How the media manufactures a scandal

You’re watching it and reading it all over the news – the ‘scandal’ over the accidental shooting by VP Dick Cheney of fellow hunter Harry Whittington. Newsbusters gives the lowdown on how Charlie Gibson on Good Morning America tried to spin this story this morning.

Unfortunately, Gibson isn’t the only one. Michelle Malkin reports that WH Press Secretary Scott McClellan got hammered on the delay in the reporting of this to the media and includes a link to Expose the Left’s video of the media doing what it does best: hyperventilating over yet another non-issue.

More: Musing Minds has a partial transcript. (Hat tip: Junkyard Blog)

Others blogging about this: PunditGuy, Political Pit Bull, Publius Rendezvous, Mark In Mexico, The Unalienable Right, RightWinged.com (heh!)

89 Responses to "How the media manufactures a scandal"

Cump says:

February 13, 2006 at 1:44 pm

What did Cheney know, and when did he know it! Where is the timeline! The public deserves to know exactly what happened, when, and why was there a delay!
Ike says:

February 13, 2006 at 1:49 pm

From a PR angle, the Bradys appear to be exploiting this too.
Jim M says:

February 13, 2006 at 2:20 pm

Hey Chump it was nothing more than a hunting accident PERIOD. Do you want to be notified every time there is a hunting accident? The only reason you want a time line is it is the Vice President the evil man that has connections to Halliburton. This is nothing more than the MSM on a witch hunt along with there gun grabbing partners “Hand Gun Free America” and “Center to Prevent Hand Gun Violence”.
Ike says:

February 13, 2006 at 2:29 pm

Looks like somebody needs to install the Sarcasm Detector extension for Firefox.
Random Thoughts Of Yet Another Military Member says:

February 13, 2006 at 2:38 pm

George W. Bush Just Took A Crap

This was just announced by The White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan in response the the leftist MSM reaction that it took the WH 18 hours to report that VP Dick Cheney accidently sprayed a fellow hunter with shotgun pellets. The WH will now inf…
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:17 pm

Whats making it worse is the White house dodge. The VP shoots someone, they don’t tell anyone, and then act all surprised that its a big story.
PCD says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:23 pm

Andrew, just like Jimmy Carter and the killer rabbit.

Andrew, the more you strain looking for scandal, the more you look like a partisan fool.
» At the Presser - Stuck on Stupid » Musing Minds » Blog Archive » Proud Members of the Pajamahadeen says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:34 pm

[…] Welcome Sister Toldjah, JunkYardBlog, Anchoress Readers! Please take a look around our new home while you’re here. | RSS | Inlinks | Print This Post […]
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:50 pm

“Andrew, the more you strain looking for scandal, the more you look like a partisan fool.”

Did you see that press conferece? exposetheleft.com has the link. Its too much. You think there was benny hill music while the guns were going off.
Pam says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:54 pm

What I can’t figure out: Where was the press that covers the VP? I guess he just proved that he is newsworthy!

What exactly is the story by the way? At least he didn’t wait 12 hours to get the guy help!
steve says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:58 pm

Why did the President have to wait 12 hours for notification? Does it have something to do with the NSA and spying? Peace
Severian says:

February 13, 2006 at 3:58 pm

I kept wishing that McClellan would have said “Well, unlike some other Democratic politicians we could mention, VP Cheney was more concerned with making sure the injured got medical attention rather than being worried about political butt covering.”
CHOW says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:17 pm

Don’t jump to conclusions.
There can be many reasons for delay in the reporting of the hunting accident. Not the least of which is that is was an ACCIDENT. It is not big deal. Also, it is very likely that the parties involved wanted to be sure that they first informed the extended families of the parties invloved before the media circus and frothing moonbats spin all sorts of mis-information regarding the accident. I know if my father was involved in a hunting accident and I first heard of it from the media before he had a chance for me to know what happened, I would not find that too pleasant. And if my father happens to be an individual vilified by the anti-american moonbats and media, I know I would not be the recipient of accurate infomation regarding the details. Which, of course, is of little import to the left. I have not seen MSM reports of the accident, nor will I. Simply because whatever happened, it will not be accurately reported. But it does not matter, becasue it was an accident and those things happen.
Best Regards, Craig.
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:25 pm

“I kept wishing that McClellan would have said “Well, unlike some other Democratic politicians we could mention, VP Cheney was more concerned with making sure the injured got medical attention rather than being worried about political butt covering.””

The terrorists should start using this excuse. It never gets old, and covers anything.
PCD says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:28 pm

andrew, like you constantly cover and excuse the democrat party?

“If They Were Honest…” is something I wrote at Iowa Voice that fits here.
Steve Skubinna says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:39 pm

I question the timing.

I have no idea why, but that seems to be de rigeur in these cases.

