Bill Maher Sorry the Assassination Attempt on Dick Cheney Failed
Posted by Noel Sheppard on March 3, 2007 - 10:22.

In 2002, ABC made the decision to not renew Bill Maher's contract after he made some disgraceful comments on his program "Politically Incorrect" concerning America's military response to 9/11. After what transpired on "Real Time" Friday, the heads of HBO should be equally outraged, if not more.

As the discussion moved to the attempted assassination of Vice President Cheney last week, Maher asked his panel why it was necessary for the Huffington Post to remove comments by readers concerning their disappointment that the attempt failed. As the conversation ensued, Maher said one of the most disgraceful and irresponsible things uttered on a major television program since Bush was elected.

In a nutshell, the host said the world would be a safer place if the assassination attempt succeeded. And, he even had the nerve to reiterate it. Here’s the deplorable sequence of events for those that have the stomach for it

Maher: What about the people who got onto the Huffington Post – and these weren’t even the bloggers, these were just the comments section – who said they, they expressed regret that the attack on Dick Cheney failed.

Joe Scarborough: Right

Maher: Now…

John Ridley: More than regret.

Maher: Well, what did they say?

Ridley: They said “We wish he would die.” I mean, it was (?) hate language.

Barney Frank: They said the bomb was wasted. (laughter and applause)

Maher: That’s a funny joke. But, seriously, if this isn’t China, shouldn’t you be able to say that? Why did Arianna Huffington, my girlfriend, I love her, but why did she take that off right away?
After some discussion about why Huffington should or shouldn’t have taken these comments down, the following occurred:

Ridley: It’s one thing to say you hate Dick Cheney, which applies to his politics. It’s another thing to say, “I’m sorry he didn’t die in an explosion." And I think, you know…

Maher: But you should be able to say it. And by the way...

Frank: Excuse me, Bill, but can I ask you a question? Do you decide what the topics are for this show?

Maher: Yeah, I decide the topics, they don’t go there.

Frank: But you exercise control over the show the way that she does over her blog.

Maher: But I have zero doubt that if Dick Cheney was not in power, people wouldn’t be dying needlessly tomorrow. (applause)

Scarborough: If someone on this panel said that they wished that Dick Cheney had been blown up, and you didn’t say…

Frank: I think he did.

Scarborough: Okay. Did you say…

Maher: No, no. I quoted that.

Frank: You don’t believe that?

Maher: I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact.

Wake up, HBO: one of your hosts said the world would be a safer place if the Vice President of the United States of America had been assassinated.

*****Update: Upon further examination, it seems that Maher's comments last night were signficantly more serious and virulent than what got him fired from ABC in 2002.

To refresh everyone's memory, on Monday, September 17, 2001, Maher and his "Politically Incorrect" panel were discussing the attacks. Dinesh D'Souza was one of the guests, and according to both a UPI article from September 19, and a September 20 transcript from the "O'Reilly Factor," D'Souza was making the case that the hijackers weren't cowards.


"Look at what they did," he said. "First of all, you have a whole bunch of guys who are willing to give their life. None of (them) backed out. All of them slammed themselves into pieces of concrete ... These are warriors."

Maher, according to a transcript of the show, responded by saying, "We (the United States) have been cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."

Maher appeared on the "O'Reilly Factor" the day after this UPI article was published, and defended his statements as follows:

MAHER: I used the word we, we have been. That was a mistake because it's vague, and I apologize, as I do, to the military if they took it the wrong way. But I've been a huge military defender on this show, that is one of the things you and I would agree on, Bill, and maybe have when you were here.

What I was talking about was the policy making body of this country, which has not responded and had not responded before this, to terrorism the way they should. I was saying basically that they blew up our embassies in Africa. That was not a small thing. And embassies -- I know it's way over in Africa, that is American soil. And 100 people...

O'REILLY: So you're basically laying this at the doorstep of your guy, Bill Clinton. Is that we, his administration?

MAHER: OK, but you know what, as a society now we're coming together and we're all lobbying in the same way toward the president.

So when that happened I didn't hear a big out cry from Congress when Clinton did that. The country was satisfied to handle the problem that way. The country did not want to tackle terrorism then. And that's what we did, we lobbed a cruise missile at a pharmaceutical factory. Same thing when we tried to get bin Laden the last time.

MAHER: I think they're [the hijackers] moral cowards. But physical cowards, cowards in war, cowards in the sense of a soldier who falls on a grenade, no. And I think we make a mistake when we underestimate our enemy. I think that is a big mistake in this country to assume that these people are stupid and cowardly, because we are up against it now.

With that in mind, it seems safe to say that making reference to an attempted assassination of a sitting Vice President in the way Maher did Friday night -- actually voicing regret that the attempt failed, and stating unequivocally it would have been better if the plan had succeeded -- is far worse than what Maher stated on "PI" five and a half years ago, and should be dealt with just as seriously by the heads of HBO.

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Your title says Maher is sorry Cheney lived. That is not what Maher said. This the quote:Maher:" I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. "


I would never want Cheney or Bush to be killed accidently or intentionally.That is a horrible and sinful thought. I would never even entertain such a thought.I do believe if they had never been in power either by the election or something had happened to them, the world would be a safer place and our country stronger . Our focus would be on terrorism and not personal power/greed agendas.

Steve why not just debate Mahers real meaning which was that he believes Cheney has caused many innocent civilians deaths and made the world less safe instead of trying to spin Mahers words. Tell us how you disagree and what you believe Cheney has done to make us safer and stronger. That might be more credible then changing someones words. If you have a solid case you will not need to spin.

