The more I think about the story of the Vice President’s accidental shooting this weekend of a hunting companion, the more I realize how the MSM bypassed a chance to show that it is not out to “get” the Bush Administration. But, so ingrained is their contempt for our man W and his team that they treat every Administration slip-up as a scandal. Indeed, they even find see policy differences (e.g., NSA surveillance of suspected terrorists) and White House staff attempts to discredit dishonest critics as scandalous.
Given the media predilection to find scandal in the White House’s every move, the Vice President’s staff should have realized that the media would have reacted exactly as they did if they delayed in informing them of the hunting accident. (That’s why I called their reaction “clumsy” in my post yesterday.) Despite its delay in reporting the matter to the media, the Vice President’s staff did not delay in contacting the local sheriff. Contrast this with Hillary Clinton’s “30-hour delay” in contacting authorities after then-White House counsel Vince Foster’s suicide note was discovered.
If the Vice President were trying to cover something up, he wouldn’t have gone to the sheriff as soon as he did. Sheriff Ramon Salinas III of Kenedy County told The New York Times, the Vice President’s team “did what they had to according to law.” (via Michelle Malkin). While the Vice President contacted authorities right away, Hillary waited 30 hours, nearly twice as long as it took the Administration to contact the media. (A shorter delay which whipped the MSM into a sustained frenzy.)
And yet, the media remains in a state of high dudgeon. Yesterday on ABC radio, Anne Compton lamented that the “local sheriff was notified, the media was not.” While some reporters were saddened by the Administration’s failure to cater to their self-importance, others were hysterical. Lorie Byrd found NBC’s David Gregory “to be the most disrespectful and theatrical [of White House reporters]. . . . He did not even resemble a real reporter.
The media’s over-the-top reaction will negate any political damage to the Administration from this incident. At National Review Online’s The Corner, Andrew McCarhty though it would either be “a wash or a slight bump up for the administration. . . . Because the media and the most partisan Democrats can always be relied on to turn opportunity into damage.”
If anyone is damaged by this, it will be the MSM as it shows (once again) that they are more focused on getting the Administration than in getting the facts. And I think that’s why the MSM’s reaction to the Vice President’s hunting mishap has so amused conservative bloggers. It’s just another sign of the ongoing decline of the MSM.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
UPDATE: In her column on the matter, Michelle Malkin notes that she doesn’t “recall the mainstream media melting down over the 30-hour delay — presided over by Hillary Clinton, according to internal records — in releasing the late White House counsel Vincent Foster’s suicide note to authorities and her own husband.”
Tony Blankley finds that the coverage of this incident shows that “we have in the White House at the most elite level of American journalism, self-absorbed, self-important men and women who stand on their prerogatives even over marginal and inconsequential matters.”
Both quotations via Michelle Malkin.
And they are still talking about the “mishandling” of the affair on the news tonight.
It’s amazing.
Hillary delayed 30 HOURS before reporting Vince Foster’s suicide just to the police?
Oh… my… god! (And Cheney didn’t delay to call them.)
You know, when I was a precocious kid (multiple decades ago), the adults and I used to worry that the media was getting so oriented to short stories that people could not discuss real issues, much less in depth… are we there yet?
P.S. Dan I don’t think Cheney’s media “delay” is a cause of the frenzy at all; had they called the media first, they would still be treating it as “the new Katrina”. (“Why did he call us so fast?” or some such)
Gosh I love how this administration pokes the press in the eye. Do you ever get the impression most of these “journalists” sit around in ofices or bars waiting for press releases, talking points faxes from both sides on any issue, then they do their standups or articles. Do any of them actually go out and burn up shoe rubber? The press was notified. The local paper. Cheney used this to zing em and show em how self impressed most of these jerks are. Seems like David Gregory in particular has lost all sense of reality and OBJECTIVITY, thats the key.
HE should resign.
This entire thing with the MSM boils down to simple and petty jealousy.
How DARE the Vice President call a reporter from the local paper and NOT the White House press corp. That is why David Gregory is being such a whiney bitch about the whole thing. This is no longer a story about Cheney shooting someone but rather, as Mara Liason coined it, a “process story.”
The media is outraged, OUTRAGED, that they weren’t informed sooner. Well, f**k them. Cheney called an ambulance and the sherriff – the ONLY TWO PEOPLE THAT MATTERED, and I am quite content to let the MSM and the rabid moonbats go all out on this one. The crazier they look, the further away from winning elected office they get.
I’ll have to make a note that we can’t respond in an emergency capacity until David Gregory and/or Anderson Cooper are on location. Then responding units should stage until Cooper cries on TV.
A thought occurs, why didn’t they have Bill Burkitt shadowing Cheney?
The same day that Iran started enriching uranium, the MSM’s top story was still “How dare Dick Cheney call a doctor before calling us.”
Granted the Cheney and Bush people should have gotten ahead of this and not waited as long as they did. However the Sheriff down there said the Cheney people did everything they were supposed to do legally, and that is coming from an official of a county that has been democratic since it creation in 1921 and went for Kerry in the ’04 elections.
I hunted that country as a youngster and am surprised there are not more accidents. It is brushy and sightlines are not good.
Dan is right, the media will ultimately be the losers here as their self centered focus is apparent to anyone with a modicum of fairness.
That is why David Gregory is being such a whiney bitch about the whole thing.
Dear Robert,
As a whiny bitch, I find the comparison to David Greogry exceptionally offensive. Mr. Gregory is, at best, a complete schmuck. Therefore, on behalf of whiny bitches everywhere, I DEMAND an apology. 🙂
Eric in Whiny Bitch-Land
Well said, Robert!
I was all about making jokes of the situation until I heard that Mr. Whittington had a heart attack because of the lodged buckshot. Once the joke turned deadly serious I gave up on making the funny.
Raymond B
http://www.voteswagon.com
It’s most certainly time for the press to move on.
It seems that the shot “migrated” to the heart.
It was *never* funny that the guy got hurt and even a minor wound at his age has to be taken very seriously.
The accident isn’t funny.
The press on the other hand…
The Challenger disaster was never funny either Synova, but where did Christa McAuliffe spend her summer vacation? All over Florida.
Eww…
Okay, okay… that did make me smile a bit in retrospect. Now to be a total poo-poo (who me? never!) it’s funny in retrospect only because Christa McAuliffe’s tragic death has aquired the unemotional state caused by distance in time. It doesn’t hurt any longer for those of us who didn’t know her. At the time it was shocking and painful and really bad jokes are how humans deal with shock and pain. It’s funny in relation to our hurt. No hurt, no funny.
