Ahh, everone's favorite topic of discussion this week. Even the Friday Fiver has gotten in on the VP shot someone in the face with a shotgun thing.
1. Do you have good hand-eye coordination?
Decent enough for swinging swords and throwing axes with a bit of accuracy.
2. Have you ever held a gun?
Yes, held and fired a hunting rifle at paper targets.
3. What do you think of toy guns?
Do I think they make people violent? No. Do I think it's bad for children to have toy guns? No, but I do believe that children need to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. Parents need to pay attention to their children enough to catch early warning signs if the lines between fantasy and reality start to become blurred.
4. When is the last time you asked for forgiveness?
Last spring I said some things to a friend that my inner monologue should have kept silent.
5. Your favorite Aerosmith song:
Dream On, also Sweet Emotion and Walk This Way, featuring Run DMC
There are, of course, other questions that the Cheney-Whittington shooting brings up.
1. How do you feel about canned hunting operations?
2. Do you believe that there was alcohol involved?
3. How do you suppose the police would have handled the situation if an average citizen shot his hunting partner?
4. Why did it take so long for Cheney to make a statement.
5. Do you think Cheney will be charged with anything if Whittington dies from his wounds?
In answer to my own questions...
1. I think it's unsportsmanlike to hunt penned game. I also think that grain fed quail are about as weary of humans as urban pigeons.
2. When the story broke earlier this week, I really didn't think alcohol was involved. If these guys had to hunt released domestic quail, then I don't think we're dealing with some experienced hunters. People get excited, accidents happen. Now, however, it's revealed that lunch may have included a beer or two. Yeah, right. Anyone who's ever been stopped by the cops tells them they've had 2 beers. This makes me think alcohol was an issue, and the 14 hour delay in talking to the police is now explained. Cheney probably needed to sober up.
3. If this was Joe Average-citizen and his buddy, there would have been a delay in talking to the police. Cheney was allowed a 14 hour grace period to sober up and get his story straight. Depending on the shooter's BAC, charges may have been brought for reckless endangerement. The hunting license would have certainly been revoked, with the possiblity of not being allowed to own firearms.
4. This is by far the biggest goof in how the situation was handled. If Cheney made a statement when the incident happeded, then the late night talk shows would have made some jokes and the whole thing would have been soon forgotten. Now it's become front page news. The reason it took so long is that he was under the impression that this could be just quietly swept inder the rug. I also don't think Cheney is all that sorry. Earlier this week he tried to blame Whittington for the accident (Whittington didn't announce his position). Sorry, the shooter is always responsible, but taking responsibility has not been one of this administrations strong points.
5. If the worst happens and Whittington dies, either directly from his wounds or complications, then I think we'll see his family speak out and attempt to bring about charges on Cheney. I do not believe that they'll be able to make the charges stick. I don't think this is enough to get him thrown out, but later Cheney may step down from his VP position, due to 'health concerns'.
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