The Nimrod Foible

As Harry Whittington, a wealthy Austin attorney, discovered this past weekend, going quail hunting with Vice President Dick Cheney isn't the same as joining the Audubon Society.

Seems Cheney, the mighty hunter, missed the covey but bagged Whittington. Peppered him with shotgun pellets. Put Whittington in the Corpus Christi Hospital, Cheney did.

Apparently, Whittington, a staunch Republican, isn't calling foul.

I doubt Cheney will get the bird for his bird-witted covey-flushing, though there may be speculation why such a conscientious fellow, such as our Vice President, failed to report the incident before the Corpus Christi Caller-Times carried the story.

Update

This story, carried by the Washington Post, Sunday, February 12, 2006 was originally off the Associated Press Wire. It was titled: Cheney Accidentally Shoots Fellow Hunter By NEDRA PICKLER, The Associated Press, Sunday, February 12, 2006; 6:19 PM.
The original link was: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/12/AR2006021200524.html

However, follow the same link today, Monday, February 13, 2006, and you will arrive at a story titled: Cheney Shoots Fellow Hunter in Texas Accident / Companion in Intensive Care With Upper-Body Wounds, By Shailagh Murray and Peter Baker Washington Post Staff Writers.

The difference in the two accounts?

I believe the AP story by Nedra Pickler told it like it was.

Quote:
"The shooting was first reported by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. The vice president's office did not disclose the accident until the day after it happened."

And again: "McBride did not comment about why the vice president's office did not tell reporters about the accident until the next day. She referred the question to Armstrong, who could not be reached again Sunday evening."

Unfortunately, at this point in time, how to locate the AP archives is a mystery to me. Which is a bummer, for linking to the original story is essential. The reason? The "updated" versions whitewash Cheney's actions, making it appear as if he is quite a gentleman. When asked: "Who will report the incident?", he sweeps his hat in a chivalrous bow, and says: "Ladies first".

Give me a break.

Another "updated" version can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/13/politics/13cnd-cheney.html?hp&ex=1139893200&en=181b942291c6b3ef&ei=5094&partner=homepage.

Best hurry, though, before it changes, too.
The Nimrod Foible © 2006 Chaeli Lee Sullivan