Cheney criticized for attire at Auschwitz

[lancdem]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050128/pl_nm/holocaust_cheney_dress_dc

I hope this isn't a dupe.

[terrya]

1. At a solemn ceremony such as that, it's an insult. He should apologize.

But, well, he won't of course. It would be the decent thing to do. But, well, he doesn't know what decency is about.

[ima_sinnic]

77. no, his "apology" would be without soul, just words, so why bother?

... he obviously doesn't care about others' feelings; he has no class at all.

[hector459]

85. They haven't made his bullet-proff overcoat yet.

A signal of more disrespect toward the rest of the world.

[LittleClarkie]

2. That made me laugh for some reason

He looks like he's ice fishing!

[Mojambo]

That's one of the funniest pictures I've seen in a while. n/t

[katinmn]

30. Grumpy Old Man!

[CottonBear]

3. See DU home page:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1191511

[jdots]

4. he has the heart and soul of a tire

a G78 14 inch bias ply whitewall at the bottom of a pile of used pampers in a toxic dump site somewhere in hell.

[ima_sinnic]

78. HAHAHA!! (coffee spew!) :D (n/t)

[jfs1000]

5. I would give him a pass but...

Doesn't Bushie and Co. have strict dress code orders and you have to wear a jacket, tie and coat to press conference and even on the weekend?

Cheney knows better. This is just a lack of respect for Europe. Cheney looked like he was going sledding with his grand children. Get a suit, a classy overcoat and a hat and gloves please. It is just embarassing.

[rogue_bandit]

6. Lost his luggage?

The only reason I can come up with for his inapproriate attire is that he lost his luggage.

Those cloths look like they were lent to him for the event...by someone who knew a good joke opportunity when they saw one.

[BurtWorm]

11. The coat has his name stitched on it.

It wasn't lent to him.

[MrMonk]

14. Forgot to pack a suit?

[powergirl]

70. Those baggage handlers on Airforce 2 always mess up that luggage!

[Zenlitened]

7. "attire one typically wears to operate a snow blower"

Bwah-hahahahahaha!!! :D

[Pepperbelly]

8. Looks pretty damned cold there ...

I would dressed warmly, too.

Sorry. From my POV, nothing to see here. Literally.

[DaveinMD]

10. bullshit

Everyone else was cold. And a little uncomfort pales to what the people killed at the camp went through. Its completely insensitive.

[Pepperbelly]

15. Hey ... what can I say ... "formal" clothes does not register with me.

It's not something that I would dwell on. I don't ackowledge clothing as being appropriate or inappropriate for reasons other than comfort. If I had been him, I would've done the same thing and if someone had a problem with it, I'd tell them to fuck themselves.

But he wouldn't say that, would he? :D

[DaveinMD]

18. Have some respect for the dead

I am beyond offended by his actions and by the fact that you defend him. Its completely disrespecful of those who died and suffered there.

[Pepperbelly]

20. geez ... life can be tough sometimes, can't it?

I don't even want to be buried in a suit. And you think that I somehow see garb as offensive in this context? I personally believe that a preoccupation with clothing or the appropriateness (whatever the fuck that means) is a shallow concern and I do not make room for it in my world. If formal attire is a requirement, I pass.

Now if he's worn an SS Greatcoat, you'd have something to compain about. As it is, I do not think the complaints are anything to get upset about and if that offends you, tough luck. I do not change lifelong beliefs because of some faceless somebody on the internets does not approve.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pepperbelly]

23. unlike some of our more judgemental posters,

I never considered myself better than anyone.

But hey, that's just some more of my beiefs.

As far as millions dying, it was a tragedy. Premature death is an awful thing and genocide is a thoroughly detestable and evil thing. I would have gladly gone there and liberated those people and put a stop to it any way that I could.

But that still doesn't mean I'd wear a fucking suit.

[DaveinMD]

24. what horror

that you would have had to wear a suit. How could you possibly bear it.

