Bullseye

[John Giacoletti]

Now that Mr. Whittington is back in the intensive care unit as a result of a bird shot pellet affecting his heart, the cascade of jokes from the late show hosts don't seem quite so funny.

Nor can we expect Mr. Cheney to come forth with a public apology. The seriousness of the situation mounts with the dire consequences to Mr. Whittington's heath and the subsequent effect of the buckshot "peppering" on the multimillionaire's lifestyle, income, legal career and family.

The exposure of any public statement the VP should make is fraught with untenable personal liability in a civil lawsuit that is certain to follow especially if manslaughter become an issue. Cheney's legal birddogs have qualshed any hope of a forthright and sincere apology in a situation that has already passed the finger pointing and blame-game stages with Cheney's public remark that Whittington failed to announce his position when he return to the hunting party.
The VP is a "dirty bird" but he's no turkey.

I find Bill's rhetorical devices interesting. First the red herring of the "good" Samaritan to diffuse the matter of the constant presence of Cheney's medical staff and then the curious omission of Jay Leno's remark in Bill's account of the rash of show host humour ....

"I guess the guy is going to be okay," Leno said. "When the ambulance got there out of force of habit they put Cheney on the stretcher."

This strikes a nerve with the Cheney supporters. The guy is a walking heart-attack, is frequently in and out of the hospital for irregular heart beat He's secretive about the health issue and even attempts to discount his adverse reaction to medication for swelled legs which caused him to be hospitalized a few weeks ago and which his staff attempted to conceal.

The man is not physically fit to be a heartbeat away from Commander in Chief.

His finger pulled the trigger on the shotgun that has physically wounded and impaired the health of a wholly innocent and well-meaning citizen. This was a preventable occurance and no accident like slipping or a trip.

You can be assured that Whittington's PI staff are researching legal briefs. They will say about Cheney and his argument ... "that dog don't hunt."

That will be $______ million Mr Vice-President.

Come on gents and ladies, no one wants to answere my question ... What would have happened to Whittington had he shot Cheney?

The Secret Service would have blasted him past recognition, eh?

[Stryke]

Come on gents and ladies, no one wants to answere my question ... What would have happened to Whittington had he shot Cheney?

why thats simple .....

the democrats would of defended it as an accident

and the republicans would be threatening to sue and baying at the moon .

good thing this has nothing to do with politics

[benzocaine]

Come on gents and ladies, no one wants to answere my question ... What would have happened to Whittington had he shot Cheney?

The Secret Service would have blasted him past recognition, eh?

We can only speculate. That blast would have probably given Dick "the big one" though.

(swollen legs are usually a clear indicatorof fluid retention which COULD have been cause by medications, but are found more often with kidney failure... Cheney on dialysis????(no).. or an inneficient heart, otherwise known as heart failure)

[MikeK]

Let's hunt for answers on gun use
MARK HOLMBERG
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

First, Del. Jack Reid accidentally shoots an unoccupied flak jacket inside Capitol Square. Then Vice President Dick Cheney blasts a 78-year-old lawyer buddy while quail hunting.

What is this, stupid-gun-tricks year?

Some other questions:

# How often are people with Virginia concealed-carry permits involved in firearm accidents?

Probably not many, but no one knows for sure. Unless a criminal charge is filed, accidents such as Reid's don't raise red flags with the Virginia State Police permit folks.

# What happens when someone with a concealed-carry permit (renewable every five years) is charged with a crime or other permit violation?

The list of permit holders is part of Virginia's Criminal Information Network. When an arrest occurs or a warrant is issued, if the person involved has a concealed-carry permit, that is flagged.

During the past three years, the Virginia State Police notified circuit courts throughout the state 1,567 times about permit holders. Of those notifications, 796 were for recent arrests for potentially disqualifying offenses; 771 were for persons named in protective orders.

During the past three years, 481concealed-carry permits were revoked, according to Donna Tate, manager of the Virginia State Police Firearms Transaction Center.

