Rant begin.
I realize it’s all over the national media by now that United States VP Dick Cheney was involved in a hunting accident. And I’m not going to spend time recounting the details of the event. If you want to know, just go to your nearest news site. The national media is all over it.
I can tell you that this type of accident happens all the time, though the outcome doesn’t usually end in a visit to the emergency room. I’ve taken a few pellets myself. It’s not pleasant. It hurts. But, I was lucky enough to be able to get over it pretty quickly. I don’t even remember who it was who did it.
When you hunt quail, as Cheney’s party was, you really have to be aware of where your party is because quail only fly short distances and they don’t get very high in the air.
I’m not saying Cheney isn’t at fault. He is. You should always know where the other members of your party are at all times. But, Cheney has already apologized to the only person who deserves one, and that’s where the discussion should end.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this story is about to be twisted and manipulated for certain groups’ agendas. It’s all part of the “culture of blame” so prevalent in this country. The thought that there’s no such thing as an accident will be put to the test with this story. Whether you agree with me or not, I urge you to follow the story to see how quickly the actual story gets overshadowed by political posturing and who knows what else.
Rant end.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
The question, as the Tribune asks, is why would the accident happen on Saturday, and the public be informed only today, this evening?
2 - Natalie Davis
That thought crossed my mind too, but then it occurred to me that if, say, you were involved in such an incident, would it be news? Perhaps the fact it was the vice-terrorist-in-chief makes it newsworthy, but it was an accident (and, as you said, hunting accidents are pretty common), and the victim is largely OK. The story will become fodder for humor about the human SNL portrayed as the "One Man Iraqi Wrecking Crew," and that is to be expected, but I couldn't take anyone seriously who used this to make political hay.
3 - Dave Nalle
I don't know about these things happening all the time with halfway competent shooters. Our local Lions Club has been running a turkey shoot every fall for 40 years or so. That's 25 rounds of 15 people shooting every Sunday in October and November, so that's well over 120,000 shotgun shells fired - and no one has ever been accidentally shot. Not that it can't happen. That's why they put safetys on the shotguns in the first place. But if you're not actively shooting you should have your safety on or at least your finger off the trigger. Cheney ought to know that, he's from Texas.
As for your question, Aaman, I believe the ranch where they were shooting is in the butt-end of nowhere, so no one in the media would have had a chance to hear about it until people got back from there and talked, which would almost inevtiably be the next day. If Cheney comes over to my backyard to shoot feral hogs and someone gets shot I'll make sure you hear about it right away though.
dave
4 - RJ Elliott
I look forward to hilarious SNL skits and humorous Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Conan O'Brien monologues.
But, yes, you're right, this should NOT become a serious political issue...but it will... :-/
5 - Michael J. West
Previously on Executive Department Follies:
Gerald Ford falls down airplane steps! Jimmy Carter is attacked by a killer rabbit! Bush Sr. throws up on the Japanese Emperor! Dan Quayle...where do we start!
But NOTHING can prepare you for tonight's SHOCKING episode...
6 - El Bicho
"humorous Jay Leno...monologues."
That's an oxymoron
7 - Michael B.
Thank goodness Cheney got those five deferments to avoid fighting in the Vietnam War. If he can't tell the difference between a quail and a 78 year-old lawyer in an orange vest, perhaps it's best he didn't serve. Then again, perhaps he thought it was Scooter Libby!
8 - Bliffle
Happen all the time? Not to me and my hunting pal. 'Course we never took along anyone who was the least bit careless around guns, either. But then, we were serious hunters who usually filled, which is why guys wanted to come with us. Many applied, few were accepted. We probably wouldn't have accepted a guy with Cheneys creds: shoot first, ask questions later. It's administration policy.
9 - Nancy
I've shot/had guns all my life, until recently, & Bliffle speaks for me, too: that kind of carelessness usually happens with bozos to begin with. After, that, yeah, this IS funny; that it was a lawyer is even funnier; and no, I wouldn't take any political spin based on it seriously. But it does make for great jokes.
