12.31.2009

Quotes to close a decade

DemWit brings you quotes to close out a decade, eight years of which were dominated by a president who surrounded himself with a cabal of neoconservatives hell-bent on empire building in the Middle East.

The following quotes are from White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer in response to former Vice President (and neocon) Dick Cheney’s scathing criticism of the Obama administration.

Cheney, who has been more visible on the talk show circuit than he ever was in the White House, castigated Obama yesterday for “pretending we are not at war” and making our country “less safe” from terrorists.

This from an administration which so badly bungled our foreign policy that it came close to destroying the United States’ image in the world and whose unnecessary war in Iraq diverted our attention from the real threat - a diversion which cost us dearly in blood and treasure.

I choose these quotes from Mr. Pfeiffer, because I believe they mark a new direction for the next decade in how we handle the threat against not only us but the world.

Pfeiffer wrote on the official White House blog:

"It is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the administration than condemning the attackers. Unfortunately too many are engaged in the typical Washington game of pointing fingers and making political hay, instead of working together to find solutions to make our country safer."

(…)

"To put it simply: this president is not interested in bellicose rhetoric, he is focused on action. Seven years of bellicose rhetoric failed to reduce the threat from al Qaeda and succeeded in dividing this country. And it seems strangely off-key now, at a time when our country is under attack, for the architect of those policies (in Iraq) to be attacking the president."

(…)

"There are numerous … public statements that explicitly state we are at war (against al Qaeda). The difference is this: President Obama doesn't need to beat his chest to prove it, and – unlike the last administration – we are not at war with a tactic ("terrorism"), we at war with something that is tangible: al Qaeda and its violent extremist allies. And we will prosecute that war as long as the American people are endangered."

***

DemWit welcomes a new era and closes the old with a quote which defines Dick Cheney – one from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth:

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

9 comments:

Leslie Parsley said...

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Is that why Cheney looks like he does? Or, maybe he doesn't know his heart is false. One of Shakespear's most often used themes, in one form or another, is that what is and what appears to be are two different things.

What a terrific choice for your "Witticism." I absolutely love J Swift. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he were alive and writing these days?

B.J. said...

Leslie: The Swift quote is the epigraph for a book I discovered a couple of years ago, John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces,” published after the writer’s suicide. I decided to listen to the book because it kept showing up on bloggers’ favorite books lists. The book is good. The story behind how the book got published is equally good.

Back to the post. BJ

Tiny said...

A very appropriate quote re: Cheney. Tiny thinks he is scared s**tless about all that is going to be exposed concerning the eight years of Bush/Cheney. People on TV are saying go back to the Bush years to find the reason for the Christmas terrorist attack.

Tiny finds it sickening how the last administration wants to blame Pres. Obama for all the things he inherited when taking office. All are the biggest flip-flops ever walking the American soil.

About all Tiny can say is: "Thank God and Greyhound they're gone." Their hollow words hanging in the air further exposes their "wedgies" and adds to the environmental noise pollution.

Ranch Chimp said...

These could be quote's to start the new decade actually. Congratulation's on your 3 fun packed year's here in the cyber-pit Ms.BJ. I havent been online as long as you, dont fully know computer's yet either for that matter. I got on in april 2008 I believe .... I wrote plenty about "Slick Dick"(Cheney) when I first got on ...because I knew he had a scam going .... also gave reason why Halliburton decided to move to Dubai suddenly, even though they were a Houston born and bred company for year's, read his defense contracting scam ...as well as that move because of future heat coming down, even as we speak .... and how big of an influence he was on GW Bush .... being Bush was being "led" by him behind the scene's ....Bush isnt smart enough business wise to pull some of the operation's off Cheney knew is what I am saying, many of Bush' venture's in the private sector before his presidency were failure's actually and small potatoes, Cheney knew the big score's and how to play the international territories better in the market's, but needed Bush' contact's ...such as the Arab investor's and especially the Chinese, both of who were long time Bush familia contact's/associate's, then the power hand to also dip into the surplus that was waiting for them when they took office, for war, defense contracting, off shore slush fund's etc. Cheney is sharp and a winner. And this crap about his health or heart condition is another show mostly. He is one of these guy's that get older and older and over the year's say's he is close to dying or such, showing up at key event's in wheelchair's and the other hogwash he sell's. Enough said ......

Have a pleasant New Year's Eve Ms.BJ!!

Bill Sumrall said...

All of the ranting and raving by the new but unimproved "tricky Dick" reminds me of what happens when you toss a rock at a pack of dogs. The one who yelps the loudest is the one the rock must have hit.
But, as you noted, Shakespeare says it best: "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
Have a happy and hopeful 2010!
And thanks for the info on "Confederacy of Dunces." I'd also noted the witticism in the corner and wondered about the relation to the book.

Leslie Parsley said...

Am desperate for something good to read - nothing but crapola lately - so will check it out. Thanks.

Gave you a plug on one of my comments section - for your piece on Obama's accomplishments.

I wish you and everyone here a safe, healthy and happy 2010.

Charles Amico said...

I agree with the comment of Tiny regarding Cheney and think he is very scared what is going to come out when all the documents get released on his Vice Presidency. I can't wait!

Happy New Year! Great Blog

Sue said...

Have a HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR my friend BJ!!! xo

bbj said...

BJ, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. Happy 2010! Please keep writing. - bbj