# Is training required?

Virginia requires a firearms course or other proof of competence, such as prior military or police service.

# How prevalent are concealed carriers in Virginia?

The Virginia State Police lists 125,020 permit holders -- 1 in 56 Virginians.

In Chesterfield County, 2 percent of residents have concealed-carry permits, as do nearly 3 percent of Hanover residents. Then there's Henrico (1.3 percent), Richmond (0.9 percent) and Goochland (0.35 percent).

As for state legislators, a whopping 10 percent have concealed-carry permits.

# Why so high for the General Assembly?

They're elected officials with little protection who have public lives and make controversial decisions. Some have previous law-enforcement experience.

# Are they really in danger?

In November 2000, Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, and his wife, Julie, were robbed at gunpoint while walking to their car after a political function at the Richmond Marriott downtown.

The robber wasn't satisfied with the $15 they had. "I'm looking in his eyes," Cox recalled yesterday. "He was making a split-second decision whether or not to shoot me."

# Why didn't Cox apply for a carry permit?

"It's certainly something I considered," said Cox, who supports the right. "I have four boys, I'm teaching school. It's a time issue, also. You have to devote a little time" to training and practice. "It would be a pretty big process."

# What's the risk of being accidentally shot to death in this nation?

According to a National Safety Council report, the per capita rate stood at 0.5 for every 100,000 people in 1995.

You are about 32 times as likely to die in a car crash, three times as likely to drown and twice as likely to choke to death on something you've eaten.

# Have other prominent figures here pulled a Reid or a Cheney?

In 1987, Mayor Roy West shot himself in the hand while cleaning a pistol he kept for protection. Initially, he said he injured himself in a fall.

When a Times-Dispatch reporter confronted him with a police report about the shooting, West admitted he made "a foolish mistake."

Contact staff writer Mark Holmberg at mholmberg@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6822. His column appears on Wednesday and Sunday.

[Bill Glasheen]

Marcus

It really takes an outsider to see the humor and idiocy in all this. Your comments have been razor sharp and spot on.

'Nuff said.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

Gene

I hear your arguments.

As Marcus said, this is getting political. It’s a controversy, and for some a reason to dump all the past perceived transgressions on the table.

But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar…

I think 18 hours (that's the latest estimate) isn't too much time to reveal an accident between two friends on private property - especially since…

1) It involves private medical information.

2) The safety of the victim is WAY more important than the curiosity of the public over their politicians, Hollywood actors, etc., etc. (Sometimes I think people should get a life...)

3) The press can - and does - get in the way. They can be - and often are - a pain in the ass. I for one am glad for Mr. Whittington got first aid and was rushed safely to a hospital before any outsider got their nose into it. I am glad the local Sheriff had a chance to interview all parties involved to figure out if there were any laws involved, or improprieties (drinking and hunting) committed. I am glad the landowner got the chance to understand what had happened and contemplate the impact of it all. And I am glad the landowner got the choice of which media publication would first get the news. Because you’ve gotta know that:

a) the press will be (and is) all over the medical team trying to protect a man’s life,

b) the press will be (and is) all over the outside of the ranch of a private citizen,

c) the press will be (and is) all over the local sheriff department trying to conduct an important investigation.

4) GW doesn’t have to run for office any more. Not only that, but Cheney will not seek the nomination for president, nor will he accept it if offered. So you see… There’s nothing the press can blackmail them on, and EVERYONE knows it. And that drives the press bloody nuts! And it drives their political enemies nuts. Ya think Cheney’s telling everyone to “Buzz off!” Of course he is! This just is what it is. It is a power that Bush/Cheney can use to get something done politically that is difficult to do. I wish more people would use that “power” to solve some difficult problems.

They did try on a few issues – like social security. That’s a tough, ugly problem, and won’t go away. They failed… But they tried!

