CBS News reports that local law enforcement officials were prevented from interviewing Vice President Cheney after he accidentally shot a 78-year-old man during a hunting trip:
CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports Texas authorities are complaining that the Secret Service barred them from speaking to Cheney after the incident. Kenedy County Texas Sheriffs Lt. Juan Guzman said deputies first learned of the shooting when an ambulance was called.
McClellan was asked about it at the press briefing but played dumb:
QUESTION: Scott, there’s a report coming out of a sheriff’s deputy there who said that he was prevented from interviewing the vice president by the Secret Service. Do you know anything about that? And is that appropriate?
MCCLELLAN: No, I don’t know anything about that. You have got to direct that to the Secret Service. My understanding was that Secret Service took the appropriate steps to inform law enforcement.
Of course, the question is not whether the Secret Service informed law enforcement, but whether law enforcement was permitted to speak with Cheney. As Talk Left notes, although the incident was an accident, it could constitute criminal negligence.
UPDATE: National Journal reports that, after initial resistance, Cheney was interviewed by law enforcement sometime on Sunday.
UPDATE II: At the breifing McClellan refuses to “speculate” as to whether the accidental shooting was a criminal offense:
QUESTION: Under Texas law, is this kind of accidental shooting a possible criminal offense?
MCCLELLAN: I won’t even speculate on that, but I think the sheriff’s office or the local law enforcement office has already commented on that and said it was a hunting accident.
That might cause a stink since the sheriff is the constitutionally recognized law enforcement official in each county.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:11 pmbut again nothing will come of it , this is after all a Regime.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:11 pmRemember: Bush & Co are above the law.
Laws, rules, and regulations (specially that “piece of paper” called the Constitution) apply to everyone but them.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:12 pmPreview: “Just because he shot him doesn’t mean he shot him.”- Scotty McClellen
February 13th, 2006 at 2:13 pmThis is not time for the blame game.
-Pickle Sniffer McLellan
February 13th, 2006 at 2:15 pmExpecting an informative reply from Scott McClellan about ANYthing is as pointless as pillows in a coffin.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:15 pmThe question at the news briefing should have been….what is he hiding. Not what comment do you have.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:15 pmDepends what the meaning of “shot” is. Admit to no evil, did no evil.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:16 pmGossipy
He accidentally shot a friend. He’s the VP. Leave him alone or your legitimate arguments will weaken. This is a stupid story. Totally.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:19 pmWait a minute, they learned about it when an ambulance was called? I thought the VP had one at his disposal. If they have local contractors or fire department personel on stand by, I am surprised that this call went out over the air and not over an encrypted channel.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:19 pmWas cheney trying to silence a fellow co-conspirator? Nawh , red coat dick does not have a mean bone in his bod.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:20 pmRule of law?
February 13th, 2006 at 2:21 pmCheney is trying desperately to keep a lid on this story, but it is spinning out of control for him now! He will do anything to prevent real facts from being published in the press! Damage control is the game now!
February 13th, 2006 at 2:22 pmThe Plame/Iran story is F*CKING HUGE.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:22 pmSomeone should ask Porky McClellan that if he himself was shot by Dickless Cheney, would he even know about it.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:22 pmI hope the sheriff was that “Badges, I don’t need to show you no stinking badges” guy.
Or maybe it was Omar Sharif?
February 13th, 2006 at 2:23 pmHeh, heh, heh.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:25 pmShow some respect for his office! You can’t allow the VP to be interrogated by the police like a common criminal just because he shot some guy in the face with a shotgun. At least give him enough time to sober up and get his story straight first.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:26 pmyou would think that the administration dedicated to restoring honor to the office of the president would not only welcome an inquiry, but would go out of its way to ensure that all questions were anwered fully and immediately. instead we get this shake-and-bake bullshit that doesn’t work in a first grade classroom.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:27 pmMafiosos are the theLAW . the law is for us plebes .
February 13th, 2006 at 2:27 pmEvery person here needs to read this:
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2005/ Outed_CIA_officer_was_working_on_0213.html
February 13th, 2006 at 2:28 pmEnds up that Cheney was hunting from a vehicle which is against the law, if NOT on private property, so since Dick was hunting on a private ranch he can skirt that law, but still makes him a dirty hunter and a bad shot too!
February 13th, 2006 at 2:29 pm#9,
I understand where you are coming from, but
February 13th, 2006 at 2:30 pmthe game isn’t played that way anymore.
Rove and his minions have made sure of that.
Should Kerry on a sail-board been a political point?
How about when Kerry went hunting and Cheney had
something to say?
How about:
He accidentally had sex with an intern. He’s the Prez. Leave him alone or your legitimate arguments will weaken.
It doesn’t seem like these manners are followed by
the GOP or spin-machine.
I think this incident plays into the wreckless
incompetence of the administration. Just one
more example.
I agree with #9. Much as I despise ol Dick, carping about this just shows the repugs that we are irrational. Of COURSE Dick it by accident. And of COURSE it points to admistration arrogance. But there are so many bigger fish to fry than this.
Drop it.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:32 pmRemember that Cheney a few years ago went pheasant hunting on a private reserve and killed 70 of the birds, which is a violation of hunting limit of 15 of them in a season! Nobody did anything to Dick on that, but shows he loves to kill things in excess > shows why Iraq war deaths mean nothing to him!
February 13th, 2006 at 2:34 pmHarman, you’re right. The Plame thing is way more important. But ya gotta love it when a singular stupid incident is a microcosm for an entire administration. Yes, the shooting was a terrible accident. This administration just happens to be accidently terrible.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:34 pm#9 - I agree. “Dick” probably shot the guy to distract attention from the story at your #21 post. I wouldn’t put it past him.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:38 pmWait ! Everybody ! Wait
February 13th, 2006 at 2:39 pmCheney was getting a BJ in the car when he let go of the wrong gun .
