Cheney on the Loose: Why was a PR Trip Across the World Cloaked in Secrecy?

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

Dick Cheney's little excursion across the world is complete, but what exactly did he accomplish? Frightful of the real world after his years hidden away from the public eye, Cheney's international escapades were also cloaked in secrecy.

If Cheney's trip was to improve public relations with important nations, why did he shy from publicity? If he simply needed to communicate with foreign leaders, why didn't he just use a telephone? The entire mysterious week provokes many questions of just what the Administration is up to these days.

Cheney began his quick stay in Japan by getting on a U.S. aircraft carrier and professing the need to accomplish the mission in Iraq. After that he met with the new Prime Minister and the powerless Emperor, but snubbed the Defense Minister because he said the decision to go to war because of WMDs was "wrong." What was the point of all this? "Cheney said his brief visit to Japan was a gesture of appreciation for Tokyo."

Spending untold amounts of money to travel to the other side of the world with full entourage seems like an excessive way to just say "thanks" to allies, especially while Valentine's Day candy is still 50% off at Walgreens.

A similar spectacle occurred in Australia, where hundreds of protestors were disappointed to learn of Cheney's reclusive ways. Though Cheney spent his very limited time meeting with a few bigwigs, including his good friend and lapdog Prime Minister John Howard, he never greeted the public. Even Deadeye Dick might have enjoyed a sign reading: "Take Howard Hunting."

(While in Sydney, it's worth noting Cheney revealed in an interview his true role in the White House: "We have to do everything we can to guard against (WMD). And that's our -- my job, the President's job, to see to it that we succeed.")

After Australia, Cheney squeezed in two more secretive lightning rounds in the Middle East. He spent just four hours meeting with President Musharraf of Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden is believed to be located. He then went to Afghanistan to meet President Karzai and, oh yeah, spent the night at a "luxury gulf-coast resort across the Strait of Hormuz."

Wikipedia tells us the Strait of Hormuz is just 20 miles away from Iran and that "some 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes through."

Hmmm. . . maybe Cheney's trip makes sense after all.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

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