[Pepperbelly]

25. It is a matter of principle for me.

Take me as I am or not. It is up to whoever. I am what I am and do not have time for pretense or formality. If it's your thing, good for you. But to sit in judgement of others for what rags they wear is kind of beside the point.

And no, being "better" than someone else, is not something I covet. I just live my life with personal integrity and as I wish. If you do not like that, then I guess we have nothing to discuss. In fact, I cannot believe that you are still attempting to chide me for personal principles.

If you want to condemn Cheney for his dress, then have a fucking ball but do not expect others to leap through the same hoops because this is, in the final analysis, much ado about nothing.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pepperbelly]

27. whatever ...

I just know that I am not going to judge anyone by their fucking clothes and apparently you can't tolerate someone disagreeing with you. Instead, you make blanket statements and then accuse me of blindness.

What the fuck ever.

I just know this ... the last time I think I wore a tie was at my Mom's funeral in 1998 and probably the next funeral I'll go to will be my own and I do not intend to wear a tie to that one. If you come, you can wear a tie if you want. Or not. It will make absolutely no difference to me.

[DaveinMD]

28. Cheney wears overcoats all the time

including last week at the inaugural. And you don't see it as a slight? Those who died there deserved at least as much respect as Cheney gave the inaugural.

[Pepperbelly]

31. Cheney IS a fuckhead ...

but he's a fuckhead in so many more substantive things than this. I despise everything about the man, from his snarl to his attitude to his egregiously EVIL policies to the corruption in government to the murders of tens of thousands (or maybe more) human beings ... well you get the idea.

I just can't seem to work up a decent case of outrage over his choice of a fucking coat. So sue me.

[Geek_Girl]

86. Cheney Knows better

This most likely was deliberate. It shows disrespect to Europe while sending a message to his bumpkin supporters back home that he doesn't care about formalities he just a regular guy like them. There isn't anything that these people do that isn't meant to manipulate the American public.

[sunnystarr]

103. So it's safe to say you'll never be VP of anywhere then lol (nt)

[Pepperbelly]

104. No, I'm down with it so long as Hawaiian shirts are okie-dokie. nt

[LibertyorDeath]

113. It's not about the fucking clothes

I understand what you're saying but this is not about judging someone by their clothes. As in judging their status and treating them differently.

This IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR INNOCENT MEN , WOMEN AND CHILDREN GASSED AND BURNED IN OVENS BY THE NAZIS

It has fuck all to do with clothes in the sense you speak of

Go fuck yourself Cheney used his clothes to send a message.

I have no respect for this Solemn Occasion is what he said loud and clear.

"and a knit ski cap reading "Staff 2001." Give me a Fucking break.

[onenote]

19. and what do you wear to weddings and funerals during the summer?

shorts and flip flops?

onenote

[Pepperbelly]

21. a Hawaiian shirt and blue jeans ...

if I want to get spiffed up, I might wear black jeans and a black Henley.

[w4rma]

94. You aren't representing the United States of America, to other nations.

Cheney is. You can respect or disrespect the ceremony and the dead all you want, in any way that you want, as long as other folks aren't counting on you to represent their opinions of those dead at that ceremony.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

74. Well put, Dave.

[Vickers]

12. Imagine if Clinton wore some shit like that.

:eyes:

[Pepperbelly]

16. and they would have been full of poo-poo as well.

:D

[MnFats]

13. Putin and Chirac are dressed warmly AND appropriately

you can see them in at least a couple of pix.
wool suits, heavy wool (or synthetic fiber) overcoats and big, sometimes furry, hats.
you can be perfectly comfortable and dress for the solemnity of the occasion too.
for those tiny recesses of the earth where they didn't know it, Cheney has been shown to be a total arrogant asshole. If his polyester sideline jacket caught fire I'll bet Putin and Chirac would be hard-pressed to throw snow on him...

[Pepperbelly]

17. see my above ...

That's just me. It is not something that is important to me.

[Wrinkle_In_Time]

88. It's not about you...

... it's about what the Vice President of the U.S.A. wears to a gathering of international leaders to acknowledge what happened at Auschwitz. It's about just how tacky and disrespectful he appears to be.