This whole quail shooting event *is* funny. The hurt of the victim isn’t funny is all. That Cheney had this accident is funny because of who he is and the element of public theatre involved. The jokes I’ve heard are quite funny. The media has almost gone from funny into farce.
It was a hunting accident, plain and simple, and as for the attempts to politicize it; in the words of Nell Carter: “Gimme a break!”
#15
Clearly the liberals and their MSM lapdogs could give a shit less if a Republican were hurt. Seems like they’d be happier (if it’s possible for liberals to be happy) if he were dead.
National Review seems to be taking this seriously.
http://nationalreview.com/editorial/editors200602141542.asp
It strikes me as “obvious” that concealment of the event by Cheney from the press is essentially a blackout, preventing the press from doing it’s fundamental task: Reporting. I understand why Gay Patriot is unconcerned about the story; it might not be “just” an accident, and once again show the VP in an unflattering light (like the Plame and Libby affairs, to name one). Now that the “accident” victim has had a heart attack, subsequent to the shooting, and is in Critical Care Unit, maybe there is a story here after all? No. I realize your disinterest, but some of us find the whole event just a tad bit puzzling.
#19
As in why the liberal media doesn’t get off their fat, lazy asses and FIND stories rather than making them up?
The only puzzling thing is why the liberal media has to be TOLD everything. WTF difference does it make if you knew about this story or not? I’d really like to know, fucktard.
Actually, the heart attack was so minor the victim apparently wasn’t even aware of it. More leftist-media hype.
Not to mention, the minor heart attack doesn’t make the original incident any less of an accident. Of course, the nutcases at Kos and DUMB (ie the people who are currently running the Democrat party) are saying the shooting was deliberate.
The part of this story I was LOL about was when one pundit began the endless charade of “what if”… what if the “victim” had died, what if this had been a terrorist attempt -would Cheney have called into the WH then, what if the Veep staff had come forward immediately and called a few leaders of the WH Press Corps to advise them of what happened would we be in this Watergate like moment now, what if Bush had wisely chosen a Veep who cared about being Prez one day instead of an arrogant, contemptuous mean old mule… what if.
I love it –the WH press is a jealous, spurned, petty pack of ego-centric strumpets. And Cheney said “To hell with em”. I hope he holds his ground for a few more days and then comes out, puzzled and amused, offering his advice on helping the press keep their collective eye on the right ball and important work of the country.
It just confirms for me that W picked his Veep wisely.
I agree, Matt. I like Cheney way better than Bush, or anyone else in the administration. I thought it was interesting that of the two tickets in 2004, only one of the four (Bush, Cheney, Kerry, and Edwards) was a self-made man. Bush got his money because of his family. Kerry was a gigolo. Edwards was an ambulance-chaser who put baby doctors out of business with junk-science lawsuits. Only Cheney had come by his wealth honestly, by working for it.
The WH and VP Cheney screwed the response to this up (and continue to do so – that’s the only reason why its still in the news).
Cheney looks badly for not apologizing and trying to blame the victim. Many people who hunt value sportmanship. And he looks like a bad sport.
The political leadership of the Dems have been largely silent on this one (they’ve made their jokes – but thats about it). Good for them. They don’t need to make political points off this, as it seems to me that the VP/WH are making all their points for them.
Actually, Harry Reid called for an investigation, and the DNC sent a blast memo with the talking point that this incident is another example of the Bush Administration being “the most secretive administration in history.”
Reid called for a Senate investigation of the shooting? Or just for the police to investigate the shooting? Or was it an investigation of the delay in notifying the public? (not really serious in this case – but the precedent is serious)
I don’t think the DNC blast memo calling Cheney secretive is playing real politics with this. Several of people in this very thread appear to be applauding Cheney for being secretive.
I don’t think the DNC blast memo calling Cheney secretive is playing real politics with this.
Oh, I’m sorry. For a while, I thought you weren’t a complete tool.
Let me phrase that more diplomatically. By definition, the Democrat party sending out talking points about how to spin the Cheney incident is playing politics. Only a complete tool would argue otherwise.
Several of people in this very thread appear to be applauding Cheney for being secretive.
Who, Tom?
And incidentally, Hillary yapping about this is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
Eric in Hollywood
How ’bout this from Michigan Matt
“I love it –the WH press is a jealous, spurned, petty pack of ego-centric strumpets. And Cheney said “To hell with em”.
It just confirms for me that W picked his Veep wisely.”
And incidentally, Hillary yapping about this is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
Hmmm, I still think Ted Kennedy lecturing on ‘waterboarding’ is the pinnacle of hypocrisy, but it’s a really close call. Or, maybe it’s John Kerry demanding higher taxes on ‘the rich,’ but opting to pay the lowest optional rate on his own income taxes. Or, Harry Reid denouncing the ‘Culture of Corruption’ while taking tens of thousands of dollars from Abramoff clients and arranging sweet deals for his relatives in Nevada. Or, maybe it’s Chucky Schumer, grandstanding about the Bush Admin violating ‘rights to privacy’ through perfectly legal wiretaps while he is illegally getting the credit reports of a Republican African-American senate candidate.
Really, it is hard to pick one best example of Democrat hypocrisy.
#31 — Well, aside from having nothing to do with praising Cheney’s “secrecy,” I guess it’s as good an example as you or anyone can find.
“I love it –the WH press is a jealous, spurned, petty pack of ego-centric strumpets. And Cheney said “To hell with em”.
Tom, that’s fair, but I believe Matt was referring to that train wreck of a press conference.
I may be wrong, but that’s how I interpreted it.
Eric
At the risk of sending the Hillary-haters over the top…
Hillary has every right to be pissed off. The Clinton Adminstration screwed up by not reporting the Foster case for some time to the press. They said that they delayed because were concerned about the family, etc. (sound familiar?) And they were wrong to delay reporting it.
But COMPARE the response of the left and the right on these two cases.
In the Clinton case, the right wing accused Hillary of murdering her friend Vince Foster. With no credible evidence. I’m not a Hillary fan, but she was seriously wronged by many on the right.
In the Cheney case, the right wing demands that the media shut up and not question their handling of the issue.
When some major MSM (not some minor blogger) of the MSM accuses Cheney of attempted murder in this case, I’ll defend (barf) Cheney.
Hillary isn’t some monster, she’s a human being and she was absolutely wronged by many Conservatives in the Foster case. She sees the hypocrisy, and I do too.
In the Cheney case, the right wing demands that the media shut up and not question their handling of the issue.
The right has made no such demand that the press “shut up” that I am aware of. Criticism is also a form of free speech, you know.
