When Dick Cheney appeared on the Today show, at the conclusion of the interview a camera that shows the crowd outside the studio picked up this image:
That sign probably represented the harshest take on Cheney’s record that TV viewers saw during the PR campaign for his book.
Unsurprisingly, it caught someone’s attention over at Fox News, and on Sunday host Chris Wallace decided to use it in a question about liberal media bias. That’s not surprising. Cheney’s response, though, is worth a look:
WALLACE: What do you make of that? I mean, I somehow doubt that if Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama were speaking, they would have taken the shot and then suddenly have person with a sign would have been putting their pictures in. Simply, do you think there is a liberal bias in the mainstream media?
CHENEY: I think there probably is. But I don’t spend time worrying it. I think those of us right-thinking conservatives find that there are a lot of outlets out there now in the media, on the Internet, that give us ample opportunity for our points of view to get across and to be heard.
You hear this every so often from powerful conservatives like William Kristol and Pat Buchanan. I guess it’s hard for people who spend their lives pontificating on national television to faithfully recite their team’s talking points about a media system that is apparently allergic to their point of view.
I’m struck by the fact that the sign came from Amnesty International, widely recognized as the most prominent human rights group in the world. If it’s calling for Cheney to be investigated, isn’t that worth more coverage than a brief shot of a protester holding a sign? If Amnesty were calling for an investigation of Obama or Hillary Clinton for violating laws against torture, wouldn’t Wallace think that should be a major news story?
wait, I thought the media was completely full of liberals. What is Cheney saying? “a lot of outlets…”
“Liberal Media”? I have to hunt like hell to find anything ‘Liberal’ about it. I always hear that used as though it were understood. If it is in fact ‘liberal’, there is a lot of conservative dollars being spent to get the liberal word out there.
For halfascists like Cheney, es Machts NICHTS! The Baracketeer’s got Dick’s back!! Sieg!!!
Cheney died long ago,a pace maker has kept the twisted machine that half resembles a human going since then. No matter what he writes,thinks or lies about history will always judge him for what he is,no matter how much americans try to re-write,or revise it.
Cheney’s dismissive attitude toward the American public is well-documented; he’s remarked time and again that people’s opinions change and that this doesn’t influence policy decisions — as clear a declaration of tyranny as you could expect. His endorsement here of Internet-fueled fringe political agitation is a clear reminder that those mistakenly calling themselves “conservatives” are, to Cheney and his ilk, but cannon-fodder to be used against democracy.
Birthers, Dominionists, Tea Partiers — they’re nothing but ammunition to be expended against government by the people under the Constitution. You’d think somebody would notice they’re being used so callously to defend a dictator-in-waiting. But no. Somewhere, David Addington is building his list of shocktroops to be used to topple the government and put him in charge. Beware.
Ah I still can feel the anger and confusion.You really believed that Obama would move on this day one didn’t you?Why when he had a super majority didn’t he?Must keep you up nights.
Well amnesty international does a lot of great work.But really I don’t think there is a president left standing they have not called a war criminal.It is funny that in liberal eyes Bush and Cheney ( so hated0 and their water boarding(I was against it) left all those water boarded doing fine .While those murderous animals in the Taliban,and uncle Saddam who left heads rolling ,gassed,mangled,and mutilated are as always seen in a less hateful light.Ah to be a liberal
And now that President Obama and his legal unit are protecting the war criminals he and his men are also criminals. But who will ever send them to the Hague? The winners never go only the losers. Last big war the Germans and Japanese got the treatment but not the Allies who did their share of killing.
michael e: let’unravel here.
Liberals (pure and ideal) don’t hate. “hateful light” seems an oximoron in itself. Appling it to liberals doubles back in another fold. At least it shows your fundamental perspective you seem to be trapped in: it fits the very mindset of the how many people see the world, as Cheney might say “right-thinking conservatives”. I would have been appreciative of your comment if you had have replaced your use of the word ‘liberal’ with ‘most Democrates’ or ‘political lefties’. Just as Cheney convienently plays on the word “right” which is most pathetic, its important for people to come to an understanding of “liberal”. If Democrats who seem over-eager to win power and limelight, continue fowl wars, compromise justice, civil rights and human rights are the types you are referring to when you speak of how double standards are applied to despots at home as aborad, then I at least recommend we agree to refrain from calling them liberal. Since Amnesty International is at point here, let me say that to think of that organization or their members as being liberal is in its own way pathitic. They highlight injustice impartially, across every border to the best of their resources. This is done in the same way a judge makes a ruling within the law – you would hardly call a judge liberal for being just.
