Whups s'more...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/14/cheney/index.html

Maybe his injuries are not as mild as originally shared with the public? I still believe that to penetrate Mr. Whittington's clothing then his skin, deep enough that doctors are being "conservative" by not removing pellets, he was shot at a much closer distance than 30 yards. In fact, to get serious enough injuries to be put in ICU, he was probably shot at a distance closer than 30 FEET. (Here's a primer on shotgun testing patterns. Have fun.)

And knowing what I know about the medical field, (seeing as I work in the medical field) a patient isn't in ICU just for fun or for a private room.... ICU is a serious place to be, and you are there only if your condition is considered to be unpredictable and treacherous enough that you need more intense and frequent monitoring and care.

Some of the current discussion in this incident circles around the question - "Who's fault is it?" Some say it's Whittington's fault for "not following hunting protocol". Others say it's Cheney's fault for not noticing his hunting companion had returned. To answer this question myself, I turn to the cardinal rules of gun handling - The NRA gun safety rules. And specifically I will point out this particular rule:

"Know your target and what is beyond. Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second."

Also, the "Ten Commandments of Shooting Safety", which are routinely taught in every hunter safety class. (Yes, I have taken hunter safety.) From this list, I will specifically point out #6:

"Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it.Your safe zone-of-fire is that area or direction in which you can safely fire a shot. It is "down range" at a shooting facility. In the field it is that mental image you draw in your mind with every step you take. Be sure you know where your companions are at all times. Never swing your gun or bow out of your safe zone-of-fire. Know the safe carries when there are persons to your sides, in front of, or behind you. If in doubt, never take a shot. When hunting, wear daylight fluorescent orange so you can be seen from a distance or in heavy cover." (emphasis mine)

Seems to me, the person pulling the trigger is the one at fault.... I don't care who is pulling the trigger, republican or democrat, male or female, black, white, or purple polka dotted - the person who pulls the trigger is the one responsible for what happens with that shot after that trigger is pulled. Period.

Here's an example of what happens to a normal citizen that accidentally shoots and wounds a hunting companion.

And god forbid Mr. Whittington should die, here's an example of what happens to a normal citizen that accidentally shoots and kills a hunting companion.

I have a feeling there is WAAAAAAAYYY more to this story than what is out there, and the fact that the police weren't allowed to speak to the VP until 8am the next day speaks volumes. Two things come to mind for me:

1) Alcohol was involved. (Which might explain why the VP wouldn't have seen someone in blaze orange in his sight. And if you've ever seen someone outdoors in blaze orange, even in low light, you know it's hard to miss!)

2) Stories needed to be ironed out. People involved needed to pow-wow to get their stories straight.

The whole thing is awfully fishy. And as usual with this administration, I'm sure we won't get the truth.