Think Progress

Cheney On Whether He Ordered Hospital Visit To Ashcroft: I Have ‘No Recollection’»

On Sunday, Josh Marshall pointed out that the New York Times editorial on the potential need to impeach Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said that “Vice President Dick Cheney sent Mr. Gonzales and another official to Mr. Ashcroft’s hospital room to get him to approve the wiretapping.” As Marshall noted, before the editorial, Cheney’s involvement in the incident had never been established.

Today on CNN, in a preview of his interview with the Vice President tonight, Larry King said he asked Cheney about the allegation. “I asked the Vice President about that and the story that he was the one that asked him to go,” said King. “And he said he had no recollection.”

“He did not want to deal with specifics, which tells me, they’re looking at trouble,” King added. “If you don’t want to deal with specifics…I think you’re looking at trouble and you’re looking the other way if you’re denying it.” Watch it:

Screenshot

Gonzales’ late night trip to Ashcroft’s hospital room is central to the perjury allegations swirling around him. When Gonzales was asked during his Senate testimony last week who sent him that night, he refused to say it was President Bush, instead asserting “we were there on behalf of the president of the United States.”

That Cheney may in fact be the administration official who sent Gonzales should come as no surprise. In May 2006, the New York Times reported that in the wake of 9/11, Cheney pushed for a much more expansive version of the NSA surveillance program, but was rebuffed by NSA lawyers.

UPDATE: Here’s the transcript of King and Cheney’s exchange:

Q In that regard, The New York Times — which, as you said, is not your favorite — reports it was you who dispatched Gonzales and Andy Card to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft’s hospital in 2004 to push Ashcroft to certify the President’s intelligence-gathering program. Was it you?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I don’t recall — first of all, I haven’t seen the story. And I don’t recall that I gave instructions to that effect.

Q That would be something you would recall.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I would think so. But certainly I was involved because I was a big advocate of the Terrorist Surveillance Program, and had been responsible and working with General Hayden and George Tenet to get it to the President for approval. By the time this occurred, it had already been approved about 12 times by the Department of Justice. There was nothing new about it.

Q So you didn’t send them to get permission.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I don’t recall that I was the one who sent them to the hospital.

Digg It!

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Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

144 Responses to “Cheney On Whether He Ordered Hospital Visit To Ashcroft: I Have ‘No Recollection’”


  1. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    America, go Cheney yourself!


  2. Rich Deermeat Says:

    Dick cant recall…..
    Dick I can’t recall if your a DICK……
    Oh yeah, you are a DICK, a War Profiteer, a Liar, and an overall Scumbag.
    One day KARMA will come calling DICK


  3. Art Says:

    Larry King can ask Cheeney anything he wants.
    He’s not under oath.


  4. Gus Smith Says:

    The complete disregard that the Rethugs have for Congress is beyond description. It just is not important to them than Congress is the voice of the people. Where do the Dems first sling their arrows into all these contempt cases?


  5. Barak Says:

    Boy can anyone in this administration recall anything?
    The all that seems to come out of their mouths anymore. That, or one lie after another that been disproved time and time again.

    Too bad congress has no balls to do anything about it.


  6. Mr. Provost Says:

    Effective now, my employment is terminated by the RNC Troll department.


  7. JoeW Says:

    Curiouser and curiouser


  8. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Effective now, my employment is terminated by the RNC Troll department.

    Comment by Mr. Provost — July 31, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

    We’ll miss you.


  9. spit take Says:

    I seem to remember something like this on an old episode of Batman. Didn’t the Penguin have some gas that he sprayed out of his umbrella that caused everyone to lose their memory?

    That’s gotta be the explanation.


  10. Zimzone Says:

    #1, Egg,

    I believe it’s Selenium.
    Generally, it causes hallucinations, loss of memory, lying and ‘kick the dog’ syndrome.
    In Cheney’s case, however, it’s ‘eat the dog’ syndrome.


  11. null Says:

    Ask DICK what the U.S.dollar/Dubai dirham exchange rate is at any moment and he can recite it to the ten thousandth.


  12. Mahir Says:

    Impeach them all: Gonzales, Cheney, and Bush!


  13. Chris Says:

    I don’t recall that interview with Larry King, I don’t recall I said anything about recalling things. Where am I?


  14. Republicans Can't Govern. Says:

    My mom stopped taking “I don’t remember” as an excuse when I was about six years old.

    I guess Republicans’ mothers don’t know how to teach their kids basic morals. If you don’t want to tell the truth, just lie and say “I don’t recall.”


  15. vawolf Says:

    Did Larry King find his balls yesterday or something? Wouldn’t have expected this from him.


  16. Republicans Can't Govern. Says:

    #12. Haha! OR, what his shares of Halliburton are worth!


