Dick Cheney: A key architect of the Iraq War
Dick Cheney, vice president under George W. Bush and key architect of the Iraq War, is dead at 84. Condolences to his family. Sorry for your loss, Liz.
The Bush-Cheney administration’s lying the United States into invading Iraq, and Cheney’s role in “extraordinary rendition” and “enhanced interrogation,” is what pushed me into writing political commentary. That eventually landed me here. I first encountered Cheney’s role in the subterfuge that previewed “Shock and Awe” detailed variously at Salon, Salon again, a series in The American Conservative, and Salon yet again. Bush, known for ascribing snarky nicknames to his staff, called Cheney “Big Time.”
Le Monde remembers another:
With his sepulchral voice and rare words, Dick Cheney claimed his nickname of “Darth Vader” and his taste for the dark side of power with provocative pride. After three decades behind the scenes, with George W. Bush’s consent, he imposed himself during two terms as perhaps the most influential and powerful vice president in the history of the United States. History’s verdict has been merciless with the “father” of the Iraq invasion and of the excesses of the war on terror. He never expressed the slightest regret.
Cheney was a pivotal figure, Vanity Fair observes. He was “the principal architect of American power in the first years of the 21st century; that is, until the abject failures of military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq helped set the stage for the rise of Trumpian “America First” isolationism on the right, a commensurate anti-imperialism on the left, and a diminution of America’s position in the world.”
Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project declares Cheney, “A real Republican, to the last.” Interpret that as you will.
In the too little too late department, MSN reminds readers:
… Cheney became one of the nation’s most prominent Republicans to oppose Donald Trump. Along with his daughter, Liz Cheney, a former congresswoman, Dick Cheney said that he voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. “There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney said before the election, which Trump won.
It takes one, etc. Cheney’s family will mourn him.
* * * * *
Is this a private fight, or can anyone join?
No King’s One Million Rising movement
50501
May Day Strong
Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit
The Resistance Lab
Choose Democracy
Indivisible: A Guide to Democracy on the Brink
You Have Power
Chop Wood, Carry Water
Thirty lonely but beautiful actions
Attending a Protest Surveillance Self-Defense