He not only contradicted the argument he previously made, he made our debate about national security and terrorism seem like a political charade.

Cheney and the Bush administration were wrong to threaten their political enemies and attempt to keep them silent, monitored, and harassed using policies, statements, and legislation. But through statements and actions such as Cheney's, they ended up destroying their position and making the whole national security debate seem like nothing more than a political ploy. Even those of us who dare to disagree with the administration's original position take the debate seriously. So, I don't mind saying that I do not think Dick Cheney is a terrorist simply because he made an incendiary suggestion. And although I wouldn't accuse him of threatening our national security based on his comment, taking our nation through this charade did not seem to help our national security. The good news is that it allows Americans to look more critically at the Bush administration, and concentrate on making America more secure instead of more afraid.

Right now, I think most Americans are more concerned about the possibility of terrorists acquiring assault weapons than they are about the words of Dick Cheney or the Bush administration. But why would Bush and Cheney cave into terrorists and imply that democracy cannot stand up to terrorism? After such a serious blunder by the Bush administration, America's enemies could perceive Bush as being irresponsible with our national security. Despite the bad news, American's remain ready to debate, and united in their hope that good news is on the way.