Maher: But I have zero doubt that if Dick Cheney was not in power, people wouldn’t be dying needlessly tomorrow. (applause)

Maher: I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact. [/b]

Sam? Spin? Now the VP of the US is individually responsible for people "...dying needlessly...?"
No partisan hatred there. No way, right?
Absolutely nothing wrong with these statements? Saddam wouldn't still be killing people "needlessly?"
And we're called the party of haters. Amazing spin there. Calling for people to be self-sufficient is hateful. Stating that the death of a sitting VP is "tolerant."
Talk about your orwellian spin. My gosh.

I believe the invasion in Iraq took our countries focus off of terrorism and created such instability that thousands have dies needlessly and fueled and trained terrorists. I hold this adminstration responsible for the war in Iraq. However there are many threads on this war. My point is that Steves copy and paste from a far right wing blog and his title were wrong. Even Bill O'reiily stated Maher did not "wish" for Cheneys death or say he was sorry he did not die. O'Reilly did not even take it that far. Steves copy and paste title is not true. Maher and millions of Americans believe that this administrations invasion of iraq is responsible for the humanitarian crisis we have now and the Al Quaida uprising in Afghanistan. That view is held by more than half of America. That does not mean they wish him dead. IT MEANS IF HE HAD NOT BEEN IN POWER THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!

If you think this administrations war in Iraq and not staying focused on terrorism was a success and worthwhile then build your case. Do not change a comedians words. Even Oreilly when interviewing Maher the next day was clear on the transcript and meaning.

justme Your hysterical rant is unfounded. No one called for anyones death. Most Americans believe this administrations policy in Iraq and their plan has caused the unnecessary deaths of many people. I believe it has even done worse..such as take our focus off terrorists and destablized the mideast and fueled and recruited jihadists. I think their plan was based on a quick invasion and opening borders ala Bremer style for profit.

Hatred.. I do not hate anyone..but I am really sorry that it took America so long to realize the lack of abilities and greed that led us to where we are today. I think this administration has endangered us further . I wish these men had never been in power...most Americans feel the same as I do. However if you approve their foreign policy and you think it was not their policy or responsibilty tell me why. I will listen to your thoughts.

Maher: But I have zero doubt that if Dick Cheney was not in power, people wouldn’t be dying needlessly tomorrow. (applause)

Scarborough: If someone on this panel said that they wished that Dick Cheney had been blown up, and you didn’t say…

Frank: I think he did.

Scarborough: Okay. Did you say…

Maher: No, no. I quoted that.

Frank: You don’t believe that?

Maher: I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact.

This nonsense of "I'm just saying" is really a crock. It seemed obvious to Barney frank what he meant and it seemed obvious to me. It really does nothing more than just to further illustrate the venom and pure hatred of the "far-left'. Now before you try to tell me about Ann Coulter and her "faggot" remark which to be hoenst, I didn't even get. She's no better. but she's depicted as a clown-which she is. Maher is depicted as "a thinker". As a guy whos e progressive idealism is so deep and so thought out. He's really just a fair comedian at best with a bit of witt and an opinion. I wonder if Howard Dean will demand an apology from him. And that's another thing that bugs me. Everyone wants an apology for this or that. Why? Like that makes something better? If Ann Coulter said tomorrow that she was sorry for calling John Edwards a "faggot", would that make anyone happy? Of course not. My god, what a bunch of pussies we are.

Bill Maher is a comedian and has a political commentary show. He never said what the right wing blogger you titled said. Coulter was INVITED to represent the GOP.No one changed her words. If she wants to provide proof that Edwards is a faggot let her.

Maher built his case on the O'Reilly show on why he believed Cheneys Iraq plan caused unnecessary deaths. Even O'Reilly agreed that Maher did not say he was sorry Cheney did not die. O'Reilly who jump on that if he could... agreed Maher was saying Cheney were not in power more people would be alive today. BIG DIFFERENCE Steve. You copied and pasted changed words.

Do you think this administrations plan was well thought out to avoid the most civilian casualties? Do you think opening the borders for business Bremer/Cheney style contributed to the problem today?

Hysterical rant? lololol This thread was not about the war, per se. But I'll tell you the same thing I've said in other threads...I think the whole thing has been botched up. You don't have to agree with everything thats done to find it offensive when someone blames a single man, just one man, for all the problems in the world.
I don't approve of their foreign policy, but I honestly believed we were safer with GWB than with Kerry. It had nothing to do with party.
Read what was said again. Change the name a little. If it had happened during the clinton years and Rush had used the same language to say that there is no doubt, interns would be safer ...would you still defend it?

You copy and pasted a far right neo con blog that changed words and meanings . Read your title....

Does that mean every American that thinks Cheney policy has created disaster and needless deaths and if Cheney did not have that influence on Iraq policy that those Americans wish he had died! Really are you saying that?

Far stretch of the truth Steve...

I lean left but I do not copy and paste far left interpretations that change peoples words. It weakens the argument. Tell me how you think Cheney is not responsible for the invasion and plan in Iraq? That would be something that might refute Mahers statement that Cheney policy has created the situation that has caused many innocents to die.Much better to refute Mahers meaning than copy and paste a far right blog that HAD to change his words.

Cheney gave his approval to Paul Bremer and created the de- Baathication "plan" and open border "plan". You really think that planning did not contribute to thousands of civilians being slaughtered?

justme if any administration... Clinton or anyone else had chosen to invade Iraq when we needed to be fighting in afghanistan and opened borders and screwed up like this I would hold them responsible. I would not be an apologist for any administration that created this absolute nightmare hole we are in!

I would never excuse it.. I am not that much of a party loyalist.