During Cheney's recent convention-avoidance Caucasus tour, the vice president apparently insisted to President Aliyev that Azerbaijan commit to pumping natural gas through the long-planned, though possibly defunct, Nabucco pipeline.  Reportedly, Aliyev declined to make any such commitment, making clear that Azerbaijan "is not about to start an argument with Russia."

People in the crowd reported hearing a distinct sucking noise, thought to be Cheney balls retracting into his pelvic cavity.

But the slights continued, as Aliyev then telephoned Russian president Medvedev to inform the Kremlin of the Bush administration's "energy stance."  I doubt Moscow was surprised by anything Aliyev told them, but it's the thought that counts.  In response to the apparent preference for Moscow's favour over that of Washington, Cheney, in a fit of decidedly undiplomatic pique, skipped a reception honouring the veep.

Cheney must be sensing his own irrelevance at this point.  That, unfortunately, has not come soon enough.  His departure is eagerly awaited.