So, Gene, there’s really no mystery here. People may not like it, but it’s all perfectly understandable.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

John

I did not "choose" to omit the particular joke that you included (about the ambulance people trying to put Cheney on the stretcher). There are plenty of anti-Republican jokes amongst the many I put on the Deadeye Dick thread - particularly from CBS. Ya think? Hey, everyone needs to be able to laugh at themselves.

You are trying to make a controversy where it does not exist. I received an e-mail from my twin sister (sent to all my family members) about jokes told the night before. If you're one of those folks who gets e-mails from friends about stupid things, you'll eventually see it. Otherwise, I am sure there are probably a half dozen people who read these threads that will see I posted VER BATUM what was sent. Stupid things like these make it around the Internet at the speed of light. I edited to make it pretty (bolds, spacing), but otherwise just reported what I got.

There was no bias.

The bias, then, quite possibly is yours. You saw something that wasn't there, the way a patient sees something in a Rorschach image. So... What does this say about you? Could it be that:

* You hate Cheney? (Duh!!!)

* You are a Democrat? (Duh!!!)

* You believe a man who is being treated for a heart condition isn't capable of holding a job down?

Hmm...

Your biases are showing, sir!

As for the ridiculous lawsuit you are proposing... Ain't gonna happen! You're thinking like a Democrat trial attorney.

Think like a Republican. (Better yet, think like a Libertarian... ) Think like two gentlemen who are friends.

I'll bet you a gentleman's dollar that said civil lawsuit never happens.

- Bill

[John Giacoletti]

Do I think Cheney's scumbag is any worse than Clinton's or the Kennedy clans? No. And it doesn't even approach Nixon's.

I really don't care if about Cheney's party. I support the President; I don't support the Vice-President.

I have been taught to take responsibility for my actions and I expect no less from our country's leadership.

I have weighed Cheney's actions and found him wanting.

We'll see about the trial...

News Item:

Whittington has said through hospital officials that he does not want to comment on the shooting. A young man at Whittington's Austin home who identified himself as his grandson said Tuesday he did not have time to talk to a reporter and closed the door.

Whittington's refusal to issue a statement is a red flag indication that the friendship doesn't run that deep after all.

Actually I find Whittington's position morally and ethically untenable as well as Cheney's.

If Whittington holds no ill will, he should issue a statement of full and total forgiveness for Cheney shooting him. I think the last Pope did this when some fanatic tried to assasinate him. There is no emotional and spiritual healing until there is full and total forgiveness.

On Cheney's part, until he issues a full and complete apology and asks for forgiveness, emotionally and psychologically it's going to eat unmercifully at him.

Those are my values and I feel Cheney and Whittington are neither up to my expectations. So let it eat their hearts out.

I'll wait for the song of the man who has come through.

[Bill Glasheen]

Oye!!!

You read your tea leaves in a rather funny manner...

And I think we need to leave Mr. Whittington alone. He just got shot, after all, and just came through a cardiac cath. Ever had one done?

Isn't it clear to all that these men want their privacy?

Is the gentleman's bet on, John?

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

FWIW...

The cadiac cath was performed to check the patency of the heart circulation. An irregular heartbeat can be the sign of a lot of different things. And while they are at it, they can also "see" any birdshot, and if it moves with the motion of the heart or not. That tells them a lot about where the shot are, and how they might be irritating the heart.

The good news is that the medical team reported that the man's circulation was "clean." That's great! This means that there were no pre-existing conditions causing the heartbeat irregularities. It also means we aren't likely to see a stress-induced heart attack (similar to a man shoveling snow and having a heart event).

They probably know much more than they are reporting, and that's their prerogative. There's a whole lot that this cardiac cath procedure could have revealed, both directly and indirectly.

- Bill

[Glenn]

If Whittington holds no ill will, he should issue a statement of full and total forgiveness for Cheney shooting him. I think the last Pope did this when some fanatic tried to assasinate him. There is no emotional and spiritual healing until there is full and total forgiveness.

