Cheney is the Pointy-Haired-Boss

Read this story and then ask yourself this question, "How comfortable would I feel talking openly about my doubts about the bosses current pet project when the bosses 2nd in command is in the same room?" Cheney understands this principle very well. He doesn't have to tell them to how to tilt the intelligence reports. He just has to show up, lean over their shoulders, and ask, "How's it going?" Anyone who gave him an honest answer could count they days until they got their transfer notice.