It's Negligence... Plain And Simple
Watching various news and commentary shows this evening, there are a lot of folks opining about Vice President Cheney's actions in shooting his friend, fellow Republican (a Texas GOP big wig), on the hunting ranch.
Let's put things into perspective:
1. Hunters are required to wear bright orange in some manner so that they are easy to see. This is a requirement in almost all states as a measure to eliminate hunting accidents.
2. The person doing the shooting is 100% responsible for where the weapon is pointed and when the trigger is pulled. This is a lesson that most of us that have hunted, shot at a firing range or been in the military learned very early in the process of using firearms.
3. In almost all of the states, including Texas, hunters must show proof of taking a class in hunter safety in order to get a license. This is another step intended to cut down on hunting accidents, especially shooting accidents.
4. Hunters are required to have all the proper licenses, permits and stamps before going hunting.
5. The owners and operators of hunting clubs, hunting ranges and "canned" hunting ranches are required to make sure that all laws (including licensing laws), safety precautions and limits are observed.
6. Cheney shot without making sure that the line of fire was clear and free of all obstacles, hazards and danger to others.
Plain and simple. Our vice president was negligent and, quite possibly, reckless. There can be no other conclusions and no doubt about it.
The fact that Cheney, via intervention of his Secret Service entourage, delayed speaking to the local law enforcement, delayed filing the Texas DNR hunting accident report form, and did not address this issue upfront speaks to several issues:
A. Cheney somehow thinks he is above the ordinary provisions of the law.
B. It appears--whether it is true or not--that there was an effort to obscure the facts, obstruct justice, and spin the news of the event into some form--however "mild"--of cover up.
C. Cheney lied--either by an actual lie, omission, or a failure to act in a reasonable manner (i.e. properly reporting the incident)--and refused to own up to his responsibility until such time as the pressure to do so became so profound that he had to say something... and then he spun it by only speaking out on Fox, which is a pro-conservative, pro-Bush administration outlet.
Had the victim of the shooting died, even as a result of post-treatment complications, Cheney would be subject to the possibility of involuntary manslaughter charges based upon the negligence and the appearance of a cover up.
While I am sure that Cheney feels horrible about the incident, the fact that he did not come forward; did not speak to the issues, did not confer with the local law enforcement officials at the scene and in an immediate manner; and did not file the necessary reports in a timely manner only speaks to his character (or lack of character), lack of courage and his tendency to think of himself as being superior to others.
Most of remember the lesson of owning up to one's own actions from the time we may have broken a window while playing ball, or broken a piece of someone's china set, or some other incident that harmed others. Our parents found a way to teach us that the best way to deal with an accident or other negligence was to take responsibility, admit fault and make amends. Our parents would not have tolerated any delay in our taking responsibility and doing the right thing. It seems that Cheney did not take that lesson to heart.
Then we have to take a look at the way the White House and President Bush handled the incident. The spin machine went into action. The delay and denial tactics that we have seen from the Bush camp time after time were put into a full court press. Inappropriate jokes and commnents distracted us from the issues. Questions regarding whether or not the press--and the public--had any business in the matter were posed at every turn. The White House also got huffy with anyone that had the temerity to keep asking questions as to why there were delays, a lack of information and a lack of appropriate response from Cheney and the White House.
Cheney got lucky. Harry Whittington survived the incident. So far he seems to be recovering. But, there is still a risk that one of the pellets left in Whittington's body could become an embolus in the future. Cheney could still be on the hook for his negligence and charges of involuntary manslaughter. In the meantime, we have had a glimpse of the true character of our vice president. A glimpse that concerns us, and scares most of us that have any sense of decency.
Let's put things into perspective:
1. Hunters are required to wear bright orange in some manner so that they are easy to see. This is a requirement in almost all states as a measure to eliminate hunting accidents.
2. The person doing the shooting is 100% responsible for where the weapon is pointed and when the trigger is pulled. This is a lesson that most of us that have hunted, shot at a firing range or been in the military learned very early in the process of using firearms.
3. In almost all of the states, including Texas, hunters must show proof of taking a class in hunter safety in order to get a license. This is another step intended to cut down on hunting accidents, especially shooting accidents.
4. Hunters are required to have all the proper licenses, permits and stamps before going hunting.
5. The owners and operators of hunting clubs, hunting ranges and "canned" hunting ranches are required to make sure that all laws (including licensing laws), safety precautions and limits are observed.
6. Cheney shot without making sure that the line of fire was clear and free of all obstacles, hazards and danger to others.
Plain and simple. Our vice president was negligent and, quite possibly, reckless. There can be no other conclusions and no doubt about it.
The fact that Cheney, via intervention of his Secret Service entourage, delayed speaking to the local law enforcement, delayed filing the Texas DNR hunting accident report form, and did not address this issue upfront speaks to several issues:
A. Cheney somehow thinks he is above the ordinary provisions of the law.
B. It appears--whether it is true or not--that there was an effort to obscure the facts, obstruct justice, and spin the news of the event into some form--however "mild"--of cover up.
C. Cheney lied--either by an actual lie, omission, or a failure to act in a reasonable manner (i.e. properly reporting the incident)--and refused to own up to his responsibility until such time as the pressure to do so became so profound that he had to say something... and then he spun it by only speaking out on Fox, which is a pro-conservative, pro-Bush administration outlet.
Had the victim of the shooting died, even as a result of post-treatment complications, Cheney would be subject to the possibility of involuntary manslaughter charges based upon the negligence and the appearance of a cover up.
While I am sure that Cheney feels horrible about the incident, the fact that he did not come forward; did not speak to the issues, did not confer with the local law enforcement officials at the scene and in an immediate manner; and did not file the necessary reports in a timely manner only speaks to his character (or lack of character), lack of courage and his tendency to think of himself as being superior to others.
Most of remember the lesson of owning up to one's own actions from the time we may have broken a window while playing ball, or broken a piece of someone's china set, or some other incident that harmed others. Our parents found a way to teach us that the best way to deal with an accident or other negligence was to take responsibility, admit fault and make amends. Our parents would not have tolerated any delay in our taking responsibility and doing the right thing. It seems that Cheney did not take that lesson to heart.
Then we have to take a look at the way the White House and President Bush handled the incident. The spin machine went into action. The delay and denial tactics that we have seen from the Bush camp time after time were put into a full court press. Inappropriate jokes and commnents distracted us from the issues. Questions regarding whether or not the press--and the public--had any business in the matter were posed at every turn. The White House also got huffy with anyone that had the temerity to keep asking questions as to why there were delays, a lack of information and a lack of appropriate response from Cheney and the White House.
Cheney got lucky. Harry Whittington survived the incident. So far he seems to be recovering. But, there is still a risk that one of the pellets left in Whittington's body could become an embolus in the future. Cheney could still be on the hook for his negligence and charges of involuntary manslaughter. In the meantime, we have had a glimpse of the true character of our vice president. A glimpse that concerns us, and scares most of us that have any sense of decency.
posted by Jim Downey at 9:46 PM
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