What interests me is that if this were a botched assassination attempt, why Cheny as the trigger man? Why not one of the many black ops teams Bush has roaming the country stamping out civil rights and confiscating library records? The fact that Cheney is the purported trigger man means only one thing – he’s covering for somebody even bigger!

Okay, how’d I do? Is the above inane enough for prime time?
blogagog says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:49 pm

It’s comical that an accident is big news simply because the vice president caused it. Hunting accidents are fairly rare, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen one talked about on tv.
karl says:

February 13, 2006 at 4:53 pm

one of the nicest cases of much ado over nothing I have seen in a while.

I am really enjoying the comparisons to Aaron Burr…
anselm says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:08 pm

Armstrong said no one discussed notifying the public of the accident Saturday…

[giggle]

because they were so consumed with making sure Whittington was OK.

GUFFAW!!!

There was no discussion among the members of the party about what the official story would be.

Ok, they didn’t say that last one. Too bad – it could have been a Triple Crown of comedy.
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:12 pm

“andrew, like you constantly cover and excuse the democrat party?”

Oh not me. I hated their war in bosnia. Organized demos against it. Me and Tom Delay, holding hands and singing Kumbayah.
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:18 pm

– blogagog – From the details coming out surrounding the story of the accident its not at all clear that the VP “caused it”. In fact it appears that Whittington caused it by not announcing his movements and walking up on the hunting party in a way that was against the common field rules in hunting.

– That being said I’m thinking that trying to “expand” this into a manufactured issue is a good way to draw attention away from Gores latest anti-American screech fest. If thats the case its not working very well. The non-leftwing portions of the media are all over the Gore idiocy loud and clear….

– Bang
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:22 pm

– As a side question, you have to wonder if this signals that the DNC moonbat corps is now openly courting the al Qaeda vote now…..

– Bang
Razorgirl says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:30 pm

Do the HIPA laws apply in this case? You know, medical privacy? It would be up to the victim or his family to release any information in that case, not the VP’s staff or a White House press release.
And do these idiot reporters know the difference in a shot gun and a rifle? I’m getting the impression they are thinking lots of bullets and not bird shot. Do you know what that is Charlie Gibson? New Yorkers might have a problem with this concept.
Small Town Veteran says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:51 pm

Did I ever tell you about the time my Daddy shot his big brother? (Updated and bumped)

From Michelle: CHENEY’S HUNTING ACCIDENT Fox News is reporting that VP Dick Cheney was involved in a hunting accident yesterday. Breitbart/AP:[…][Read the whole thing here.]Anyway, I remember hearing about it way back, before I was old enough to tag…
The Moderate Voice says:

February 13, 2006 at 5:52 pm

Vice President Dick Cheney’s Accidental Shooting Won’t Help His Image (SECOND UPDATE)

NOTE: This appeared yesterday evening. Due to the interest in this story and its having been updated, we’re pos…
Derrick says:

February 13, 2006 at 6:11 pm

Oh yeah, the VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, shoots someone in the face and of course that’s no big deal, right. The same people who spent weeks lampooning wind-surfing, even spent a million or so on a commercial, and yet, can I say it again, Cheney SHOT SOMEONE IN THE FACE. I’m not saying that this is on par with something like the Abramoff story, but it’s big news, even if you don’t like the story.
blogagog says:

February 13, 2006 at 6:25 pm

Perhaps ’cause’ was a bad choice of words BBH. But he’s definitely at fault legally, even if the guy snuck up behind him and screamed ‘boo’ in his ear… I think.

It doesn’t really matter either way though. Accidents happen all the time. It seems no more meaningful than any traffic accident (at least the ones not caused by alcohol) to me. Both types of accidents happen, and both can be deadly.

When you watch the reporters, if you substitute ‘traffic accident’ wherever they say ‘shooting’, it all sounds pretty silly. But it does put it into perspective
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 6:47 pm

“In fact it appears that Whittington caused it by not announcing his movements and walking up on the hunting party in a way that was against the common field rules in hunting.”

Aw man oh man. I can’t believe how low some go. Isn’t shooting at people against the rules too?
Amber says:

February 13, 2006 at 6:52 pm

Cheney’s Hunting Accident

Frankly, I am not going to say more on this subject than the following. I think that Conservatives do themselves much better to ignore the left when they make fools of themselves like this than to giveÂ this nonsenseÂ the dignity of refutation. Middle …
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 13, 2006 at 7:07 pm

– Oh wait. We finally get to the meat of this story….

