CNN's Phillips, Malveaux uncritically reported that Cheney accepted responsibility for hunting accident
SUMMARY: On CNN's Live From..., anchor Kyra Phillips and White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux reported that, in an interview conducted with Fox News that day, Vice President Dick Cheney accepted full responsibility for accidentally shooting Texas attorney Harry Whittington during a February 11 hunting expedition. However, both Phillips and Malveaux failed to note that Cheney reportedly has been telling friends privately that Whittington was at fault and that Katharine Armstrong, whom he had designated to report the incident to the media, blamed Whittington for the accident.
On the February 15 edition of CNN's Live From..., anchor Kyra Phillips and White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux reported that, in an interview conducted with Fox News that day, Vice President Dick Cheney accepted full responsibility for shooting Texas attorney Harry Whittington during a February 11 hunting expedition. But at no point did either Phillips or Malveaux note that though Cheney now claims to accept full responsibility for the accident, he reportedly has been telling friends privately that Whittington was at fault. Moreover, viewers would never know from CNN's coverage of the Cheney interview that he allowed Katharine Armstrong, the host of the hunting party whom he designated to report the incident to the media, to blame Whittington publicly, with no correction or challenge from Cheney.
Phillips introduced the CNN segment by quoting remarks by Cheney in which he accepted responsibility for shooting Whittington:
PHILLIPS: And we're starting to get bits and pieces of what was said in that interview. Here's one of the quotes: "I pulled the trigger," Dick Cheney said, "that fired the round that hit Harry Whittington. You can talk about all the other conditions that existed at the time, but that's the bottom line. It was not Harry's fault. You can't blame anybody else. I'm the guy who pulled the trigger and shot my friend. It's a day I'll never forget." He went on to say, "It's one of the worst days of my life."
Malveaux then reported that Cheney "took full responsibility" for the incident, and that Fox News Washington managing editor Brit Hume -- who conducted the interview with Cheney -- "said that initially Cheney was very apologetic about the situation, about the shooting itself":
MALVEAUX: We don't have a full context of the interview, but I did speak with the anchor who conducted that interview, and essentially he said that initially, Cheney was very apologetic about the situation, about the shooting itself. And as you had just read, one of those excerpts from the interview that he took full responsibility, saying in fact it was one of the worst days of his life.
But Phillips and Malveaux did not disclose facts that undermine Cheney's assertion that he takes full responsibility for the incident. Cheney allowed Armstrong, whom he reportedly designated to disclose the incident to the media, to blame Whittington publicly, without challenge or correction from Cheney.
As The Washington Post reported on February 13, "Cheney's office referred" reporters seeking information on the hunting accident to Armstrong. That same day, the Houston Chronicle reported that Armstrong blamed Whittington for not "announcing himself" as he approached Cheney, stating: "You're always supposed to let other hunters know where you are." Armstrong also said of Whittington: "I think his pride was hurt more than anything else."
Cheney did not rebut Armstrong's criticisms of Whittington; rather, he reportedly made similar claims himself. Citing an unnamed Republican source, the New York Daily News reported on February 15 that Cheney said that the incident occurred because Whittington "was in a place he shouldn't be":
Cheney is understandably reported to be sick at heart over the accident. "He feels terrible about it," a source said.
Another GOP source told the Daily News that Cheney has been telling friends the average person probably can't comprehend the situation. "He knows most people don't understand how things like this can happen," the source said. "But people who are hunters understand it. This guy was in a place he shouldn't be."
Cheney also did not correct another close friend, former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY), when Simpson blamed Whittington for the incident. Appearing on the February 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, Simpson asserted that the incident "has less to do with Dick Cheney and much more to do with" Whittington, who Simpson alleged wasn't "following the laws and the protocol of quail hunting":
SIMPSON: But when this man, the victim, the poor guy, it's a sad thing what happened to him, but it has less to do with Dick Cheney and much more to do with him. He apparently went for another bird, picked it up, came back and got behind the two other hunters and didn't say, "I'm back, I'm behind you, I'm here." And if you don't do that, let me tell you, anything can happen. You do it for your own self-preservation. So Cheney hunts with a 28-gauge shotgun, which is about the smallest one you can get, a light gun; the rest of us use 20s. If you use a 12-gauge on a quail, you just bring home a mouthful of feathers.
So he shoots with a 28 [gauge], the rest of us get nothing, and Cheney's got his full bag of doves and quail. He's an expert shot and a great hunter and a great sportsman, but if the people with him aren't following the laws and the protocol of quail hunting, somebody gets hurt. And it's -- oh, what a way to watch. They don't like Cheney anyway. It's going to be jokes and cartoons; hell, they're going to have a riotous time with my old pal. Riotous time.
Here is the modified strategy. Send out your minions and experts to blame the victim. Meanwhile, without implicating the VP, mention that he is terribly sorry. Makes Cheney seem human-like.
Here is the problem. I read that they were quail hunting without dogs? That sounds like a recipee for disaster. The shooters are supposed to stay in a line, while the dogs flush and retrieve the shot birds. If they were hunting without dogs, it was inevitable that hunters were going to leave the line to retrieve the birds and be right in someone's line of fire.
What were they thinking?
Armstrong first said whittington was peppered, how lacking in truth was that? A 28 gauge shotgun is one of the smallest, I don't know what choke he was using, I assume improved cyclinder, and to have a pattern of shot so concentrated to not only pierce his clothing but his flesh and lodge close to his heart, Mr. wittington was well within 20 Yards in my opinion. By God you do not pull the trigger.!!!! If Mr Whittington was at 40 or 50 yards its doubtful it would have pierced flesh. Having the secret service turn away the sheriffs office to interview the hunting party, leads to great speculation. Vp Cheney is nothing more than an incompetent hunter and sportsman! He is a dangerous man unable to use sound judgement!, in all fields. And now the republican party has grounds to replace him before the 2008 elections. I can't see the NRA supporting his actions in any way. Was Cheney or any member of that party drunk? We will never know...