Now we have a good reason for impeachment : SEX
[…] ThinkProgress relays a CBS News report that local law enforcement was barred from interviewing Cheney after the incident. […]
February 13th, 2006 at 2:39 pmBuck Shot from the Big Shot
By
Markoolio
2/13/06
It only took 18 hours
To get the AP wire,
“Loaded Veep Shoots Austin Attorneyâ€
That’s one way to say,
“You’re fired!â€
In a smog of stinky Texas air
The Veep went hunting for quail,
Could it be he was drunk on power?
Going down a scape goat trail??
Taking aim at all the scandals
Trying to make them go away.
The Buck shot from this Bigger shot
Found an unlikely prey.
Could it be a convenient diversion
From the mainstream press?
To report an unfortunate accident
Rather than Plame-gate and the CIA test.
He knew there were no WMDs
February 13th, 2006 at 2:43 pmThe CIA proved north and south,
But Dick Cheney’s Rambo arrogance
Finds it useful to shoot off his mouth.
Wha’s all the fuss bout? It was just ah damn republican shootin’ another damn republican on another damn republican’s land. Let the sons-o-bitches kill each other off and be happy bout it!
February 13th, 2006 at 2:44 pmThe Culture of Life strikes again.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:47 pmYes, the Plame/Iran story is the one that needs to make it into the Murkan public’s consciousness–but now the “liberal media” have this “Cheney shoots some old dude” story to obsess about and we can all spin our wheels over it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m getting more than a few laughs over the embarrassment the shooting is cauing ol’ Oil Slick Dick but in the grand scheme of things, this story is nowhere near as important as the Plame/Iran issue.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:48 pm#28
I only hope Cheney was wearing a blue dress when he was getting the BJ.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:50 pmDick should have stuck to paint ball.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:51 pmWhat if he had been drinking before he blasted away? Isn’t that what should have been investigated by the locals?
February 13th, 2006 at 2:52 pmCheney, cuffed and thrown in the back of a squad car … that defibrillator would have been working overtime.
February 13th, 2006 at 2:53 pmThis poor old man Whittington was shot in the face by a loaded Dick.
What a tragedy.
-GSD
February 13th, 2006 at 2:56 pmThis is not the time for the aim game.
-Official Whitehouse Fluffer and Jeff Gannon Massage Buddy Scott McLellan
February 13th, 2006 at 2:59 pm#33- Plame/IRAN????? What are you rambling on about? No matter. We are capable of paying attention to more than one issue at a time, unlike the MSN. It does pique my interest that a new importance seems to be being placed on the Plame situation. A new attempt at a distraction? If so , they are totally freaked out!! I gotta go make some popcorn….
February 13th, 2006 at 3:01 pm[…] Dead-Eye Dick Taking Aim Filed under: Dick Cheney, Quailgate — Paul @ 2:57 pm  Fire Dog Lake has some very interesting quotes/comments from hunting enthusiasts and gun-lovers on the Cheney shooting incident. I encourage you to link to Fire Dog Lake to get a keen insight into hunting protocol, and what the Veep most likely did wrong. UPDATE: From Think Progress: Texas Sheriff Barred From Interviewing Cheney About Shooting Incident • • • […]
February 13th, 2006 at 3:03 pmCrinimal Negligence —–> Was Cheney Drunk?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:06 pmBlood alcohol tests are given to every non-minor shooter in EVERY hunting accident. But not this time…
February 13th, 2006 at 3:07 pmLaws? Can you spell that?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:08 pmOh, that’s right, both the pResident and Dead Eye Dickhead are both U.S. royalty. Neither has to obey the rule of law. Peskey laws are meant only for us serfs, peasants, and unwashed masses, who are ruled by our feudal overlords, the Rethugs in Congress.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:08 pmYeah Karl Rove told Cheney to shoot his friend to divert the press from the Plamegate scandal > lol nice try Bush apologists, but even Rove could not think that up as a diversion! Plus who wants to get shot in the face with brass pellets to help Cheney???
February 13th, 2006 at 3:09 pmThis shooting clearly falls under Cheney’s Vice Presidential War Powers and talking about it only helps our enemies.
In a time of war, we can’t be second guessing every shot Cheney makes. If he’s hunting for bin Laden and Iraq steps in the line of fire, for example.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:10 pmAs Talk Left notes, although the incident was an accident, it could constitute criminal negligence.
UPDATE: At the breifing McClellan refuses to “speculate†as to whether the accidental shooting was a criminal offense:
These days any accident that occurs where somebody gets hurt is a potential criminal offense when a Liberal is on the job. Liberals have to control everything. My guess is there will be new warning labels put on shotgun shells and somebody will sue the manufacturer of the gun. This is the kind of think Liberals live for.
I predict that late night TV will rip-off “History of the World Part 1″ in the vignette where Mel Brooks plays King Louis XVI of France as he uses peasants as sporting clays in his target practice. “Pull” “Aaaaaaahahhhhhhhhhhaaaa” BANG!!! Funny stuff. You read it here first.
Count de Monet: It is said that the people are revolting.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:11 pmKing Louis XVI: You said it! They stink on ice!