  17. TripMaster Monkey Says:

    Apparently, we’re going to have to monitor everyone in the Executive Branch and the Justice Department 24/7, since they all seem to have the memory retention of goldfish.

    How do they find their way home at night?

    Seriously, though, isn’t there a test some doctor can do to prove empirically that a given person’s memory cannot possibly be this defective?


  18. whoa_now Says:

    This is some major bull***t…will someone with some balls ask some follow up questions…it really shouldn’t be that hard. a simple…”wouldn’t you remember a situation like this? it seems to be somewhat uncommon that you would send the AG to the hospital, and that alone should register in your mind…did you or did you not?


  19. upside00 Says:

    Guess the new battery pack Darth got didn’t help his memory any.

    Maybe it was the same brand KBR/Halliburton is using to rebuild the Iraq infrastructure. And he only gets an hour of battery use a day.


  20. Guido, Lover, OBGYN Says:

    lol


  21. dim wit Says:

    Do any republicans have a memory of any of the things they do?


  22. clairmonde Says:

    I don’t recall if i have an interview tonight.

    Larry did not seem to carry the party line in the pre-interview so I don’t recall if I agreed to be interviewed.

    Will there be a transcript?


  23. Candyce Says:

    “I don’t recall.” The mantra of the party of personal responsibility.


  24. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Do any republicans have a memory of any of the things they do?

    Comment by dim wit — July 31, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    Ah, that wonderful blissful feeling of having no guilt, no conscience!

    I’ve heard it’s wonderful.


  25. DRxJ Says:

    Comment by Lil Wayne the Payne — July 31, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    Nice try, Joker, at painting yourself as progressive bigot.

    You’re just a bigot, no need for an adjective.

    NEXT


  26. Philonous Says:

    Vice President Cheney is a busy man who handles very important business, I think that King is jumping to conclusions way too quickly. Cheney may have is own reasons for not wanting to discuss specifics, reasons that would be inappropriate to discuss with King.


  27. spit take Says:

    #24 and 27, you are trolls and not clever (kind of the same thing, really). Quit it.


  28. Redneck, Redstate Says:

    There ya have it. Nuff said.


  29. a citizen Says:

    What happened to my (our) country?………………

    Dick:I don’t recall


  30. gummitch Says:

    Racist comments have been reported to TP. It’s up to them to clean it up.


  31. Wayne Says:

    Guess his memory is in it’s “Last Throes” now.
    Must be contagious, the memory problem is widespread throughout the whitehouse right now.
    New kind of flu bug or extra strong doses in the Koolaide fountain?


  32. SGT Higgins Says:

    “And he said he had no recollection.”

    Gotta call BS on this one. Don’t recall? Either you did or you didn’t. It’s that simple. For god’s sake, tell King to ‘Go fu(k himself” if that’s what you mean, but ‘don’t recall’? Bu!!sh*t!


  33. Susan K. Says:

    Dick!!!!! Where’s the chem/biohazard suit???
    .
    .
    ………..Psych


  34. upside00 Says:

    #33 What happened to my (our) country?………………

    Dick:I don’t recall

    Comment by a citizen

    Try looking in the Darth account in the Dubai State Bank.. I bet you will find a LOT of stuff there, just waiting for the Cheney coffins to be transported (in darkness, of course) to the big Dubai Vampire Penthouse just ahead of the Adult supervision that starts in ‘09.


  35. SGT Higgins Says:

    Since Cheney is so senile maybe it’s time for Euthanasia!
    Let’s put him in his last throws!


  36. TripMaster Monkey Says:

    gummitch sez:

    Racist comments have been reported to TP. It’s up to them to clean it up.

    Don’t hold your breath.


  37. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Vice President Cheney is a busy man who handles very important business, I think that King is jumping to conclusions way too quickly. Cheney may have is own reasons for not wanting to discuss specifics, reasons that would be inappropriate to discuss with King.

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:03 pm

    Another victim of selenium.

    By the way, P, I have some nice land in Florida I”m trying to sell…


  38. Jeremy - 2 Says:

    Wow. Chronic Memory Loss seems to infect the entire Executive Branch. Looks like Cheney needs an ear examination…ya know, to see if there’s light on the other side of the tunnel? ;-D


  39. Hardy Haberman Says:

    Impeach or call the CDC, there is an epidemic of forgetfulness!


  40. Probus Says:

    This reminds me of Reagan famous “I don’t recall” answers during Iran Contra investigation. Why can’t republicans follow the law like everyone else? They are not above the law. Cheney is not above the law. He is accountable just like any other government official. Sooner or later he is going to have to answer some very serious and important questions. He can’t hide under executive privilege neither can Bush. We are a nation of laws and they have to be obeyed and complied with. He can’t claim he doesn’t remember when it suits him. He needs to come clean on this issue.


