Steph,

Since the time of St. Thomas Aquinas, silence has implied assent. As you have limited your comments to the Vice Presidents’ purported financial gains in business he is implied as manipulating, and my lamentable smarts, I conclude that we agree upon the rest. A notable achievement; I am pleased.

If acceptance of preposterous claims is the sine qua non of intellectual ability, I regret that I will be sidelined from discussing matters of substance; relegated to the minor role of pointing out that the Emperor is indeed in need of apparel.

While it may be true that Vice President Cheney is manipulating various and sundry events to his financial gain, I have yet to see any evidence to support the assertion. In addition, I believe that it is common practice for those filling cabinet level positions and higher to place their portfolios into what are referred to as “blind trusts” during the term of their office, over which they relinquish control. Has this not happened in this case? It would likely force his resignation if the claim were true.