Obiously this Is gonna be a witewash.As someone who lives in hunting country and has hunted on occasion(and owns guns) the person operating a wepon IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WEPON !I took a look over at Free Repubilc and while around half are engaged in knee jerk defense of Darth Cheney,many seem to be acnowldging the total lack of saftey.Course that don’t stop them from Dem bashing.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:15 pmI propose a “second gunman” theory.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:16 pmTell us it does not matter I-R-I that Cheney shot somebody > lol. If Kerry had shot someone instead of a goose, you Repubs would have called him a complete idiot and unfit for the presidency, but Dicky can do nothing wrong huh?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:17 pmThanks I-right-I for illistrating my point.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:17 pmYup. Sounds like IRI is finally coming over to our side.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:23 pm“Blood alcohol tests are given to every non-minor shooter in EVERY hunting accident. But not this time… ”
That has the ring of truth all over it.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:25 pmI’m guessing ‘ol Dick was under the influence.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:27 pmI accidentally shot my older brother with a 22-caliber rifle when we were kids. He didn’t get hurt. But the local cops hauled me in and charged me with, basically, shooting my brother. They were unconcerned that it was an accident. In the end, after my mother hired an attorney, I was forced to take gun safety classes and barred from owning a gun until I was eighteen years old. … So, I ask: Is Cheney gonna get charged with anything?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:27 pmI don’t agree that there are “bigger fish to fry”. Chaos Theory would point to ANY incident as the one that broke the back of the Cabal. I live in a region of the country where hunting in the hills is commonplace, and I’ll tell you, if a grunt hunter pulled the trigger and hit a fellow hunter in the face and chest, the severity of rebuke in the community that he’d receive would be just below that of a sex offender. You don’t shoot someone in the face and consider it the same as breaking a wine glass on a tile floor.
Does anyone believe that Cheney acted recklessly when he shot a 78 year-old man in the face? Shouldn’t the sheriff investigate this possibility. Damn it, it’s quite likely a crime! What’s wrong with you people? If Cheney is driving his car and accidentally runs over a senior citizen, does he commit a crime, or does he get off because he was checking his heart battery at the time?
Cheney is flesh and bones, just like the rest of us. His shit stinks, guaranteed. If he doesn’t have to answer to the local laws because of a concern that he broke the law, then he’s way too powerful and/or the rest of the country is way too weak. And anyone who thinks that this incident (Are you listening, Ken Starr?) is insignificant is just as guilty of moral turpitude as any one bastard in the whole of the Bush Cabal.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:28 pmI wonder if Cheney shoots deer from roads too? He is definitely a bad hunter, so anyone around him is at risk of getting plugged! Do NOT take a bathroom break in the woods or Dick might think you are a bear taking a dump > lol.
Wow this is going to be on Jay Leno’s joke list tonight!
February 13th, 2006 at 3:29 pmWell, I bet no-one wants to pull the “hunting trip with Dick” gift at next years white house Christmas party
February 13th, 2006 at 3:31 pmChangeAmerica.net: I am sure Cheney did not have a blood alcohol test. I am also sure Cheney is very glad he shot someone, taking the heat off him. You know, Senators wanting an official investigation into what role he played OUTING VALERIE WILSON!!!! A crime far more heinous it seems than the normal Bush Crime Family operations….
http://www.ChangeAmerica.net
February 13th, 2006 at 3:31 pmAs all good NRA members know - practice makes perfect. Cheney needs to get to the range more - those little birds are a small target - but tasty!!!
February 13th, 2006 at 3:32 pmbarring the police from investigating a shooting - can you do that???
February 13th, 2006 at 3:35 pm#62,
I think you can if you are the king.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:36 pm#62,
February 13th, 2006 at 3:38 pmYes - if you have no heart, no soul and your last name is Cheney.
I think the eyeball kid has a very clear point with “If Cheney is driving his car and accidentally runs over a senior citizen, does he commit a crime, or does he get off because he was checking his heart battery at the time?”
February 13th, 2006 at 3:41 pmIt would at least be investigated… wouldn’t it? Somebody would do some measuring, fill out a form, issue a ticket?
Why was this not investigated? Why did they keep the police from talking to Cheney?
Could it have been excessive blood alcohol levels that cannot, now, be measured?
Poor Scotty. It must sad living in his little world.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:41 pmSince Cheney apparently didn’t attend any firearm safety calsses, here is some for him.
Shooting Safety Rules
Most importantly
February 13th, 2006 at 3:43 pmAnybody else notice that this is the latest troll talking point? They have nothing to back up or defend any of the current administration scandals, so now they call everything “Gossipy.”
Sad really.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:45 pmMr. Whittington, is the the first time you have ever been shot in the face and sprayed by a loaded Dick?
-GSD
February 13th, 2006 at 3:49 pmAnybody else notice that this is the latest troll talking point? They have nothing to back up or defend any of the current administration scandals, so now they call everything “Gossipy.â€
Sad really.
Comment by Spudge_Boy
In light of breaking news and world events this is gossip but if you don’t like the word how about TRIVIAL. In fact we could name this place Think Trivial. How about that?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:53 pm#61 MA - it does not take an NRA member to know the basics of safety and firearms. Rule #1 Don’t point unless prepared to shoot and don’t shoot unless your target is identified.
A basic of hunting is to only shoot to your front because you can observe it. A no-no of hunting is turning and shooting in any direction other than your front. Another no-no is not knowing where all members of your party are when shooting. It’s painfully obvious that none of these most basic of rules were being followed, and remember that the story is essentially being controlled by the White House and friends of the vice president, so they are portraying it in the most positive light possible. Heck in the first fire arm safety class I took we learned immediately to keep the weapon pointed down range anything else is unacceptable.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:54 pmSo, I ask: Is Cheney gonna get charged with anything?
Comment by Fred
Do two wrongs make a right?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:55 pmHow about if I rename you I-CRAP-I?
February 13th, 2006 at 3:56 pmTrivial? LOL it happens everyday of the year with the VP shooting a guy in the face > NOT! I guess if Bush runs over a Secret Service agent with his bicycle at his ranch, killing him, it will be trivial too!
