I can't think of an appropriate title, sorry

I was going to title it something about "Cheney derangement syndrome" or the need to stand tall against Islamofascists, but the post kind of rambles around a bit. Sorry.

News that Vice President Cheney traveled secretly to meet with Musharraf hit the wires yesterday. Today the Taliban claimed responsibility for a feeble attack by one suicide bomber on the VP at Bagram AFB, which mainly killed innocent Afghanis. We are told the Taliban was tipped, but if so it doesn't speak well for their capabilities. Chances are they read the news yesterday and hastily arranged the attack today, either that or they are still as incompetent as in 2001 when our Special Ops kicked their tails.

By the way, here's the predictable response from commenters at HuffPo, including people blaming Cheney for the innocent deaths. CDS is fun! It's generally fruitless to argue unless she's a hot liberal gal you're trying to persuade. But I digress.

As to Cheney's visit to Islamabad, Mansour Ijaz was quoted as saying:

The CIA evidence reportedly included satellite photos and electronic intercepts of al Qaeda leaders operating in Pakistan.
"President Musharraf is the kind of man who doesn't move until he sees the hard facts in front of his face,"

Riiight. Everyone on the planet knew his agreement with the tribal chieftans was a cave-in designed to kick the problem down the road. Cheney traveled with the second in command at CIA, Kappes. Chances are they didn't go half war around the world just to sit on Pervez's couch looking at the photo album while sipping green Chai. Chances are Musharraf is trying to wait out the Bush administration, hoping for liberal president who'll leave him alone. Chances are our little visit dispelled that notion.

Everyone has noticed the stream of war consciousness right now. Lots of bragging and disinformation, etc. Cheney's meetings will no doubt cause some serious acid reflux in Tehran. Although I'll be accused of warmongering (I've got close family members serving right now, btw) we simply cannot back down in the face of these people. That doesn't mean we have to blow anything up, but the threat needs to remain implicit and real. Anyone in the US Government who is caught leaking information about our future plans without authorization should be arrested. It's what Lincoln would do.

Sure, the thought of an air attack on Iran should scare everyone. Hizballah has a global reach, or so we're told. Some may imagine a liberal president getting Assad, A'jad, and Olmert to sit down and figuratively hold hands and teach the world to sing. If only. But deep down we all know it ain't gonna happen. Ever. The militants have no intentions of negotiating, they want Israel gone. Just like Saddam after the Gulf War, a negotiated truce is seen as a victory when dealing with America. Put enough pressure on, and we'll crack. It's showing.

Hans Blix, once in charge of looking for Saddam's proscribed weapons, is the perfect example of a modern capitulationist. Here's a sample:

"I don’t think military threats are useful,'’ he said. ‘’They will scare a number of people in Iran, yes. But at the same time, I think they are also very dangerous. A spark could fly, and they are very dangerous.'’

Blix said the West should put itself in Iran’s shoes, facing 140,000 American troops in Iraq, bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan which are major US allies, and the US talking to another Iranian neighbor, Azerbaijan.

‘’It’s not absurd that they might feel a little worried about their security and that security guarantees from the US — in the same manner as in North Korea — could be useful,'’ he said.

As Jules Crittendon sarcastically replied, "that’s all Iran wants. To live in peace, unmenaced by the United States." If only.

MORE 2/27/07

The comments I linked to above have apparently been disabled for some mysterious reason. Fortunately Michelle Malkin and others saved a few for posterity, although you won't be shocked.

Also, check this out, which includes a reporter's account of Cheney's trip. Our lefty friends think he's out of the country this week to avoid the verdict in the Libby trial. Matter of fact, won't be long 'til we hear charges that the attack today was pulled off by Cheney black ops.

IN THE "MEANWHILE" DEPARTMENT 2/27/07

The US will participate in a Baghdad conference that will feature Iran and Syria and the Iraqis have tentatively agreed on an oil revenue-sharing plan. Coumbaya.