  41. Komarde Alf Says:

    What is our Glorious leader BARTLEBEE’s opinions.
    We must wait for our chairman’s opinions!


  42. Eric Says:

    Would Think Progress please be balanced and honest and put up an article today regarding the lowest death toll in 8 months as reported at Breitbart Breitbart , the record confiscation of weapons in Iraq as reported today by USA Today, and the news that a positive report by Patreus could split the Democratic Party as reported by the Washington Post ?

    I find the lack of accurate reporting on the war in Iraq on Think Communism to be very disturbing. Please show us you are not trying to cover up what you perceive as bad news regarding lower US war casualties.


  43. Philonous Says:

    Since Cheney is so senile maybe it’s time for Euthanasia!
    Let’s put him in his last throws!

    Comment by SGT Higgins — July 31, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
    ———————-
    I’m going to assume that this is a name-hijacking.


  44. MapleStreet Says:

    # 1 and #11 - you may remember aluminum being questionably associated with Alzheimer’s. Folks throwing out their aluminum pans, etc.


  45. hellinabucket Says:

    Can anyone in this administration recall taking an oath to uphold the constitution?


  46. chimpeach Says:

    Hey, Dick! You resigned yesterday. I know you don’t remember it. Just take my word for it. You resigned and said you were going to the Hague to throw yourself at the mercy of the court. Thanks, Dick.


  47. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Sarge probably wouldn’t misspell throes…

    Unless it was a pun…


  48. Zooey Says:

    Comment by Eric — July 31, 2007 @ 4:16 pm

    Why don’t you report it personally from Iraq, m’kay?

    Toooodles.



  49. chimpeach Says:

    #39 SGT Higgins

    Since Cheney is so senile maybe it’s time for Euthanasia!
    Let’s put him in his last throws!

    How about one last throw from the top of the Washington Monument.


  50. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    The history books will say, “Strange thing about that administration. Nobody seems to remember anything about it.”


  51. Dick Cheney Says:

    As a Conservative, it helps to be forgetful when one has a Lesbian daughter with a life partner.


  52. upside00 Says:

    #51 Why don’t you report it personally from Iraq, m’kay?

    Toooodles.

    Comment by Zooey

    Not holding my breath on that one, Zooey! Chickenhawk disease is permanent!


  53. DRxJ Says:

    Eric, please explain to us again why are you celebrating the deaths of only 75 American heroes?
    I’m really quite interested in why you applaud death.

    Take your time in not responding


  54. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Comment by Eric — July 31, 2007 @ 4:16 pm

    If we wanted fair and balanced reporting, we would watch FAUX.


  55. SGT Higgins Says:

    Since Cheney is so senile maybe it’s time for Euthanasia!
    Let’s put him in his last throws!

    Comment by SGT Higgins — July 31, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
    ———————-
    I’m going to assume that this is a name-hijacking.

    Comment by Philonous

    Yes. It was name-jacking. Link and all. Nice touch….Joker. (He’s done it before)


  56. On the Clock Says:

    Max’s racist comments are useful in that they highlight a factional pressure that is bearing down on Bush regarding Gonzales. Much of the hard-right’s abandonment of Gonzales is, indeed, predicated on unapologetic bigotry.

    In fact, I expect one of the last defenses of Gonzales from Bush will invoke a Clarence Thomas-like repudiation of racist motivations in public calls for his ouster.


  57. Leporello Says:

    #45, one of the most leathal weapons in Iraq is the car bomb. These bombs are responsible for massive casualties over there. New selection criteria for reporting casualties no longer has car bombs on its list of weapons. Its Enron Accounting 101. If you don’t list it, it doesn’t exist. So much reality to run from, so little time.
    Impeach Bush, Cheney and Gonzales and Save the Constitution!


  58. Perry Logan Says:

    In a few years the neocons won’t remember this decade AT ALL.


  59. SGT Higgins Says:

    How about one last throw from the top of the Washington Monument.

    Comment by chimpeach

    #36 was mine. But not #39. Don’t get me wrong, I’d back an amendment to euthanize the VP, just not on the basis of his being senile. I mean, he is, but there’s too many other reasons to euthanize him to let that one rise to the top.


  60. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Thanks, P, for pointing out the namejacking. You are a responsible individual … who needs to lay off the selenium.


  61. upside00 Says:

    #61 Comment by Leporello

    Great post but the Trolls can’t comprehend any data that doesn’t come from PudgeBoy Rover. After all…. he has THE math!


  62. CT_V1 Says:

    Please forward that CT_V1 is sorry for disrespecting Wayne’s mil. service.


