Tears and solemnity filled the Washington National Cathedral as thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral of Dick Cheney, the 46th US Vice President, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 84. The ceremony was a stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric that often defines American politics.
The guest list was predominantly comprised of Republicans and former colleagues, with notable absentees including Donald Trump and his Deputy JD Vance. In attendance were several ex-presidents, including George W Bush, who delivered a eulogy praising Cheney's dedication to protecting America's interests.
Cheney's legacy is complex and multifaceted, having played a pivotal role in shaping US foreign policy during the war on terror. His advocacy for sweeping surveillance powers under the Patriot Act and defense of "enhanced interrogation" techniques have had lasting consequences for civil liberties at home and abroad.
Moreover, Cheney's backing of the 2003 invasion of Iraq remains a contentious issue, with many questioning his claims about Saddam Hussein's possession of WMDs. The omission of any memorial services honoring the hundreds of thousands killed in the conflict was seen as a striking example of selective memory and the double standards that have come to define American politics.
As one observer noted, Cheney's paradoxical approach to democracy – defending it at home while undermining democratic aspirations overseas – has been a hallmark of US power for decades. His daughter Liz paid tribute to his commitment to preserving American democracy, acknowledging that sometimes difficult choices must be made in the name of national security.
The funeral itself was a poignant reminder of the human cost of politics, with many guests visibly moved by the somber atmosphere and heartfelt eulogies. As one attendee described it, the ceremony was "a requiem for the Republican party," a solemn acknowledgment that even the most devoted partisans must confront the complexities and contradictions of their own legacy.
In the end, Cheney's passing has left an unspoken lesson in what America sees when it looks in the mirror – and what is often left unspoken. As Shakespeare so eloquently put it, "The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones."
The guest list was predominantly comprised of Republicans and former colleagues, with notable absentees including Donald Trump and his Deputy JD Vance. In attendance were several ex-presidents, including George W Bush, who delivered a eulogy praising Cheney's dedication to protecting America's interests.
Cheney's legacy is complex and multifaceted, having played a pivotal role in shaping US foreign policy during the war on terror. His advocacy for sweeping surveillance powers under the Patriot Act and defense of "enhanced interrogation" techniques have had lasting consequences for civil liberties at home and abroad.
Moreover, Cheney's backing of the 2003 invasion of Iraq remains a contentious issue, with many questioning his claims about Saddam Hussein's possession of WMDs. The omission of any memorial services honoring the hundreds of thousands killed in the conflict was seen as a striking example of selective memory and the double standards that have come to define American politics.
As one observer noted, Cheney's paradoxical approach to democracy – defending it at home while undermining democratic aspirations overseas – has been a hallmark of US power for decades. His daughter Liz paid tribute to his commitment to preserving American democracy, acknowledging that sometimes difficult choices must be made in the name of national security.
The funeral itself was a poignant reminder of the human cost of politics, with many guests visibly moved by the somber atmosphere and heartfelt eulogies. As one attendee described it, the ceremony was "a requiem for the Republican party," a solemn acknowledgment that even the most devoted partisans must confront the complexities and contradictions of their own legacy.
In the end, Cheney's passing has left an unspoken lesson in what America sees when it looks in the mirror – and what is often left unspoken. As Shakespeare so eloquently put it, "The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones."
anyway, cheney's legacy is so messed up - on one hand, you gotta give it to him for being loyal to bush and all that, but on the other hand, his views on civil liberties are straight out of a dystopian novel 
like, what happened to due process and all that jazz? and don't even get me started on the patriot act...it's wild how some people can be so selective with their moral compasses 
, but have you ever stopped to think about the irony? They're celebrating a guy who basically played a huge role in shredding civil liberties at home while still spewing that "democracy" rhetoric overseas 
. And now they're having these grand ceremonies to honor his memory... it's all a bit too neat, if you ask me 
. What about the human cost of his actions? The lives lost in Iraq? The people whose freedoms were trampled underfoot because of him? It's like we're just glossing over that part 
. And don't even get me started on the fact that some ex-presidents are still able to show up for the festivities... it's just weird 
.
I'm thinking about how Cheney's legacy reflects a big problem with American politics - they can't seem to agree on anything, even when it comes to something as important as the death of one of their own. It's like they're saying, "I'll show respect for Dick, but not for what he did." 
And now, we're left to pick up the pieces and wonder what America wants from itself.
. You'd expect politicians to be all smiles and applause at these things, but not this time 
. It was like they were reflecting on their own mortality and the impact their actions had on others. The absence of Trump was probably a blessing in disguise, tbh 
. I mean, who needs that kind of drama at a funeral? 
It's gonna be fascinating to see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months 
. but seriously, this says something about how americans approach politics - we love our leaders even when they're flawed and make questionable decisions 
.
. But let's be real, his legacy is pretty complicated 
. What's interesting is how his passing made everyone confront their own feelings about him 
.
. and that's really sad because at the end of the day, it's all just human beings we're dealing with... some people are gonna disagree about Cheney's actions, but can't we just focus on the fact that he was a dad, husband, and son too? 
. i think it's really interesting that his daughter liz spoke out about the importance of national security while still acknowledgein' the need to make hard choices 
. rest in peace dick cheney 
This funeral was like a big ol' 
Cheney's legacy is all over the place 
and it's kinda wild how some people are still trying to brush under the rug the part where he helped invade Iraq 
all those lives lost fam 
. But at the same time, his daughter Liz was like "hey guys we gotta acknowledge our complicated history" 
. It's wild how politicians can be so hypocritical sometimes