I wonder how many of the people here would be as critical of Cheney had he and the rest of the Bush administration not been so successful in averting further attacks after 9/11.
Suppose they did nothing more than Bill Clinton did. And another attack came, with even more loss of life. Then another. And another.
Would you have refrained from blame? Would you have said, they did the right thing by doing nothing? How many attacks before you changed your tune?
Cheney saw the threat clearly and did not waver in addressing it. If he were a different man he could have asked OBL to forgive America for being America. He could have offered appeasement and exposed the soft underbelly of our population centers to our enemies' mercy. He could have collapsed into self-doubt as so many that post here have.
But he didn't. There was a lot of catchup to do after the Clinton era. Mistakes were made in strategy and tactics but hisotry will judge results and the result is that for the remainder of the two Bush terms no other attack was made on U.S. soil and a formerly dictatorial (rape rooms and poison gas attacks anyone?) country in one of the most volatile regions of the planet is now on the way to joining the march toward a better world.
Cheney did a lot with his life before he became VP.
His life was one of great achievements rather than the caricatures his enemies would prefer be remembered by.
I will also note that he is an extraordinarily personable guy with a great sense of humor. He was someone that had and exercised great power and influence, yet someone that did not do so for his own gain. How many politicians can you say that about?
Those of you with such a strong distaste for what happened should consider with brilliant hindsight how you might have acted differently. But for all the mistakes mortal men make, there are a few that we should be grateful stood firmly, and Dick Cheney is such a guy.