  63. Zooey Says:

    Not holding my breath on that one, Zooey! Chickenhawk disease is permanent!
    Comment by upside00 — July 31, 2007 @ 4:22 pm

    I love it how these asswipes have completely swallowed the “fair and balanced” meme, and have absolutely NO IDEA that that’s not what reporting is about.

    See ya later, all!


  64. sandy geeeee Says:

    If these guys have such bad memories - maybe they should be removed on the grounds that they are not mentally capable of perfoming their so-called duties.


  65. Marcus Aruelius Says:

    Vice President Cheney is a busy man who handles very important business, I think that King is jumping to conclusions way too quickly. Cheney may have is own reasons for not wanting to discuss specifics, reasons that would be inappropriate to discuss with King.

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:03 pm

    I think that you are avoiding the obvious conclusion, and that the reason Cheney won’t answer the question is self-incrimination.


  66. JPV Says:

    Would Think Progress please be balanced and honest and put up an article today regarding the lowest death toll in 8 months as reported at Breitbart Breitbart , the record confiscation of weapons in Iraq as reported today by USA Today, and the news that a positive report by Patreus could split the Democratic Party as reported by the Washington Post ?

    I find the lack of accurate reporting on the war in Iraq on Think Communism to be very disturbing. Please show us you are not trying to cover up what you perceive as bad news regarding lower US war casualties.

    Comment by Eric

    Huh? Someone apparently needs to get their facts straight…

    http://icasualties.org/oif/

    7-2007 2.65
    6-2007 3.6
    5-2007 4.23
    4-2007 3.9
    3-2007 2.65
    2-2007 3.04
    1-2007 2.77


  67. Jackie Says:

    Cheney has been running the business end of the White House from day one. He doesn’t have to answer any questions because it would put him in jail. Gonzales did as he was ordered to do on all illegal matters. Just like Libby was ordered to make sure the leak happen. PBS showed retired NSA officials who were ordered to do as Cheney wanted. During the Libby trial it was disclosed how many visits Libby and Cheney made to make sure they got what the Vice President wanted. So Specter can play his games and try to trick his supporters but the bottom line will always be Gonzales lied for the White House and that is now legal to do in the United States. The Department of Justice as a lying Attorney General is should be in jail. All those lawyers following his direction are following a liar and a crook. This Administration has adopted the Saddam laws in Iraq. We have no Justice System of honesty only the White House the employees who committed crimes will not be charge and are safe to continue the criminal acts.


  68. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    “Now where did I put that football suitcase? It was here just a little while ago, I’m sure.”


  69. Ringo Says:

    Oh no!….More bad news for moonbats:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20049657/


  70. missmolly Says:

    Let’s see — King asks Cheney if he ordered these guys to A) get authorization for an activity most likely unconstitutional and illegal as h*ll, and B) go bother a sick man to do it.

    If Cheney had never authorized this, you can bet he would have no recollection problems. He would know without any doubt he never did it. Just as if I had been asked if I had conspired to embezzle money from my employer, I would immediately say NO WAY because I know I would never do such a thing.

    His having “no recollection” tells me volumes.


  71. JPV Says:

    Those were the per day totals.

    Here are the overall monthly totals for the year…

    7-200782 2.65 31
    6-2007 101 7 0 108 3.6 30
    5-2007 126 3 2 131 4.23 31
    4-2007 104 12 1 117 3.9 30
    3-2007 81 1 0 82 2.65 31
    2-2007 81 3 1 85 3.04 28
    1-2007 83 3 0 86 2.77 31


  72. upside00 Says:

    See ya later, Ms. Z!!!


  73. dim wit Says:

    The neocons will remember this administration for all of the “wonderful” things it did and it will label anyone who attempts to correct them with actual facts as revisionists.


  74. Cynicon Implant Says:

    Cheney is the man!

    Get ready for the big F U to come back at the Dems on this one. And, being the pussies that they are, they will run and go crying to their mommies — “Mr. Cheney is being mean to me! Mr. Cheney is being mean to me!”

    Hah!


  75. Philonous Says:

    I think that you are avoiding the obvious conclusion, and that the reason Cheney won’t answer the question is self-incrimination.

    Comment by Marcus Aruelius — July 31, 2007 @ 4:33 pm

    That might very well be true, however Cheney, like all Americans, should be considered innocent until proven guilty.


  76. DRxJ Says:

    Ringo,
    I’ll ask you the same question I asked Eric (that’s assuming you’re not the same person),
    Why are you celebrating the deaths of 75 American Heroes?
    What is your limit to applaud death? 100? 200? 1000?

    I’ll tell you my limit

    ZERO!!!!

    No more blood for oil, bring them home…friggin’ now!!!


  77. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    I’m glad to see the death toll going down.

    Does this mean we’re winning? What are we winning?


