A Nation of Pause

President Obama seeks to block the court ordered release of prisoner abuse photos to protect America's reputation. Democrats and Republicans, previously on opposite sides of the issue, have joined forces in criticizing the president as either buckling under political pressure or being a flip flopper(apparently gangsters don't wear flip flops).

I, however, commend the president on his courage in keeping longstanding traditions, despite heavy opposition. Protecting the nation is rarely such a paradox. From broken peace treaties, to Tuskegee experiments, and now torture- American politics has been filled with acts of such enormity, even the president himself has a hard time circumventing the legal system. You can defend proponents of slavery or the merits of Hiroshima, but to associate any illegality or immorality of these acts with our great nation is the equivalent of PR treason. Aside from answering red phones and shaking international hands, the president's main duty is to be the spokesman for USA Incorporated- keeping the brand name clean and protecting it from falling victim to it's number one product- the legal system. America is a nation of laws. To publicize these pictures is to provide evidence of conduct we deemed inhumane and illegal. Obama has two choices- provide evidence that the government, our government, committed illegal acts and follow through with the legal process(which ends with president appointed judges)- OR - plead the fifth.

It reminds me of the one time when I took pictures of myself smoking crack and cheating on my taxes. To see those pictures, click... oh wait. Never mind...

Cheney: It's Right, but Wasn't Me

President Cheney, who has been seen in a series of television interview recently, has given passed the torture-buck to former President George W. With rumors of war crime indictments still floating around congress like ghost at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the former vice president has already began building a defense. When asked if he had any regrets about authorization of any interrogation threats, he said plainly "No", but when asked if the president knew "everything he knew", Cheney responds defensively with "He basically authorized it."(min 3:20)

If you laud torture as "necessary", and elevate yourself to a Jack Bauer-esque hero, why the sudden poetic allusion, or "Blame Deferred", if you will?

As Democratic nit-pickers pick up on the armor chink, we look forward to both the former president's media tour, and the temporary revival of the Bush impersonations.

In other Dick news, Liz Cheney says Obama sides with terrorist by releasing photos of what her father's administration authorized, sparking a new children's book- "Everybody poops AND tortures: just don't show either"

Cheney Splits Party, Disses Mother of Powell

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has made a move history will note as "the split of the Republican Party." After Colin Powell suggested his party disassociate themselves from divisive public figures such as conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, Cheney took the defense of Limbaugh, suggesting Powell was a sort of party traitor for his endorsement of Barack Obama:
The former vice president noted that Powell endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama in last year's presidential race. "I assume that that's some indication of his loyalty and his interests," Cheney said.
The implication is by endorsing Obama, Powell's loyalty and interests are not aligned with the Republican Party. By logic, he implies the Republican Party's loyalty is not in endorsing Obama, a statement Limbaugh made more boldly January 16th, 2009.
Limbaugh is a conservative radio talk show host (think white, plus Oprah, plus radio), yet has the republican party at odds over their elected leader Michael Steele. Steel also suggested the party reform their image by separating from Limbaugh's image, but has received extreme resistance from Limbaugh's audience, now including Cheney.
The significance is now that Cheney, a once legitimate politician, has taken sides with Limbaugh, less important ones like Rick Perry will scream and shout until all high level party members are forced to choose a side as well.
First the opinion of an extremist, then the opinion of a politician, to the founding principles of THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY...
Cheney was also later overheard saying, "Powell's mama is such a democrat, she puts the authenticity of this joke to a vote."