AP- “The Texas Hunting and Game Commission just announced it had issued a terse “warning” to VP Cheney, because although he had a valid hunting license, he lacked the latest required “game bird” upgrade tag. Whitehouse attourneys issued a press statement saying that the VP would throw himself on the mercy of the commission and pay the 18 dollars, rather than fight this all the way up to the State Supreme Court. Democratic leaders on the hill were analyzing the “cover up” in reporting this crime in a timely manner to the Royal American Press, to see if an impeachable offense has been commited. Supporters say that if the press and the Dems continue to pursue this, they definately will get the bird…in other news…”

– Bang
steve says:

February 13, 2006 at 7:16 pm

This may have been Cheney’s personal display of why bush has raised the Defense budget 45% since he’s been in office. Weapons in the wrong hands can kill innocent people. The American military in Iraq is such a case. Peace
Stingray: a blog for salty Christians says:

February 13, 2006 at 7:28 pm

A manufactured scandal

The tenacious Sister Toldjah has some good links to sites expaining how the media manufactures a scandals; in this case, this past weekend’s hunting accident involving Vice President Dick Cheney. It was a frontpage story at the Washington Post. M…
Terrye says:

February 13, 2006 at 7:43 pm

I think this whole thing is absurd.

Kennedy runs off and leaves a woman to die and it is just one of those things. Cheney does not treat the Washington press corps like the center of the universe and the fools and their fan club go bezerk.
sanity says:

February 13, 2006 at 7:59 pm

I so hope the media and the democrats keep playing this up.

The public knows this is nothing more than a hunting accident and seeing how the media and democrats are playing this is just going to play better for Cheney and the Republicans in my opinion, as John-Q Public keeps seeing the hyper-ventilating of the Left. Please keep it up, call for a major investigation from Congress, appoint a special prosecutor. Please, I am begging you, do it. The Left will find themselves losing seats left and right as the public sees this.

Cheney accidentally shot someone who failed to announce his presense in coming up and crossing in the line of fire of another hunter. I have posted that this type of hunting is the 2nd highest in accidental shootings. Yes, Cheney should have been more aware of the situation and what was around him, but as many hunters will tell you, these accidents happen quite a bit when you are not careful. Cheney’s only crime here was carelessness in not watching his line of fire more carefully. That’s it.

Most americans know what a hunting accident is and no matter how much the democrats and media bay like the donkeys they are, this is going to be nothing more than a hunting accident.

It is funny how the media plays up how they weren’t notified till later. I can bet you if some sort of accident happens again, Cheney will notify the media immediately instead of getting medical attention for the person **rolls eyes**. The proper people were informed, medical personnel and the sheriff who investigated and has found NOTHING wrong and has deemed it just as it is, an accident. There is nothing that say he must notify the media. If the media wants to have the story maybe they should go out there and do thier jobs, find facts and report them….instead of waiting for someone to hand them a story.

Media whines, “No one told us anything! How are we supposed to do our jobs if someone doesn’t just plop a story in our laps?!?!?”

By the way, since the media and democrats are so concerned about this, how about asking on the welfare of the person who was shot?

By the way, rifles fire a solid bullet, while what Cheney used was bird shot from a shotgun which I think has as much killing power as rock salt.

If Cheney had been using a regular shell for a 30-06 then the person shot in the face would not have a face right now and would be dead. Again, making this sound like anything more is just laughable in a tactic to try and “get” Cheney.

Now, I would be more concerned if say Reid went hunting with Cheney and something like this happend and Reid died. Then and only then would I support such theories that are being bandied about now.
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 8:40 pm

“Cheney’s only crime here was carelessness in not watching his line of fire more carefully. That’s it.”

I thikn the public knows that cheney is the guy with the gun that shot it at a person.
Severian says:

February 13, 2006 at 8:54 pm

Andrew, your partisanship and ignorance apparently know no bounds. You, and your fellow travelers in the liberal-moonbat wing of politics and press, are so intent to get something, anything on this administration, you will ignore all rationality and sense and attempt to blow anything out of proportion. Cheney shot someone!!! you petulantly cry, as if that is being swept under the rug. It was a simple hunting accident, and Cheney was using the 2nd smallest gauge shotgun available. You keep whining and whining, and will be completely surprised when the liberals lose again in 06. And you will still be clueless as to why.

God only knows what you’d do if a real scandal came up, probably crap yourself with glee. Most of us, no matter who was involved, would be sad that an accident happened, and just realize it was an accident and leave it at that. You and your ilk seem to be delighted that you have, in your own mind, found something to “get” the evil Cheney on.

I’ll tell you this right now, there are few people in the country as accomplished, intelligent, successful, and astute as Cheney, and we are damned lucky we have him as VP. Cheney is about 10 times the man Al Gore is. But in the Democrat/liberal mindset, accomplishment and competence seem to be drawbacks.
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 13, 2006 at 8:55 pm

Hold the calls and e-mails, folks – I think we have a winner.

Apparently MSNBC has been the first among the Democratic-MSM axis to suggest that there was a coverup in the shooting. And less that 24 hours after the incident! Who needs facts when the holy jihad against the neocons is being waged?

