NEW YORK, April 6, 2007

Cheney Sticks To His Guns

The Skinny: Vice President Continues To Assert Saddam-Al Qaeda Link

  • Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that al Qaeda was operating inside Iraq Photo

    Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that al Qaeda was operating inside Iraq "before we ever launched" the war.  (GETTY)

  • Interactive Second In Command

    A closer look at Vice President Dick Cheney's career and his much-publicized health problems.

  • Interactive Battle For Iraq

    The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.

(CBS)  The Skinny is Joel Roberts' take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.



A declassified Pentagon report released Thursday concludes that there was no direct cooperation between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qeada. But Dick Cheney, apparently, remains convinced there was.

The Washington Post on Friday said the report, which had been issued in summary form in February, drew on "captured Iraqi documents" and "interrogations of Saddam Hussein and two former aides" which "all confirmed" that Saddam and al Qaeda were not working together prior to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The Los Angeles Times said the report also sheds new light on the concerted effort within the Defense Department to establish a Saddam-al Qaeda link, despite a consensus in the intelligence community that Iraq and al Qaeda had only limited contacts – and that claims of deeper ties were based on dubious or unconfirmed data.

Not so, says Cheney. The same day the declassified report was released, the Post says, the vice president went on Rush Limbaugh's radio show to repeat his assertion that al Qaeda was operating inside Iraq "before we ever launched" the war, under the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the terrorist killed last June.

Cheney used the claim to bolster his argument that pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq would "play right into the hands of al Qaeda."

The Post points out, however, that Zarqawi was not a member of al Qaeda before the war, but "was the leader of an unaffiliated terrorist group." He didn’t publicly ally himself with al Qaeda until early 2004, after the U.S. invasion.


An SOS For 911

There's a major problem with the nation's 911-emergency telephone system, the New York Times reports Friday.

Although the technology has been available for years, the Times says many areas of the country lack the ability to pinpoint the location of cell phone calls – which is delaying the response to some emergencies, sometimes with life-threatening consequences.

Like the case of 911 operators in eastern Oklahoma who listened for more than 27 minutes to the harrowing screams of a woman who was being brutally beaten by an intruder, but were unable to do anything, since they could not identify where she was calling from. She had managed to dial 911 and kick her phone under the sofa, hoping she would be rescued. Fortunately, her attacker fled and she survived.

Others were not so lucky. A 4-year-old girl, also in Oklahoma, died in a house fire last year after a 911 operator misheard the address a cell-phone caller had given her and was unable to trace the location.

The Times says efforts are underway to upgrade 911 systems around the country, but the costs can be prohibitive, especially for the rural counties most in need of the technology boosts.

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Add a Comment See all 196 Comments
by lfitts1 April 6, 2007 11:07 AM PDT
Mr Cheney--
Don't confuse me with the facts--my mind is made up...

The definition of a fanatic--you can't change his mind with the facts and he won't change the subject...
Reply to this comment
by bigsk8fan April 6, 2007 11:08 AM PDT
Sorry, Mr Cheney and W, you are now proven liars, again.
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad April 6, 2007 11:08 AM PDT
Now the Prudent Person would ask, Why are we in Iraq even NOW? Maybe we have been drawn there for the interest of things other than American National Security Interest? If this can be proven then America can and should arrest Bush and Cheney their Entire Administration and put them on trial for War Crimes just like we did the Nazis after WWII.

If you follow the money trail you will find that most of those elected officials who support the war in Iraq are under the influence of AIPAC.

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm



Now here is the real kicker! President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! This is Impeachment and Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh

50 years of American involvement in the Middle East is enough. If these animals do not want to play in the sand box together it is not in Americas interest to make them. We Should get out of the entire Middle East! They have nothing worth one more American Life anywhere in the Middle East!
If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov

info@gop.com Here is the Republican Party email address too!

democraticparty@democrats.org Here is the Democratic Party email address also!
Reply to this comment
by piratecafe April 6, 2007 11:11 AM PDT
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.