One further point, knowing the development, power, resources, speak of “world policeman” and “exceptionalism” pertaining to the USA by contrast to the poverty and corruption of other despotic nations, and considering the USA covert or dogmatic participation in world countries by the USA then crimes against humanity committed by the most senior USA Government executives may very well justify closer attention then others.
Michael……Liberal “may not “pertain to those I usually speak to in these blogs.I would not want to define strictly the sub sects of those to the left of me anymore than I appreciate the defining of the tea party(my beliefs) from those people.I will say the idea of liberalism seems to me to have been corrupted by a socialist element.I suppose i could say progressives…or the left.My guess is I can call it what it will……..those i am talking to know it is in their direction I am speaking.Many people on your side think all tea party members are religious freaks who want to end all abortion and social security along with all the other foibles- tomorrow.Most of us came into this to reaffirm the constitution ,and END gov intrusion in our lives, and scale back an out of control bureaucracy.
Cheney tipped his hand to the reality that is understood by those who see that claims of “liberal bias” are nothing more than a canard to draw attention away from the fact that there is a permanent, overwhelming conservative corporate bias to the media. The corporate owners of the mainstream media are delighted when their conservative tools complain about the “liberal bias” in media. The sheep in the audience will repeat it until it appears to be common sense. It’s a brilliant and totally effective strategy.
Fools like me try to point out to the sheeple that they’re being used.
The Mad Hatter said”a word can mean anything I want it to mean”…
Dave I am trying to remember who’s side the press was on in the last election?
As a Liberal, given that most economies that work today are social democratic or socialist, I never understood why people don’t want a high quality of life. It is not like you are going to rise more than one class from were you were born unless you very good looking or have a very unique talent.
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it is a duck.
Tea baggers are religious wingnuts, anti science, anti gay, anti women working (although they sure have a number of women who make a career telling other women to stay home) with all that advocate the most naive of political philosophy, libertarianisum. If you want a country of little government with big business and religion running things, there are plenty of Banana Republics to move too.
I feel sorry for Texan Democrats and Progressives, but Texas Republicans who cut their taxes so there are no firefighters have to be the biggest babies. How dare they, after their Governor supports daming to hell anyone not Bible thumper expects donations to help them.
As a liberal, I am tired of cleaning up their mess. I am tired of holding the tax burden so “Bible States” can eat it up. Maybe one of these people can explain how an uneducated and unhealthy workforce is going to create business opportunities and bring in companies. Republican states demonstrate no growth, in fact the opposite. Give me socialisum, at least it works well.
Pat your understanding of the tea party is as far off base as your understanding of how this country works(well)is.
I have been a tea party member since day one.I was one(though there was no name for it)when i worked for Clinton and Nader.My experience has shown me that most TP members are not “religious wingnuts”though most do believe in God i would guess.Anti science?Well since i hold a phD in medicine as do many of my friends in the movement im not sure where you come by that.I have found the education level pretty hi in the movement.Anti gay?The movement has very little in the way of platforms on any social findings.It is primarily constitutional and economic.Though of course people who speak for themselves mat also agree with TP standards on other things.
You seem to have this sick twisted belief that all of us who believe in the constitution,small government,personal freedoms,low taxes,and state rights are knuckle dragging morons.And the liberals hold some patent on enlightenment.
And pray tell what mess are you cleaning up for conservatism ,or TEXAS?
Socialism works?Where?In the history of the world where?Tell me where the government runs distribution ,production and exchange and it actually works?Look i don’t blame you for shoveling this crap.What is left for you to do?Obama spent more than God and got nothing for it.Keneysian economics shot to hell.His latest jobs bill looks like it is going to be shot down ….by his own party ,before it ever gets to the Rs.Just don’t act like you believe it.Go to a TP rally when they get rolling.You wont see any of the nonsense that you mentioned.Just good folks who know this government is out of control and doing a lousy job.