In fact, there seems to be some kind of inverse-proportion law at work here with the MSM. When it comes to conspiracy theories, the less proof there is, the more passionately the MSM believes one exists. An absolute lack of proof (the Cheney hunting accident, the 2000 presidential election) is considered incontrovertable proof that wrongdoing existed.

On the other hand, when evidence for actual wrongdoing exists (such as Senator Kennedy’s murder of Mary Jo Kopechne, William Jefferson Clinton’s sexual harrasment of numerous women, the Saddam Hussein-al Qaeda connection, the genocide by the Communists in Cambodia after the Vietnam War, the Senator Harry Ried-Jack Abramoff connection), the MSM is nowhere to be found. The more evidence there is for wrongdoing, the faster the MSM runs from the truth.
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 9:10 pm

“Apparently MSNBC has been the first among the Democratic-MSM axis to suggest that there was a coverup in the shooting”

Coverup? naah. Scottie told us that cheney and mrs armstrong agreed that the way this would be released is that she would be the one to take this to a local paper, and nothing else.

But the lady was on CNN saying she hadn’t talked to cheney. She’ll clam up now.
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 9:11 pm

“God only knows what you’d do if a real scandal came up, probably crap yourself with glee”

And the blame game would be on against the guy that Dick shot.
Severian says:

February 13, 2006 at 9:13 pm

You know, I’m absolutely positive that thare more than a few liberal nutcases out there who are disappointed that Cheney didn’t kill Whittington, as that would have made a bigger scandal.
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 13, 2006 at 9:17 pm

Woops – the lady dodn’t talk to Cheney? Remember, Andrew – it’s accusations that are the True Reality – not something so reactionary like proof.
Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » The Hunting Accident says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:03 pm

[…] Sister Toldjah […]
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:12 pm

– So while the VP was here in America involved in the accidental shooting of a fellow hunter, Al Gore was busy in Saudi Arabia intentionally stabbing his country in the back. Which would you put your money on as the bigger story of the two? Guess which story the rabid Royal Leftwing Press will cover?

– The left has done nothing but alienate and diss mainstream America for the past 6 years. Thats not going to change. They have no plan they could tell America about because their ideas are all based in Socialism, so they’ll just continue on the hachet-job campaign. Its all they’ve got. Its gotten so bad some of my Democratic friends are telling me they’re going to switch, if not Conservative at least Independent. They just don’t want to be associated with the things the hard left is doing these days in the name of the Democrats. Good luck moonies……

– Bang
Palmetto Pundit says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:19 pm

This Ain’t Chappaquiddick!

So basically, the concern was not for the condition of Mr. Whittington, it was for the fact that Cheney didn’t immediately pick up a telephone and inform everyone in the Washington press corps that he had accidentally shot a hunting companion.

Com…
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:30 pm

“Woops – the lady dodn’t talk to Cheney? Remember, Andrew – it’s accusations that are the True Reality – not something so reactionary like proof.”

She was on CNN saying it. It came up at todays press conference.
sanity says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:39 pm

Senator Alan Simpson talks ot Chris Matthews and nails why Cheney doesn’t talk or inform the media:

MATTHEWS: Doesn’t he have a special responsibility as someone in line to be President and Vice President of the United States to let people know that something this serious happened this Saturday.

SIMPSON: Nothing happened to the Vice President, so what did the people of America need to know? Nothing happened to the Vice President, nothing.

MATTHEWS: But he was the shooter in an accident that shot a guy.

SIMPSON: That’s right.

MATTHEWS: You don’t think that’s newsworthy?

SIMPSON: All i know, Chris, is after a life in Washington, Dick Cheney, and i’m not paranoid, is not popular with the media, they don’t like him because he’s aloof and he doesn’t answer their questions and sometimes he tells them to stuff it, so any time Dick Cheney makes a fluff, it’s going to be the news of the day. I have been called by 20 different news agency today as if they had bombed Iraq again. I mean, this is nuts, absolutely nuts.

from Expose the Left
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 13, 2006 at 10:52 pm

– I wouldn’t believe anything CNN had to say if G_d himself gave them a clean bill of health. That group is so left biased they even fire reporters for not being biased enough. But I digress…

The Royal Amerikan Press is sinking slowly in its own Leftist cesspool. Tantrums and chest beating outrage will be de’ rigor from here on out. The noise will just get louder as the panic on the left manifests ever greater toward election time. As I said, they can’t tell America their party plan because its all Socialism all the time, which gets kicked to the curb everytime they’ve tried it, so the hatchet-job journalism will countinue unabated since its all they’ve got. When its all over, more career bodies will litter the landscape, but what the hell its all for the “cause”.

– Bang
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 13, 2006 at 11:21 pm

She was on CNN saying it. It came up at todays press conference.

