Dick Cheney May Be Gone, But The Wars He Waged Live On

 

 

 

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, the architect of America’s post-9/11 wars, has died at 84 from pneumonia and cardiac disease — leaving behind a legacy as divisive as it is enduring.

 

Cheney, who served under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was hailed by political elites and mainstream media figures after his death Tuesday. Bill Clinton praised his “unwavering sense of duty,” while Vice President Kamala Harris called him a “devoted public servant” who gave “so much of his life to the country he loved.”

 

Across the airwaves, outlets like CNN chose to focus on Cheney’s later-life image as a father who “helped his daughter stand up to Trump,” rather than the wars and policies that defined his career. But critics were quick to remind the public that Cheney’s influence still casts a long shadow — from Iraq and Afghanistan to the global surveillance state.

 

As Secretary of Defense under George H. W. Bush, Cheney oversaw the 1991 Gulf War. A decade later, as vice president, he became the driving force behind the invasion of Iraq, promoting the false claim that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. The conflict killed hundreds of thousands and destabilized the Middle East for generations.

 

Even after leaving office, Cheney defended torture programs and warrantless wiretapping as “vital tools” in the War on Terror — policies that would go on to shape two decades of U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

 

For supporters, he was a patriot who made hard decisions to keep America safe. For opponents, he was the embodiment of the military-industrial complex — proof that some wars never end, even when their architects do.

 

Key Takeaways

• Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney dies at 84 from pneumonia and heart disease.

• Political leaders praised his service, but critics point to his role in launching the Iraq War.

• Cheney’s influence endures through America’s ongoing military and surveillance policies.

 

Source: MIDDLE EAST EYE

I forget what movie it was in, but I think Satan's going to need 2 pineapples now.