Jeb steps in, Dick steps out

Two updates, via Demagogue, on two of my recent posts (one on Gitmo (here), one on the Schiavo case (here)):

1) On Gitmo (see here): In recent days, Cheney has come out to defend Gitmo in a serious of rare public appearances. But why, you ask? Is it just to defend the administration? Or does it have just as much (or more) to do with the fact that Halliburton, his former company and one in which he still has financial interests, has been tapped to build a new $30 million detention facility at Gitmo?

2) On Schiavo (see here): Jeb Bush has asked prosecutors to investigate the cause of Terri Schiavo's sudden collapse 15 years ago, a clear attempt to keep the tragic story alive by persecuting Michael Schiavo (who has already been demonized to the point of death threats by the religious right). Is this Jeb's attempt to placate the religious right in anticipation of a presidential run in 2008 or beyond? Could it be that transparent? Well, yes.

And we wonder why there's so much cynicism out there? (Or maybe we no longer do.)