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Cheney needs to come clean

February 15, 2006 08:07 AM / Bush Leagues .

By STEVE POLLICK
Toledo Blade

It is time, Vice President Cheney, to walk up to the podium, stare America right in the eye, and admit you accidentally shot your hunting buddy while quail hunting in south Texas last weekend.

No excuses. No more spin-doctoring, no more delaying tactics, no more elaborate deflections and obfuscation.

You flat out, undeniably, violated one of the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety: Know your target and what is beyond.

The National Rifle Association, arguably the foremost teacher and promoter of firearms safety in America with its superlative, extensive education and training programs, includes this expanded explanation beneath that commandment:

"Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in the direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second."

Mr. Vice President, it cannot be said any more clearly than that.

Potential young hunters and shooters and other newcomers to firearms learn just those words -- or ones very similar _ in mandatory training courses required before obtaining a hunting license. We veteran hunters and shooters are expected to know them to the point of second nature.

It may have been an accident, human error, of which we all are guilty from time to time. Your buddy possibly should have hollered.

But, it was your warm, live finger on the trigger, not Mr. Whittington's or anyone else's, and you pulled it.

You are held up as a role model for the NRA, have been their esteemed banquet guest and a recipient of a valuable flintlock rifle given in your honor. But your evasive behavior now and the White House's pathetic attempts to muddy the waters is a poor example of what a good, ethical hunter is supposed to be: honest and forthright.

It is a bad example and by association shows all hunters in a bad light. Young hunters and shooters will not look up to you for it.

So accept responsibility and any liability before God and country. Give us that patented John Wayne tough-guy stare and make it count. Americans are a forgiving people, to a fault, if they deem the supplicant sincere.

Admit it and soon enough we'll forget it. Otherwise -- shame.


© Copyright 2006 by Capitol Hill Blue

Comments

To add a pithy note amongst the others, . . . "If it quacks like a duck, it must be a duck!" Vice President Cheney forgot to scream out to his fellow hunter, . . . "Duck, or I'll shoot ya!" (LOL)

Posted by at February 16, 2006 01:55 PM

White House spokesman, Scott McClellan stated in a paraphase, . . . 'The White House wants to return their attention to the priorities of the American people'. If this is being relayed in good faith, then please advise the White House staff members to stop aiming and shooting Americans down one by one, . . . either by Spirit or by force!

Posted by at February 16, 2006 01:56 PM

Ah yes, . . . a hunting expedition with the blind leading the blind! Who can tell what the results would be at the end of their day? Whoops, . . . pardon, . . . no one will tell anything, because they'll all be speckled with pellets from gunfire! Not from each other, but by those hiding behind the "Bush's" . . . !!!

Posted by at February 16, 2006 01:57 PM

V. President Cheney expressed his thoughts to the media, and stated "The image of him falling I will never get out of my mind." We say, . . . Welcome into the crowd of many who live with the constant nightmares of shooting and killing someone. Not because they were in the zone of friendly fire, but because they were forced and sent into an unjust war!

Posted by at February 16, 2006 01:59 PM

And so, V.P. Cheney defends himself by saying, . . . He "wanted to be sure the first reports were correct," before announcing the shooting to the press. We could guarantee, . . . if there was an explosion that took place in Corpus Christi, Texas, that may have led to injury and/or fatality, there would have been an immediate national "NEWSFLASH" posted.

So why couldn't there be a brief "NEWSFLASH" that read something like this, . . . V.P. Cheney shot and wounded, Mr. Harry Whittington while hunting in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Whittington's health condition is yet unknown. Further details will be given when information becomes available.

Why all the mystery? Why was there such a long delay in reporting what happened?

V.P. Cheney stated, . . . He will feel relieved when Mr. Whittington returns home.

For information, . . . Someone returning home from the hospital does not provide validation of someone returning to one's restored health.

Posted by at February 16, 2006 01:59 PM

We wonder if there will be an investigation and/or any criminal charges filed against V.P. Cheney. Will there be any finacial compensation given to the Whittington family? If so, who's out of pocket expense will it be deleted from? Cheney or the taxpayers?

Oh what a web we weave when we shoot with our eyes closed and wing our way out of trouble, . . .

Posted by at February 16, 2006 02:00 PM

Who knows if there was any foul play in the mist, . . . What man goes hunting these days without a drinking companion? Did anyone question if drugs or alcohol was a factor? The obvious tells the public, . . . If this shooting happened to someone who had no title of "special privileges," there would have been an immediate and thorough investigation.

In response to Daryl, . . . "ABSOLUTELY!" We should ALL march and demand the firing of each staff member that has committed perjury against the American Constitution. By the standing of the "Quo Warranto Law," "the people" are given the opportunity to make a request for an open and full investigation through the office of the United States Attorney General's office or through "Special Council."

The associations of the American government are nothing more than clones of each other. They each share the responsibility and accountability of acting in gross negligence and professional malfeasance. They as civil officers, have repeatedly committed the criminal offense of: Endangering the welfare of a child. [Children]. The list of civil and criminal offenses that our local, state, and federal government executives and their administrators have committed against "the public," are countless and shameful!!!

"Quo Warranto," . . . Quo warranto is an extraordinary procedure used to prevent an official or legal entity from exercising its authority in an unlawful manner and to try title to a public office, corporate office or franchise.

Posted by at February 16, 2006 02:01 PM

This piece of writing was written by an "Unknown." It carries the weapon of truth, and we thought it was valuable to share, . . .