10 - gonzo marx
CHENEY SHOOTS LAWYER IN FACE
now, i'm all for shooting some lawyers now and again...but don't you think it's a bit unSportsman like to start with a 78 year old wearing safety orange?
go for the younger ones, give them a bit of a head start...
hell, they were out there with a full medical crew and enough Secret Service firepower to take out Costa Rica...
and all they bagged was one old and scrawny lawyer?
fucking pitiful...
Excelsior!
11 - John Diley
Hunting accidents happen from time to time and perhaps Joe is right that this should end with the Vice President’s apology to the injured party. If so, then why did it take so long to report the incident? Why did the Secret Service prevent the local authorities from interviewing the Vice President?
Although hunting is quite common here in Rappahannock County Virginia, accidents are very uncommon. In the rare instances where accidents occur, alcohol and/or drugs are usually factors. Given the Vice President’s past indiscretions, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to figure out reasons for delayed reporting and the fact that Cheney couldn’t even be interviewed by local authorities.
12 - Dave Nalle
What troubles me is that there are a bunch of serious news topics out there and yet THIS is what the majority of new posts in politics have been on, and what is attracting all the comments.
Dave
13 - gonzo marx
so this is bothersome due to it's coverage?
but slamming Kerry or Hilary 2 years in advance of the next elections, and all the news cycle time the GOP flacks stack in when THEY want to control the Cycle is ok?
spare me, k?
besides...the fucking Vice President shot a Lawyer in the Face!!!
the fact that he was Quayle hunting is one thing...the fact that even if it IS lawyer season in Texas this month, the one he bagged was old(78) and a protected sub-species (the safety orange breasted variety) is of little bearing...
we ain't this much Fun since Aaron Burr
Excelsior!
14 - reggie von woic
Not implying anything, but if he actually shot the guy on purpose, wouldn't we be hearing the exact same thing?
15 - Bliffle
"go for the younger ones, give them a bit of a head start..."
Just remember, you gotta lead the young ones a little more.
16 - MCH
Well, if nothing else we now have the answer to the age-old question; What happens when a Chicken hawk goes hunting Quail?
17 - larry
i dont see why the white house should have to report it at all. thats what the county sherrif is for. ithink most bird hunters have peppered with bird shot. it is a light load with small shot, so it doesnt destroy the bird.a 28 gauge is a small bore shotgun.
18 - Josh Bergen
This issue is not the accident itself, it is the fact that Mr. Cheney and the Whitehouse appear to have gone into full spin mode. Joe Battista says "I'm not saying Cheney isn't at fault," but that is exactly the message they've put out there, with both Ms. Armstrong and the editor of the local "trusted" paper saying that Mr. Whittington came up behind the group without announcing himself which was "not in keeping with standard protocol." My research today shows this "protocol" is entirely made up; the actual standard is that the person holding the gun has the explicit responsibility to "know where all members of the party are at all times" and "know exactly what the safe firing range is" (this from both the NRA and Texas Parks and Wildlife websites). Neither Cheney, nor the Whitehouse, nor the other members of the hunting party, nor the local sherrif or news media said what Joe said: "Cheney is at fault." Also, I have read about Cheney's visits to the injured man, but I have not yet seen any quoted apology on Cheney's part as Joe indicates, nor any accepting of responsibility.
If Cheney had issued a statement on Saturday night regretting the incident, taking full responsibility for it, and actually apologizing, then it would appropriately be a one-day story and everyone should move on. Instead, the news release was delayed nearly 24 hours in a transparent and, frankly, lame spin effort. Cheney's response to the situation, not apologizing, not taking responsibility, and arranging for the victim to be blamed, illustrates poor character.
The idea that the Vice President seriously wounding someone with a gun is not newsworthy is absurd. The simple question of why the 24 hour delay in releasing the story is still unanswered.
19 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Tempests and teapots come to mind.
20 - gonzo marx
the Law states that ANY injuries involving firearms MUST be reported by the hospital/doctor treating such wounds to local Law Enforcement
was this done?
the rest is the as usual, cover up more a problem than the actual incident
but that's how the WH likes to do things, they can pay the political price...
oh yes...did i mention....
CHENEY SHOT A 78 YEAR OLD LAWYER IN THE FACE?
nuff said
Excelsior!