Saying what? That Cheney deliberately shot at Whittington and missed at point-blank range? What a lousy shot the Veep is! You have to hand it to the Clintonistas – when they set out to snuff Vince Foster they “got their man”.

Or maybe she was against Whittington being shot before she was for it. Or maybe lawyer hunting was out of season.

BTW Andrew – the body count still stands as:

Ted Kennedy – 1
VP Cheney – 0
andrew says:

February 13, 2006 at 11:55 pm

“Saying what?”

That she did not talk to cheney about her contacting the press. But the full obfuscation machine has to go on.

“All i know, Chris, is after a life in Washington, Dick Cheney, and i’m not paranoid, is not popular with the media, they don’t like him because he’s aloof and he doesn’t answer their questions and sometimes he tells them to stuff it, so any time Dick Cheney makes a fluff, it’s going to be the news of the day.”

Dear god he shot someone. This isn’t ‘anytime he makes a fluff.’ This is a pretty rare accident, and from the looks of it an irresponsible one too.
sanity says:

February 14, 2006 at 12:25 am

It is the 2nd MOST COMMON in hunting accidents, it is not a rare accident. A rare accident would be falling out of a tree blind and falling on your own arrow.

Yes he shot someone by accident. Yet the media treats this as if he took someone out and tried to kill them. Even you, I would hope, would see how much hay the press is making of this. Is it a criminal act?” was one reporters question.

Does this mean every hunting accident that happens will be getting national press coverage from now on?
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 14, 2006 at 12:53 am

That she did not talk to cheney about her contacting the press. But the full obfuscation machine has to go on.

Ah, yes, Steve. I think I understand now. She did not speak to the Veep before she spoke to him after speaking to the press, or something like that. Close enough for guvmint werk, as they say.

I smell an impeachable offense all right. Crank up the House Judiciary Committee and all the cranks in the MSM. Maybe they can spend eleventy billion tax dollars grilling Cheney on why he could not bag a trial lawyer at 30 paces. What kind of Republican is he, anyway? Gives us chicken hawk Bible-thumping Zionist war-mongers a bad reputation, he does.
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 14, 2006 at 1:01 am

That’s Andrew and not Steve, of course. Sorry. I could have made a rude comment about how all Democrats look alike in the Dark Side of the Internet, but I’m such a nice guy…….
Blue Star Chronicles says:

February 14, 2006 at 1:49 am

Would This be Much More Serious if the Man had Died?

When I was watching this press conference, I thought the same thing. I kept expecting to see the reports start poking their lower lips out and threatening to take their recorders and go home. It was more like a temper tantrum than a press conference.
Mike's America says:

February 14, 2006 at 1:54 am

Breaking News: LAURA BUSH BREAKS A NAIL!

Press conference called for AM.

I like the bumper sticker making the rounds:

I’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than ride in a car with Ted Kennedy.

Also, suggestions for invites for Cheney’s next hunting party are pouring in. Top of the list? Al Gore!
andrew says:

February 14, 2006 at 2:37 am

“It is the 2nd MOST COMMON in hunting accidents, it is not a rare accident.”

Rare as in hunting accidents aren’t so common.

“Is it a criminal act?” was one reporters question.”

Lots of negligent acts are classified criminally, specially if not reported to proper authority. No fault in asking.

“Does this mean every hunting accident that happens will be getting national press coverage from now on?”

Just the ones concerning national political figures. At least one of the questions was about whether these guys should avoid hunting: it could have been the VP that got hit, as opposed to being the shooter.

As far as i’m concerned the more interesting part is how the information was held in and then spread. Todays press conference is what made it interesting. And the normal political game being played about this makes it interesting. The blame game, etc…

“She did not speak to the Veep before she spoke to him after speaking to the press, or something like that. Close enough for guvmint werk, as they say.”

The VP said they talked. She said on CNN they didn’t. Its quite simple.
sanity says:

February 14, 2006 at 2:41 am

andrew says, Lots of negligent acts are classified criminally, specially if not reported to proper authority. No fault in asking.

The proper authorities were informed and investigated it and found no malice, that it was just an accident.

But the Media is NOT the proper autority and this seems to have thier britches in a knot.
Independent Christian Voice says:

February 14, 2006 at 7:39 am

Responses to Cheney shooting go beyond ridiculous

Almost as big a story as the Cheney shooting and subsequent mishandling of the story by the administration is the absolutely incredible responses in the blogosphere as a result. The left-wing wasted no time turning this into a grand conspiracy. The r…
PCD says:

February 14, 2006 at 8:23 am

You know, the Democrats and media are a bunch of hypocrites. They NEVER complained when Saddam, Uday or Qusay Hussein shot somebody and didn’t report it to the inhouse, lapdog, CNN outlet in Baghdad.