I don't give a flying fuck if you don't own a topcoat of if you think that smearing yourself in Guava juice is the most comfortable thing you have ever done. You are not the currently "elected" VP of the U.S.A. attending the Auschwitz remembrance ceremony.

Given Cheney's position and staff, I think his wardrobe malfunction is as accidental as Janet Jackson's.

BTW: more of the same discussion http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1191511&mesg_id=1191511|here>.

[Pepperbelly]

91. yeah, it is about me ...

at least MY opinion. And my opinion is that we'er spending far too much time straining at gnats, outraged over a faux pas when we are up to our asses in alligators.

[yardwork]

41. He wore an elegant, formal black coat to the inauguration

Cheney knows how to dress appropriately. He did this on purpose.

[Carni]

43. I have a good picture of Al Gore or Clinton showing up at a 911 deal...

Dressed like that.

[Bunny]

45. Why don't you post it?

I'm curious.

[Carni]

47. No... I meant "I have a good idea of what would have happened"

If Clinton and Gore had worn this kind of attire to a 911 memorial.

I guess I didn't phrase that very well!

Clinton and Gore would never have done anything so tacky and offensive (no pictures here! lol)

[Bunny]

52. Oops! Sorry about that!

I must have misread your post. You're right, Bill and Al would have never dreamed of pulling a stunt like this!

[Carni]

57. No "oops" necessary

Reviewed my own post and had one of my WTF have *the internets" done to my command of the English language moments! LOL

[OneTwentyoNine]

46. I'm curious too....go ahead and post

[Carni]

49. Forget pictures...I don't have them

I think I used a poor choice of words/ NEVER MIND :(

[question everything]

67. How cold was it there, and how cold was it last week in D.C.

during the inauguration? Yes, Cheney has a weak heart but if he could dress formally for the inauguration he could have for this one - several layers of long underwear and ugg shoes and a warm hat.

[DiscoStew]

69. cold...

yeah, no doubt... i'd bundle up too...

[TankLV]

110. It was OK for him to dress formally for HIS ceremony last tuesday but now

it's too cold and he doesn't have the clothes?

BULLSHIT!

He had the correct attire when he wanted to - when it was for HIM.

This is his way of giving the finger to everyone.

[indepat]

9. Maybe he was going duck-hunting with Scalia shortly thereafter

[nevergiveup]

29. I think the point Pepperbelly is missing

is that VP Cheney was representing the United States of American ......all of us whether you like him or not. What either one of us here wears to a funeral or wedding or on a cold day in Jan. is not really relevant. He is an embarrassment in all kinds of ways and at this solemn event he lived up to expectations.

[Pepperbelly]

34. no, i think you might be missing my point ...

There is so much to despise about the man, his choice of coat is the very least of them. Do I really need to catalog for you all the real reasons this guy is a shitwad? Things that really matter, like the deaths from the Iraq War, the corruption, the disdaid for civil liberties.

I just can't get worked up over his coat.

[Sparkly]

44. I think it's more about what the coat says about the man

beyond a bad sense of fashion. It says "I don't take this very seriously" or "My comfort is more important than showing respect." It kind of comes from the same place as his general selfish disdain for other people.

I agree the coat as a coat isn't a big deal in itself; but it made a statement that's making the rounds in Europe now.

[katinmn]

32. There's not a one in that circle that has a smidgen of class

[journalist3072]

33. Come on, say it with me

"Major embarassment on the international stage."

What he wore was totally inappropriate.

[katinmn]

36. We always see him in business attire so it seems odd to see

him dressed this way.

If he ALWAYS dressed down, it wouldn't be an issue.

[zulchzulu]

35. Why do you think he's called "Dick"

I'm surprised he didn't wear a cooking out outfit.

[bobbieinok]

37. RW talk radio....left talking about this because they don't have anything

real to talk about

really attacking people who question Cheney's attire

[katinmn]

40. oh -- if the shoe were on the other foot....

[AuntiBush]

38. Trying to look like one of us...

poor.