The cardinal rule of firearms is that you don't shoot until you have properly identified the target. Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes! Of course, if the person you are shooting has had a night on the town and has bloodshot eyes, you are in for trouble. That is why in Vietnam we were told: "Don't shoot until you see the red of their politics!" In this incident, Cheney _ perhaps due to faulty intelligence _ did not stop and distinguish between quail and attorney before he started shooting. Quail are said to congregate in a covey whereas attorneys flock together in what is called a bar. Any decent field guide has identifying pictures to assist the hunter.

Posted by at February 16, 2006 02:12 PM

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR CHENEY TO REPORT HIS SHOOTING OF WHITTINGTON? PERHAPS CHENEY NEEDED TO GET "A STORY" TOGETHER.

But yet, Cheney still contradicts himself. He first tells Britt Hume on Faux 5 that he knew Whittington for about 30 years and he is a "good friend." Then when Britt Hume's gives question to Cheney, is Whittington a close friend, or friendly acquaintance, Cheney answers, "No, an acquaintance." DA! Which way is the wind flying this bird turd today?

In answer to Britt Hume's question, . . . "Mr. Vice President, how is Mr. Whittington?" "Well, the good news is he's doing very well today. I talked to him yesterday after they discovered the heart problem, but it appears now to have been pretty well resolved and the reporting today is very good."

Cheney stated this comment on 2/15/06, when doctors already released information to the public stating there is a pellet yet remaining in Whittington's heart that they are not removing. We question, . . . Does this sound as though the heart problem has been "pretty well resolved," as V.P. Cheney describes it?

Britt Hume questioned Cheney, . . . "What was he wearing?" "He was dressed in orange, he was dressed properly, but he was also . . . There was a little bit of a gully there, so he was down a little ways before land level, although I could see the upper part of his body when . . . I didn't see it at the time I shot, until after I'd fired. And the sun was directly behind him — that affected the vision, too, I'm sure."

We question, . . . When someone gets shot, don't they usually in an immediate formation, fall or tip? If so, how could Cheney clearly see Whittington "after shooting him, but not before shooting him?" If the sun affected Cheney's shooting, then why did Cheney shoot? An experienced hunter of any nature would first look to get a clear shot of the target before pulling the trigger. NONE of Cheney's explanation derives to make any sense. And why is Cheney giving his description of the shooting to Britt Hume and not to the detectives who should be investigating all witnesses and the true events of the shooting?

"But he was also" what V.P. Cheney? Oh don't bother answering. The truth won't be given anyway.

In regards to the remaining interview with Britt Hume and V.P. Dick Cheney, we'll leave the reading to the Bush administration. They enjoy fairytales.

Posted by at February 16, 2006 08:54 PM

An e-mail excerpt from Senator Harry Reid (NV-D), . . . (2/17/06)

"Wired and Retired will create an online social network of seniors aggressively addressing the issues important to helping you enjoy retirement."

An American citizen's response to Senator Reid's composed e-mail, . . .

To the Honorable Senator Harry Reid,

Dear Sir, speaking for myself, I thank my Lord Jesus Christ, that I have not become "Wired nor Retired." To the dismay of the children of God, there are millions of people who have been deceived in becoming "Wired and Tired," including many members within the UNdemocratic and UNrepublic system.

In fuller response to your latest e-mail addressed to the public, we are fortunate to know what is spoken in truth and what is given as food for deceit.

Senator Reid, not once in time of recollection, did you publicly introduce your organization named by, Searchlight. This part of your social life has now been disclosed to the public based on the current developments with Mr. Jack Abramoff. We are sure the current news headlines have not been pleasant for you and the many others involved with Mr. Abramoff. Not to consider anyone in the government as an enemy, the fact remains, God will bring down ALL unrighteousness, with no skipping of record of any sort.

Senator Reid, speaking as a private student of many interests, there is a FULL awareness to the current actions of those who do not follow the good word of truth. There will be no remaining untold secrets, such as one as this, . . . Those who fail to obey the simple calling unto the act of righteousness will not escape the consequences to their actions. As President Bush may be the son of perdition, President Bush stands not alone, . . . President Bush has an extended family, and many siblings, and they reside in many houses.

Does this letter bring confusion to you sir? Does this letter bring fear to you sir? Does this letter bring anger to you sir? Does this letter bring frustration to you sir? Perhaps now comprehension has been granted you to understand what a corrupt government brings to the homes of the countless innocent people.

Those in command and assistance in the line of government have confused themselves by tangling with the spirit of, . . . "Conflict of Interest." There is no one or single-minded individual amongst the American state and federal government ship. Therefore, . . . America will never cease from being in the company of confusion and dysfunction. One may imagine, if an American citizen bears great reproach for the current condition of America and its people, how mightily a bitter taste can be found in the glands of those who are not a native American? The American government has been tricked, and has been fooled by outsiders, and has been deceived by their own greed of heart.

Is there any hope to offer this world? Yes! But it isn't found in man. HOPE IS ONLY ESTABLISHED BEING ESTIMABLE THROUGH THE SAVING GRACE OF TRUTH.

Will the members of society ever find favorable growth amongst the vines of LIFE? Yes, only if they reach out to it, and learn how to preserve it.

Senator Reid, America is in "Detrimental Harms Way." Word of wisdom, rather than looking outside the window, it would be suggested to clean thine own house first.

Signed: In True Concern-

Posted by at February 17, 2006 06:20 PM

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Posted by Laura at March 3, 2006 03:34 AM

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