  78. SGT Higgins Says:

    More bad news for moonbats:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low

    Comment by Ringo

    That’s not ‘bad news’ you friggin wanker. But you know what would be better news? That next month the number is ZERO…and the month after that…….and the month after that…and the month after that…and the month after that.


  79. Alan greenspam Says:

    Eric,

    Of course a lower casualty rate is something to welcome, on the other hand - how many additional hours of electricity do the residents of Baghdad have? How many hospitals are running at 100% efficiency? How many jobs have been created? We are still spending 400 million dollars a day for nothing - now that is something to be proud of!


  80. DRxJ Says:

    I’m sorry, Cynicon Implant.
    Did you just call me a p*ssy?


  81. Philonous Says:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20049657/

    Comment by Ringo — July 31, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

    This is great news!


  82. leftcoast Says:

    News reporting should have nothing to do with fair and balanced. Why is it necessary to balance the news? If it ain’t “good” for one side then why go looking or making up sh*t that’s “nice” for them. That is not news. There are good and poor journalists, yes. The public will weed them out.
    Truth is impossible to find these days as media is owned by a handful of corporatations. But, thanks to the internet we can begin to hold all accountable.


  83. hellinabucket Says:

    Why would one assume a low death rate for a month is bad news? Why would one also assume that the low death rate for one month is news to celebrate?

    If your going to be into the micromanagement of the details look at the 30% increase in deaths in the Diyala Province. Ask this administration why it stopped recording the amount of electricity available in Baghdad.

    Great news that the death rate has equaled the lowest since March. Now acknowledge what isn’t going so well.


  84. missmolly Says:

    Oh no!….More bad news for moonbats:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20049657/

    Comment by Ringo — July 31, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

    Wrongo, Ringo. I know you think this is some kind of a perverse sport between wingnuts and moonbats with scoring involved, but it’s not. We don’t want to see our troops get killed. Why do you think we’re trying to bring them home?

    The fact that the U.S. body count is down to 73 for the month is good news — at least better news than it has been. Still, it’s 73 grieving families, 73 funerals for people too young to die — 73 too many.


  85. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    That might very well be true, however Cheney, like all Americans, should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:38 pm

    And any speculation is just that, speculation.

    P, I can’t believe you said, “That might very well be true…”

    Are you losing it, dude?

    Here, maybe this will help:

    CHENEY 2008!


  86. leftcoast Says:

    My comment may be off topic, but I just ran across one post about “fairness” in reporting.
    Just returned from sailing over to Catalina for a few days and have been out of the news loop.


  87. JPV Says:

    Oops… pressed the wrong button. Let’s try this again..

    http://icasualties.org/oif/

    Military Fatalities: By Month

    7-2007 82
    6-2007 108
    5-2007 131
    4-2007 117
    3-2007 82
    2-2007 85
    1-2007 86

    BTW, May, of this year, was the 3rd highest month for casualties since the start of the war.

    Things are NOT going well. No matter how you try and spin the info, Eric.


  88. dstavro Says:

    What is worse, “I don’t recall” or “I have committed a very serious sin”? The reason why Republicans “don’t recall” is because they ask for forgiveness from God, therefore it is not necessary to take responsibility. After God forgives it is over, FORGET IT.


  89. JPV Says:

    More bad news for moonbats:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low

    Comment by Ringo

    http://icasualties.org/oif/

    Military Fatalities: By Month

    7-2007 82
    6-2007 108
    5-2007 131
    4-2007 117
    3-2007 82
    2-2007 85
    1-2007 86

    May, of this year, was the 3rd highest month for casualties since the start of the war.

    GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

    IDIOT!


  90. dim wit Says:

    The neocons are right. Iraq is all better now. Mission Accomplished.
    I guess its time for us to leave now.


  91. leftcoast Says:

    BTW, May, of this year, was the 3rd highest month for casualties since the start of the war.
    Things are NOT going well. No matter how you try and spin the info, Eric.
    Comment by JPV

    Faux would report this as …”Reduction in forces continues”


  92. DRxJ Says:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20049657/
    Comment by Ringo’s Eric to Mr.President — July 31, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

    Actually, JPV just proved it’s only a one month low.
    Why does the deaths of our troops cause you to celebrate???


  93. gummitch Says:

    Testing, testing . .


  94. Cynicon Implant Says:

    I’m sorry, Cynicon Implant.
    Did you just call me a p*ssy?

    Comment by DRxJ

    Not unless you’re on the committee investigating Gonzo.

    What I’m saying is they don’t have the b*lls to push this to its logical conclusion. I feel bad for you guys here — they’re teasing you with play-acting at the hearings (count is at 600 and rising) but they are just dragging you along.