#s 27, 30, 31 Tom, you may construe anything you wish from any comments made –but if your construe that my comment is evidence that I think the Veep was a) being secretive, b) being secretive is the right way to handle this issue, or c) any combination of those points –well, you’re just wrong. Just like the Democrat spin doctors opining this is another Watergate Cover-Up –or at least symptomatic of GOPers and Watergate. For cryin’ out loud that’s pathetic.
To your point, I don’t think Cheney was “secretive” –that would be the spin from the Left or DNC. But I do think he handled it right –you’l need to look further in the comments, Tom.
What I said was W picked his Veep wisely and the Veep’s reaction to the “incident” proves it. The press feeling a snub by the Veep wasn’t probably intentional on Cheney’s part… the element in all this I like is that we have a Veep who doesn’t need the press’ validation. Doesn’t need its validation, Tom. I know that’s hard for the GayLeft to accept that some people aren’t driven by the need for validation. But there it is; I’ve committed GayLeft blashphemy.
Does the Veep think the press serves an important role in a free, democratic society? Sure. Does he have some contempt for a portion of the press? God, I hope so. They deserve it, royally.
Again, construe as you want/desire. But I don’t for a second think Cheney was being secretive or furtive or laying out on the lam to avoid prosecution for not having the right upland bird stamp… “applauding Cheney for being secretive”? Really now?
And I don’t think there was a “blame the victim” spin moment in this either. Again, I literally LOL when some of these punditries pass muster for political commentary.
You are being a tool of the Democrats, Tom. You just haven’t been given approval yet to think on your own and your spin here proves it, time-in, time-out.
Ok..I used the word demand incorrectly. I should have said the right is upset that the media doesn’t shut up and not question Cheney’s handling of the issue.
Actually, many on “The Right” hope the media continue to make fools of themselves in their ridiculous, overhyped, and nakedly partisan treatment of this incident. Although there are some on the right who naively think that other rather trivial stories like Iran enriching its uranium supply to weapons grade might possibly be a slightly more important story than the media’s collective outrage that Cheney dared to call a doctor and a sheriff before informing NBC news.
#35 Tom “Hillary has every right to be pissed off.”
Really? Aren’t we using the word “right” in a pretty expansive way now?
Vince Foster’s death gives her that right? I would think that Hillary should be as quiet about Vince Foster’s murder as Bill is about former Commerce Secy Ron Brown’s unexplained and too convenient death in eastern Europe… or TeddyK is about –oh, the list is too long to recite.
I’m no Hillary-hater. Heck, I think she’s doing a great job in the Senate. I think she’s in a perfect element there among those creatures of politics… sniffing the rare air of 3 hour polling, posturing on every possible topic, preening for the press, while purporting to do the People’s Will. It’s a perfect spot; I want her to stay there.
I think the Democrat Senators who follow the national WH press off the cliff with the other lemmings (and no, raj, I’m not inviting you to lecture me in urban myth busting moment about the little rodents) are being foolish. I can feel the public’s assessment of the media taking a nose dive… as well as their assessment of the Just Do No Senate Democrats.
Scratch “murder” and insert homicide… it’s more tentative and accurate for now.
#34 et al, Thanks Eric, VdaK.
Speaking of Hillary, did it ever strike anyone as odd that in her book, she expressed outrage that Bill had lied to her about Monica, but not any outrage that he had banged Monica in the first place?
I don’t think of Hillary as human, I think of her as a politician. I feel the same way about John McCain, Tom DeLay, and George Allen, so, it’s not a partisan thing, it’s a general loathing of people who lust for power thing.
It comes down to the fact that this man is the 2nd highest elected official in the nation. He was involved/responsible in what appears to be a complete accident in which another person was seriously injured. He should, at least, issue a statement about it; even if it just indicates that it was an accident and he is thinking of only the health and well being of the man who was hurt. It doesn’t present a good face to the American people when the Vice-President (regardless of his political affiliation) just presents a silent/growling face to the people.
So far this morning, Paul Begala has been saying Cheney should be prosecuted for negligience, and Larry O’Donnell is writing that Cheney was drunk (in contradiction of the sheriff’s official report). So, what was Tommy Tool saying about the Democrats not politicizing this?
She’s a socialist. Six of one, half-dozen of the other.
#9 – Oh lord. I have offended a whiny bitch. Should I expect a fatwa soon?
My sincere apologies for insulting whiny bitches everywhere by including David Gregory in that category. 🙂 You are absolutely correct, schmuck is much more accurate.
The MSM and the left have been after Cheney for so long that they have grabbed onto this as if it is the last lifeboat on the Titanic. It is irrational, silly, and will have the net effect of driving the MSM’s approval ratings even lower than their current abysmal state.
Does anyone doubt that the kos kidz and many in the MSM have their fingers crossed Whittington dies?
#43 You’re right. By his silence, Cheney has let what should have been a “ha-ha” moment (that is before the heart attack) become a potential liability. Watergate could have been a mere “blip” on the radar, if Nixon had spoken up right away.
#25 – “Cheney looks badly for… [list of imagined sins]”
That’s not the fault of Cheney, but of the people whose eyesight is so awfully screwed up.
#38 – “the right is upset that the media doesn’t shut up and not question Cheney’s handling of the issue.”
Errr… “Aghast” and “amused” would be more like it. – I mean, aren’t there much, much, MUCH more important things we should be discussin? (Iran uranium enrichment, anyone?)
On further reflection – You know, the big story that the Cheney kerfluffle really serves to drive out is: Al Whore (ex-VPOTUS) viciously bashing America, to Saudis, on Saudi soil, over U.S. visa control among other things.
(Recall that the majority of 9-11 hijackers were Saudi nationals who got here because of lax/inadequate U.S. visa control. So much for 9-11!!!)
Best Cheney Joke So Far:On the topic of media bias, someone has suggested that we track down what Helen Thomas wrote when Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton and see if she’s more biased against Cheney.
O’Donnell asked the same question I did about alcohol at the hunting camp. I said that I didn’t have any info at about Cheney’s situation. He says that the LA Times has some information. I’ll give him 48 hours to back it up. If he doesn’t, then he should write something saying that he has no information about alcohol. Asking for the facts isn’t politicizing it. Furthermore, he hasn’t worked in politics in over 10 years (and never really worked at a very high profile political position). I wouldn’t consider him a Democratic spokesman. Nor do I consider him to be a high profile Democratic media personality. He’s going out on a limb, but hasn’t crossed it yet.
Ok..I get the International version of CNN (they are running Abu Gharib photos in a loop – I switched it back to the Olympics) so I have to rely on the National Review Online link to Begala. According to the link, all I can see is that he said that Cheney behaved very negligently (I’d agree with that).
The Orange Vest and Cap was no more inappropriate than Jeb Bush’s comments making fun of the situation.
