He had "other priorities in the '60s than military service." But our Vice President got to play one on TV the other day at CPAC, where his defiant remarks seemed to borrow freely from Jack Nicholson's Colonel Jessup.

Vice President Cheney at CPAC, Feb. 7, 2008:

 We are at war with an enemy who wants to cause mass death in this country. And we must act systematically and decisively until this enemy is destroyed….Those who act in good faith to defend this country should not be punished with lawsuits or hassled by trial lawyers. The military has interrogated terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, and, in addition, a small number of terrorists, high-value targets, held overseas have gone through an interrogation program run by the CIA. It's a tougher program for tougher customers…. The program … has saved thousands of lives…. 

From the very morning our nation was attacked on 9/11, the president of the United States has had to make some immense and enormous decisions. Every day he faces responsibilities that others would pale before. …

 I've been proud to stand by him, by the decisions he's made. And I would support those same -- and would I support those same decisions again today? You're damn right I would. 

 

 

“A Few Good Men” (the part at the end that’s always on TNT when you’re flipping channels):

Jack:

Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death [at Guantanamo!], while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.

We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Tom: Did you order the code red? 

Jack: You're goddamn right I did!!