  95. Pete Best Says:

    ****Britain will take troops out of Iraq regardless of US, says PM: Gordon Brown has paved the way for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq by telling George Bush he would not delay their exit in order to show unity with the United ******


  96. Philonous Says:

    And any speculation is just that, speculation.

    Exactly. I so it is true that I was “avoiding a conclusion” because at this point all one can do is speculate. That said, since this is America, I see no reason to speculate that Cheney is worried about self-incrimination, for he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty.


  97. gummitch Says:

    I give up.

    At any rate, please read the linked MSNBC story the troll provided. After that first paragraph about the US death toll, there is a good bit of other information which the troll apparently didn’t bother to read.

    I’ve tried three times to quote from the article and none of the posts have appeared.


  98. JPV Says:

    Just to clarify things a bit…

    The MSM is only reporting US deaths.

    My info includes ALL coalition casualties.

    Hence the disparity in the numbers.


  99. upside00 Says:

    #100 Pete Best -

    Guess it is just Dubya, the NeoCons and Barney now! Even Prozac Laura bailed on this Clusterf@ck too!


  100. Philonous Says:

    Actually, JPV just proved it’s only a one month low.

    How do you figure?


  101. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    …but they are just dragging you along.

    Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    And you as well, for that matter.


  102. hellinabucket Says:

    Great posts. No answer back on the questions to ringo and the like but don’t expect one.

    Just as missmolly stated, the lower the death rate the better but still too many.


  103. JPV Says:

    Anyway, this thread is not about casualties in Iraq.

    It’s about Cheney not being forthcoming with the facts.

    Let’s get back on topic, shall we?


  104. Pete Best Says:

    Britain will take troops out of Iraq regardless of US, says PM

    http://news.independent.co.uk/ world/ americas/ article2819582.ece


  105. upside00 Says:

    Just as missmolly stated, the lower the death rate the better but still too many.

    Comment by hellinabucket

    But they are just commas to Dubya anyway, so why are we even discussing this?


  106. Jeremy - 2 Says:

    Yep. The trolls are hopping on this big time. You’re right. 74 American Soldiers died in July of 2007. Lower than December through June. It’s a little step, yes. Can’t deny you that. However….

    1) Off Topic. Why not post this on a thread that talks about American deaths, maybe the thread that might come up on the reduced number of deaths.

    2) Doing a comparison with November of 2006 here:

    Nov 2006 70 soldiers died
    Dec 2006 112 soldiers died.

    There’s this phenomena called a ‘trend’ that’s very important. A trend is an overview of the direction of numbers over a period. It’s easier to see in a graph, but here’s a brief text based overview.

    06/2003: 30 Soldiers Dead
    06/2004: 42 Soldiers Dead
    06/2005: 78 Soldiers Dead
    06/2006: 61 Soldiers Dead
    06/2007: 101 Soldiers Dead

    What does that show, class? Of course. The numbers are trending upwards. It means that we’re more likely to see more than 100 soldiers dead in June of 2008 than we are to see less than 100. While the likelyhood of seeing less soldiers die in 06/2008 is not nil (see 06/2005 to 06/2006), it is still less likely looking at the numbers than seeing more soldiers die in 06/2008.

    But hang on to that sweet victory. I pray for the soldiers that the number will start trending downwards, but I’m not holding my breath. And frankly? 71 troops dieing is still 71 troops too many for me.


  107. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    I see no reason to speculate that Cheney is worried about self-incrimination, for he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    This rule applies to everyone. No more speculating that someone is or is not guilty. Lay off Markos, you guys.


  108. chimpeach Says:

    #73 Ringo

    Oh no!….More bad news for moonbats:

    U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low

    Actually, we’re all pulling for a death toll of 0, but the Republican’ts keep blocking every attempt to pull the troops out of Operation Cover Bush’s Ass.


  109. Sluggo Says:

    When Larry King starts looking like a hard-hitting investigative reporter as a result of asking an obvious question, then you know that the Bush Gang has a REALLLLLY big problem.

    If Chaney felt in-control enough to just say “No” then you know that the Bush Gang is not worried by future investigations. But when Chaney starts pulling the “I don’t remember” you know he is waffling so if he is actually called to testify he can avoid perjury.

    One of the only things holding the Republicans in Congress together is the Neighborhood Bully Dick Chaney. He is known for his influence and political brutality and I suspect some of the wavering Republicans are being held in line by threats from Dick.

    Now that Larry King, of all people, has gotten Chaney to start dancing I bet there is almost wholesale panic among the Republicans in Congress about where these investigations are going.


  110. gummitch Says:

    Anyway, this thread is not about casualties in Iraq.

    It’s about Cheney not being forthcoming with the facts.

    Let’s get back on topic, shall we?