[sunnystarr]

105. Like Michael Moore? rofl (nt)

[Contrary1]

39. If he was there to represent Chimpie

it's only right that he should dress and look like a complete
moron without regard for others.

Unfortunately, he represents us too.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. good thing he didn't borrow prince harry's costume

eom

[JaneQPublic]

50. LMFAO!!! Good one. (nt)

[OneTwentyoNine]

48. No surprise...after seeing him and Lynne busting a gut over holocaust pics

Look at the guy in the back row looking at Cheney--its priceless.....

[Finding Rawls]

51. When did DU become so petty?

It was freezing out there. He'a an old, old man with a heart condition. With this administration we don't need to create issues.

And as for showing respect for the dead. Yeah, wearing a nice suit is necessary.

[OneTwentyoNine]

53. Oh give me a break with the "old man" garbage.....

So what,I have a black overcoat that I've worn to funerals in the dead of winter and stayed perfectly warm. I'm sure his being and old man also explains the pictures of him and Lynne yucking it up with holocaust pictures in the background.

[Finding Rawls]

54. He's an old man with a heart condition

Seriously, he's done some crap that is ACTUALLY awful. Why harp on this crap.

[incapsulated]

59. The cold didn't seem to bother him on inauguration day

When he dressed in a suit and an appropriately formal coat.

But your concern for his health is touching, really.

[Finding Rawls]

60. How cold was it in Washington?

Was it colder yesterday?

Could he have been sick yesterday?

Christ, it's crap like this that turns people off from the Democratic Party. Whining and complaining about petty shit.

[incapsulated]

61. It was very cold

And if you think "petty shit" like criticizing Cheney representing the entire US at a ceremony with other heads of State to honor the millions lost in the Holocaust dressed as if he was going to clean out the gutters on his house is going to "turn people off" to us, rather than to them, I don't know what to say to you.

[Pepperbelly]

76. the predicted high in Kracow over the next few days is in the negatives.

I am sorry but that is fucking COLD. I'm a Southernor and that is cold.

Plus, Cheney's a reptile and that has to be hard on him with so little sunshine.

[incapsulated]

89. Poor Baby

He's a widdle cowd!

For fucks sake you can keep warm without looking like you're doing yard work after the ceremony.

[Pepperbelly]

92. outside my experience ...

I am a Southernor and that, to me, is mighty fucking cold. Brrrrr.

[sunnystarr]

106. hmmm so cold it make Dick shrivel... (nt)

[Pepperbelly]

108. Dang right & I do not want to contemplate Lynn's nipples!

:P

[uncle ray]

98. to clarify

the negative temps you speak of are degrees Celsius, not Fahrenheit, so it's just below freezing, not that cold. would you wear that parka to fetch a drink from your refrigerator?

[Sparkly]

65. Surely he could have stayed warm without looking like this.

Between the somber, dark-coated leaders at the outdoor ceremony sat Cheney, resplendent in a green parka embroidered with his name and featuring a fur-trimmed hood, the laced brown boots and a knit ski cap reading "Staff 2001."

I mean, that is just embarrassing, inappropriate, disrespectful, and tacky beyond belief.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

75. Looks like he's going duck hunting, for goodness sake's.

[Sparkly]

81. Even the ducks would be rolling their eyes at that outfit! n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

117. Even Lynn looks embarrassed.

As she should be. Hell I'M embarrassed he was there as a representative of MY country. Ug.

[Bouncy Ball]

115. Petty shit?

Let's examine this more closely to see just how petty it is:

He was acting as THE representative of the United States of America at a VERY formal, VERY solemn memorial honoring the DEAD. In other words, this was in the same vein as a funeral, except for THOUSANDS. Who were murdered.

And he shows up in an olive green PARKA with a big ol poofy fur trimmed hood and a ratty old knit SKI CAP. He even has hiking boots on.