February 13th, 2006 at 3:56 pmAsk George Bush. He is the one who attacked Iraq after 15 Saudis attacked the US on 9/11. That was pretty wrong after a wrong by Saudis.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:57 pmhttp://news.yahoo.com/ s/ nm/ 20060213/ pl_nm/ cheney_accident1_dc
I thought the Sherrif only knew because an ambulance was called, but this report shows they shipped him out via helicopter. Which is it???
February 13th, 2006 at 3:58 pmEverybody is also forgetting the small fact that when the lawyer fired his shot gun at the first quail, Cheney wouldn’t have a bird to shoot at for miles. Unless they were tied to the ground.
Ever fired a shotgun? They make real big noises.
What was Cheney shooting at.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:59 pmWonder how “trivial” the right wingers would think this is if VP Gore had been the one doing the shooting.
Nothin’ like shooting birds from a car. At least they weren’t already netted as they had been for a previous Cheney “sporting” event.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:01 pmWhat Are They Hiding?…
This is something I saw on both Wampum and Think Progress.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:07 pmAccording to CBS, the Kenedy County Sheriffs department was barred from interviewing Cheney about the shooting…
Kathryn Garcia, the reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times who broke the story, when asked if she knew anything about hunting protocol said, “I don’t know that much, I’m not a hunter myself, but I do know a little bit, and I do know you’re supposed to look before shooting.”
America should take this as a life-lesson and the Bush administration should take it as a karmic reminder. You are supposd to look before shooting. If Bush and Cheney had bothered to look in Iraq for WMDs before going to war, tens of thousands wouldn’t be dead right now.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:09 pmIf Cheney has no p[roblem breaking federal laws regarding leaking of classified information, what makes you think he would care about a Texas law?
Here’s the most likely scenario:
Dick and his buds were tanked up and out playing with guns. His friend was out taking a leak in the woods and Cheney hallucineated a covey of quail. Bang! Oh s&*t!
Secret service covers it up, sober DIck up and hustle everybody off to a secure location.
End of story.
Unless they come forward with a more plausible scenario, I am sticking with this one.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:17 pmHow about if I rename you I-CRAP-I?
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Want to go hunting?
February 13th, 2006 at 4:18 pmAre you all missing the fact that this “hunting accident” happened at 5:30 pm?
I can’t speak for Corpus Christi, but it’s still pretty dark here in California at that time.
What were they doing hunting quail IN THE DARK????
Methinks this doesn’t pass the smell test, trivial or no.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:19 pmI just saw Chris Matthews on MSNBC acting as apologist for Cheney…and his shooting of a Texan lawyer. Matthews is full of shit…
http://katrinamemo.blogspot.com/ 2006/ 02/ cheney-shoots-78-year-old-lawyer-in.html
February 13th, 2006 at 4:20 pmthat thar is called conservative huntin, load the SUV with alkiehol n go out driving round scare up sum quail jump out n shoot. WoooOOOoooOOO!
February 13th, 2006 at 4:22 pmSheriff ought to start arresting each SS officer for obstructing justice. They’re interfering.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:24 pmWant to go hunting?
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 13, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
watch out IRI might put your eye out with his Red Ryder
February 13th, 2006 at 4:25 pmI-R-I you are correct (first time - did it feel good?) that two wrongs do not make a right. The first wrong is obvious, Cheany knows nothing about gun safety and irresonsibly shot his associate. What is the second wrong?
February 13th, 2006 at 4:26 pmjust thinking out loud… does CHeney drink? talk about a disaster, if he and his buddies were putting a few back that day…
February 13th, 2006 at 4:32 pmYou know that somehow, someway, they’ll try to blame this on Clinton!
February 13th, 2006 at 4:34 pmHardly a trivial matter.If the man is this incapable of handling a firearm safely,then he sure as hell should’nt be our Vice King.If it were you or i i-r-i we sure as hell would have to answer for our stupidity,why should’nt Vice King Cheney?Is he too above the law?
February 13th, 2006 at 4:34 pmI would love to go hunting with you. You wouldn’t come back though.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:42 pmBush and Cheney are a pair…
That’s the root of the trouble.
Cheney never looks ahead
And Bush is in a bubble.
If you ask, the lesson’s clear
February 13th, 2006 at 4:51 pmNo one was coaching the man.
My only sadness is that Dick missed –
And that the Quayle wasn’t Dan.
Whats all the excitement? Its just a case of RED on RED Crime!or maybe Dead Eye Dick thought he was an organ (heart) Donor!
February 13th, 2006 at 4:58 pmHeynow!
Does anyone know if Cheney has talked to the Texas authorities yet?
Is it legal in Texas to be involved in a shooting and leave the state without talking to the police?
Are we looking at a possible “leaving the scene” crime here?
February 13th, 2006 at 5:18 pmWhat’s the big stink? Hell, everybody knows Cheney could have done it intentionally, and he would still get off scot free.
Compared to his other crimes, one little manslaughter charge is small potatoes.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:21 pmGuns don’t kill people. But VP’s doing car hunting (how far away were those six packs anyway) certainly come real close to it.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:23 pmI just saw Chris Matthews on MSNBC acting as apologist for Cheney…and his shooting of a Texan lawyer. Matthews is full of shit…
http://katrinamemo.blogspot.com/ 2006/ 02/ cheney-shoots-78-year-old-lawyer-in.html
Comment by Edward Deevy
The guy was a lawyer was he? Well then that’s simple enough; “Not Guilty, Case Closed”.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:26 pmIf the Vice President does something like releasing classified information to discredit his enemies or shooting someone in the face, then it must be legal. After all, both he and the President are above the law according to the AG.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:29 pmIt was dark or very near dark in Kenedy County Texas at 5:30pm when the shooting took place. It’s likely that Texas hunting regulations forbid shooting after dark.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:36 pmAll states require the shooter to take a blood-alcohol test if a hunting accident involves injury to anyone.