    Comment by JPV

    It’s difficult to know what to add to the obvious: Cheney is a liar and his convenient memory losses are identical to those of other criminals in this and previous Republic administrations. Whenever they’re caught redhanded, they responded with “Gee, I don’t remember. . . oh, this knife? It crawled into my hand, honest.”


  111. SGT Higgins Says:

    At any rate, please read the linked MSNBC story the troll provided. After that first paragraph about the US death toll, there is a good bit of other information which the troll apparently didn’t bother to read.

    Comment by gummitch

    A few of us have been having issues with posting the last couple of days. Good article. Lots of info past the article title. Course, these trolls can only quote out of context and even then, only if it’s read TO them.


  112. Philonous Says:

    Lay off Markos, you guys.

    What is he accused of?


  113. chimpeach Says:

    #101 Philonous

    That said, since this is America, I see no reason to speculate that Cheney is worried about self-incrimination, for he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

    Cheney doesn’t believe that the laws or the Constitution apply to him. So, we won’t apply that to him, either. He’s guilty until proven innocent. Or, until Hell freezes over, whichever comes last.


  114. VotronIsASockPuppet Says:

    A few of us have been having issues with posting the last couple of days. Good article. Lots of info past the article title. Course, these trolls can only quote out of context and even then, only if it’s read TO them. Comment by SGT Higgins — July 31, 2007 @ 4:56 pm

    You have issues all right - but they aren’t related to the postings here. Get a good mental counselor for that shell shock of yours.


  115. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    What is he accused of?

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:57 pm

    I can’t tell you. Innocent until proven guilty.


  116. JMOHR Says:

    Can any one imagine the amount of self-delusion that must be involved with that small amount of the American public that still believes in the President and his criminial party? When do they learn that the constant and thundering refrain from this administration has always been:

    1. We made some errors (the war, Katrina and so forth) however, let’s not play the blame game. No matter how badly we have screwed up everything we touch, we must still be permitted to lead the country.

    2. This is under criminal investigation, we cannot comment (other than to say nice things about our crimanal minions).

    3. I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing and I remember nothing.


  117. VotronIsASockPuppet Says:

    What I’m saying is they don’t have the b*lls to push this to its logical conclusion. I feel bad for you guys here — they’re teasing you with play-acting at the hearings (count is at 600 and rising) but they are just dragging you along. Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    You don’t feel nearly as bad for us, as we do for you - loser. Your lack of concern for the constitution, american values, and basic decency and morality garner you all of the sympathy one could muster. You’re just another sad lost little sheeple, herded by your masters. The tease, is that you’ll somehow cash in on the fat cow bonanza of GOP corruption. What a loser you are…


  118. SGT Higgins Says:

    You have issues all right - but they aren’t related to the postings here. —- Oh I’d say it’s about 50/50 between the postings and the trolls.

    Get a good mental counselor for that shell shock of yours. — Way to go, Patriot. Always willing to support the troops, huh. Of course you would consider disparagement ’support’, but then again, that’s about the most I would expect from you.

    Comment by VotronIsASockPuppet


  119. J Says:

    for he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

    Comment by Philonous — July 31, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    It sounds like you still “prescribe to a pre-911 mindset”.


  120. VotronIsASockPuppet Says:

    Way to go, Patriot. Always willing to support the troops, huh. Of course you would consider disparagement ’support’, but then again, that’s about the most I would expect from you.
    Comment by VotronIsASockPuppet
    Comment by SGT Higgins — July 31, 2007 @ 5:02 pm

    Advocating you get the mental health counseling you so desperately need is the exact support you need. Even if you’re too deranged and full of hate and ignorance to know it. There’s nothing disparaging about mental health - or physical health. What is disparaging however is your claim that their is to the tens of thousands of veterans like yourself that now suffer from mental health issues. Get over your stigma - son. Your hatred of the mentally ill (yourself included) is just more GOP irrational loonieness.


  121. AlphaLiberal Says:

    Thinkprogress, please stop promoting CNN, the network of Glenn Beck and, now, Laura Ingraham. CNN is going down the tubes and we should,a t the least, not give them credibility. If they want to ape Fox, then give them the Fox treatment.


  122. VotronIsASockPuppet Says:

    It sounds like you still “prescribe to a pre-911 mindset”.
    Comment by J — July 31, 2007 @ 5:09 pm

    You mean the point where at least some of the GOP lived in reality?


  123. VotronIsASockPuppet Says:

    Tell me SGTHiggins - how often do you beat your wife and child? Please don’t take out your anger and hatred on your family. That is one of the major reasons for divorce among veterans - abusive behavior. And if your posts on this site are any indication, your family is in trouble… That’s why I offered you my compassionate advice that you go receive the counseling you so desperately need, and so clearly have earned for your service to our country.


