Oh, Good Grief, Yourself Yourself (Mark Steyn on Cheney incident)

National Review Online ^ | 2/14/06 | Mark Steyn

[frankjr]

I'm reluctant to disparage John Podhoretz as some effete metrosexual Ethel Merman impersonator, being one myself. But I can't see how the hunting thing is going to hurt Cheney or the GOP. For one thing, even when they've got the bones of a case, you can always rely on the Democrats and the media to over-react and, in so doing, come across as a lot of prigs. Already, NBC's David Gregory, the George Clooney of the press corps, has been huffin' an' a-puffin' all over the TV demanding answers - multiple answers - about why he had to wait 18 hours to hear about the accident. Who cares? A "sinister cover-up" has to boil down to more than not giving David Gregory a press release. And, given that the media's spent the last two weeks telling the public why they don't need to see these Danish cartoons, it's hard to take them seriously as sudden converts to the public's right to know every detail, if only when it comes to minor hunting accidents.

From an anecdotal survey of my part of the North Country, most guys see the Cheney business as an excuse to tell their own hunting stories, mostly of the been-there-done-(or-nearly-done)-that variety. I'm not saying I'm entirely on board with the line that real men shoot each other all the time without whining like a bunch of ninnies about what's no more than a healthy American male bonding experience. But on balance this is one of those no-scandal scandals where Democrat/media hysteria only underlines their estrangement from the average red-state male. If John disagrees, I'd be happy to argue it out with him on a hunting trip deep in the woods - or, if he doesn't trust me that far off the grid, we can shoot each other's Broadway cast albums off the back of the pick-up one weekend.

[NonValueAdded]

Steyn ping

[ladtx]

...NBC's David Gregory, the George Clooney of the press corps...

Snicker. Perfect. :o)

[hubbubhubbub]

Leno said that Cheney's approval ratings went way up because he shot a lawyer.

[airborne]

...real men shoot each other all the time without whining like a bunch of ninnies...

lol!

[ladtx]

Already, NBC's David Gregory, the George Clooney of the press corps, has been huffin' an' a-puffin' all over the TV demanding answers - multiple answers - about why he had to wait 18 hours to hear about the accident.

One other thing David. If you want the latest about the VP get off your dead a$$ in DC and follow him around. What are you going to do the rest of your life, hang around the press room and wait for someone to bring you a story on a silver platter? Nevermind, I already know the answer.

[Thombo2]

Talk about out of touch.I was floored when a journalist asked about impeachment during a WH press conference.I couldn't determine if she were serious or facetious.

[SuziQ]

And, given that the media's spent the last two weeks telling the public why they don't need to see these Danish cartoons, it's hard to take them seriously as sudden converts to the public's right to know every detail, if only when it comes to minor hunting accidents.

Mark Steyn is just brilliant!

[Steely Tom]

Already, NBC's David Gregory, the George Clooney of the press corps, has been huffin' an' a-puffin' all over the TV demanding answers - multiple answers - about why he had to wait 18 hours to hear about the accident.

It seems like playing a weak hand, to me, the MSM going wall-to-wall with stories about how the they are no longer in the loop. But I guess that's why I'm not a highly paid editor or producer.

[txroadhawg]

Oh they are in the loop alright, but it's more of a noose

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

The Liberals and especially the Liberal media just don't get it. They probably have never been hunting or laid a hand on a gun. The good ole boys down here in Georgia are already chuckling about "Quailgate." The way this story has been blown out of proportion exemplifies the huge cultural gap between Liberals that probably wouldn't survive even more than a few days on the TV show "Survivor," and the average Joe that goes fishing or hunting on the weekend.

[OldFriend]

LOL....just now hearing decades old stories of hunting 'accidents'........LOL...oh boy! Guess it was much better not to be telling the family about some of those escapades.

[Pokey78]

Thanks!

Steyn ping!

[beyond the sea]

By the way, does anyone know the name of the woman reporter at the White House who asked Scott McClellan "Would this be a bigger story if he had been killed?"

Can there ever have been a more ignorant question from a reporter?

[D-Chivas]

You just know that Steyn rattled this off in about 45 seconds. Well done, as always.

[CBart95]

Abandon exasperation here. Justice is indeed being served.

Without our help, the MSM is destroying their credibility right in front of our eyes...acting out in ways we might have only prayed they would. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?)

MMMMM!

[saveliberty]

Oh wow! Double duty! Thank you, Pokey78!

[steve-b]

What's really sad is that Cheney indulges in "canned hunting" (i.e. the girly-man pretend version).

[DCPatriot]

Thanks Pokey.

[airborne]

Can there ever have been a more ignorant question from a reporter?

I'm sure the press can come up with dumber questions.

After all, it's what they do!