If this had been 1998 instead of 2005, if the shooter had been Al Gore instead of Dick Cheney, and if everything else about this story remained exactly the same...what would the majority of the people in this forum, you and I included, be saying?
I've been out shooting at stuff a few times. I don't see the deal. I'd laugh if it were Gore, because he's a gun idiot. But that's about it for me, old friend.
NO BIG DEAL, move along is what I would have been saying in 1998....NOW, regarding a sitting PRESIDENT LYING before a Grand Jury, THAT's NOT a "move along" point. Get over it. Dick Cheney and his staff made sure they had the CORRECT information AND, that his friend was OKAY BEFORE they called in the press....there IS NOTHING wrong here. Sheesh.
That was a snappy answer. Fact is, going out shooting at stuff is an old past time of mine. My ears ring now because of it. Always. It never leaves me. I just can't worked up over what happened with Cheney...all I know is that I'd feel just aweful if I were him.
I think I can ask you a question and get an honest answer.
If this had been 1998 instead of 2005, if the shooter had been Al Gore instead of Dick Cheney, and if everything else about this story remained exactly the same...what would the majority of the people in this forum, you and I included, be saying?
A) COVER UP!!!
-- I'd say about 20-25% of the FR posters of that day would have overreacted, -- lead by silly rabble rouser's like Navigator; Mojo; go bill go; -- types like that..
B) No big deal...nothing to see, move along.
-- 75-80% of FReepers back then were gun savvy hunting types who would have scoffed at a simple hunting accident being blown out of proportion.
It would have never happened the same way if it had been Al Gore. Al would have called the NYT before making the 911 call.
Al Gore having a hunting accident would be no big deal. Having a hunting accident while trying to criminal all gun owners for the slightest infraction would be a bigger deal.
WJC getting a blow job would be no big deal. Perjury and witness intimidation and bombing aspirin factories as a distraction during a sexual harassment proceeding is a bigger deal.
Got it, friend?
You forget the class of us who actually know something about hunting. A teaching collague of my wife went bow-hunting with a friend and ended up with an arrow in his chest. It is a big deal, but only because someone got hurt. To hell with the political games.