To a lesser degree, these same people NEVER complained when Clinton used the White House as his personal whorehouse. At this point, I’m dismissing andrew and steve as serious commenters.
Norah says:

February 14, 2006 at 8:50 am

Come on, now. If John Kerry had shot a man in the face whilst on a hunt, and it wasn’t reported for several days, wouldn’t you people be screaming for answers and accountability?

Please.
Pam says:

February 14, 2006 at 8:57 am

Norah- we have asked serious questions about Teddy not seeking help for Maryjo for 12 hours, they went unanswered.
PCD says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:06 am

Norah,

We’ve asked SERIOUS questions about John Kerry that STILL have gone unanswered for YEARS. Get off your hypocritical feigned wound. What really hurts you is that you can’t win by hook, crook (Stealing elections), ginned up scandal.
tommy in nyc says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:11 am

PCD You gotta admit that VP Cheney is going to look stupid just for shooting the old man. Maybe he should’ve joined the military instead of taking those deferments. Maybe then he would’ve learned to handle a rifle properly. But as we all know he had better stuff to do.Spare me dude.
Jim M says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:17 am

For one thing it wasn’t several days it was 24 hours before the accident was reported to the media. It is not the accident it is the fact that the media is demanding to know why it wasn’t reported to them right away. This is nothing more that the media reliving the glory days of Watergate and trying to bring down this administration. It is amazing how this is the biggest story out there front page news and yet Iran had once again started the process of refining uranium into weapons grade fuel. Nope Iran ignored it was the hunting accident! Maybe it’s just me, but while Iran is trying to get its hand on a nuke; while armed and uniformed Mexicans are shooting at U.S. law enforcement personnel along our borders; while congress is spending us into oblivion — I somehow find it hard to get worked up over how we learned that Dick Cheney bagged an attorney. So …. How about a big “who cares” here?
PCD says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:30 am

Tommy,

In no way was Cheney anywhere near as REPREHENSIBLE AS TED KENNEDY. They are night and day. Kennedy KILLED a young woman through his irresponsibility and criminal actions.

Tommy, this was a hunting accident. The victim was not left to bleed to death. This is night and day, only thing is you are the one too blind to see.

You have NO credibility on Cheney until YOU take CLINTON to task for Dodging the Draft, scamming the ROTC, and leading Anti-American protests in England during war time.

Your relativistic view of live really disgusts me, tommy.
Jim M says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:33 am

You got it Tommy! That’s it Dick Cheney should have gone in the military he could have received training from John F sKerry on how to collect Purple Hearts for self inflicted wounds. Then he could have come back to the States and helped sKerry trash all the Vets and the guys still fighting with proven lies. What branch were you in I was told it was a Weapon not a Rifle.
tommy in nyc says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:49 am

Bottom line the VP of the U.S.A. dis something incredibly stupid the other day. You know I’m tired of all this Kerry and Clinton bashing also. 43 was a piece of trash also when he was a young man. And now an old man. Youse need to start waking up to the reality that most of the country are struggling to make ends meet, This conflict in the Iraq is going to continue for decades and it sure as heck ain’t going as succesfull no matter what lies comes out of 43’s mouth. Our military readiness and ability to respond to national homeland emergencies are diminshed because of Iraq with no end in sight. And judical appointees looking to take society back to the 18th century. Thanks for nothing 43. He should’ve stayed in Texas so he could cry that the border patrol isn’t doig their duty effectivly. Oh wait……… He’s in charge of that branch of government now. Worst president since Carter!!!!!!
The World According To Carl says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:50 am

Objective Journalism? Biased Journalism? Or Stupid Journalist? We Report – You Decide

To be frank (but you can call me Carl), I’m not taking all of this Dick Cheney accidentally shooting Harry Whittington during a hunting trip all that seriously because: a) it was an accident according to official reports and b) hunting accidents l…
California Conservative says:

February 14, 2006 at 9:56 am

Cheney’s Got A Gun, and The Spin Has Just Begun

Sing-a-long. Thanks to Aerosmith and our reader M. Jones.
In today’s S.F. Chronicle, covering the Cheney story with a close(d) eye (of course), we find this “special” report:
If Vice President Dick Cheney had followed the protocols…
andrew says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:01 am

“The proper authorities were informed and investigated it and found no malice, that it was just an accident.”

And we find that out by asking. See. Telling the media isn’t so hard.

“Norah- we have asked serious questions about Teddy not seeking help for Maryjo for 12 hours, they went unanswered.”

The terrorists should start using this one.
PCD says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:02 am

tommy, I am sick of your inability to deal with the truth about Democrats. You call it bashing to point out the facts about your clay footed idols. It isn’t it is the truth and you have no counter or credible defense. All you can do is bash Bush with lies, distortions, and wild A** delusions.

All Democrats can propose is Do nothing, but tax more. Waste tax dollars on propping up Democrat voters, but not a real penny towards defense or really improving the country.