On Cheney's part, until he issues a full and complete apology and asks for forgiveness, emotionally and psychologically it's going to eat unmercifully at him.

For all we know Cheney has apologized to Whittington and Whittington foregiven him. Why would either of these have to be done in the form of public statements? They are not obligated to make public their personal interactions over this matter, nor do I believe we should hold them to a higher standard of needing to make public statements about a personal matter.

[Bill Glasheen]

Thank you, Glenn. I alluded exactly to that when I suggested that these two men want their privacy. Mr. Cheney already has visited Mr. Whittington, and is keeping in contact with him by phone.

I accidentally knocked someone out in Dan Kumite once... It was the spinning hook kick. I caught the poor fellow in the jaw when he did his block wrong. We've since modified that now-defunct number 3, and it is our own personal dojo number 7.

Anyhow... I was in the ER staying with this fellow. I helped him call some personal friends. He had bad amnesia, and I wanted to make sure his outside life was in order. So this one minister friend comes in, and sits with the both of us. And when we explained what happened, this minister (believe it or not) proceeded to judge our actions (he wasn't there) and tell me stuff about my character. I did not feel a need to tell this minister anything. I smiled and listened. And I didn't feel a need to tell the minister or anyone else the words that this young man and I had with each other in private.

Several years later, by the way, he got his shodan.

The example of the pope forgiving his shooter in public is different. First, the attacker intended to harm and/or kill the pope. Second, the pope is a public example of Christianity. He chose to make his forgiveness public because it is his job to teach the world Christian principles to live by. That was the context of those actions.

This is two friends. It's an unfortunate accident. And if I am not mistaken, they'd rather everyone else leave them alone and get a life. And from a medical standpoint, the law protects the victim here. From a legal standpoint, there are other elements of privacy to consider.

It's fine to scrutinize to the extent that the VP lived by the law. He's a public figure, and he is a political leader. That's fair game.

Everything else... We receive that information at their pleasure - or not.

Inquiring minds want to know, but... Sometimes it's best to respect individuals' privacy - especially to the extent that one party isn't a public figure.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

From USA Today, with my commentary...

Cheney to discuss hunting accident

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — The hunter shot by Vice President Dick Cheney had a normal heart rhythm again Wednesday and was doing well, hospital officials said, as Cheney prepared to speak about the incident publicly for the first time.

Cheney was to appear on Fox News Channel at 6 p.m. ET, the network and the White House announced.

Well so the press gets their story now. But... Oh my, but look who gets the scoop!

Do you see the pattern?

Harry Whittington, 78, a Republican supporter from Austin, was hit in the face and chest by birdshot Saturday and was in stable condition Wednesday after suffering a mild heart attack when one of the pellets in his chest traveled to his heart.

Hospital officials said Whittington had a normal heart rhythm again and was sitting up in a chair, eating regular food and planned to do some attorney work in his hospital room. He had had no further complications and was expected to remain in the hospital for about another week.

"He still kind of wonders what all the hoopla is about," said Peter Banko, the hospital's administrator. He said Whittington sees it as "much ado about nothing."

This from the hospital's spokesperson who is hired and trained to deal with the press on myriad issues. I had a sister-in-law who had that job...

So should we take this hosptial spokesperson for their word?

Banko said Whittington was still in ICU, but only for personal privacy reasons. Doctors were conducting regular tests and watching Whittington closely after deciding to leave the pellet in his chest rather than operating to remove it.

"He's doing extremely well right now," Banko said. His doctors at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial have said they are highly optimistic about his recovery.

Good!

Critics of the Bush administration have called for more of an explanation from Cheney about the shooting Saturday while the vice president was aiming at quail on a ranch in South Texas.

They sure have...

Cheney called Whittington on Tuesday and wished him well and asked if there was anything he needed, a statement released by the vice president's office said.