The bizzare comments sound like someone who is trying to have an expert opinion with no real knowledge of hunting. Either he's ignorant or just lying.
Of course, the type of "hunting" involved here isn't what any real sportsman would participate in. Traveling by car; getting out to shot quails raised for that purpose who are released (and disoriented) where the "hunters" intend to shoot....
Simpson tries to sound folksy but that routine is pretty old and tired. Still carrying water for his pals; and yes, that trick of Bush & Cheney saying the right things while your pals are attacking is old & tired. Each time it's pulled more people get wise to it. Imagine that the Whittington family doesn't appreciate this tactic right now.
Totally agree, seems all the initial reports are blaming Whittington, wish they could get an NRA member on to attempt that. Of course Armstrong and the (Parsons Group) are in the thick of no bid contracts all over the world, supported by our tax dollars. Seems these rats like halliburton, kbr and parsons keep very close company! Doubt if msm even has ever mentioned Parsons... I still think this will eventually be used to replace Cheney so they can use Airforce One for their next campaign.... BCNU
I'm surprised how little I hear about Cheney's method of hunting: moves around in his car, and gets out and shoots. I saw an excerpt of Armstrong's report on the Daily Show (Comedy Central) and she reported that Cheney got out of his car, and took a shot at the quails and hit the 78 year old.
Worst day of his life? Why because he was caught!? Sheesh.
Philips and Malveaux wouldn't know an inciteful question/comment if it shot them in the face. But, they're not paid for that... they're paid to wear too much makeup and play "news".
this is lame even for mmfa
Medication wearing off is it?
The super troll is back!!
His mommy and daddy must have left the computer on.
Rrastro, have you noticed that even the other conservatives on this board never stick up for you? You have nothing of any significance to say. Just go away and stop wasting yours and everyone else's time.
In his talking points memo O'Reilly criticized Maureen Dowd for accusing Cheney of blaming the victim for getting shot. O'Reilly blamed Dowd for making the accusation when Cheney himself said in an interview that the victim wasn't to be blamed. What O'Reilly didn't include was that Dowd's column had already been published when Cheney made the comments to Bit Hume late in the afternoon. He also ignored the other items pointed out here regarding blaming the victim and the acceptance of responsibility.
Hmmmmmmmmm, I take full responsibility............................................but no skin off my back....How lame is that. And his boss George W " the buck stops here " Bush, who also is our employee of ours is silent.
I suggest we extend all the sympathy and compassion to Cheney that the Rightwing has afforded Cindy Sheehan.
After all, I believe we can all agree that the "worst day of her life" was probably hearing that her son was dead as a result of Bush's war.
In fact, if Cheney's "worst day" is causing the maiming of another human being through his own negligence and carelessness, he should have about 2,200 worst days on his conscience. I doubt he gives it a thought.
It has been a long time since I hunted. Age, vision, at lot of things keep me out of the fields. BUT one of the most important rules of the game ( as I was taught at an early age) is that you only shoot in front of you. Reason? If you have to make a quick shot, at least you should have some idea as to what is already out there in your line of fire. Cheney's friend approached from the rear (according to all accounts I have read or heard). What was Darth Dick thinking???? You NEVER shoot outside the lane in front of you! Especially when you know there are a lot of people around. Can you imagine the number of people that were in this group? To paraphrase a line from the debates - "You have not attended sessions in the field. I have been in the field, and I did not see you there." Just turn around Dick!!!
Accidents happen. But when you are VP of the USA and supposedly some super hunter, why oh why would you not follow one of the most basic huntin rules. YOU NEVER NEVER fire unless you KNOW what you might hit!!
Also, I used to love to hunt, but I absolutely despise people who take part in these "canned" hunts. That is not hunting or sport. It is simply killing for the sake of killing and it is disgusting.
"The context of driving a motor vehicle is by no means the most sensitive or hazardous environment as far as drinking is concerned, and there are many environments in which even minimal impairment of performance by alcohol consumption could prove fatal, not only for the drinker, but also for many other innocent parties."
"Different legal limits also apply to airline pilots, bus drivers, and to persons operating recreational watercraft. However, it is important to recognize that the legal limit does not define a level below which it is safe to operate a vehicle or engage in some other activity rather, the legal limit is intended to define a level at or above which an individual is subject to legal action under a specific set of circumstances. Therefore, DECISIONS ABOUT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION in a particular situation should begin with a careful assessment of whether it’s appropriate TO BE DRINKING AT ALL!
[NOTE: It is vitally important to the American People to know how well their leaders apply their DECISION-MAKING skills, or lack thereof. How good the decisions they make for us can be guaged by how good they make decisions for themselves.]
EXAMPLE: "Federal rules specify that airline crew members may not drink ANY alcohol within eight hours before duty."
[link to www.cdc.gov]
The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans ... specify that there are some people who should not drink alcoholic beverages AT ALL. These people include:
* Children and adolescents. * Individuals of any age who cannot restrict their drinking to moderate levels. * Women who may become pregnant or who are pregnant. * Individuals WHO PLAN TO drive, operate machinery, or TAKE PART IN OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRES ATTENTION, SKILL, or COORDINATION. * Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
These people should not drink alcohol AT ALL!
"A little" imparment is simply unacceptable, and can prove fatal.