I wrote about an editorial cartoon that should be published if newspapers were as evenhanded and fair as the claim to be. Edited. –ST
California Conservative says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:08 am

Gee whiz. The punches are flyin’ over here…
Jim M says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:15 am

Oh wow now we are enlightened by General Nuisance from NY telling us how bad the military operation is going in Iraq. Hey General Nuisance just what war went as planned remember we have a thinking enemy they are not liberals. Maybe we should have sent Osama Bin Laden a play book on how Al Quata should react so the war can go perfectly as planned. Oh yes you got it Tommy a Draft Dodging rapist has a better record than 43! Step away from the Kool-aid Tommy.
sanity says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:20 am

sanity says, “The proper authorities were informed and investigated it and found no malice, that it was just an accident.”

andrew says, “And we find that out by asking. See. Telling the media isn’t so hard.”

There was an 18 hour “delay” in giving information to the media, hardly anything for them to get all hot and bothered by.

Are we in the habit of doing the media’s job for them? Hold on a sec, I guess blogs are in the habit of doing that. My mistake.

I do believe the VP was more interested in getting the proper care and making sure his friend was doing well and really did not care to even issue a “press release” for the salivating media.

I can completely understand this. If I had accidentally shot someone, I would be trying to get medical attention and probably be by there side till I knew they were going to ok. And the first thought would not be to contact the media for a press release.

And that is why the press is bent out of shape, because they weren’t notified sooner. I have two words for the MSM…Boo Hoo. I have a higher respect for someone who takes care of another and stays by thier side, than someone who immediately jumps to the media for a spotlight announcement.

This was an accident, yet conspiracy theories abound. Is there any more tin foil left in the world because the aasertions I have been hearing is so far out there that it is patently rediculous. I expect the late night comedy would have fun with this, but who knew there was so many comedians in the democrat party….and media (milbank).
tommy in nyc says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:22 am

Man have we gotten the truth from the 43 Admin? Leaving an open border practically for foreigners who wish to do us harm while putting American soldiers lives in danger daily in Iraq where this may be news to you but we are truly not as well liked or even appreciated as 43 would like the general American public to believe. Do our soldiers face as many dangers in Afghanistan as they do in Iraq. I’d say no because the Afghani people are generally glad we took out the Taliban. The same can’t be said for Iraq. So wake up bro.
Severian says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:36 am

“And that is why the press is bent out of shape, because they weren’t notified sooner.”

Well, you have to look at it from their perspective. The MSM are used to getting advanced notice of terrorist attacks and such, so they can have their cameras there ready to snap photos when it happens. The Islamist Terrorists in Iraq show them this courtesy, and it’s a sad day when the US government can’t extend the same courtesy to the members of the press.
PCD says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:41 am

Tommy, we never got the truth from Clinton and neither Clinton or Carter closed the borders. Both tried to open up more illegal immigration with Clinton allowing a citizenship ceremony to occur IN SPANISH. SPANISH IS NOT THIS COUNTRY’S LANGUAGE!!

Not only did Clinton involve us in Haiti and Kosovo, he bled the armed forces dry. Why were their no interceptors to take out hijacked airliners on 9/11? CLINTON CUT THE SQUADRONS OUT OF THE AIR
FORCE.

Again, what did Clinton do after the Cole? After the Khobar Towers? A BIG FAT NOTHING!!!!
Severian says:

February 14, 2006 at 10:42 am

“Come on, now. If John Kerry had shot a man in the face whilst on a hunt, and it wasn’t reported for several days, wouldn’t you people be screaming for answers and accountability?”

If John Kerry had been on this hunt, he’d have shot himself in the butt with birdshot, and then put himself in for yet another Purple Heart, all the while claiming that it was the dirty VC down in Texas that had shot him.
ArizonaTeach says:

February 14, 2006 at 11:09 am

I think we need to narrow this down even further. The Press Corps is upset because they weren’t notified FIRST and got scooped by a Corpus Christi newspaper. Poor, poor, David Gregory.
Jim M says:

February 14, 2006 at 11:34 am

ArizonaT,

You are right the reporters in the MSM are throwing a tantrum just like a spoiled kids that can’t have their way. There should be more important news going on in the world instead of when the MSM were given the story plan and simple. But to them it’s a gotcha look it’s a cover up.

Lived in Scottsdale AZ. For a few years what a great place.
Conservative Outpost says:

February 14, 2006 at 12:12 pm

Whiney Washington press corps

“We didn’t hear about it first”….”Why was a private citizen putting out the information?”…”Why did some local Texas newspaper get the scoop?”… Imagine those word in a whiney, cry-baby voice and you’ve got the gist of yesterday’s press br…
Baklava says:

February 14, 2006 at 1:28 pm

Tommy incorrectly asserted, “Youse need to start waking up to the reality that most of the country are struggling to make ends meet

Can you give us a link for that incorrect fact?