Not buying it V the K. Not yet.
Correction – Its the BBC World Service that is running the Abu Gharib photos in a loop.
I’ll give him 48 hours to back it up. If he doesn’t, then he should write something saying that he has no information about alcohol.
Ah, so Cheney is guilty until proven innocent. I got it.
According to the link, all I can see is that he said that Cheney behaved very negligently (I’d agree with that).
Of course you would. You’re a tool.
# 43 Kevin, nonsense. Utter nonsense and spin.
This Veep, in case you haven’t paid close attention over the last 30 years of his life, doesn’t think his private activities are the business of the press, the “People” as Hillary intoned, or anyone else. He can leave DC and not worry about what the press might think… he can work for the Prez without needing the spotlight trained on his bald head… he isn’t Al Gore. And frankly, he isn’t Bill Clinton either –we don’t have to suspect Cheney is doing something that would harm the Nation’s reputation… like whoring around with hookers at Greg Norman’s estate… etc.
Your point is that we have to know all of what he is thinking… what he’s doing… bull. I don’t. America doesn’t. The press doesn’t. You seem to think that the Veep should be managed by the press much like the Hollywood tabloids monitor the celebrities… thank God someone caught Brittany driving without her child in the carseat.
No, that’s just nonsense. Cheney is inherently a private man in a very public post and he is perfectly able to judge when the WH Press Corps egohounds need to be brought in on an issue.
What the Left and Democrats have done is to underscore their close, visceral allegiance with the MSM media, the WH Press Corps, and the Just Do No crowd in DC these days.
VdaK, good points. But have you not figured out that Tom is beyond education or persuasion?
I was wondering why the name Larry O’Donnell rang a bell. Is he the same Larry O who had an apoplectic meltdown while attacking the Switfboat Vets. If so, I think we can assume that he’s every bit the partisan tool and Democrat operative.
Vera recalls the advice she provided Claudine Longet back in 1976 when Claudine ‘accidentally’ shot Vlad ‘Spider’ Sabich: “I never saw him standing there! The gun just went off!”
Of course, Claudine couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if she tried, but managed to drop Spider with 2 shots to the belly (with his Luger!) while he stripped down to his baby blue thermal underwear getting ready for a shower.
The result: 30 days and a $5,000 fine. And Vera always locked the bathroom door whenever she would visit Claudine in the future.
Advice for Dick: Tell the media (especially that loathsome David Gregory) to drop dead.
Better yet: Invite them all on your next hunting trip.
V the K
We’ll see if they have any information. All O’Donnell said was that he believes that evidence will be presented to show alcohol consumption in the accident.
You feel that Cheney didn’t act negligently? I guess shooting without looking to see what you are shooting at is considered good hunting form. Whittington was probably acting negligently too.
You do your argument no favors by trying to defend the indefensible. Or with gratuitous insults.
Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean that people weren’t at fault.
It isn’t a gratuitous insult. I have explained exactly why I think you’re a tool: to wit, your complete denial that the Democrats are playing politics with the incident despite a preponderance to the contrary coupled with your own gratuitous attacks on “the right” for having the temerity to suggest that the media is blowing the incident of proportion while ignoring stories, like the Iranian enrichment of uranium, that some of us think is of more importance than a hunting accident. You have also decided that it’s perfectly fair (and not the least bit partisan) for prominent Democrat spokesman like Begala and O’Donnell to suggest that Cheney was drunk and negligient.
The shoe fits, Cinderella. ND30 is the one who frets about what left liberals think about him. I don’t.
Ding ding ding… and that’s the bell concluding the match. The jduges score it a win for VdaK. Tom, please be sure to pick up your special parting gifts as the loser.
Meanwhile, another prominent Democrat makes a statement on the Cheney incident.
Senator Hillary Clinton: “The refusal of this administration to level with the American people on matters large and small is very disturbing.”
OK, Tommy Tool, let’s hear your spin on how this isn’t political, or how Hillary isn’t a prominent Democrat.
Hillary must be drunk to have said that.
#62 — Thanks Matt. I make insults, but they are never gratuitous.
Oh lord. I have offended a whiny bitch. Should I expect a fatwa soon?
My sincere apologies for insulting whiny bitches everywhere by including David Gregory in that category. You are absolutely correct, schmuck is much more accurate
Took ya long enough, damnit! 🙂
But thank you nonetheless, Robert…
Now send me a nude photo of yourself as a show of repentance.
Eric in Hollywood
Showing, yet again, the he has NO shame whatsoever, and is in desperate need of a nice boyfriend.
That idea reminds me of the old definition of “gentleman”: Someone who never insults anyone unintentionally. 🙂
Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean that people weren’t at fault.
Tom, in all fairness, the local law enforcement found NO FAULT in this incident. You DO have a point, however, with regard to the insults. We’re better than that.
Eric in Hollywood
Men Cheney’s age with heart conditions on heart medications DON’T USUALLY DRINK ALCOHOL.
Lawrence O’Donnell is about as trustworthy as Jason Blair and James Freye, and yes, he is the one that had the MSNBC meltdown, screaming “LIAR LIAR” to drown out John O’Neil.
I think the ‘Cheney was drunk’ meme plays into blue-state stereotypes about red-staters getting drunk and going hunting.
While this incident was indeed somwhat “newsworthy”, I find the MSM silence on the remarks of former VP Al Gore quite telling.
Gore, speaking at a conference in Saudi Arabia sponsored in part by the Bin-Laden family, made what could be interpreted as seditious remarks, claimed the U.S is rounding up massive amounts of Muslims and in short placing such in internment camps.
The silence is deafing!!!
I think the ‘Cheney was drunk’ meme plays into blue-state stereotypes about red-staters getting drunk and going hunting.
I used to do that, but then I realized it was a rather dangerous way of meeting guys in West Hollywood. 🙂
Sorry for that tasteless bit of humor, but I thought someone might appreciate it!
Eric in
DesperationHollywoodHell, I’d much rather be with a guy who liked to hunt and drink than a guy who owned a closetful of hair products and liked to shop.
Hillary has now tried to tie this with prior Administration screwups into her theme of the Administration isn’t being truthful/forthcoming with the American people.
I’ll stop defending my earlier statement (which was largely true when said) that the Democrats have been largely silent on this. I won’t even bother to ask V the K to retract his support for the moronic position that Cheney behaved properly by just shooting without looking to see what he was shooting at (wasn’t true when he said it and isn’t true now).
O’Donnell is not a prominent Democrat.
She wouldn’t have anything to say if Cheney and the WH had handled this properly. Or if the American people believed Cheney anymore.
