As Lerkfish point out in this post, the signs are there, THEY are taking us to Iran.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2037110#2037110Mysterously, Cheney changed from pre-election references of simply "IRAQ" to post-election references to "BROADER MIDDLE EAST":
POST ELECTION - "BROADER MIDDLE EAST"July 22, 2005 – Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050722-11.html<SNIP> "Overcoming threats is only the beginning of America's responsibilities.
In the broader Middle East, we are encouraging free markets, democracy, and tolerance -- because these are the ideas and the aspirations that overcome violence, and turn societies to the pursuit of peace. Like other great duties in history, it will require decades of patient effort, and it will be resisted by those whose only hope for power is the spread of violence." <SNIP>
August 18, 2005 - Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050818-4.html<SNIP> "After decades of tyranny and neglect
in the broader Middle East, progress toward freedom will not come easily. It will be resisted by men whose only hope for gaining power is through the spread of terror and violence." <SNIP>
July 25, 2005 - Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050725-12.html<SNIP> "Overcoming threats is only the beginning of America's responsibilities.
In the broader Middle East, we are encouraging free markets, democracy, and tolerance -- because these are the ideas and the aspirations that overcome violence, and turn societies to the pursuit of peace. Like other great duties in history, it will require decades of patient effort, and it will be resisted by those whose only hope for power is the spread of fear, and intimidation and violence." <SNIP>
June 1, 2005 – Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050601-2.html<SNIP> "For all the effort that lies ahead, we can be proud of everything that's been achieved. America chose to lead, and had the courage to act -- and so the murderous regimes of the Taliban and Saddam Hussein are history, more than 50 million people have been liberated from tyranny, and democracy is coming to the
broader Middle East. We are committed to the advance of freedom in that region not just because it serves our ideals, but also because it serves our interests. Free societies are hopeful societies; free societies do not feed resentments and lash out at peaceful neighbors, or produce violence for export. Our country is safer today because Afghanistan and Iraq have governments that fight terrorists instead of harboring them. Future generations of Americans will be spared from violence and fear as democracy and hope and governments that oppose terror multiply across the Middle East." <SNIP>
February 18, 2005 – Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050218-1.html<SNIP> "Freedom's advance
in the broader Middle East is bringing new hope to a troubled part of the world, and freedom's victory in that region will make America safer for generations to come. The effort has been difficult, and there is more hardship and hard work ahead. And our whole nation is grateful to every member of our military, and to the families who share in their sacrifice." <SNIP>
December 8, 2004 – Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041208-4.html<SNIP> "To fully and finally defeat that threat, we are encouraging hope and democracy
in the broader Middle East, as an alternative to the hatred and the despair that leads to violence.
PRE-ELECTION - "IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN" October 28, 2004 - Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041028-18.html<SNIP> "We are also helping the people of
Iraq and Afghanistan build representative governments. In Afghanistan, 10 million people registered to vote, nearly half of them women. Elections were held two weeks ago, the first in the 5,000-year history of that country. (Applause.) In January, the people of Iraq will vote, as well. And we will be safer as a result. One of the lessons history teaches is that institutions of self-government turn the energies of people away from violence to the peaceful work of building better lives. Freedom is the best antidote to terrorism." <SNIP>
November 1, 2004 – Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/11/20041101-1.html<SNIP>"In
Iraq, we dealt with a gathering threat, and removed the regime of Saddam Hussein. (Applause.) Nineteen months ago, he controlled the lives of 25 million people. Tonight, he sits in jail."<SNIP>
September 30, 2004 - Cheney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040930-12.html<SNIP> "We've got a great alliance -- we've got 30 countries fighting alongside of us in
Iraq. And we're prepared to work to lead a coalition, but we will never submit to the objections of a few. We will never seek a permission slip to defend the United States of America." <SNIP>