AP photo-This photo from 2002 shows Dick Cheney hunting quail in Gettysburg, S.D. "Know your target and what is beyond," the rule book states and then goes on:
Posted on 02/15/2006 5:15:11 PM PST by SJackson
I'm waiting to hear from my NRA buddies to comment about one of their national heroes, Vice President Dick Cheney.
What I particularly want to hear is their take on the contention from members of the vice president's hunting party that Harry Whittington, the 78-year-old lawyer shot by Cheney, was at fault because he didn't let anyone know where he was.
"If that's the case, this will set hunting rules back 50 years," Rich Rygh, our chief photographer and a veteran hunter, insisted at one of our news meetings the other morning. "Anyone who knows about hunting knows it's the responsibility of the person with the gun to know what's out there before shooting."
Indeed, the National Rifle Association makes that quite clear in its famous gun safety rules, which are distributed to all members and used in classes for young people.
AP photo-This photo from 2002 shows Dick Cheney hunting quail in Gettysburg, S.D. "Know your target and what is beyond," the rule book states and then goes on:
"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 a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second."
It seems to me that since there were hunters, lobbyists, Secret Service agents and multitudes of hangers-on in the vicinity of our vice president, he didn't follow that NRA rule to the hilt.
But surely we couldn't expect Dick Cheney, who has been lying to us about Iraq for three years now, to take responsibility for the accident. Instead, he and his host at the Texas ranch where the hunt took place waited nearly a full day before telling anyone about the incident to, apparently, get their stories straight.
And, of course, the accident gave us some more insight into our vice president's social habits. His host is a lobbyist for companies that have Iraqi contracts. If he's not on a hunt with Supreme Court justices like Antonin Scalia on the eve of an important court decision involving the vice president, he's schmoozing with folks looking for favors.
My friend Bob Hansen, reminded by the Cheney accident of a similar one involving former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight right here in Wisconsin, called to suggest we hold a readers' contest that includes a first prize of a hunting trip with Cheney and Knight.
Not a bad idea, but that ought to be the last prize.
ML/NJ
Primary responsibility to the veep. Assist to Whittington. Now go both of thou and sin no more. I hope you boys both learned a valuable lesson.
If I recall, Bobbie Knight shot his pal in the butt. Probably because Bobbie's pal wasn't a lobbyist for companies that have Iraqi contracts or a Supreme Court Justice. Even Zweifel's NRA buddies know you don't shoot pals with those connections in the butt, particularly lawyers.
ROFLMAO! That is awesome! New wallpaper for the computer monitor, for sure!
On Fox this evening Cheney took full responsibility.
Setting up a straw man here Dave - or would it be possible to name names?
I can't wait for Madison Newspapers Inc. to pull the plug on this feeble act - The Capital Times.
Dave Zweifel - die you egg sucking pig!
Cheney admitted he was to blame. Maybe this person can't read the newspaper. Not his fault, though. Blame the public schools.
Poor Dave! Still bitter over his failed attempt to sue Governor Thompson (and amazingly enough at the time, Attorney General Jim Doyle who is NOW our Governor!) over Freedom of Information issues waaaaay back in 1999! (Case dismissed.)
A Conservative Conspiracy 'round every corner is the ONLY thing keeping old Dave alive...
Most of the MSM are going to make themselves look like fools over this.
And yes, their buddies the Democrats are doing it too.
ROFLMAO!
Watching the media throw a fit over the *evil* republicans is, you know, so entertaining. The little liberal prudes and bigots vent their idiocy is all seriousness.
I love this story's impact. All the mutant RATs are going ballistic over what is nothing more than a tragic mistake. Let 'em run with it and piss, moan and shriek. This story will be nothing by this time next week and all that will remain for our leftist friends will be the taste of bile.
GREAT tagline today, LOL!
Maybe we should propose a FR/Capital Times quail hunt next year!
You have a point. Personally, I think firearms safety should be taught in the schools.
By every account, the guy walked up behind VP Cheney and didn't identify himself. It wasn't Mr Cheney's fault.
Hi,
How about this: "I'd Rather Go Hunting With Cheney Than Ride With Ted Kennedy Over A Bridge"
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