Joseph "D*ck" Goebbels

Reply to this comment
by bigsk8fan April 6, 2007 11:14 AM PDT
"this can be proven then America can and should arrest Bush and Cheney their Entire Administration and put them on trial for War Crimes . . . " Posted by bluestardad

I don't know if this will please you, but there are already War Crimes Trials going which involve Rumsfeld, two top Generals, and others in the White House and Defense Dept on trial for War Crimes. Just google "Rumsfeld War Crimes." It is only a matter of time til Cheney and W are out of office and they can be added to the list of War Crimes Defendants. I can't help but notice that one US General is on the witness list for these charges!
Reply to this comment
by yorkark April 6, 2007 11:14 AM PDT
I am sure if the Speaker was (1)MALE, (2)REPUBLICAN nothing but praise would be heaped on that person. They would have been carring a message from the Prez.

Bush and Cheney cannot stand it that a women is breathing down their throat. Men, you can deal with them, but a woman. Cheney is a senile old man and I don't even know his age. Bush is an empty headed puppet being control by a senile old man. What a comedy act, but the joke is on all of us because they are running this country.
Reply to this comment
by qwaszx1-2009 April 6, 2007 11:18 AM PDT
Cheney would rather be wrong than inconsistent. Wasn't Bob Woodward's book titled "State of Denial?" Even after the PENTAGON provides that there was no link, Cheney still believes there is a connection. What does the Pentagon think of Cheney?

IMPEACH BUSH!!!
DRAFT REPUBLICANS!!!
Reply to this comment
by terrapin78 April 6, 2007 11:20 AM PDT
As always, this guy is out of touch with reality.

He can say it all he wants, people laugh at him when he asserts this garbage. It's embarrassing to America!

He is nothing but a Richard Head!
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 6, 2007 11:34 AM PDT
The Los Angeles Times said the report also sheds new light on the concerted effort within the Defense Department to establish a Saddam-al Qaeda link,


Read between the lines, folks, the lies Cheney and Bush told to take us into an illegal and immoral war are comint to light.

Cheney HAS to stick to his story!!

Reply to this comment
by j4401 April 6, 2007 11:35 AM PDT
Cheney is an irrelevant buffoon. Lets hear more about his support of Saddam during the Iran/Iraq war. That is probably how Iraq got its chemical weapons in the first place.
Reply to this comment
by david1737 April 6, 2007 11:37 AM PDT
DC has lied over and over on this issue. If he had any integrity he'd step down.
Reply to this comment
by inventagod April 6, 2007 11:37 AM PDT
America - You have ALL been CONNED!
Cheney/Bu$h/Rumsfeld were some of the biggest liars to have slimed their way into politics/policy. They may have been behind 9/11 to create support for their Iraq oil grab, and would not think twice before killing anyone who stands in the way of their plans. Time for indictments, all around!
History will not be kind to traitors...
Reply to this comment
by jpesot April 6, 2007 11:40 AM PDT
Its clear that Cheney is only talking to the base ... his only remaining job is to feed them ... he's not talking to the rest of us, we've already determined that he is not a credible source of anything, and stopped listening.
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 6, 2007 11:42 AM PDT
They may have been behind 9/11 to create support for their Iraq oil grab, and would not think twice before killing anyone who stands in the way of their plans. Time for indictments, all around!
History will not be kind to traitors...
Posted by inventagod


When I first heard the conspiracy theories I shrugged them off as the rantings of some nut-case, but the more I listen to these criminals the more I am starting to think... hmmmmm
Reply to this comment
by macusweil April 6, 2007 11:45 AM PDT
"Cheney Sticks To His Guns"

Yes so like his old hunting buddy Harry Whittington, we Americans are left to pick the birdshot out of our buttocks. Bush & Cheney have told so many lies to the public they not longer have any concept of the truth.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 11:50 AM PDT
According to the Holy Bible, God divorced Israel; when the Jews killed his Son, but now, men are really "STUPID" to think they deserve our help. The center, middle, and Heart of the Bible says it all in 1 verse; Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Mankind only means destruction and most of the Leaders are making a lot of "MONEY", from these War's over there too!!! And it's time to get the American's out of "ALL" them Countries, because all they want to do; is kill each other, so let them have at it.
Reply to this comment
by irishbitch1 April 6, 2007 11:51 AM PDT
Bush and cheney are almost like laurel and hardy, quite the comedy team. The truly sad and disturbing fact is that these two buffoons are running the country and killing our children in Iraq.What is even more disturbing is that we the people continue to allow them to play their games.
Impeach the bas tards! it is what they deserve!
Reply to this comment
by actornaught April 6, 2007 11:55 AM PDT
Sending American troops to Iraq "play(ed) right into the hands of al Qaeda"!! There are more terrorists now than ever, happily killing uniformed soldiers, and we continue to create more everyday our finest have W's target on their backs.