“All states require the shooter to take a blood-alcohol test if a hunting accident involves injury to anyone.”
No wonder the secret service wouldn’t let the sheriff anywhere near the President (er… vp).
February 13th, 2006 at 5:38 pmThis story goes deeper than what has been reported. It seems the lawyer that was shot has deep connections not just to Cheney but to Bush going back to Texas. If you research SCI you will see that this company was a major contributor to Bush’s campaign for Governor - the company is in the funeral business. When it was sued for bad business policies, Bush intervened, along with the States’ Commissioner who oversees the funeral biz for Texas - he is none other than this lawyer. Gets better. Another buddy of this trio is Joe Lambaugh. He went from helping Bush get elected Governor to become THE HEAD OF FEMA AND BROUGHT BROWNIE IN TO REPLACE HIM AFTER THE KATRINA DISASTER FORCED HIM TO RESIGN. What’s he doing now? He’s in the gulf coast setting up deals for contractors who want government contracts for Iraq. They are all still ‘close’ associates. It is very ironic that this hunting accident is going to open up a very big can of worms.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:46 pmjust another repiglican ‘ shell’ game.
February 13th, 2006 at 5:49 pmif this is how they treat their friends…..
February 13th, 2006 at 5:55 pmand a conservative. i too see no problem. hell, line all the repukes up, give dickless a bottle of jim beam, duck and enjoy.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:01 pmand a conservative. i too see no problem. hell, line all the repukes up, give dickless a bottle of jim beam, duck and enjoy.
Comment by jahyarain
Line up all the lawyers regardless of political affiliation and I’ll buy the booze. Judd excluded of course.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:07 pmThe sherriff was yanked out from questioning The DICK.
Think about it. They possibly waited at least one day to see whether the 78 year old would live. If he did not they would have someonelse to finger at as the triggerperson, or the case would simply be disclosed like the saving of Los Angeles 4 yours ago, or at least they’d wait till this election in ‘06 is over…
Credible enough logic?
February 13th, 2006 at 6:07 pmthis is it,the united states of anarchy,where no one takes oaths at hearings concerning the rights and safety of the people
the cops at corpus christi better grow balls,although if Cheney can get away with stifling information about the energy meetings in 2001,the blatant exposure of a crucial c.i.a. agent who was involved in black market weaponry trafficking,the biggest dick that ever lived will get off with this one,especially since it involves neocon cronies.You think the NSA should trace his cell,oh yeah I forgot,Al queda is probably not calling him.
I wonder what Whittington said during this trip,and why they didnt warn him when Cheney was loaded for quail.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:20 pm[…] Now we are also getting word that the Secret Service would not allow Texas law enforcement to interview Cheney after the incident. And the question is, why not? Under Texas law there is mandatory reporting of all gunshot wounds and that triggers an investigation- why wouldn’t Cheney cooperate with the authorities? […]
February 13th, 2006 at 6:29 pm” i too see no problem. hell, line all the repukes up, give dickless a bottle of jim beam, duck and enjoy.”
I’m STILL laughing!
February 13th, 2006 at 6:29 pmAfter having been a Hunters Safety Instructor as well as a Police Officer, I find this story very disturbing.
First, Nobody leaves the scene of a shooting, accidental or otherwise until released by the police investigating the shooting.
Second, All shootings are investigated.
Third, Blood alcohol levels are mandatory in all shootings.
Fourth, This was a clear violation of the most basic firearms and hunters safety rules.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:38 pmThe real story for me is the fact that he was not allowed to be questioned after the incident. What if alcohol were involved?(wild speculation)
February 13th, 2006 at 6:43 pmhe is lucky he just got shot, he and the deputy sheriff could have been whisked away in some shipping container to some third world hole to be sodimized by some beared guy.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:52 pmThey got off lucky…
There is only one reason for the delay and the police not being allowed to question Cheney: he must have been either drunk or stoned.
JD
February 13th, 2006 at 6:53 pmHELL DICKHEAD IS THE LAW,GET OUTA MY FACE HIM AND DA CHIMP SCREW THIS COUNTRY,I AM MAN WATCH ME ROAR.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:54 pmIs a license required on public/private property? And did Chaney have one?
February 13th, 2006 at 6:57 pmThe cops should have interviewed Chaney immediately to determine if he had been consuming alcohol!
February 13th, 2006 at 6:59 pmsheri 102 - you’ve got that name - Lambaugh - wrong…
February 13th, 2006 at 7:12 pmbest check that and the rest, back it with a link or 2…
you may be right, but gotta have the facts right too…
still a juicy story…
The cops in that county must be very stupid because have they ever heard of executive privilage.
February 13th, 2006 at 7:14 pm#95 the vice presidnet is probably acting under tha same law that allowed the family of a mss murderer (bin laden) to leave the country without facing questions.
#98 republican lawyer dumb ass and one that raised a boaty load of cash for george, multiple times, hey, suddenly i see your point.
#106, is it just me, or does anyone else here want to confer an honorary law degree upon IRI right about now?
February 13th, 2006 at 7:17 pmFebruary 13th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Hey markoolio you must be stupid or something because he is immune from being interview by the cops. Plus have you heard he has a paste maker because one time in his life he had a heart attack and if he was drunk he would have died because of his medical history in which he did have heart attack during his life. That is why he goes to a doctor once a month stupid idiot.
February 13th, 2006 at 7:22 pmL’il Dick really IS above the law!
…and the MSM is rabidly reporting as FACT the obviously rehearsed “eyewitness” account from a Cheney loyalist-Katherine Armstrong- who 24 hours AFTER the occurrence called a personal acquaintance who happened to be a reporter for the local newspaper one Jaime Powell…
Powell’s and her partner a Ms Garcia ‘investigated the story by…
…calling the White House to corroborate Armstraon’s account…
…isn’t that special…
…hmmmm….