Everyone else is dressed in suits, topcoats, and gentlemen's hats. I guaran-damn-tee you cheney's age, health, assets or the weather were NOT a factor. There are other photos of the day before this one in the SAME area where he was wearing a suit and topcoat and NO hat. Seemed to be fine there. So we know he HAD the proper clothing. And we know he had worn them there just the day before, so his age/health/the cold couldn't have been a factor.

It was downright wrong. Yes, there ARE much bigger mistakes this man has made. MUCH MUCH MUCH bigger.

But that does NOT mean this one wasn't a big one. It was. He looks fucking ridiculous and it's quite embarrassing for the US. As if we haven't been subjected to enough shame and embarrassment since these kooky assholes took office.

And there's something I haven't even mentioned: there's a military unit patch on his parka. Seeing as the victims of the Holocaust died partially because of rampant militarism, that coat was beyond the beyonds to wear at that occasion. It was downright insulting.

I'm sick of being embarrassed by these fools. They're like small children who have never been taught any manners and throw food in a nice restaurant.

[AlCzervik]

72. he's 63, thats not old and his heart is black

and he will probably outlive us all.

[bunkerbuster1]

102. Much nicer than what I was going to post

...to the effect of, "the nasty fucker can't kick off soon enough to suit me."

That Would Have Been Wrong.

[Kahuna]

55. `Oh Pu-leeze. If it's too much for him to be a "statesman," which BTW..

is his JOB, he should quit.

Goody. Countdown is doing a piece on it even as I type. :D

[Finding Rawls]

56. You know what would be disrespectful?

If he didn't show up because it was too cold.

[DrWeird]

63. Golly gee whiz

Do you suppose it only happens to be cold in the twelve cubic feet Cheney happens to be sitting in? Maybe it's warmer where those dozens of other people who happen to be dressed appropriately are sitting.

[Ms Chicklet]

97. It's Auschwitz, not a Packers game!

He looked like he just dropped in between picking up the dry cleaning and making a run to the Piggly-Wiggly.

His age/infirmity is no excuse. He could have worn heated socks and gloves - or well-made black wool ones - to keep his hands and feet warm. A good black wool coat, buttoned properly, would have been ample protection from the cold along with some kind of head covering more formal than a ski cap. And a lined black wool suit with long underwear underneath would have helped keep him work.

No, this was just another example of the "Go Cheney Yourself" arrogance of this administration.

Republicans are ignorant, arrogant assholes.

[wakemewhenitsover]

58. Actually, how appropriate... for him to dress like Butthead.

[suegeo]

62. Yes, but how was his breath?

Considering what Cheney probably eats or drinks for breakfast alone, I can't imagine he easily keeps his chronic halitosis under control.

[AirAmFan]

64. This seems like a classic DIVERSION of attention. What WEREN'T we

noticing, probably back at the white House, while we were mesmerized by the white fur inside the hood of Cheney's parka?

Or was Prince Regent Cheney--perhaps even subconsciously--just trying to get some attention, jealous of the cult of personality growing around his ward, Dubya? In any case, Cheney's attire said, "Hey everybody, look over HERE!"

[incapsulated]

66. All it was...

Was the man let his guard down for a moment, dressed the way he felt: "I don't give a fuck", and was caught. He knows his base hates the Europeans, has a lot of anti-semites, and probably thought it was funny.

[BurtWorm]

82. It certainly did say "Hey, look at me!"

But I don't think it was done with much cleverness. He does look like a joke. I know there are some who think this is no big deal, and even shouldn't be a big deal. But consider what his fuck up has done to the memory of the six million. People might have spent part of the day in mourning, or, more likely, not thinking about it at all. Instead, we are thinking about what a fool Dick Cheney is, what a poor representative of the US he is, how disrespectful or arrogant he is.

If he'd just worn black, no one would be thinking about Dick Cheney today. It's just mind-boggling to me. To any one who says we should cut Cheney some slack for this, just look at the mess he created! Of course we all hate Dick Cheney. We didn't need another reason to hate him. But this is is just bizarre. This is the proverbial fart in church!