Interesting that D!ck went on Hate Radio to further his lies, to create even more division in our country. Based on this article, it sounds like he used smoke-and-mirror talking points of Saddam and al Qaida in the same sentence, so that knee jerk listeners would get whipped into a frenzy, thinking D!ck somehow connected the two. He didn't. If you think he did, show me where.

Get this guy locked up before he hops a plane to Dubai, D!ck Cheney before he D!cks you...
Reply to this comment
by bigelwood075 April 6, 2007 11:55 AM PDT
dictator |%u02C8dik%u02CCt%u0101t%u0259r| noun 1 a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force. %u2022 a person who tells people what to do in an autocratic way or who determines behavior in a particular sphere

autocratic |%u02CCtt%u0259%u02C8kratik| adjective of or relating to a ruler who has absolute power : %u2022 taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering:

When do the impeachment proceedings begin?
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 6, 2007 12:01 PM PDT
I FOUND ALL THE RIGHT-WINGERS!
THEY ARE IN THE 'RUDY' THREAD.

YOU WON'T FIND THEM IN HERE WITH A SEARCH WARRANT!!
Reply to this comment
by nyckate April 6, 2007 12:08 PM PDT
irishbitch1 - ain't that the truth - question is what do we do with the 29% of Americans who are either too stupid to see what they've done to the US by still supporting these insane delusional thugs.

Till now I had no idea there were that many brain-dell-deficient people in the US - but 29% still approve Bush so there you go -- they're here so what can we do with them - perhaps we need to pass some sort of intelligence test before being allowed to vote??
Reply to this comment
by nyckate April 6, 2007 12:13 PM PDT
dallison7 - it's no conspiracy theory - in April 2001 months before 9-11 Cheney's energy commision had already concluded that they needed a regime change in Iraq - Saddam was threatening to refuse to accept US dollar for oil and gas - huge mistake on his part when he made that announcement in Nov. 2001 - Cheney's energy group couldn't allow the dollar not to be accepted revenue regards oil and be replaced by Euro - so they had to invade. But it was NEVER about WMDs or Terrorism - that was the lie fed to American public by Bush, Cheney and Rice - because they knew their base was dumb enough to believe it.
Reply to this comment
by canyoutellme-2009 April 6, 2007 12:14 PM PDT
can someone explain something to me? the republiCONs have been demanding that Pelosi be handcuffed for going to Syria on a mission against Bush's desires - saying it breaks laws and therefore is treasonous. However, I have only seen the results of her visit as positive so far.

However, McCain went to Iraq on a mission too. After he returned, the marketplace where he went... where he said he can just walk around freely... just got attacked by suicide bombers killing 20+ people... same exact market place!! Did i miss something here? Let's see.. Pelosi - Peace... McCain - Death. And Pelosi is to be locked up? what am i missing?
Reply to this comment
by irishbitch1 April 6, 2007 12:15 PM PDT
An IQ test might work or we can send that infamous29% to iraq to finish the war along with boy george and dead eye d ick!
Reply to this comment
by ckcool192000 April 6, 2007 12:15 PM PDT
The Bush administrations attitude toward Syria makes me think of little kids when they fight. They get mad at each other and turn their backs to each other and give the "Silent Treatment". Didn't we all learn when were like 5 that when we have problems to talk to the person, in this case country. I mean Bush has tried to run this country like a Dictator and now that congress is saying NO! He is mad, and is doing the only thing he can. threaten a veto. I hope that congress sticks to their guns and does not give in to his demands. Withhold funding for the war until he agrees to a plan to exit Iraq. Why is it that every US president feels that he must use the military as a "World Police Force"?
Reply to this comment
by azman80 April 6, 2007 12:15 PM PDT
IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH IMPEACH
This guy is a rude disrespectful person with very ugly habits thats enjoying this huge gangbang him, bushie, and condiskeezer are having with the citizens. Matter a fact, I think all of us citizens should buy stock in Halliburton, take control of it, and change the way things are ran in that company so cheney never sees another red cent. Thats what I think.
Reply to this comment
by ckcool192000 April 6, 2007 12:18 PM PDT
I agreed in the military going after Osama....but what the *** did we need to go to Iraq for?
Bush was qouted after 9/11 as saying something to the effect that he would not rest until Osoma was captured. Then a few months later(after the whole Iraq thing started) he was qouted as saying, I don't know where Osama is and I don't think he is important(not an exact qoute) Now doesn't this tell you that bush is in bed with Al Quida? I mean Al Quida is responsible for one of the worst attacks on American soil and then a few months later their not important anymore???? Sadamm is a bigger threat? A country that hasn't attacked the US at all? but we INVADED his country? Please somone explain!!!! Now yes Sadamm wasn't a great leader, far from it, but was Iraq a threat to the US? or was it simply a ploy to turn the country into a democracy? Poltitions lie, but Republicans that have ran this country, because for some god awful reason the citizens of this country voted to reelect him, have treated the US people as if they are complete idiots, that we have not ability to think for ourselves. Please don't let the voters in this country elect another idiot republican.
Reply to this comment
by ubikvalis2 April 6, 2007 12:18 PM PDT

