Words of hypocrisy from Bush's politicizer-in-chief

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is again on the talk circuit --in conservative venues that will have him. This time his message is about how President Obama is "politicizing" things. Most recently, he's accusing ["Reviewing interrogations 'outrageous,' Cheney says," News, Aug. 31] Obama of politicizing the torture investigation.

Hypocrisy is to be expected in the world of politics, but this example might just beat all others. The George W. Bush nightmare of an administration did everything for the sake of a political angle.

Does Cheney think we've forgotten about the firing of the U.S. attorneys? How about the war profiteering of Halliburton and Blackwater? Former Gov. Don Siegelman is in prison because of lies fabricated by Karl Rove.

This week we heard Tom Ridge, Bush's Homeland Security czar, admit he was told to raise the terror alert status when it would support the Bush agenda. And in case we've all gone soft as we try to "move on," the war in Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks on 9/11. Does anyone need more examples?

Real Americans should be expressing their outrage that the networks continue to give Cheney and friends credibility by endorsing their desperate act to put a positive spin on the most disastrous and culpable administration this country has ever known.

-- David McKenzie, Federal Way

Democratic Party fails to keep politicians accountable

The Democratic Party is dead. It might be walking, but it is effectively dead. It is time for a third party. Sure the Democrats have had ups and downs but the long, slow slide started when we failed to prosecute Richard Nixon for obvious crimes.

We let the oil companies steal from us during the gas shortages. We failed to stand up to the "government is the problem" propaganda of Ronald Reagan. We failed to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. We didn't prosecute George H.W. Bush and his cronies for crimes committed in Central America. We said nothing when Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1997, which allowed unparalleled consolidation in news media and the spread of anti-public propaganda worthy of Tokyo Rose or Joseph Goebbels.

We allowed the Supreme Court to appoint George W. Bush to a position he was clearly unsuited for and then re-elected him again four years later. We let Bush take away civil rights, violate the Constitution and lie us into two illegal wars.

We allowed the appointment of Supreme Court justices that only serve the mega-corporations and their leaders. And now we are allowing the right wing to kill true health-care reform, change that could transform the lives of millions of Americans for the better, free citizens from dead-end jobs just to maintain health insurance and create a new business climate that would add jobs for millions.

For decades the Democratic Party has failed to stand strong in the face of propaganda, lies and those who have stolen our prosperity. It is time to start a true progressive party, wooing actual liberals from the Democratic Party and wooing true patriots from the Republican Party.

We must start now, with the next election, and never fail to stand up to the bullies who are screaming in our faces as they reach into our pockets.

-- John S. Snow, Woodinville

Cheney justifies means by the ends

It's thrilling to see Dick Cheney speaking out so forcefully in favor of all forms of illegality as long as it serves the cause or to put it another way, the ends justify the means.

Sounds eerily Nazi-like, but at least it's on the table for his supporters to feast on. Joseph Goebbels would be proud.

-- Bruce Barnbaum, Granite Falls

After violating laws, Cheney deserves penalties

Dick Cheney is at it again. He is still criticizing the Obama administration for failing to follow Bush and Cheney policies in the war on terror.

He fails to mention the policies he advocates violate international treaties, the United States Constitution, federal laws and the Military Code. He makes it sound like this is just another political disagreement. It is still vitally important to challenge him in a courtroom.

This country needs to realize there are serious penalties involved in the crimes he should have been charged with long ago.

-- Daryl Strandlien, Kenmore

Offended by torture

Dick Cheney says the current administration's investigations into the Bush administration's interrogation techniques " offends the hell out of [him], frankly."

Well Cheney, your use of torture offends the hell out of me, frankly.

I guess we are even.

-- Carol Barber, Kent