…ARREST that al Cracker sombi*ch (L’il Dick)…
February 13th, 2006 at 7:27 pmI’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Shot in Face, Intensive Care, No update on condition…. If this guy even lives he will be FUBAR for the rest of his life. I don’t believe this “He’s fine” crap. I think the victim is in mortal danger.
Can we imagine the chaos when Cheney shot this poor bastard? It must have been friggen’ intense.
February 13th, 2006 at 7:29 pmBesides who would give Dick Cheney a gun
February 13th, 2006 at 7:30 pm“Hey Dick…You just shot your friend!”
“I think I’d more accurately call it a near miss, if you will.”
“Mr. Vice President, sir; shall I call the cops?”
“I think not until I’ve sobered up and got my head on straight, which I hope my buddy down there on the ground is gonna do, real soon.”
“Yes Mr. Vice President, and shall I inform the”President”, sir?”
“Be careful not to make him angry that he wasn’t invited on this trip. You know how he gets.”
“And do I inform the American People through our media?”
” NO WAY!!” “Not for awhile in case the dude croaks.”
“So it’s a cover up as usual sir?”
February 13th, 2006 at 7:42 pmBREAKING NEWS:
Cheney and his hunting party were hunting illegally…
Arrest that treasonous, al Cracker bastich!
February 13th, 2006 at 7:45 pmWouldn’t 24 hours give Cheney time to get the alcohol out of his system?
February 13th, 2006 at 7:46 pmI think I read or heard that the other guy took pellets to the butt AND FACE. I think it shows Cheney at his worst but I also see a lot of folks apparently laughing here about a round of bird shot to some poor guy’s face.
February 13th, 2006 at 7:57 pmLine up all the lawyers regardless of political affiliation and I’ll buy the booze. Judd excluded of course.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 13, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
First sensible thing you’ve said since I met you…
February 13th, 2006 at 8:02 pmBesides who would give Dick Cheney a gun
Comment by John Davis — February 13, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
I’m sure someone will say it was Bill Clinton.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:03 pm#128 - Audrey,
February 13th, 2006 at 8:11 pmIt takes about 32 hours for all of the Ethanol to be metabolized. Trace byproducts exist in the blood for up to about 128 hours later. After that, it requires a biopsy of the liver or bile system. The time that that last depends on how long the testee has been drinking on a regular basis.
Sign in the bathroom at Wal-Mart. Even if this is your first offense at shoplifting, you could be subject to a $2,ooo.oo fine and up to 5 years in prison. John Edwards is the only prez. candidate that I ever heard mention 2 Americas. Black man in the south got 16 years for stealing a candy bar.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:12 pmBlack man in the south got 16 years for stealing a candy bar.
Comment by molly — February 13, 2006 @ 8:12 pm
I’m pretty sure that they still do.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:27 pm#71 - Thanks Mark, for reminding me of one VERY important reason why I am NO longer a prog - your sense of humour is non-existent - yours is a terminal case; a transplant or transfusion will NOT help!!! (My sincere apologies to the three humourous progs who contribute to TP.)
#78- “Wonder how “trivial†the right wingers would think this is if VP Gore had been the one doing the shooting.”
- comment by IMA douchebag
******As a member of the vast right wing conspiracy, I couldn’t imagine Al Gore having the testosterone to put on cammies without fashion advice from legendary feminist Naomi Wolfe. (”Orange?”) Besides, killing perfectly delicious fowl flies in the face of his environmental activism.
Hint to Dems - if you run Kerry and Gore on the ticket together in ‘08 - supply NO-DOZE AND lotttts of coffee. But hopefully, you’ll do the smart thing and nominate Hillary. Just a suggestion….
#106 - “Line up all the lawyers regardless of political affiliation and I’ll buy the booze. Judd excluded of course.”
February 13th, 2006 at 8:30 pmComment by I-RIGHT-I — February 13, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
******Jim Beam, Jarayrain??? I’m a Glenfiddich kind of le-gal…..
Were they waiting to see if he died?Who goes bird hunting with a ambulance?Maybe there was a shovle in the ambulance so they could cover up another mistake.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:35 pmPellet-Gate ……
February 13th, 2006 at 8:38 pmRemember. Guns don’t shoot people.
Vice Presidents shoot people.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:38 pm#133 - “Black man in the south got 16 years for stealing a candy bar.”
Comment by molly — February 13, 2006 @ 8:12 pm
*****They don’t call it three strikes for nothing. But, Molly, your source?????
#134 - That you would believe molly is not only not surprising - it’s so damn predictable…but in the spirit of compassionate conservatism, I’ll wish you a Happy Saint Valentines Day. BTW, I hear Maureen Dowd’s new tome “Are Men Necessary?” will be out JUST in time for progressive womyn to curl up with the cat and a cup of herbal tea.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:39 pmThe original article appears to have removed information about the sheriff being barred form questioning Dick Cheney - anyone know where it went, or if someone else interviewed the sheriff about the incident?
February 13th, 2006 at 8:50 pmThat you would believe molly is not only not surprising - it’s so damn predictable…but in the spirit of compassionate conservatism, I’ll wish you a Happy Saint Valentines Day. BTW, I hear Maureen Dowd’s new tome “Are Men Necessary?†will be out JUST in time for progressive womyn to curl up with the cat and a cup of herbal tea.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 13, 2006 @ 8:39 pm
That you wouldn’t know it’s true is actually pretty predictable.
Unlike you, I don’t try to be a man. Yes, they are necessary. Most of my friends are men. It’s women like you that make me prefer the company of men 95% of the time.
But Happy Valentine’s Day to you - without all the passive aggressive backhanded commentary attached.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:51 pmCheney thought he heard the bird he was hunting, but instead shot an old buddy.
