When a federal agency charged with overseeing the behavior of the executive branch asked to examine Dick Cheney's handling of classified material, The Esteemed Vice President told them to fuck off. When the agency protested, he threatened to shut them down.
This is what we learn from documents released yesterday by the office of congressman Henry Waxman. What I find amusing--sorry, did I say "amusing"? I meant "utterly chilling"-- is Cheney's official response: He had a spokeswoman tell the press, "We're confident that we're conducting the office properly under the law."
In a properly functioning democracy, an executive branch would not have to routinely issue statements claiming it is not breaking laws, because in a perfect democracy, there would never be any question; our leaders would be paragons of moral rectitude.
If, however, doubts existed, a thorough investigation would take place. If wrongdoing, or even the appearance of it, had happened, the leaders would be shamed, the citizens outraged. Impeachment proceedings would not be necessary, for the betrayers would resign rather than drag their beloved country through a national crisis.
Unfortunately, this isn't a properly functioning democracy; this is George Bush's America.
