comment43

Issue #44

Last Update March 2, 2006

Commentary February 15, 2005 The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight literally couldn't shoot straight. Vice President Cheney apparently hunts the same way he does everything else: incompetently, secretly, surrounded by lobbyists and campaign contributors, and with complete disregard of human life. The Imperial Vice President didn't even think it necessary to inform his nominal boss of the event; perhaps puppets do not have a need to know. Cheney's apology to his hunting buddy was one of the coldest statements imaginable; apparently the Vice President has no empathy even for friends.

It is interesting that this event, which has no apparent connection to the Vice President's job, should have been instantly picked up by the media, portrayed as a cover-up, and played for all it's worth. Several things may account for this: the media's well-earned dislike of Mr. Cheney (although formerly friendly conservative outlets are running with the story as well); a feeling that this administration has dropped so far in public esteem that it is safe to pile on; and the sense that this is just one more in an intolerable series of arrogant mistakes at the highest levels of government, and thus worthy of coverage as part of the pattern.

The true extent of Mr. Whittington's injuries, originally portrayed as painful but trivial, is just now becoming known. A heart attack caused by a shotgun pellet is not trivial, and the sheer quantity of pellets remaining in his body is tribute to the shock and awe of Mr. Cheney's marksmanshp. The snap judgment of law enforcement authorities that this was a minor hunting accident may have to be revisited if Mr. Whittington dies or is reevaluated as gravely injured.

A significant segment of the Republican Party is now in open revolt against the President, but no remedy is possible as long as Mr. Cheney stands ready to take Mr. Bush's place. Just as Nixon became vulnerable when Agnew resigned, Bush will face major pressures to resign once Cheney is out of the way. As a nation we are not good at dealing with cognitive dissonance, so getting rid of Cheney for the real harm he has done and the real laws he has broken is not likely; instead, the public is likely to use something trivial like this hunting accident to eliminate him.

As king James said of the Long Parliament, "Ye have sat too long. In God's name, go."