  124. Egreggious, Esq. Says:

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Gitmo.


  125. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    # 1 and #11 - you may remember aluminum being questionably associated with Alzheimer’s. Folks throwing out their aluminum pans, etc.

    Comment by MapleStreet
    _________________________

    So, Cheney must have been spending a lot of time fondling those aluminum tubes from Iraq.


  126. LibTeenie Says:

    “I dont recall”.

    Are we talking about Cheney or Hillary Clinton?


  127. Zooey Says:

    Tell me SGTHiggins - how often do you beat your wife and child? Please don’t take out your anger and hatred on your family. That is one of the major reasons for divorce among veterans - abusive behavior. And if your posts on this site are any indication, your family is in trouble…

    That’s why I offered you my compassionate advice that you go receive the counseling you so desperately need, and so clearly have earned for your service to our country.
    Comment by VotronIsASockPuppet — July 31, 2007 @ 5:13 pm

    If that’s what you call compassion, you can shove it up your ass. You’re just looking for an opportunity to shit on someone you can’t handle.

    How many children have you molested? How much coke do you do on a daily basis. Your family is in serious trouble you know.

    Seek help, immediately.


  128. Lee J. Cobb, Potentate, CEO, BMOC Says:

    What do you think the death toll will be when Cheney and the Globalization crowd get us to invade Iran?

    132 a day will be unheard of.


  129. Marie Says:

    My comments are not posted. I don’t know what’s going on. I have to fill in my name and email every time and posts are not there.


  130. Marie Says:

    The man with the steel heart has “no recollection” that whether or not he sent, or ordered, Gonzales to the hospital room - for a program which was near and dear to his black and rusty heart.
    He is effectively saying “Screw you, America and the Constitution.” He is lying, he knows he’s lying and he knows we know he’s lying - ergo
    the third finger is extended to all of us.


  131. Egreggious, Esq., TPOG Says:

    My comments are not posted. I don’t know what’s going on. I have to fill in my name and email every time and posts are not there.

    Comment by Marie — July 31, 2007 @ 5:45 pm

    TP is not feeling well.


  132. Lee J. Cobb, Potentate, CEO, BMOC Says:

    At least we can be reassured that the care enough to lie to us. At some point they aren’t even going to do that. They’ll just start kicking in our doors looking for propaganda.


  133. gummitch Says:

    My comments are not posted. I don’t know what’s going on. I have to fill in my name and email every time and posts are not there.

    Comment by Marie

    I see that problem periodically, and at other times the name and email are cached correctly. It’s possible that the browser is at fault. Firefox?


  134. buzzbomb Says:

    Cheney will lie and “can’t recall” his way through the whole King interview. King will nod and move to the next question. Tough Questions-the tagline says. Yeah right!


  135. BARTLEBEE Says:

    “I have no recollection”?

    So he’s borrowing lines from Tony Soprano now?


  136. BARTLEBEE Says:

    “I have no recollection, is what criminals say.


  137. J Lewd Says:

    Sure, this syphillitic troll has no recollection — but the man-sized safe in his dungeon does. I say we raid this prick’s offices, extract all his secrets, and shed a little light on just exactly what it is the Vice President does under the cloak, dagger, and misfiring shotgun of his office.


  138. blueseahorse Says:

    WHATEVER this “man” Dick C., (who is running this country into the ninth gate of hell, with the rest of the world, as well, ) ..WHATEVER this “man” says is AUTOMATICALLY A LIE. I don’t need to know what he says, don’t have to hear it., it’s a done deal. This “man’s” contempt of every living thing other than himself and his stock portfolio, and MAYBE his family, (that conveniently came into being through various fall-by- the- wayside Vietnam draft deferments), is SO OBVIOUS, that to give him ANY airtime is malfeasance. HE IS A LIAR, A HYPOCRITE and a TRAITOR. Plain and simple.


  139. john Says:

    Why are we in Iraq again?
    I do not recall.


  140. Uncle Floyd Says:

    Poor Dick. That’s bad news when you get nailed in an interview by Larry “Slowpitch softball” King, and then worst of all, King makes fun of you afterwards.


  141. tramadol Says:

    Actually, JPV just proved it’s only a one month low.
    Why does the deaths of our troops cause you to celebrate???


  142. natalie pumpernickel Says:

    You righties out there are in such denial that this administration is corupt. If a democratic admistration said “I don’t recall” as much as this administration you all would be freaking out. I would have preferred that they just be honest and say that they needed to invade Iraq for the oil instead of fabricating all these lies upon lies. And what I really don’t understand is that Cheney is not a well man. Why does he want all this oil money? Maybe he wants to spend the money on making himself into a bionic man who will never die. It is beyond my understanding how these people can sleep at night.



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