My guess is that WH polling on this shows that Cheney looks an idiot on this. Because now we see that Cheney is going to do a public statement (oops taped interview on FOX).
Tom, I love it! God Bless, you are a tool of the DNC… “She wouldn’t have anything to say if Cheney and the WH had handled this properly. Or if the American people believed Cheney anymore.”
What a sack of cowpies.
I won’t even bother to ask V the K to retract his support for the moronic position that Cheney behaved properly by just shooting without looking to see what he was shooting at
I never said that, and “Cheney just shot without looking” is an extreme distortion of the known evidence, but that’s okay. If you tools couldn’t lie, you wouldn’t have any arguments at all.
Unfortunately, Drinking and Hunting are much more common than people think. It doesn’t mean Cheney did it. Let’s see what the LA Times has to say. My guess is that whatever happened, the LA Times wont be able to prove it.
According to this analysis from an experienced hunter, the victim moved into Cheney’s line of fire, or MAY have, without following the proper procedures for tipping off the shooter (Cheney): http://powerlineblog.com/archives/013138.php
You may as well have said “Let’s see what the DNC has to say” 🙂
I looked up Begala’s statement using the links on the National Review and all he said was that Cheney was acting neglegently. You apparently think that statement is incorrect. If you don’t believe shooting someone because you don’t bother to look what or where you are shooting isn’t neglegent, then what is it?
In my view, VP Cheney needs to apoligise to;
1. Mr. Whittington and his immediate family.
2. His host, Ms. Armstrong for the upset and publicity.
3. To GWB for the ruckus.
4. And to the Hunting-community at-large for his carelessness.
Beyond that, what to apologise publically-for? You apologise to those “sinned” against. The Public has not been betrayed nor affected. And the MSM Press be damned!
As I said before, Whittington was probably negligent as well. But Cheney sure as hell was too.
#80 – Read the link I gave you, Tom.
Again, experienced hunters say it’s entirely in the nature of the craft that the victim can move into the shooter’s line of fire illegitimately and be the cause of the accident.
I’m not a hunter. – Are you?
Right now, from where I sit, it sure looks like you are determined to shoot your mouth off without knowing what you are talking about, that is, without any of us really knowing much about the incident.
Ditto for that unbelievably partisan and (in past matters) untrustworthy piece of crap, Begala.
#82 – Again – NO Tom, you DON’T know that.
WAIT for the facts.
81 If he had done that on Sunday, we wouldn’t be talking about this today. We might be talking about Iran. My guess is we would be talking about the pictures on Australian and British TV.
Cheney drinking? Not likely…
http://limeshurbet.com/2006/02/15/was-cheney-drinking/
Im going to step out of the hotseat for a bit guys. Its 815 and I’m off to Amsterdam tonight.
Y’all be nice for a change.
Tot Ziens
Calarato, we can dump on Paul Begala –former posterboi of Democrat Defenders Anonymous– all we want. I’m more troubled by the partisan hacks over at the fountain of respectable journalism, the Washington Post.
Like Dana Milbank, WaPo reporter, going on screen at MSNBC in a safety vest and orange ski cap for the story — it isn’t even a hunter’s vest… it’s one that’s used by safety personnel in traffic settings, runway accidents, etc. What a bozo. I think if Tom of Utrecht had been producing that segment for DNC News, he’d have placed an opened 6 pack of Bud in front of Milbank for the shot.
Or that incredible blowhard Democrat apologist David Ignatius at the WaPo with his wild ride on the trapeze of innuendo….
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021401783.html
Democrats like Reid and Clinton can pander and tsk tsk tsk all day… but when they get their buddies in the MSM to start hauling water for them, I think that’s only more proof the media still don’t get it: Americans distrust the media’s bias.
And this latest flap probably moves it from distrust to jaundice.
I know. The orgy of emotional, biased rushes-to-judgement over what’s basically just an unfortunate mishap, when there are much much MUCH more serious things going on in the world, is astounding.
From the very latest Reuters article on Yahoo: “Whittington [the victim] was mystified by all the attention over the incident and dismissed it as “much ado about nothing.'”
Unless of course he dies.
This is just one more burst of hysteria from the party of desperation in a six year string of hysterical outbursts. What’s really idiotic about this, however, is the idea that Cheney is somehow obligated to talk to the press.
Everyone dies, hank.
Whether he dies or not, won’t alter any facts (whatever they may be).
Also: he hasn’t died… so, if you had meant the remark as a justification for the circus (“the circus will turn out to have been justified IF he dies”), it would be yet another example of Administration critics having to count on bad news. I hope that wasn’t where you were going.
I don’t subscribe to a tort-lawyer view of the universe that anytime something bad happens it is prima facie evidence of “negligence.” Because I am not a Cheney-hating partisan tool, I can take a more common sense approach. Any number of factors could have come into play that could have led to the accident even within a person exercising a reasonable standard of care. The sheriff on the scene found no indications of “negligence,” but he was probably paid off or threatened into silence by the BushCo Reigme, right?
For reporters to allege that Cheney was drunk and irresponsible based entirely on speculation is journalistic negligence, but of course, journalists are immune from judgment
“In the Cheney case, the right wing demands that the media shut up and not question their handling of the issue.”
When a reporter makes a smear statement in the form of a question like “Does the president think it’s appropriate to wait X hours to inform the press… blah blah blah” – that kind of loaded question is just grand-standing at the press conference to get his opinion out there in a really public place. That’s how many of the “questions” sound at these press conferences since Bush took office- just reporters editorializing in a highly visible forum; not really trying to get any new information. The WH should quit sponsoring such yellow journalism, but don’t worry. This administration is a glutton for punishment.
To think that high-end, top of the craft journalists like Dan Rather, late of CBS News Dept, used to distinguish their vocation from what bloggers do/did by offering that “Bloggers are just typing, journalists report the news”, I wonder if that can be amended now… “Bloggers are the news, journalists just speculate”.
I read that Whittington (what a great name for an atty -so regal) is sitting up in bed doing some light paperwork at the hospital. So much for the Democrats hope he’d die and Cheney could be brought before a grand jury in handcuffs and leg irons. Gosh, the party of Just Do No lost another grab at the proverbial brass ring.
I guess another reason I’m not rabid to blame the incident on Cheney is that, based on my own hunting experience, I know that the moment between the time when a bird is flushed from cover (I’ve done pheasant, but not quail, and quail might be different) and the time you have to fire is something less than the blink of an eye. Coupled with the adrenaline of the moment, I can pretty easily see how a hunter can be unaware that a fellow hunter has strayed into his line of fire. Literally, it’s a split-second, and it’s a split-second of charged adrenaline. Base on my experience, I find it entirely plausible that the accident can be explained in terms other than negligence.