*** Cheney believes in his "gut" that Iraq had something to do with 9/11. No amount of facts will change that. And we all have to suffer the consequences.

PS: The Earth is only 10,000 years old and the towers were brought down with explosives.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 12:22 PM PDT
Get back to the "GOLDEN RULE", as stated in St. Matthew 7:12; Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 12:35 PM PDT
Proverbs 25:21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: (22) For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. Just as we seen Iran do for their captives, right???
Reply to this comment
by azman80 April 6, 2007 12:37 PM PDT
How come the vice president hasnt talked about the North American Union. Go look it up and read about the opening of borders between Canada, US, and Mexico. Lets see how well he will be able to fight off terrorist coming into our lands now. He keeps things that would make us made real quiet, but spreads his lies like herpes.
Reply to this comment
by actornaught April 6, 2007 12:37 PM PDT
ya lost me on the Proverbs thing...
Reply to this comment
by ammianus April 6, 2007 12:40 PM PDT
The Sorrows of Young Dumus, Art. XX:
Successful crime knows nothing of satiety. Both the exhilarating momentum of conquest, and the need to distract the populace from the escape of ibn Shaitan demanded the subjugation of Mesopotamia. In this adventure, the Oligarchs inflexibly pursued two paramount objectives. The first of these was the establishment of a docile client state firmly garrisoned by the Hegemon in the very heart of Dar al-Islam. The second object, urged in part by the urgent need for more energy resources (Art.XI), was the complete control of the wealth of the country by the Oligarchy. No sacrifice of the populace, however bloody, and no crime, however brutal, would deter the Oligarchs from these goals. But at the outset, Mesopotamia appeared as a rich fruit, ripe for the plucking. The tyrant, Nur ud Din, had made himself odious to mankind by his blatant cruelties. The strangulation of Mesopotamia by the elder Dumus had impoverished the country and rendered it defenseless, while its reserves of hydrocarbon energy resources were second only to the House of Saaud. Even better, the land could be exploited as a royal demesne with much of the public revenue diverted to the imperial clique of Dumus. The gold, thus plundered, fed a cloud of delators, worm-tongues, and agents of provocation; all dedicated to the extinction of the last embers of freedom within the Hegemon. As a final advantage, Persia could be attacked from the west as well as from the north and east.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 12:42 PM PDT
All the other Countries, just want "THE USA TO STAY OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS"; because we can't even take care of our own Country, let alone take care of their business to, "NOW CAN WE"???
Reply to this comment
by tuckerndfw April 6, 2007 12:43 PM PDT
Cheney and Bush were protecting al qaida in the "no fly zones." Saddam had no control in the US & UK protected "no fly zones."

Al qaida freely operated in Iraq under US & UK provided protection and support.

Cheney should know all about al qaida, he and Bush are al qaida's top recruiters and supporters.

Bush and Cheney should both be impeached and indicted for treason. They provide material aid and comfort to the enemy (they also support).
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad April 6, 2007 12:44 PM PDT
Our government has diverted funds from Afghanistan and the hunt for bin laden to Iraq that did not attack us on 911 and are funding Sunni Al Qaeda in Lebanon to counter Shiite Hamas against Israel. While cutting programs that support the troops in the United States and Veterans affairs realms. American School Kids are having bake sales to get band uniforms while America sends millions of dollars to Israel and Arab states that are fighting each other. America is the Land of the Free Home of the Brave but our Politicians are bought by outside Governments and are performing Treasonous acts against US!
Their are millions of good people in the Middle East their lives are just not worth Sending American troops over to defend.

