks since 9/11.


    if we didn't go to war, our country would be having very frequent terriost attacks.

    The war is what keeping us safe.

    There is still people out there that hate americans, and they want to kill us.

    If we dont protect our country, then they will kill us in a matter of time.


    Sure, war isnt a good thing...

    but sometimes it is necessory.

    • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:35:56 PM

      "but sometimes it is necessory."

      Just as have a president with more than a C average is neccessary.

    • Posted By: NoRedLenses @ 01/14/2009 9:35:47 PM

      Textbook brainwashing example. We haven't had any attacks because of Bush/Cheney? How do you know it wasn't because I hung garlic cloves on a wreath on my door for a year? Or was it because the Illuminatti didn't decree it so? Or maybe it was cuz God protected HIs Favorite Children! Y'know, the US! Yea .. that's it! It's cuz we're His faves, huih!!

      Your logic is as flawed as every single other person that spouts that piece of conjecture. You're crediting Bush/Cheney for something that cannot be proven. It's just like saying that it must be an evil spell that gives kids colds, cuz we can't seem to medically fix that problem. Or that sincee there's no tiremarks on the dirt road the no-one must have EVER drivin on it before.

      Sounds kinda like tribal myths told around campfires to me.

    • Posted By: YashBudini @ 01/14/2009 9:34:23 PM

      "The war is what keeping us safe."

      Tell that to the families of the dead soldiers, see if they agree.

  • Posted By: AutumnMyst @ 01/14/2009 9:35:45 PM

    Obama will be wise also to do more to secure our borders. Especially our Southern border. We have to many people coming into our country illegally and do not know who or where half of them are out of the 12 to 20 million that are already here. Our government hasn't protected us from the invasion from the Southern borders as it is. With drug trafficing, jobs and instant citizenship to those that are born in our country it will not stop until they change and enforce amendments. But in the meantime, how many of those here are (sleepers ( terrorists)? We just may have cells coming across the border and don't know where they are. It is insane to let this happen. And to give Amnesty would be the biggest mistake at this time and in the future.

    It is time to protect America as it states in our Constitution from this insane invasion. How we haven't had more attacks because of our borders being so open is beyond me.

  • Posted By: Bipolar Bear! @ 01/14/2009 9:35:07 PM

    omango what they do in their countries really shouldnt bother us so much.each race or countries have their own customs and traditions like we do have ours. how was iraq and saddam really threatening our own freedom here?it doesnt make sense. cheney and bush wanted to go in there for other reasons obviously. our own freedom was threatened with this patriot act. and if america is supposed to be the police in the world and take care of every countries injustices then why the hell are there not any american military in darfur? why dont we go help them? why? because there is nothing of interest for the USA there, thats why. oh and you prolife view...think about this...what gives a man the right to make the choice for a woman to not have an abortion. i am a man and i will never know what it is like to carry and give birth to a child. so in that alone i have no right to say what she does . yeah, the idea of abortion is kinda heartbreaking and i would strongly suggestion other options. but in the end the choice is hers because it is her body and womb. the conservatives keep wanting to ban abortions...thats impossible and will never happened. and you know, i have a feeling they only say that just to win your vote....when do they really put that on top of their agendas? it looks like you been taking all the BS that the neo cons have to offer you. wow, such a wing nut you are.

  • Posted By: AutumnMyst @ 01/14/2009 9:34:48 PM

    Obama will be wise also to do more to secure our borders. Especially our Southern border. We have to many people coming into our country illegally and do not know who or where half of them are out of the 12 to 20 million that are already here. Our government hasn't protected us from the invasion from the Southern borders as it is. With drug trafficing, jobs and instant citizenship to those that are born in our country it will not stop until they change and enforce amendments. But in the meantime, how many of those here are (sleepers ( terrorists)? We just may have cells coming across the border and don't know where they are. It is insane to let this happen. And to give Amnesty would be the biggest mistake at this time and in the future.

    It is time to protect America as it states in our Constitution from this insane invasion. How we haven't had more attacks because of our borders being so open is beyond me.

  • Posted By: tiny @ 01/14/2009 9:34:46 PM

    Okay so now we are going to Molly Coddle all suspected terrorists just great ,,we wonder what is wrong with this country,,we are so concerned with individule rights{even for those who aren't even citizens} that we forget about the rights of the masses ..let us not torture one innocent man even if it saves the lives of thousands if he turns out not so innocent,,We need to wake up there is a war going on here and we are losing..We are like a large herd of sheep being picked aparat by just a few wolves..where is the Shepard and the sheep dogs???

  • Posted By: grrgto @ 01/14/2009 9:32:31 PM

    Kumbaybama all will peace on earth when he takes over....
    Give me a flipping break, who the hell thinks any one man can or should be then answer to our problems!

    I will surrender NONE of my God given LIBERTY for ANY of Mrs. Obama's Security!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: ellisliza @ 01/14/2009 9:31:37 PM

    "The New President won't have to wait long to tip his hand"...the media hype is amazing...as if Obama knows anything. They fill him with their hype as if it is his and then the report it as if WE like it. I do not.

    I liked Nader's track record, platforms and even his background of choice of college undergraduate major at Princeton, where the faculty had to approve the entry of the students into the program (according to Justin Martin, in his biography of Ralph Nader), International Policy, he graduated from Princeton with honors, 1955, went on to Harvard Law, cited by their "The Record" (again information from the biography by Justin Martin), as "the most prestigeous graduate ever produced" (1976 accolade from Harvard Law)--Nader founded the Environmental Protection Agency, Auto Safety Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and such public interest gems that make our federal government WORTH our taxes!

    What I would like to know, is WHERE OH WHERE does the media get the PRIVILEGE to destroy our fair and proper view of democracy and our national elections when someone like RALPH NADER was an HONEST and SERIOUS CHALLENGE? They offered extreme insult every time. As if he were a comment, not a candidate. And, of course, they didn't even bother to insult the others, Baldwin, Barr, and McKinney. Overlooked them entirely.

    Where oh where does the media get the privilege of depriving the public of HONEST REPORTING and GENUINE coverage of politics?

    I see corruption and backing of corporate greed as their source of power that needs to be forced onto the carpet as CAUSE to require a new election and the public to force the media to BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION FRAMES OUR VALID GOVERNMENT FOR DEMOCRACY and PEOPLE's POWER TO USURP the corruption at the BALLOT BOX, not with war and guns, but informed CIVILIZED elections.

    Oh yes, given the gist of this article, another law we have Ralph Nader to thank, is "Freedom of Information Law."

    The media has refused to provide honest information. There were SIX not TWO real nationally viable for public opinion to rule at the ballot box: Baldwin, Barr, McCain, McKinney, Nader, and Obama.

    Who was BEST was up to the PEOPLE not the media!

    They refused honest coverage of the election and offered PURPLE for the state of the union election results.

    Nader's diplomacy would be very different and the picture of the opposing candidates against the incumbents IS DUE the public at a national limelight FAIR AND OBJECTIVE LEVEL of immediate REMEDIAL ACTION as soon as possible.

    A minister named Fosdick, wrote a good slogan, for those who get confused about honest and the need to use morals to decide right and wrong: "Do not do anything that cannot stand the light of the noonday sun."

    Lying under oath that he intends to uphold the U.S. Constitution is clearly Obama in hand, and what to do, is up to the public at large, to force.

    The media is heinous, it is clear.

  • Posted By: kacameron8 @ 01/14/2009 9:31:09 PM

    These 'backyard barbeque patriots' have once again defined the Hitler/Nazi scenario for the United States as the GWBush/Dick Cheney Administration.
    Ignorance is not bliss!

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