Beyond all the humor (and boy does this invite a lot of that) and the stories of Whittington having a heart attack, or Dick Cheney being slapped on the wrist for not having a quail-hunting license...comes the real story.
This is just another example of the Bush administration's contempt for all things media-related. Anyone in the media is immediately an enemy - hell, the media feels the same way. Just look at how David Gregory reacted when he felt that Scott McLellan was ducking the questions. He went crazy.
Gregory, like the rest of the press, felt that it should not have taken 18 hours to get the story out. Maybe it is because the press feels bad that they were used in the leadup to Iraq. Maybe they realized that they are actually reporters. Maybe Gregory had a bad breakfast.
But the obvious lies that the Bush administration are fobbing off as excuses are surely starting to get on the nerves of people in the press. Take the reporting of Harry Whittington's heart attack. McLellan lied about having no new information to the press. It took one simple question to find the lie.
These are things that the general public does not see - but surely all the small insults to the intelligence are grating on the press. When McLellan says that he won't comment on ongoing investigations in certain cases and decides he can in others...that doesn't sit well with the press.
The White House explanation on why it took so long to inform anyone (not just the press) is that Cheney had to see that Whittington was all right. It took nearly a full day to find out that Whittington was all right? If that is the case, then it is a huge story - Whittington is more injured than reported!
It's sad when the Whtie Hosue insults all of our intelligence with petty lies that make no sense on issues like this.
Saw your post on FDL and wanted to say WELCOME! I am a high school teacher and want to encourage you to post and learn and STAY INVOLVED! I wish more of my students cared enough to start a blog and comment on the day's events as you do!
When is the story of George Bush killing a killdeer and being fined for it during a photo-op hunting leading up to his race for governor of Texas going to make the papers? It seems like it's a part of the history of the story.
Also, what kind of shot was in these BBs? metal or lead, which has been banned in many states because it leads to lead poisoning of waterfowl.
Also, why shouldn't Cheney not know about the upland game bird stamp? Was it not a federal stamp, requiring legislation and the president's signature?
1) I think they were lead BBs
2) Even if it were federal legislation, I'm not sure if Cheney would have had any reason to remember it. I think the not-having-a-special-stamp thing is being blown out of proportion.
3) Also, I just want to say that the former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer says it should have been reported. Down goes another White House talking point. Don't think this warranted a completely new post, but needed to be said.
The NY Times reported that the Cheney team said the incedent occured at 5:30 PM. Sunset was at 6:07.
Most states require that hunting begin no sooner than 30 minutes after sunrise and no later than 30 minutes before sunset - due to poor visibility.
Pretty curious they made it with only 7 minutes to spare.
GM