So there’s this Executive Order that requires the National Archives to collect data on classified documents from any “entity within the executive branch that comes into the possession of classified information”. Cheney refuses to comply with the inspection (apparently meant to ensure that classified documents are actually secured and are classified appropriately), with the disclaimer that his office has legislative duties under the Constitution, and is thus not subject to the EO.
He apparently allowed this in 2001 and 2002, then just stopped allowing it. The head of the oversight office appealed to the Attorney General (Gonzales), as specified under law, where it is “currently under review.” In response, Cheney has proposed eliminating that avenue of appeal, and proposed abolishing the oversight office.
I didn’t even think Cheney was still in office. I think it’s sort of sad that the two biggest headlines I can remember from his terms in office are when he shot a dude hunting and when he was having medical issues.
Can we add this guy to the list of “terrifying world leaders” yet? Khomeini, Qaddafi, Taylor, Mugabe, … Cheney?
So Cheney doesn’t want some of his records looked at, is not as open as you want him to be, and you compare him to these guys? Seriously, you don’t think that comparison is ridiculous?
I’m surprised Cheney can walk or buy pants, given how big his cojones have to be. The law doesn’t apply to me? I love it. His whole attitude is “fuck you, what are YOU going to do about it?”
Would you expect anything less from such an arrogant elitist?
My dad played little league baseball with Dick in Casper, WY back in the 1950’s, and maintains that the statement you make has been true since Cheney was 8 years old.
Seriously though, this is just another example of the absolute attitude of untouchability that Cheney has cultivated since he left the House of Reps for the Cabinet in '89. He tells Senators to go Eff themselves, he refuses to unseal discussion from energy policy meetings, throws his Chief of Staff under the bus in the Plame incident, and uses Fox News Channel as his official spouting point (I now refer to FNC as The Mouth of Sauron). My favorite quote from him is at the end of this interview from Newsweek: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070128.html. “Well, I’m Vice President and they’re not.” Seems to sum up his appraisal of the situation quite succintly.
He is a constant source of amusement. Assuming that the Dems win big in '08, I would fully expect them to go after him with the knives out. However given his state of health, I wouldn’t be surprised if he checked out ala Ken Lay just before the axe falls (and they go off together to live on their own private, energy financed, island).
And yes, the last bit was (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek.
I kind of like the guy. He is like the bad cop and Bush is the good cop. He does all the dirty work for the administration and pretty much calls it the way he sees it.