But maybe Tommy, who must surely have years and decades of experience hunting small game to be so certain of Cheney’s negligence, has different recollections of the hundreds and hundreds of time he has been out in the woods and the fields, stalking game. Maybe in his vast hunting experience, there is no excuse for injury, other than negligence.
Doesnt it occur to the moronic liberals that calling for Rummy, Cheney, Rice, Ashcroft , George W to resign regularly, becomes white noise after a while? Havent they ever heard the fairy tale about the boy who cried wolf? Their daily talking points and faxes making every move by the administration into a federal crime makes them look so small. The MSM and the Democrat party are imploding, just interesting to see which one smolders longest. After watching this circus this week anyone still wondering why this administration isnt more OPEN and ACCESSIBLE to the old media? Brit Hume did a very professional and RESPECTFUL job of interviewing the Vice President of the United States about his “hunting accident”. (wasnt a duel, wasnt attempted murder, nor 2nd degree manslaughter….was a hunting accident). BTW it wasnt even a typical “minor heart attack”. The pellet sliver lodged up against the mans heart muscle causing an irritation . This irritation caused the heart reaction….an irregular heart beat. And the heart released enzymes, which it does when a typical heart attack…blockage/damage…occurs. When they ran tests the enzymes were an indication of a heart attack when non really existed. But the press cant explain things like that…it takes more than 12 seconds and people will be switching to figure skating so they have to say…The VP shot a man in the face and he had a heart attack andis not doing well.
Oh they keep saying the man is “still in INTENSIVE CARE.” My understanding is he is there because in that ward he has some privacey and if he were now in a regular room the savage press would be busitn in on him asking if Cheney should be impeached or just shot.
#35
In the Clinton case, the right wing accused Hillary of murdering her friend Vince Foster. With no credible evidence.
So how does one commit suicide by shooting themselves through a car window while sitting in the driver’s seat?
Now can you run defense on why the Rose Law Firm billing records turned up (magically) after the statute of limitations expired?
Stephen in #19, once again, it’s obvious you haven’t read my posts as I never said it wasn’t a story.
And Eric in #30, you’re right, Hillary yapping about this is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
Um, hank, in #48, during Watergate, Nixon sought to use the FBI & CIA to cover up crimes of political cronies. Speaking up wouldn’t have cleared him of that.
And it’s amusing that people are reading the “right wing’s reaction” as saying conservative think the media should shut up. No, we believe the media should report this with decorum. And not treat a minor mistake as a major scandal. If NBC were serious about covering the president, they would reassign David Gregory to a different beat.
Personally, I think NBC should send David “I’ll stop yelling when I feel like it!” Gregory on an extended undercover assignment…
at the Los Angeles County Jail in Castaic.
Now THAT would be must-see.TV!
Eric in Hollywood
But the press cant explain things like that…it takes more than 12 seconds and people will be switching to figure skating so they have to say…The VP shot a man in the face and he had a heart attack andis not doing well.
Besides which, hyping the “heart attack” helps makes out Cheney to be a villain.
#96 – Well, you know the fantasy scenario:
1) Cheney has to resign!!!!!!!
2) Bush, an alcoholic emptyhead this week rather than a genius of evil, instantly crumples without him and has to resign!!!!
3) Speaker Hastert (next in line under the Constitution), seeing the total error of all Republican ways and how John Kerry should have won the 2004 election and did win it among the people whose votes really count, nominates Kerry for President!
4) Kerry nominates *insert favorite Democrat spiteful windbag here* for VP!
And so the revolution is accomplished! So-called “free” (not!) health care for all!
🙂
oh, and also, “Fairness Doctrine” (so-called) brought back! No more nasty conservative blog commentary or radio!
Yes… and as soon as the Donks reclaim their Rightful Entitlement as the only worthy Rulers of the United States, they will immediately enact their agenda to…
to…
to…
um… raise taxes on “the rich”* yeah, that’s it… and as soon as they have punished everyone who has the gall to work hard and prosper they will…
they’ll push their plan for …
um…
um…
they’ll enact the part of their agenda where they promise to ….
um…
… what exactly is it the Democrats want to do, aside from blinding and killing George Bush and every other Republican?
* Hyannis Port trustafarian and Boston gigolos excluded, as well as “friends” of Harry Reid
Maybe I should have added this comment from Michelle’s column to my update: “Yet, here we are, as embassies blaze and editors cower in fear and radical imams ululate against the West, watching our esteemed media go Looney Tunes over an isolated hunting accident.“
#100
Um yeah. But he had 18 months during which he said little or nothing about it. Not an effort to even appear transparent.
Nixon claimed “executive privilege” for the White House tapes and other documents.
This hunting thing is a tempest in a teapot compared to Watergate. But one would think, that as good as they are with spin, this administration would be aware of image. It’s not difficult to look contrite. Cheney did very good job today.
In recognition of the MSM’s obsession with this bullshit issue, and stark cowardice in the face of islamofascism, I have finally decided to “greenlight” my long-dormant screenplay…
“The Last Temptation of Mohamadamadingdong”
I’m thinking Ron Jeremy as the prophet (may the shaitan continue using his ass as an umbrella stand), but I doubt he’ll do it for scale.
If that doesn’t get me fatwa’d, I don’t know what the hell will.
Maybe one of those smutty little magazines that cost $20 a pop and don’t have a title…Pederasty for Fun & Prophet.
Oh yeah…that’d do it.
Eric in Hollywood
My sincerest apologies to any muslims who may have been offended by my last post…
I’m terribly sorry you’re an incurable, humorless asshole. 🙂
Eric with a nice Chardonnay buzz going
Goodness, y’all still at it? What did we find out? Did we find out if there was alcohol at the ole’ hunting camp?
Again, what credible evidence do you have that Hillary murdered Vince Foster? I don’t care if they found him in the Conservatory with a candlestick. It doesn’t give any evidence that Hillary murdered her. But as we all know from AM radio, she is must be some sort of socialist lesbian (oops feminist) and therefore she must have done it.
Good point, hank in #107, that the Administration should have been more aware of image. While I’ll cut the Veep some more slack for his delay in contacting the media after hearing excerpts from his interview with Hume, I still think the White House should have released a simple statement Saturday night.
#112
Yes, exactly.
#110 – Tom got the worse of the discussion, so now playing “above it all”. (yet still here)
#111 – Off topic, but OK, it’s a legit question about a topic raised by someone else. I don’t sign up for the Vince Foster conspiracy theory either; not without seeing some good evidence. Despite the fact that Hillary is actually a socialist (that being WHAT socialized medicine is, aka HillaryCare(tm)).