Cheney thought he was going to get the person involved with planning 9/11, but instead ruined an old buddy’s country. And killed a lot of innocent people too.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:54 pmJudd how quick can we ge MA and IRI honorary law degrees
February 13th, 2006 at 8:54 pmRepubs are like Grakels. They are good for nothing, and someone else has to clean up after them… Glad i’m not one of them, I might get invited to go hunting with one…, and i’m not a good shot either.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:55 pmOK…so has he eve paid the fine? The Texas Parks and Wildlife Incident Report, available at
February 13th, 2006 at 9:00 pmshows that he violated game law, P and W code 43.652. Which is a violation (or vilation as they spell it in Texas)of the State Upland Bird Game Stamp Violation available here
So…HE WAS HUNTING ILLEGALLY.
I think that may be one of the reasons he’s a little shy about talking.
Sorry, the links for the above post are…
February 13th, 2006 at 9:02 pmhttp://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0213061cheney1.html
and
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ warden/ court_information/ violation_codes/ wildlife.phtml
Too bad they can’t throw the Vice President in jail because of his precious executive privilage
February 13th, 2006 at 9:14 pmA big can of worms is slowly being opened, by the press, on this Cheneygate shooting incident! The ranch where this accident occurred is a major meeting place for GOP officials! George Bush and Karl Rove have hunted there, along with nefarious corporate business CEOs!
Watch for the worms to come crawling out soon!!!
February 13th, 2006 at 9:15 pmPointer Jay? I mean a link.
February 13th, 2006 at 9:21 pmdon’t worry about aphrotripey, unbelievable, she’s already admitted here that she’s the opposite of progressive, which is of course regressive. her and her hitler youth are going to sit by the fire this v-day and read their favorite romantic story, ‘mein kampf’.
very telling, the hillary reference, tripey. you’d just LOVE to see hillary in ‘08 wouldn’t you? i’ve got a question for you, tripey… why would i ever trust a whackjob, wingnut, cheney-lusting frau like yourself for voting advice? you really do believe the right-wing spin that progressives aren’t as smart as you are, don’t you? that arrogance will be your downfall.
hint: most of us already know hillary can’t win. you keep hoping for that result, though. keep hoping the tide’s going to turn back in your favor, while you’re at it. what an empty feeling of betrayal and loss you’re setting yourself up for. maybe, for your sake, you can at least anticipate your future of “mommy, why did you teach us to hate?”
p.s. in the meantime, enjoy ironing those brown shirts for the kids, tripey.
February 13th, 2006 at 9:25 pmHey, CBS took out the quote you’re citing.
Coverup…?
February 13th, 2006 at 9:34 pmHe needed time to sober up.
February 13th, 2006 at 9:42 pmHey markoolio you must be stupid or something because he is immune from being interview by the cops. Plus have you heard he has a paste maker because one time in his life he had a heart attack and if he was drunk he would have died because of his medical history in which he did have heart attack during his life. That is why he goes to a doctor once a month stupid idiot.
Comment by John Davis — February 13, 2006 @ 7:22 pm
Umm, Are you serious mr Davis? {lease explain exactly how the VP is immune? That’s PACE MAKER, his paste maker (bad diet) is why he needs a pace maker now. Have I mentioned drinking? Have I said anything about his medical history?
Do you really know anything about his medical history? Psst, he has had multiple heart attacks… All of which has nothing to do with my comment about him getting to the hospital in 3 – 4 minutes if he had been SHOT.
#71 - Thanks Mark, for reminding me of one VERY important reason why I am NO longer a prog - your sense of humour is non-existent - yours is a terminal case; a transplant or transfusion will NOT help!!! (My sincere apologies to the three humourous progs who contribute to TP.)
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 13, 2006 @ 8:30 pm
Sorry to disappoint you MA but I saw nothing humorous in what you had to say. Not that I didn’t see your feeble attempt though. Of course to admit that you are not progressive is too sad. It puts you in line wit the Taliban and others of their ilk.
Now how about a little info on that illustrious military career of yours and your husband. Or do you prefer to call him your partner?
February 13th, 2006 at 9:48 pmHe’s been let off with a warning about not having his bird stamp. But, are they going to nail him for now having his lawyer stamp?
February 13th, 2006 at 9:54 pmOr is this part of a new secret program on tort reform?
i might add that the aphrotripey spelling of the word ‘humour’ (which i am very familiar with as an ex-pat in australia) is clearly un-american. tripey, you should familiarise [catch that lost ‘z’, why don’t you] yourself with american english. why do you hate america, tripey?
everyone knows that in america, we took the ‘u’ out of words like humor and neighbor, because in the land of the free, there’s no time for ‘u’, IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!
so where in the hell is tripey from? please tell me it’s not the fatherland…
February 13th, 2006 at 10:00 pmaphro - “I hear Maureen Dowd’s new tome “Are Men Necessary?†will be out JUST in time for progressive womyn to curl up with the cat and a cup of herbal tea.”
February 13th, 2006 at 10:02 pmthat book has been out for quite some time…another thing that may surprise you:
do you know the answer to the question? dowd herself says “yes”…gottal read the book though, to find out why/how…
cats are perrrrrfect…they are picky about their friends for sure…
Was Cheney Drunk?
February 13th, 2006 at 10:11 pm#152,
February 13th, 2006 at 10:12 pmI heard an interview today with the author of a book on Cheney. So we can expect he has done a little research on him. Your comment that he needed time to sober up may actually be the fact. He has a couple of DUIs on his record. He was in the truck until they reached the area of the shoot. His reputation as a hunter out West is not a good one. He is a “Gucci” hunter. A lousy hunter, a guy who likes to play “dress up and pretend to be like a hunter” to feed his ego.
