The Iraqi Falcon?

Why is anybody at all surprised by what's going on with Cheney? This man learned his politics in which administration? That would be the Nixon administration. The same administration that used all kinds of dirty tricks, wicked deeds, and who knows what levels of lies and deceit to retain power. This was the same administration that could have made peace in Vietnam 2 years before it actually did and lied the entire time about bombing - not North Vietnam - but Cambodia - who it claimed was aiding the Northern insurgents. This is man who's political mid-wife was HR Haldeman, who's wet-nurse was G. Gordon Liddy, and who's nanny was Henry Kissenger. And people are surprised that we're rattling sabers at Iran while we continue to fight a losing war of choice in Iraq. Surprised that Cheney is so far out there that even dyed-in-the-wool Bushies are creating some distance. So why should anybody be surprised that the lies about the Valerie Plame outing leads over the body of Libby the pathetic patsy to Cheney himself?

I'm reminded of the Maltese Falcon, in the final scenes where Sidney Greenstreet is convinced by Humphrey Bogart to give up Elisha Cook Jr. his trusted gunsling, to the police in exchange for the Maltese Falcon "I couldn't be fonder of you than if you were my own son. But lose a son and you can find another, but the Maltese Falcon..." And that's exactly what we have here. And like the Maltese Falcon what we have is a similar cabal of reprobates driven mad by greed and their obsession with power. Condi could even play Mary Astor - she's the real killer in the bunch. Leaves no prints but lot's of blood. Of course that leaves W to play Peter Lorre - and while he doesn't look the part, his internal machinations clearly do. Of course there's no Humphrey Bogart in that lot - unless Chuck Hegel is for real. He seems to be auditioning...Of course the end doesn't bode well. The Falcon is a fake just like the rationale for the War. Shakespeare was partially wrong in this case. History repeats first as tragedy - true, and second not as farce but as cheap melodrama.

Write your congress-people! Impeachment is the only way to stop the madness! Silence equals complicity!