Diagnosing Dick Cheney

Charles Krauthammer has a column about an upcoming article in The New Republic speculating that Dick Cheney’s heart disease has left him “demented and mentally disordered.” I haven’t been able to find the article on TNR’s site so I’ll have to go by Krauthammer’s account but I am looking forward to reading the actual article when published.

Krauthammer does have a valid point that the fact that circulatory disorders can affect the brain proves nothing specifically about Dick Cheney. It is no more valid to diagnose Dick Cheney from afar than it was for Bill Frist to diagnose Terri Schiavo based upon video tapes, only to be proven wrong on autopsy.

Being reluctant to diagnose any psychiatric or medical conditions with regards to Dick Cheney without actually examining him I have an alternative theory to throw out. Maybe he’s just an evil bastard.

Update: Found the article here. The author notes warnings against making a “pop diagnosis of this sort.” She concludes by noting that the medical causes are a possibility and warns, “So, the next time you see Cheney behaving oddly, don’t automatically assume that he’s a bad man.” Warning noted. He might be an evil bastard, or he might be demented. Neither possibility makes me feel good about the amount of power he has.

3 Comments

  1. 1
    Frank Wilhoit says:

    Neither theory is necessary or appropriate. Cheney is a politician. Therefore, everything he says or does is a pander. The only question is, to whom is he pandering?

  2. 2
    tom cady says:

    cheney will resign soon due to health
    w’s new veep will steamroll to the nomination
    by avoiding an expensive party fight the gop wins in ‘08
    cheney is acclaimed a hero who salvaged w’s political heritage
    he retires to a rent free dubai penthouse to write his memoirs
    history happens

    tom cady po box 486 new albany, ohio 43054

  3. 3
    ME says:

    “cheney will resign soon due to health
    w’s new veep will steamroll to the nomination
    by avoiding an expensive party fight the gop wins in ‘08”

    If Republicans weren’t so selfish, they would realize this and go through with what you describe.

    Lucky for us, Cheney and Bush lookout for noone but themselves.

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