Tommy laughingly wrote, “And judical appointees looking to take society back to the 18th century

I actually did chuckle at that one. Too much pot smokin’. What was Roberts’ or Alito’s words that gave you this conclusion?

Sanity with sanity wrote, “I can completely understand this. If I had accidentally shot someone, I would be trying to get medical attention and probably be by there side till I knew they were going to ok. And the first thought would not be to contact the media for a press release.

For sure!

Tommy raised an ever present problem, “Leaving an open border practically for foreigners who wish to do us harm

There has been some changes that the White House has been able to work with Congress on. But on this issue I give both Congress and the White House an “F” because they do not act with the due diligence they need to act with. Over 80% of the country seems to agree that “illegal” immigration needs to be stopped for a whole host of reasons including national security. It is interesting Tommy when watching C-SPAN you’ll see who is more interested in using the race card when these issues are brought up. Tom Tancredo will get done speaking and he’ll be torn to shreds by Democrats… yes Democrats as being racist etc. Those aren’t the exact words but I as a conservative believe that we’ll get more action on the border with Republicans soon than Democrats. Though the little amount of increases of border patrol are not enough and I give an “F”.

Tommy very incorrectly wrote, “The same can’t be said for Iraq.

Can you give us a poll that backs up this incorrect claim? We’ll wait…
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 14, 2006 at 2:33 pm

– Actually folks the general situation concerning Mr. Whittingtons condition was just revised in a press conference on the scene by the attending physicians. They are now saying that at least one of the buckshot beebee’s went deeper than they knew and is lodged somewhere in the mans heart. they also concluded he had suffered at least one “silent heart attack” from the irritation of the presense of the foreign object, the buckshot in the heart muscle. They have opted not to remove the particles so far, considering the operation to be more invasive than would be warrented. They did a catheter operation on him this morning to check on the general condition of his heart and try to locate the material. The man is 78 years old so any sort of situation of this nature is not dangerous. They have stated he is in no immediate danger and will be intensely monitored for any signs of infection or worsening of his condition. So far neither the White house nor the VP’s staff have issued any further comments.

– All in all it makes all the latenight joksters like Letterman look pretty petty and cynical. They might have at least waited till the mans condition was known before troting out all the WMD/Cheney jokes. I think of all the things I find the most distasteful of all about the Liberal mindset is this sort of uncaring cynacism. Nothing is due any respect. Nothing is sacred. Everything is fair game….

– Bang
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 14, 2006 at 2:34 pm

…Make that IS dangerous
andrew says:

February 14, 2006 at 3:02 pm

It seems one way the media manufactures a scandal is to cause heart attacks.
Derrick says:

February 14, 2006 at 4:15 pm

Exactly Andrew,

Where are all the people saying that this was no big deal. I mean he was “PEPPERED” not shot. This happens all of the time. The MSM, the MSM. The fact is that a 78 year old man was shot in the face by accident by the Vice-President of the United States of the America. And that is a serious matter whether you like it or not. I just hope this guy pulls through, for Dick’s sake.
sanity says:

February 14, 2006 at 5:51 pm

No one is saying this is not a big deal, but the media doesn’t care aboutthe mans condition, they only cared about that they were not TOLD FIRST.

I understand it is something major when the VP injures another, especially in a hunting accident, but the consiracy theories are coming from idiots out there and that includes the MSM, that are not wanting to actually report the news but create something more out of the time it took them to get the news released to them.

What sells more?

* Vice President Cheney accidentally shoots hunting companion….

or slanted / sensationalism like this…

* Vice President Cheney shoots a man in the woods….

* Vice President aims gun at and shoots friend….

* Vice President shoots man and delays information to press…

Beware of sensationalism with journalist. They are out to sell thier papers and so will make the most inflamatory titles when writing.

Even more so if they feel slighted cause the VP sought medical treatment and stayed by the side of the friend who was shot and not telling them first……
Mwalimu Daudi says:

February 14, 2006 at 6:50 pm

It’s been fun watching the tinfoil-cap Left on this thread. It proves the old legal saying: When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have neither the law nor the facts on your side (hi, Andrew!), scream and pound the table.

THIS JUST IN: The body count remains Ted Kennedy 1, Veep 0.
cbank13 says:

February 15, 2006 at 9:27 am

Sorry, but I’m saying this is ABSOLUTELY no big deal. It’s a hunting accident, end of story. In Wisconsin, this does occasionally happen. SO WHAT? It’s not even close to the Chai Vang killing spree in northwest Wisconsin over a year ago. This was simply an accident. Two friends both got careless while hunting, and the result is one got wounded. Stop the presses. There is no story of ANY significance whatsoever.
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February 24, 2006 at 4:31 pm

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