We interviewed Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, the former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, on The Young Turks and he had some very interesting things to say. Including:
"Cheney was co-president. I'd go further than that and say that for national security issues and other critical issues Cheney was the President."
"I found the incredible arrogance and lack of humility of the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, to be stunning almost right off the bat."
Referring to the decision to abuse detainees:
"I don't think there's any question it goes to Cheney. I'm increasingly of a mind that a lot of it goes to Cheney and stops there. Not just because of the president's disinclination to do detail, but I also think that Cheney kept some things from the president.
Lawrence Wilkerson: They should have what I would call reference authority. In other words, they should be able to turn it over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution, and a recommendation should be rendered with that if they believe laws were broken and they believe the proper authorities ought to take action.
Cenk Uygur: Dick Cheney seems to have an equivocal answer on Face the Nation when asked, "Did the president know about this abuse?" and he said, "Well I think he should have known" or something along those lines. Is there some chance that Dick Cheney just flat out gave the orders and didn't tell the president?Lawrence Wilkerson: Absolutely! In my mind I have no problem believing that. I have no problem at all believing that.
You can watch the whole interview and read the transcript here:
How can America allow this to happen? That so many are willing to defend the man and his actions (granted, a minority of Fox News fans and right-wing talk-radio fans, but still possibly millions) speaks ill of this country. The majority must see that the perpetrators of this outrage are prosecuted and punished or we will cease to be a nation of laws and justice, and become a monster of paranoia and tyranny.
1. We believe we are more important and more special than any other group of people the world has ever produced. We have a right and an entitlement to do things other people would be jailed or executed for. Whatever our interests are take precedence in all the world holds dear.
2. Whatever we fear is real and pressing.
3. The rest of the world has no power or not enough power to rally against our excesses.
After 9-11, Cheney went insane and Bush was shell shocked. Cheney and the Neocons convinced Bush of the glories of being a "War President" and "Commander-in-Chief" and let them drag him into the Iraq War. Bush's own father knew this was folly and tried to talk to his son, but Cheney's cabal were too much in charge.
By the time Bush finally figured out what was going on, his presidency had been spent. Katrina showed the world how utterly incompetent he was, and Cheney didn't give a damn about FEMA or the hurricane victims. They obviously had a falling out, but by then the damage was done and his presidency was on its way to the ashheap of history, dragging the US economy down with it.
DICK CHENEY = NORMON OSORN.
If Obama doesn't resolve it, the power to decide will be taken away from him. I don't think this is struggle is necessary. Get the independent prosecutor. Let him/her work with a Congressional commission. Prosecute the higher ups.
I think it is horribly hypocritical to keep those Abu Gharib soldiers in prison and leave CIA operatives and Justice attorneys loose.
I thought this was the case. Don't know how reliable Wilkerson is, but this does not surprise me one bit.
Happy Memorial Day, hug a vet!
Let's hope he continues doing what he is doing.
Cheney was the worst president in the history of the US.
http://www.ShawnDrewry.com