#112 – “the Administration should have been more aware of image”?? That’s like saying America should be more aware of its image with al Qaeda! (Sorry Dan.) When people hate, they hate; reality and content don’t matter. If the Administration had called the press first thing, we’d still be having this same absurd circus – just with slightly different words.
Cheney told Brit Hume he had a beer with lunch, several hours before the hunting party went out. But, the loony left has already decided that Cheney was drunk, so, doubtless, that will be the meme the media picks up and drums.
Of course. John O’Neill of the Swift Vets (sober intelligent family man and extremely capable and credible lawyer) was also a washed-up redneck hillbilly drunk, too.
“We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton, June 28, 2004
Nope, that doesn’t sound socialistic at all. /sarc
How many beers did Teddy Kennedy have before he raped
Sam AL EE OH TOE.
56: Huh? If he’s so intensely private, then why is he in the 2nd highest office in the country. He didn’t just stumble into public notierity – he actively sought that position (and wasn’t part of it to “bring dignity back to the White House”?) We all know that people in these jobs are under incredible scrutiny and the more time an event of this nature occurs, better to just get it out in a timely manner and be done with it. I even agree with Gay Patriot West who said the White House should have put out a statement on Sat night.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Isn’t that the proverb?
Yes, and it assumes prevention is possible.
Again: If the VP’s office had said something in 3 hours instead of 18, we would be having this same absurd circus, only with slightly different words.
The circus is being made here by people who want a circus and are determined to have it. Evidence: the sheer absurdity of their claims and behavior.
The 18-hour “delay” (hah hah; there wasn’t really one, as local press and law enforcement were notified quickly) is only their own weak excuse for their absurdity. GIVEN their absurdity, I discount their excuse.
#112
I still think the White House should have released a simple statement Saturday night.
For what? So a bunch of miserable liberal douchebags, like Kevin, won’t hate him so much?
Oh, and do I get points for being psychic?
Actually, if you read that comment thread, it’s pretty hilarious; all the libs are saying, “No, we wouldn’t do that, we just want to know if alcohol was involved, yada yada yada…..”
Of course, when the answer came back “No”, as we see here in this comment thread, they demand — surprise! — more investigations!
And there’s the mentality, folks. When it comes to Republicans, everything they do is wrong and anything that proves otherwise is fatally flawed, with the reverse being the case for Dems.
Or to put it differently: the report stating clearly that there was no alcohol involvement and no criminal negligence made by a qualified law enforcement official and investigator must be wrong because it deals with Cheney; meanwhile, Hillary Clinton’s billing records vanishing magically from her law firm and reappearing in her house under lock and key was merely “bad housekeeping”.
For what? So a bunch of miserable liberal douchebags, like Kevin, won’t hate him so much?
Good point. As if there is anything Cheney could have done that would have prevented Kevin and Tommy Tool from venting their rage on him. Short of suicide, that is.
122 & 124: Whew…glad people can discuss political issues without personal attacks. Thank you conservative America for continuing the spirit of compromise.
Don’t you have a widowed stepmother you should be selflessly martyring yourself for, Kevin?
You guys spent most of yesterday trashing me and O’Donnell (not prominent Democrats) about even questioning whether there was alcohol at the hunting camp. You were wrong. O’Donnell was right.
The Dems poking light fun of this may be a little dramatic, but I’ll stand Begala against Coulter or Malkin any day of the week when it comes to over the top commentary.
You guys spent most of yesterday trashing me and O’Donnell (not prominent Democrats) about even questioning whether there was alcohol at the hunting camp. You were wrong. O’Donnell was right.
Um— No dude. You and O’Donnell were saying Cheney was drunk. Cheney admitted to having a beer at lunch several hours before going out to hunt. That is way different than what you and O’Donnell were alleging.
But, like I said, if you tools couldn’t lie, you’d have no arguments.
BTW, Tommy Tool, why don’t you share some of your hunting stories with us? I would love to hear some tales from your vast encyclopedic reservoir of experience hunting game, large and small, that lets you state unequivocably, that negligence is the only excuse for a hunting accident.
124 V the K
You were wrong yesterday on the issue at hand, you went over the top in your personal attacks on me, and now when the facts showed my questions to be entirely reasonable, your response is to just make shit up. About me personally. If you want to write a fairy tale, leave me out of it.
Exactly where did I say that Cheney was drunk?
The person shooting always has the responsibility to look at what he/she is shooting. Even if its on a shooting range.
O’Donnell said Cheney was drunk, and you sided with him.
By the way, Tommy Tool, your next move is to try and weasel out of it by claiming you weren’t actually agreeing with O’Donnell, just defending his right to make unfounded, speculative, and irresponsible allegations about the VPOTUS.
Go back and read my positings on this. Where have I said that Cheney was drunk?
Tom, I quote:
You were wrong. O’Donnell was right.
THAT’S where you said Cheney was drunk.
Might want to think next time before you automatically agree with a leftist hatemonger.
Oh, and if you want to see something hilarious, read Hugh Hewitt’s interview with O’Donnell from yesterday.
By the way, folks, Tom says O’Donnell is RIGHT.
That is, the interview.
No..I never said that Cheney was drunk. Period.
And if you look back at my postings in this thread you will find that I was referring to his allegations of alcohol at the camp.
Not buying it. V the K is a liar.
That was inappropriate for me to say to V the K. I apologize for my lack of decorum in the last post.
Tom, come on… you learned in the DNC’s class on “Keeping Victimhood Alive and Fresh Whilst in Europe” that you should apologize for saying Cheney was drunk, O Donnell was right to speculate or promote the smear, and Cheney was –let’s see, not calling it criminally negligent but using the word negligent to imply a potential wrong doing. Apologize; you’ll feel better and isn’t that what it’s all about? Your feelings?
Negligence, Tom, as you know, is something to be determined in a court of law. By using “negligent” as a way to smear the Veep while not using the antecedent word most people connect with negligent, namely “criminal”, you kind of got the beenfit of raising a red flag without being acused of jetting to unsubstantiated conclusions. Slick, snarky, and more like a political dirty trick than a valid debate tool.
Kind of like the Democrat pundits and press last night intoning that they hope Whittington is recovering and will pull through –insincere as that likely is– and then they go on to suggest maybe this underscores a greater problem with this Veep –his failure to apprise the WH of what happened at the moment it occured is evidence he’s been operating too freely and without good oversight for too long… he’s lone, rogue elephant that needs to be tied up at the WH. See, we get to feel good with our concern and then set it up for the slam. A new charge: Cheney is out of control! This morning on the talkshows, the hosts were piddling that very spin… good little Democrat lapdogs all.
