Posted on 02/13/2006 9:39:43 AM PST by tsmith130
What keeps McCellan from taking off his shoe and throwing it at these people?! I'd last a nanosecond in that job. They keep badgering him about the EXACT time of everything. They're pissing over a few hours!
No, your believing such shows you really are not being objective here.
This was a MINOR hunting accident.
Sorry, but the Veep is a major elected political figure. Him injuring someone in a hunting accident is a signficant story. For you to insinuate otherwise is absurd.
I thought it was #8 bird. If he got hit in the face and neck with buckshot at 30 yards, he is almost certainly going to be very seriously wounded, much more so than the reports are implying.
They should have cloned Ari before he left.
That said. . .Scott vs the media is like a boy. . .taking on the mafia. I feel his pain. . .
me too///
Their arrogance is beginning to have an aroma. . .
. . .and they cannot help but betray themselves. They are a pathetic and outrageous reminder of what America's 'free press' has become.
I completely agree about McClellan looking weak... but I've heard that he has a history with Bush and that he was awarded this job. No one can say that they can't find anyone better...
This press conference has turned into a farce. Beam me out of here Scotty.
“Is it feasable for me to procure the neccessary documentation for wildlife-management in this establishment?” -Kerry 'Massachusetts-Speak'
I am only about half way through the thread, but I can't believe that other Freepers are blasting you on your opinion.
THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ACCIDENTLY SHOT A MAN
How is this not major news? I think the press are acting like idiots, but if there is one major flaw within this administration, it is PR ineptitude! How many times have we complained about their lack of response time? I can think of a few examples. This is may not be the case, but it does look like the WH was stalling. I don't think it was because of the Sunday talk shows, or anything stupid like that. I (this is only my speculation) think that the man that was shot, was probably more medically unstable than what we are being told. I don't know if it was from his injuries, or maybe a preexisting condition, but let's face it, you aren't put in ICU for "flesh wounds", unless their is something else in your body system that is going on.
My scenario goes something like this, (again speculation only) 1) VP Cheney sprays a man with birdshot, 2) He is rushed to nearest hospital, where at the time his condition is unstable 3) AFTER his condition stabilizes (the next day), the VP then gives permission for disclosure.
I don't think this was done maliciously, but under an abundance of caution. They wanted to make sure they could say the man was going to be OK, before they spoke to the press, but in my mind it was a poor decision. If Scott's timeline was correct, this would fit everything perfectly.
Flame away, I am not posting and running, I will be back later to respond.
Once again, BRAVO dirtboy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that's part of the problem here. We're so used to the incessant press attacks on the Admin that we tend to immediately counter them, since just about all of them are groundless - but sometimes there is a basis and we should be careful not to defend just for the sake of defending. Sometimes a few lumps are in order, if anything to knock some sense into the Bush Admin regarding their weak spots.
In this case, I think the White House screwed up in taking so long to release the news - it creates the impression that there was something to hide. Like you said, they don't seem to understand how to manage the press cycle.
But this was a major story - thanks for the kind words.
Hannity about to play press conference clips after the break.
A few points to cover for general information before things get too far off tilt..
TEXAS HUNTER EDUCATION:
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course.
DICK CHENEY EXEMPT FROM HUNTER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT IN TEXAS
TEXAS BLAZE ORANGE LAWS
All persons on public hunting lands (state, national forests, and grasslands) during daylight hours when hunting with firearms is permitted must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material with orange headgear, and at least 144 square inches appearing on both chest and back.
Exempt from these requirements are:
persons hunting turkey, migratory birds, alligators, or desert bighorn sheep;
persons within the enclosed passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; or
persons within a designated campground, designated vehicle parking area, designated boat launching facility, or departmental check station.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PARTY WERE REPORTED TO BE WEARING "HUNTER ORANGE".
I'm going to take a wild-assed guess and say number #9 birdshot. Those shot are .09" in size @ 585 per ounce. That's a fat pencil point. Cheney reportedly was using a 28 Gauge shotgun. The shootee was reportedly 30 yards away. At that range clothing should have stopped some of them.
The arrogant know-nothing press have made themselves the story now.
Seriously, 18 hours OVER A WEEKEND is "so long"?! I was just joking above, but now I really want to know your opinion - if something similar happened at midnight and the press release was released first thing 9:00 a.m., would that be "so long"?
As much as I despise the MSM... I have to agree this was probably poorly handled by Cheney's media team. This was bound to get out. Why not release it earlier?
Yes, it is. It is a major story when the Vice President of the United States is involved in an accidental shooting. News cycles nowadays run on minutes, not hours.
The only reason for any delay in issuing a press release would be to wait until Whittington's family is notified and he makes it to the hospital, and to notify the local police that the newshogs might be descending in force so they can start to get ready. That takes what, four to six hours? At the very latest, release it first thing the next morning.
In another article, it is claimed that Cheney wanted the ranch owner to go public with the story. That is nuts. Cheney is part of the White House. They have top PR professionals, or at least should. They should be the ones on top of the news cycle here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.