This time I'm not agreeing with Jerry Falwell, I'm defending Dick Cheney. I should admit I've always had a soft spot for the guy's personality (not his policies). Besides I heard that in his high school yearbook it says that he was voted as the murderous cyborg most likely to become a teddy bear (although probably a grumpy one).
There has been a bit of talk lately about Dick Cheney's attire at the Auschwitz ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the deat camp's rescue (if you can call it that). Robin Givhan wrote an article about the "wardrobe malfunction" in the Washington Post. Givhan points out that Cheney was dressed as if he were about to "operate a snow blower." Well, first of all. Maybe he did! For all we know he decided to help out with the grunt work beforehand. If things took a little longer than expected he may not have had time to change clothes.
But seriously here's my theory. Cheney went ahead with inauguration ceremonies on January 20th as planned and wore standard formal attire. He caught a bit of a sniffle afterwards and the doctors that make sure he's still breathing everyday gave him a dressing down.
"Mr. Vice President I don't ever want to see you out in weather like that in formal wear again. It could kill you! In fact, I'm not sure you're really alive now!"
"But, doctor. I have to attend a memorial to the Holocaust in Poland in a few days. I can't dress like an Eskimo. Next thing you'll be telling me I can't kiss my wife. We'll have to rub noses."
"Oh no, no kissing or rubbing noses for you! Your heart just can't take it. Either dress warmly or I'll have to tell the President that you are not fit to travel."
"Well. It's not like I'm the head of state. They're not going to put me right up front or anything..."
So that's how I think it happened. I really don't think Cheney was being disrespectful of the loss of life and other suffering that occurred at Auschwitz.
Posted by alycia at January 29, 2005 03:05 PM