But stand by assertation that I never said that Cheney was drunk. And don’t expect me to refer to the totality of someone’s written commentary (O’Donnell) when you attack me for defending someone. Someone in the other thread just cheered on Dobson. Does this mean that that person supports everything Dobson does? Under some people’s reasoning in here it might.
You never said the literal words “Cheney was drunk”.
You DID agree with and promote O’Donnell’s spin, which is to illegitimately attempt to insinuate (or create the impression in the mind of the reader) that Cheney was probably drunk, wink wink.
Sheesh. Stop weaseling already. Don’t give us the insincere martyr-ish apologies for what you say; just halt the weaseling! Don’t dig the hole any further!
What word would you use besides negligance?
The talk show mantra this morning is precisely why Cheney screwed up by not handling this properly. He had liabilities coming into this (very low poll ratings, a perception that he is regal and aloof, accusations of inappropriate (not criminal indictments) dealings while CEO of Halliburton, Plamegate, WMD, etc.). And his behavior (not necessarily the shooting – but his response) plays into this.
The Dems weren’t really trying to score points on Tuesday. They are now. This is what he should have done.
1) Notified the Press on Saturday night.
2) Held a Press Conference (yea – a real press conference) on Sunday. Has he ever held a press conference? Is the VP too good for that?
3) Apologized on Sunday (by Wednesday its too late – the frenzy has started now – the genie will now have to run its’ course)
4) Don’t blame the victim – even if he was partially at fault – it looks bad – you shot him for crying out loud.
5) Don’t treat the press as your enemy. Even if you think they are the enemy, you shouldn’t treat them as such.
And for the record, I don’t want this to be some huge issue for Cheney (and it won’t be in the end). If Cheney had to resign, Bush could use this to ‘clear the field’ for someone in the GOP primaries in 2008 by nominating them to be VP. I don’t want that. I’m looking forward to the Brownback vs Allen vs McCain primary season.
Calarato at least can admit that I did not accuse Cheney of being drunk. Albeit in a half assed way. Anyone else?
Someone in the other thread just cheered on Dobson. Does this mean that that person supports everything Dobson does?
Tommy Tool, I don’t believe anyone “cheered on” Dobson, but only remarked on one specific incident of agreement, just as your “O’Donnell was right” statement refers to the specific incident of O’Donnell’s allegation that Cheney was “drunk.”
I guess when lying doesn’t work for tools anymore, they weasel and dissemble.
That was inappropriate for me to say to V the K. I apologize for my lack of decorum in the last post.
Don’t bother. I have to respect someone before I give a fart what they say about me.
Those are some bad drugs you’re on.
#144 – NO no no.
THIS is what Cheney should have done, in order:
1) Get medical attention to the victim.
2) Cooperate with law enforcement in reporting the facts to them.
3) Comfort the victim’s family.
4) Inform victim’s local friends and media.
5) Latest and least important of all, inform Washington press corps and give interviews.
Ooops, he did!
And for the record, please show where Cheney ever “blamed the victim”??
And the chances of Cheney resigning over this, or ever deserving to morally, or of being the slightest liability to Bush over this (among swing voters of course; not committed Bush-haters) are all: zero.
#145 – Sorry Tom, I can see that you misunderstood my post (#143).
To agree with and promote O’Donnell’s spin, which is to illegitimately attempt to insinuate (or create the impression in the mind of the reader) that Cheney was probably drunk, wink wink….
is to say, for all semantic or functional purposes, that Cheney was drunk.
Your efforts to get out on a technicality, “I never said the literal words”, are a childish game even (or especially) if true in the most narrow technical sense.
How many press conferences did Algore hold?
I don’t think the Vice President need hold a press conference as he said all that needed be said yesterday in his interview with Brit Hume. Like many others on the right, I believe he made a mistake in not contacting the press sooner, but this is not a matter of state.
Though it perhaps might be a stroke of media genius (something out of character for this Administration) for him to appear at a press conference with Harry Whittington as soon as he is released from the hospital.
As for what word I would use beside “negligence” – don’t “mishap” or “accident” spring to mind?
It was big of Cheney to say in his interview, “I pulled the trigger, I’m responsible”. Cheney choosing to be big about it does not erase the possibility (or likelihood) that Whittington may have walked into Cheney’s without giving warnings that he (Whittington) was obligated to give.
We still don’t know the real stories or details, except that, in very broad outlines, it’s almost certainly a story that doesn’t matter.
When the Vice President of the United States shoots someone, (no matter the party) it’s a big story which does matter. And it’s going to stick to Cheney forever.
And why would a man who requires an ambulance in attendance, risk his life to “hunt” tame little birds? What if he had been shot?
Even movie actors have to sign a contract stating that they won’t put themselves in harms way during filming. Shouldn’t our high government officials be held to the same accountability?
And why would a man who requires an ambulance in attendance, risk his life to “hunt” tame little birds?
Because it’s the Vice-President of the United States, and I’m fairly certain that an ambulance is ALWAYS near by whenever there’s the SLIGHTEST risk of injury.
Even movie actors have to sign a contract stating that they won’t put themselves in harms way during filming.
I’m sorry, Hank, but as I work in the industry, I can pretty much state with authority that I have NEVER seen such a contract. Many times an actor will carry his/her own insurance, but in those cases, whatever they sign is their business, NOT the production company’s.
If they DO sign anything with us, it’s a liability waiver that lets us off the hook if they fuck around and decide they want to pull a Jackie Chan.
Eric in Hollywood
#154
um no. The ambulance is ALWAYS on call for Cheney.
And don’t you agree that it seems kind of foolish, given his age and health, to pursue a sport, which could cause him real harm? At least while in office.
Should the VP never fly in helicopters? Should the VP never appear in public? Should high government officials be kept in secure vaults so that no harm should come to them while in office? Really, such foolishness. One of the aspects of our republic is that power lies with the office, not the man. In the highly unlikely event Cheney was killed while recreating, Bush would nominate a replacement, who would then be confirmed by the Senate (after a scorched Earth smear campaign by Move-On-dot-org and a threatened filibuster from Barbara Boxer.) I think Mr. Cheney is mature enough to accept the reality of his mortality.
At least Cheney was in the field hunting birds, not chasing interns around the Oval Office with his pants around his ankles.
Hunting birds, not chasing them?:)
But stand by assertation that I never said that Cheney was drunk. And don’t expect me to refer to the totality of someone’s written commentary (O’Donnell) when you attack me for defending someone.
Excuse me, but I didn’t see you say, “O’Donnell was right on some things”. You distinctly said, “O’Donnell was right”.
You see, Tom, YOU referred to the totality. It’s not our fault you didn’t read it first and ended up looking like a fool.