"The vice president said that he stood ready to assist. Mr. Whittington's spirits were good, but obviously his situation deserves the careful monitoring that his doctors are providing," the statement said.

These are press secretary statements for public consumption. Do we believe the 2 men are chatting and on good terms?

Through hospital officials, Whittington has declined to comment.

And that's his prerogative!

Texas officials said the shooting was an accident and no charges have been brought against the vice president.

A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report issued Monday said Whittington was retrieving a downed bird and stepped out of the hunting line he was sharing with Cheney.

"Another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck and chest at approximately 30 yards," the report said.

That report says a lot... Hunting experts can go a long way with it in pointing out the "goofs" by the various parties.

Cheney was using No. 7 1/2 shot from a 28-gauge shotgun. Shotgun pellets typically are made of steel or lead; the pellets in No. 7 1/2 shot are just under one-tenth of an inch in diameter.

Hospital officials said they were not concerned about the six to 200 other pieces of birdshot that might still be lodged in Whittington's body.

The pellet that traveled to his heart was either touching or embedded in the heart muscle near the top chambers, called the atria, officials said.

Whenever I cannunlated the atrium in my experiments, it was very common for the heart to experience atrial fibrillation. The atrium generally is the origin of pacemaker activity. If the atrium hiccups, the whole heart responds in kind.

A-fib is no big deal unless it lasts a long time. If that happens, the heart can throw off clots which can go out into the body - including the brain. Fortunately there are meds which fix the problem.

It caused inflammation that pushed on the heart in a way that temporarily blocked blood flow, what the doctors called a "silent heart attack." This is not a traditional heart attack where an artery is blocked, and doctors said Whittington's arteries were healthy. It also irritated the atria and caused an irregular heartbeat.

This isn't a very good explanation, IMO. Basically the atrium was irritated (physically and/or chemically) by the presence of a foreign object. It caused cardiac cells in the region to fire electrically, which threw the heart off its normal beat.

But again, this can be fixed.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

And this just in. It speaks for itself.

- Bill

Cheney breaks silence on hunting accident

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday accepted full responsibility for shooting a fellow hunter and defended his decision not to publicly disclose the accident until the following day.

"I'm the guy who pulled the trigger that fired the round that hit Harry," Cheney told Fox News Channel in his first public comments since the accident Saturday in south Texas.

Cheney described seeing 78-year-old Harry Whittington fall to the ground after he pulled the trigger while aiming at a covey of quail, calling it one of the worst days of his life.

"You can talk about all of the other conditions that exist at the time but that's the bottom line and — it was not Harry's fault," he said in an interview with Brit Hume. "You can't blame anybody else. I'm the guy who pulled the trigger and shot my friend."

He said he fortunately always has a medical team with him, and members of that team responded to Whittington immediately after the accident.

"I ran over to him," Cheney said. "He was laying there on his back, obviously, bleeding. You could see where the shot struck him."

He said he has no idea if he hit a bird because he was completely focused on Whittington.

"I said, 'Harry, I had no idea you were there.' He didn't respond," Cheney said.

[Bill Glasheen]

Cheney has been roundly criticized for failing to tell the public about the accident until the next day. He said he thought it made sense to let the owner of the ranch where it happened reveal the accident on the local newspaper's website Sunday morning.

"I thought that was the right call," Cheney said. "I still do."

Cheney said he agreed that ranch owner Katharine Armstrong should make the story public, because she was an eyewitness, because she grew up on the ranch and because she is "an acknowledged expert in all of this" as a past head of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He also agreed with her decision to choose the local newspaper as the way to get the news out.

"I thought that made good sense because you can get as accurate a story as possible from somebody who knew and understood hunting and then it would immediately go up to the wires and be posted on the website, which is the way it went out and I thought that was the right call," Cheney said.

"What do you think now?" he was asked.

"I still do," Cheney responded. "The accuracy was enormously important. I had no press person with me."