[powergirl]

68. IS THAT LYNN NEXT TO HIM? SHE DRESSED RIGHT

First of all, Bush should have been there - not Darth Cheney. And if he is going to send Cheney b/c he wants to play cowboy down in Waco, he should have sent some clothes with Cheney. And if he did lose his luggage, surely the Prez of Germany could have fixed him up with an overcoat. I hate him so very much.

[Donailin]

71. WTF??

How bizarre!

[Pepperbelly]

73. Give Cheney a break ... he's a REPTILE, fer Christ's sake ...

and there didn't appear to much sun to warm his blood enough to digest breakfast, much less do much else. And if you look closely, the old turd STILL looks cold.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

79. This was supposedly taken today. He must have gotten the memo.

In this photo provided by the White House, Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) and his daughter Liz Cheney, left, walk with other members of a U.S. delegation before paying respects at the The Wall of Death at the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp, near Krakow, Poland, Friday, Jan. 28, 2005. Vice President Cheney was there to take part in ceremonies commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camps. The Wall of Death was named for its use as the backdrop for firing squads where thousands of prisoners were executed while the camp was in operation. (AP Photo/The White House, David Bohrer

NOTICE IT'S PROVIDED BY THE WHITE HOUSE... hmm....

[Pepperbelly]

80. they must be heating him up with a heat lamp or something.

Otherwise, he couldn't digest his breakfast, two newborn infants and scrambled eagle eggs.

:D

[bunkerbuster1]

101. Photoshopped?

Wouldn't be the first time.

[zann725]

83. Clearly he was making a "statement" of disrespect. He was only there

because he HAD to be (Bushco could send no one else...as the others are "up" on War Crime charges!). And so Cheney who could care less about war time murders and attrocities, was only there as a "good sport." And so dressed accordingly...

I watched the ceremony on CSPAN today, and it was so moving. And the surroundings were so 'cold' and ominous...even all these years later. And to make the surroundings even 'colder,' it was snowing bushels as everyone spoke patiently...not seeming to notice...in light of their cause. If it replays, it's definitely worth watching.

[dpbrown]

84. Disrespectful twit

Is this some signal to the Aryan Nation that he's one of them?

[dsc]

87. He should know better

Yes, he has a heart condition and cold weather can be bad for those but there were lots of ways to deal with that problem aside from wearing what he chose to wear. There are times to be casual and times not to be. A Vice President going to Auschwitz to honor dead concentration camp victims is a time to be formal. Even school kids should know better.

[progressiveright]

90. ?

[DearAbby]

111. Like Randi Said On her Show ...Guess it was better than Striped Pajamas

:argh: I was totally disgusted, and ashamed.

[slor]

93. Give him a break already!

He couldn't very well wear his Schutzstaffel uniform, now could he?

[marcologico]

95. Well at least he looked like the fat stooge he is. n/t

[JaneQPublic]

96. If his ski cap was orange, he'd look like a Dean campaigner in Iowa.

Someone should tell him that, just to piss him off.

[ynksnewyork2]

99. Who cares?

I can't believe anyone gives a crap about what Cheney wears.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

100. He's representing (unfortunately) the US and the reality is,

it's embarassing. He's an embarassment anyway, but sheesh, wear a suit and overcoat for G-d's sake. He knows better. He's a putz.

[Bouncy Ball]

116. Read through the posts in this thread for an education as to

why anyone cares. It's about more than just what he wears.

[Democrat Dragon]

107. Of course Cheney would be disrespectful!

He's a Nazi! He's probably there to get ideas for American concentration camps!

[baldguy]

109. Bob & Doug's mean big brother Dick

[jazzjunkysue]

112. Looks like the janitor who sat down by mistake.

[LibertyorDeath]

114. Just showed this to the Big brain & she says about the

knit ski cap reading "Staff 2001." that yeah that's right he is

"Staff" Auschwitz Staff 2001 ( talk about Subliminal)

She is quick on the draw I tell Ya !!

The whole Bush Clan are a bunch of Nazi sympathizers IMO

You wear a cap that says "Staff" to Auschwitz he'd have been one if he could have been, her parting words.