The Vice President.
I started to write a piece about the Vice President’s hunting accident and the press frenzy that followed it. I had a link to the press conference of February 14, and I focused on several particularly stupid questions that were posed to Scott McClellan. I included a link to a nutcase reporter who managed to figure out a way to work Aaron Burr into his pointless story. Finally, I included a few links to truly disgusting quotes from the Unhinged Left.
Then I decided that the exercise was a waste of time. No matter what I write, or what anyone else writes, those on the Left (and just about all of the MSM) who hate Vice President Cheney will continue to hate him with a seething animus exceeded only by their loathing of President Bush. Nothing will change their minds.
I prefer to think of the incident as a sad case of a man who screwed up and, in the process, caused serious injury to a close friend who understands that his injuries are the result of an accident and who bears no ill will to his friend who caused them.
I think most regular people think of it that way.
On whom will these folks vent their bile in 2008?
Comment by MCPO Airdale — February 15, 2006 @ 11:11 pm
and then there are those of us who think, because of his recent actions, mr. cheney belongs in re-telling of an american classic….
heh heh heh
Comment by mr. helpful — February 16, 2006 @ 1:34 am
Don’t listen to the so-called experts who’ve been quoted in the media. Cheney & his friend were equally at fault. You look before you shoot AND you never, ever walk up on a group of hunters without announcing yourself. Loudly and repeatedly.
Comment by rita — February 16, 2006 @ 6:22 am
Jim, you’ve no idea how badly I wanted to post about this too, but you just said it all with the quiet restraint and thoughtfulness that I lack. No doubt I would have ranted “And another thing — NBC’s David Gregory is a jackass!” Of course this would only have inflamed the already-inflamed passions around the globe while doing nothing to help us find alternative fuel sources, and I would have been forced to apologize publicly to all offended parties. Whew. Another close call. Thanks.
Comment by dogette — February 16, 2006 @ 8:48 am
yep
Comment by james old guy — February 16, 2006 @ 10:03 am
My favorite question was along the lines of “Would it have been worse if he had died?”
I wish McClellan had just looked at the guy for about ten seconds and then said “That’s the dumbest farookin’ question I’ve ever heard”
Comment by Sluggo — February 16, 2006 @ 12:05 pm
Personally, I thought NBC’s Gregory needed to be reminded to use his indoor voice. And maybe given a time-out for his irrational and totally unprofessional behavior. (If that didn'[t work a good, swift smack on the top of his head might have driven home the point.)
Comment by joated — February 16, 2006 @ 6:06 pm
If I were running the store, I’d jack David Gregory’s White House Press Credentials. I assume that NBC would have no shortage of people willing to take his place and behave like a grown-up.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — February 16, 2006 @ 8:08 pm
If you were in a hunting accident, would you say “Let’s not call the cops ’til tomorrow”?
Do your guys drink beer before they go hunting? And who knows what prescriptions he’s taking.
From what I understand, he’s done stuff like this before with his shotgun, but not quite this bad. Maybe he needs to take up some other hobby.
You don’t have to hate Cheney to see what a major screwup this was.
But you’re right, it helps.
Comment by Cousin Jack — February 17, 2006 @ 3:33 am
The burning question you overlooked, Jack, is whether Dick Cheney has stopped beating his wife.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — February 17, 2006 @ 7:31 am
Excellent post Jim.
BTW Jack – check out The Smoking Gun – they have the sheriff’s report
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0216061cheney1.html
They were notified IMMEDIATELY – twice within 10 minutes of the shooting – the sheriff decided to wait until the next day to question Cheney.
As for notifying the press – I agree with Cheney – next of kin and friends had a right to find out from someone other than a reporter ringing their bell and telling them about it while sticking a microphone in their faces… you may feel differently about that, but I think Cheney was right.
Comment by Teresa — February 17, 2006 @ 4:13 pm