Just because you're paranoid

doesn't mean they're not out to get you:

The former Vice President characterized the Iranian goal in negotiations on ending that country's nuclear program as mere stalling for time, and the Europeans as trying to "restrain the U.S." from military action.

"Everybody's in a giant conspiracy to achieve a different objective than the one we want to achieve," Cheney said.

Because, you know, we need to start a third war, the other two are going so well. And then there's this conspiracy! The rest of the world hates us for our freedom! They want to tie down the mighty Gulliver of our military with their Lilliputian webs of deceit!

OTOH, I spent part of the day in a public place, a government agency no less, crowded with people trying to get something they each needed.

I didn't get the sense a one of them cared a wet snap about 40 photographs showing abuse of prisoners by US military personnel, and whether or not they'd ever get to see them.

I really need to get out more. So does Dick Cheney, apparently.