Bringing up the dirty aspects of the Bush administration often brings cries about old news. In the sense that he is no longer the president it is. But the unfinished legacy of war which he started goes on until this day so it isn't is still quite current. The Obama administration decided to proceed with the policy of war in Iraq and Afganistan and lives are still being lost needlessly on both sides. The legacy of death and destruction carries on with no foreseeable end.
Dick Cheney, who spearheaded candidate Bush's search for a running mate and found himself, was one of the most detestable figures in the crowd of many who worked in the Bush administration. He has always been one of the most extremely cold actors who supported the most extreme policies that have earned the scorn of almost the entire world. Unflinching in his forceful defiance of what is good and rational, he has no qualms about going on TV and speaking arrogantly about his support and direction of actions that defy the collective conscience of humanity.
He steps on the feet of former administration officials in the same arrogant manner that he stepped on the worries of the American people. He says that he would do the same things that he did during his time as vice-president all over again if given the chance. In his mind, he sees no wrong in torture, lying to the world to justify war, or maintaining secret prisons. He leaves no apologies, none.
Knowing that he hadn't in the past cared too much for the truth, there is reason enough to wonder if what he has included in his new book is itself honest. Colin Powell's former chief-of-staff, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, has already stated that the tales told by Cheney about his involvement in Powell's departure from the administration are not even remotely accurate. Wilkerson describes Cheney's assertion that he himself had something to do with Powell leaving as "utter nonsense." He says that from the beginning, Powell informed his inner team of his intentions of only serving one term. Powell, in spite of the terrible mistakes he allowed himself to become a part of, suggested that the former vice-president & co. hadn't planned for anything after the fall of Bagdad. This unnecessary tragedy should not have happened in the first place, but to think that they hadn't even planned enough to prepare for what they were causing is something that only made the situation worse. It is scary thinking that such madmen were in control of the mightiest military machine the world has ever known.
Even former president Bush claims to have had sickening feelings upon learning that weapons of mass destruction weren't found in Iraq. It is hard to fathom that he honestly didn't know this was the case beforehand, but at least he has the sense to recognize the disappointment of so many people who supported the war based on that very rationale. Cheney though, still maintains that the United States did the right thing. This delusional, arrogant man, according to Wilkerson is "the only person Cheney does not seem to find fault with is Cheney."
Isn't it time yet for this man, this cruel individual to be brought before the courts along with his cohorts? Isn't it time for the good people of the United States to demand that he faces justice? How long can these types of individuals be protected under the excuse that it is time to look to the future? How can the United States pretend to want to learn from its mistakes if it isn't willing to face up to them? When will the United States decide to set a good example, as it claims to be, for the world?
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