Bullseye

[Bill Glasheen]

And now we hear from the victim.

And why am I not surprised by what Mr. Whittington has to say?

And why did I never get agreement on that bet?? <dig, dig...>

Man shot by Cheney says it was 'accident,' to leave hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — The lawyer shot by Vice President Dick Cheney during a hunting trip was being discharged from a hospital on Friday and told reporters he was sorry for all the trouble Cheney had faced over the past week.

Cheney, speaking to the Wyoming Legislature on Friday, also alluded to the shooting as he thanked lawmakers in his home state for their half-minute standing ovation.

"It's a wonderful experience to be greeted by such warmth by the leaders of our great state. It's especially true when you've had a very long week.

"Thankfully, Harry Whittington is on the mend and doing well," Cheney said.

Whittington, wearing a suit and tie, gave a brief statement and didn't take questions. His voice was a bit raspy, but strong, and he had what appeared to be a line of scarring on his upper right eyelid and scrapes on his neck.

"We all assume certain risks in what we do, in what activities we pursue," the 78-year-old Austin attorney said. "Accidents do and will happen."

Whittington was hit in the face, neck and chest with birdshot Saturday during a hunting trip at a South Texas ranch. He had been listed in stable condition in a Corpus Christi hospital since suffering a mild heart attack Tuesday after a shotgun pellet traveled to his heart.

Cheney took full blame for the shooting in an interview Wednesday with Fox News, his first public comments on what happened that day.

"I'm the guy who pulled the trigger and shot my friend," Cheney said in the interview. He said it was "one of the worst days of my life."

Dr. David Blanchard, chief of emergency care at the hospital, said Whittington will go home Friday because of "his excellent health," but added that "he is not 100%."

During his statement, Whittington said the past weekend had encompassed "a cloud of misfortune and sadness."

"My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with," he said.

Back to the late-night jokes!



- Bill

[Van Canna]

Couple of questions:

1. What good would it do to pull his hunting license? Is it so as to prevent further mishaps? What?

2. Should we pull your driver’s license if you are involved in a minor fender bender? A moving vehicle is just as lethal as a shotgun, maybe more so.

3. Who pays/should pay for what?

Dick works for the government but he may live in a house which he owns, and in which case he will have a basic homeowner’s liability coverage which will pay any damages to a third party if caused by Dick’s negligent behavior on and off premises.

4. At the time of the accident, was Dick in the ‘course of employment’? [a government agent] or was he involved in personal pursuits/activities?

5. What is the difference?

6. Should he have umbrella liability coverage? Why?

[Gene DeMambro]

I don't know about VP Cheney's individual situation, but the VP's residence is a house on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC, on Embassy Row.

Gene

[John Giacoletti]

Right, Bill.

Back to the late-night jokes

!

The situation seems to be unwinding in a generally satisfactory manner.

Cheney has made a public statement acknowledging his responsibility for the accident and has expressed with genuine remorse his concern for shooting his friend.

Would he have made the statement if not pushed by the President? I don't think so.

I'm not quite as satisfied with Witherton's statements but he seems to have some empathy for Cheney's most uncomfortable week.

I don't like the way the investigation was stretched out. I don't like the "elected" witness and spokeswoman who was never closer than a football field away. The investigators should have a statement from the other party to the hunt, the ambassador to Switzerland who was at Cheney's side.

The ranch owner said everyone had Dr. Pepper for lunch. Cheney said he had a beer. The orchestration wasn't perfect But I don't want to read more into this than is there.

Overall ... the VP came clean. Let's move on and hope the best for Mr. Witherton.

[Van Canna]

I don't know about VP Cheney's individual situation, but the VP's residence is a house on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC, on Embassy Row.

Gene

Thanks Gene.

How does he protect himself and family against personal liability potential?