The story about the Cheney hunting mishap is it is a story at all. The irony is it is a story at all because Team Cheney decided to control it as if it were not a story. Now thats some convoluted thinking; as true as it may be. Considering the VPs revelation to Team Fair and Balanced during a well controlled press interview that all he cared about was the human story by taking the time to let the birdshot settle so to speak, it is amazing just how much Team Cheney spun wrong when finally given the chance. All Im able to do at this point is shake my head in wonderment. If I had any question before that Cheney might not be a straight shooter, Im certain of it now. They had at least eighteen hours to get it right the first time. And they blew it big time. For instance: Why was the injury initially reported as if it were just a flesh wounda nuisance really when apparently the nuisance was that pesky pellet lodged playfully near the heart? Why was the initial report of a minor heart attack while he slept peacefully released as an oh by the way, leaving us to conjecture it was the innocent doing of a 78 year old organ when it was really caused by that wily wascal resting on the heart? Why did Team Cheney initially report it was Whittingtons fault when it clearly was not? Why were we told he was thirty yards away, when most experts claim he had to be within 12 feet for birdshot to penetrate that deeply into the body? Why did Team Cheney release a talking point to Red State Rush, White House Hannity and the rest, to deflect attention by vilifying former VP Al Gores treasonous comments made in Saudi Arabia when they neglected to point out Al also challenged the Middle East countries to rise up, be accountable and denounce Irans dangerous pursuit of nuclear capability? Team Cheney sure did get a lot wrong considering their concern for getting it right. However, if they achieved one thing, it might be that it is unlikely the truth will ever be known, lacking someone breaking the hunters code of silence by coming forward with some facts. So I, for one, am left wondering why the spin machine was fired up for something that on the surface seemed rather innocuous, barring the poor man should die or something. Was there a little alcohol involved? Who were the friends, sometimes referred to as good friends, sometimes as just acquaintances, and what were they chatting about, Project Runway? What was it that needed to be discreet? Were they cross dressing or something? My guesssince that is all Im left withis that it was a horrific moment for all involved. By Dick Cheneys own admission, Whittington went down like a ton of bricks and he was bleeding. I dont know about you, but Im with the VP on this one. That is a bad thing. I probably would have thrown up on the poor bastard. But at the end of the day it was an accident, right? Things happen, right? Okay, so the late night hosts and The Daily Show are going to have a good week but so be it. Thats the punishment public figures must endure when public figures do dumb things; just ask Pee Wee Herman. It just seems to me that all Team Cheney had to do was immediately release something to the press that essentially said, earlier today the Vice President accidentally shot a fellow hunter who is currently being treated at the local hospital and until we are certain of the seriousness of the injuries have nothing further to offer. Is that so tough to do? It would be all over except the chuckles and laughs. But no! Team Cheneys penchant for situational control and disdain of the biased press made this the story it really wasnt. Team Cheney truly is the gang that cant shoot straight. Now Im left to wonder, if they intentionally mislead me on the little stuff, what about the big stuff like wiretapping, CIA outings, global warming, the Iraq war, terrorism, or anything else for that matter? The fact is I have always felt uneasy about Dick Cheney, that he has something up his gun vest sleeve with his undisclosed locations and all, like hes Batman or something. And I am tired of it. And while Im at it, Im tired of the President too. And Im tired of Howard Dean. Im tired of the mudslinging, divisiveness, and spin on Capitol Hill. Even McCain and Obama cant seem to stay clear of the crap. Im sick of the whole thing. Sick of it! And it is humanity that suffers, the very thing Team Cheney seemed so concerned about. Which reminds me; I do hope Mr. Whittington recovers fully. |
