Defining Cheney

In the great tradition of Orwell's 1984, politicians - like advertisers - often redefine common words to suit their own purpose. But the fundamental games that Dick Cheney's office has been playing with the very definition of the Vice President's office have been astounding in their gall and audaciousness. When people sought names of people with whom he met, to see to what degree special interests might be having an effect on policy, he claimed the secrecy of executive privilege.

Now the National Archives is trying to enforce its mandate from the office of the President and gain copies of records. Cheney still doesn't want to reveal anything, and so now claims to be part of the legislative branch because the Vice President is also President of the Senate. No matter that the Constitution clearly defines the Vice President as part of the executive branch.

So what's next? A claim to be part of the judiciary? Obviously there is some ... uncertainty about just what role the current Vice President actually plays in government. Perhaps we need a new branch just for this office:

• peripatetic


• insular


• contemptuous


• arrogant

Or perhaps the best choice would be to call the Vice President part of the Imperial branch of government.

A note of irony - the National Archives has a slogan: "Democracy Starts Here." Maybe it can add the word "usually" to the end.