Iraq, Al Qaeda, and Dear, Dear Dick

[Ed note: The use of "Dick" above is not a euphemism for the word "penis." I respect penises (penii?) and do not call people I dislike "Dick". Likewise, I like and respect people, so I don't call penises I dislike "Dick." If you understand this, you have my sincere sympathies.]

Disputing anew an assertion by the Bush administration, the independent commission investigating the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, released a statement Tuesday indicating that it stands by its conclusion that al Qaeda and Iraq had only limited connections.

"After examining available transcripts of [Vice President Dick Cheney's] public remarks, the 9/11 commission believes it has access to the same information the vice president has seen regarding contacts between al Qaeda and Iraq prior to the 9/11 attacks," the commission said in a written statement.

That statement comes in the wake of an interview Cheney gave last month on CNBC. During that interview, Cheney said "we don't know" whether Iraq was involved in the attacks. Asked whether he had information the panel did not, the vice president said, "Probably."

After Cheney's statement on CNBC, the commission asked the vice president to come forward with any additional information he could provide about any ties between al Qaeda and Iraq.

One Cheney aide who spoke on condition of anonymity dismissed Tuesday's commission statement, calling it a "nonstory."

And it was Mr. Cheney's remark, that he "probably" knew more information than the 9/11 panel was of great concern to me. It's not just Dick's usual contempt for everyone not him or Lynne, it's that he didn't bother to tell the truth - let alone the whole truth - to the commission. And absolutely everyone gave him a pass on it. Just like they're still pretty gentle on him considering how often he says Saddam was involved in 9/11, he gets called on it, denies it on a technicality, interviewer goes on to the next thing, and then Cheney says the same damned thing again! And again. And again. It's like listening to William Hung. It's always BAD and you know it's going to be bad, but it's in your face doing it anyway!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go look up statistics on how many people have developed high blood pressure since Bush-Cheney moved into the WH.