Now the Prudent Person would ask, Why are we in Iraq even NOW? Maybe we have been drawn there for the interest of things other than American National Security Interest? If this can be proven then America can and should arrest Bush and Cheney their Entire Administration and put them on trial for War Crimes just like we did the Nazis after WWII.

REad this!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm



If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov

info@gop.com Here is the Republican Party email address too!

democraticparty@democrats.org Here is the Democratic Party email address also!
Reply to this comment
by tucano2 April 6, 2007 12:46 PM PDT
Do Not Bother ME with Facts - Cheney/Bush
Reply to this comment
by inventagod April 6, 2007 12:48 PM PDT
Cheney must be blackmailing Congress, it is the only reason he has not been impeached...

This crop of CONmen in Washington have done permanent damage to our country, both at home and worldwide. Their lies and ability to rob our treasury will have effects that will last decades. These are criminals and traitors - investigate, indict and imprison.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 12:49 PM PDT
The Proverbs thing, is if you have somebody mad at you; just kill them with kindness and see what happens then, because sooner or later, they will become your "FRIEND", so now, you get it???
Reply to this comment
by mcvet April 6, 2007 12:51 PM PDT
Well we have a completely INSANE Vice and a Prez who thinks God put him on the job so we're in real good shape folks. All the while the REAL enemy the people who actually attacked us? They are sitting back fat and happy laughing their butts off at these two Members of the Klan... you know "They" all look alike? LOL God what a mess this nation is in... Sieg Heil and Good Luck.
Reply to this comment
by inventagod April 6, 2007 12:54 PM PDT
"The Proverbs thing, is if you have somebody mad at you; just kill them with kindness and see what happens then, because sooner or later, they will become your "FRIEND", so now, you get it???
Posted by ywayredman at 12:49 PM : Apr 06, 2007"

Every time you sit at a keyboard, a little soapbox appears under your feet, and a bible appears in your hand... do you not realize that you are addicted to telling others how to think, and everyone else thinks you are just boring? Try to stay within a mile of the topic here, which is the vice-president lying to the USa...
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 12:56 PM PDT
The USA is so full of "CORRUPTION", one never knows whom to trust anymore at all; now do we??? Plus, the "DRUGS" have taken over this Country; that, you would think, the Drug Pushers control it to, now wouldn't you???
Reply to this comment
by tuckerndfw April 6, 2007 1:00 PM PDT
Cheney's approval ratings:

In the US overall: 14%

In Israel: 99%

Al qaida Headquarters: 100%

At ExxonMobil, Halliburton (other war profiteers) Headquarters: 150% (they always inflate the numbers)

So, who does Cheney actually represent?
Reply to this comment
by April 6, 2007 1:00 PM PDT
It is completely frustrating to have such a dishonest vice-president and president at the helm of our country. Cheney will argue that day is night and night is day without batting an eye and, I suppose, the faithful still lap it up. There is a bright spot, however...the deceived are dwindling in numbers. Unfortunately, we are going to be paying for years for their lies.

Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 1:01 PM PDT
How often do you really think anybody, in Public Office ever tells the "TRUTH" and if; you think the "WORD OF GOD IS BUNK", I feel sorry for you too!!!
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 April 6, 2007 1:03 PM PDT
I am utterly humilated that Cheney is the VP. A more useless and dangerous *** has never existed and everytime he opens his mouth, I cringe knowing that whatever he says will be a lie.

He is a totally evil person and should be tried as a war criminal and then hung.
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy April 6, 2007 1:03 PM PDT
"I find it very difficult to read these comments about a good honest men like Bush and Cheney."
So you're honest if you don't believe the pentagon now? I find this type of convenient truths and absolute, unadulterated loyalty very difficult as well.
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 6, 2007 1:06 PM PDT
We need to drag those bazterds out of the White House behind pick-up trucks, shoot them and then hang them.
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 1:06 PM PDT
Freedom in this Country, does come; with a price, but now, it's time to get rid of "ALL THE LIAR'S IN OFFICE TO", don't you think???
Reply to this comment
by ywayredman April 6, 2007 1:09 PM PDT
It seems to me, that the biggest liar's; all seem to raise the most money, to get re-elected, now don't they???
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