I also heard that after the incident, they all went back to the house for dinner!! Except for the victim, of course.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:16 pmWho could go for dinner after nearly blinding or killing someone? Cheney must have one helluva pacemaker, or he would be dead from a heart attack.
Maybe he doesn’t have a real heart - that pacemaker is a Stainless Steel robotic pump.
#159 Or Marie it shows Cheney cares for nobody but Cheney and since Cheney didn’t get shot…Lets eat!
February 13th, 2006 at 10:22 pmCheney was probably drunk.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:31 pmToo bad those quail don’t know how to dress up like the Viet Cong because then Cheney would be running the other way out of there.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:37 pmLATEST QUAILGATE PRESS RELEASE; Whittington, 78 was reported to have said “if you keep on like your talking in public, we are going to lose all the elections in November” and was then shot by Cheney. The attending physician claimed were “nearly 200 pellets” some of which could be extracted, and others that can not. The White House has claimed the NRA is wrong in claiming that this would indicate a shooting distance of what can be only described by Cletus as: “dern close”, there is nothing to indicate that this was either a mercy killing gone wrong, nor a bungled attempt to “get the dog” There is a wide disagreement about the distance being 30 feet or 30 yards. “the pellet count should tell you that sheriff” was the only thing the doctor on call could be heard saying as he was leaving the room with two gentlemen in dark suits.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:47 pmMr. Whiterinyou is apologetic about his remarks and doesn’t intend to make a public statement. Please contact Ms. Armweary about her various other hunts, with a wide and sundry list of potential targets. She claims to be in negotiations with Cindy Sheehan and Ted Nugent at this time for a real “Celebrity Death Match”
and the microphones picked this up after the conference; “we have folks out of New Orleans of all colors, it is just a bonanza right now, as they are starting to let some go from the hotels that have been putting them up. rich pickin’s here at the ranch”
This is symbolic of an incompetent clan of neocons who simply are the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.
February 14th, 2006 at 12:09 amMoxiegrrl- Welcome to the blog, I love your site. :)
M.A. Maureen Dowd’s book has been out for more than three months. Oh, and by the way, my Pittsburgh Steelers has a chance to beat the Denver Broncos and make it to the Super Bowl, so who would you root for? :()
February 14th, 2006 at 12:30 amWhittington was walking about 20-30 yards to Cheney’s LEFT.
This is why the buckshot wounds to Whittington were on his RIGHT side. And it also explains why Whittington didn’t get any buckshot in his eyes, which would have probably happened if he had come up from behind Cheney (as claimed) and taken a frontal blast when Cheney turned and shot.
Think about it. If Whittington had been coming up from behind, his entire attention would have been on the hunters ahead of him. When Cheney turned with his shotgun leveled, Whittington would have probably hit the ground.
In other words, Cheney didn’t pivot 180 degrees and shoot Whittington behind him, he pivoted 90 degrees and shot Whittington to his LEFT, which I’m certain really surprised Whittington…since he didn’t see it coming.
Whittington probably had buckshot embedded under the scalp on the right side of his head. To remove these pellets, the doctors probably had to shave off the hair on the right side of his head. I doubt if we will see any pictures of Whittington over the next several months…at least until his hair grows out. Or he wears a wig.
And the time lapse between the incident and the reporting of it is easy.
The most important witness to what actually happened is in a hospital ICU bed over Saturday night, probably sedated and asleep. He probably woke up mid-Sunday morning, at which time someone from Cheney’s entourage talked with him. Everything was fine. Whittington wasn’t that pissed at being shot. They then went over the story that the Cheney people had agreed upon after hammering it out for hours over the previous night. It just wouldn’t do to have Whittington groggily blabbing the truth to one of his hospital attendants.
Plus, the time delay meant that a swarm of reporters wouldn’t have descended immediately upon any hospital in to which Whittington was transported and was recovering…which would mean that hospital staff wouldn’t be faced with a lot of questioning in which they might reveal what had really happened to Whittington. This time delay also gave the Secret Service time to contact everyone and issue warnings from the top down.
Aaaah, there’s nothing like a good mystery.
February 14th, 2006 at 2:01 amIRI- usually , your posts just cause me to roll my eyes. But not today. You are a heartless, worthless, waste of everything it takes to keep you alive. Today, I attended the final appearence that will ever be made again in this life of my dear, dear friend, and member of my “extended family”, Hannah Nicole May. On February 2nd, 2006, this 14 year old girl decided that the pain of living in this world was finally to much for her to take anymore. So when she was home alone, she took a gun, and killed herself. The chapel was filled to overflowing with the people who’s lives she has touched. My beautiful friend is gone, but your worthless ass is still here. God, I do not understand this world, or your place in it. Screw you. you selfish F*CK!!!
February 14th, 2006 at 3:18 amCheney may have been drunk. The sheriff probably wouldn’t keep that quiet, as the secret service repeatedly does. This certainly puts Ted Kennedy and Chappaquidic in perspective. More info is needed on the identities and drinking habits of each ranch guest.
February 14th, 2006 at 4:37 amNot only has CBS excised the originial mention of the local authority being prevented from talking with Cheney on Saturday night, now the New York Times is today reporting that the Sheriff said his chief deputy interviewed Cheney on *Saturday night*
Doublethink is here. No one ever turned away the local authorities. Cheney was always cooperative. CBS disappeared that bit and the New York Times says everything was friendly and cooperative and taken care of that very night.
See for yourself.
http://tinyurl.com/8czkt
February 14th, 2006 at 6:59 amhave two comments about this:
1) The sheriff involved has ruled this was caused by a “hunter’s judgment factor”. I am shocked, Dick showed poor judgment.
February 14th, 2006 at 9:08 am2) The Dickster did not have the proper permits and was not changed because the “the law is new”. Even if he did not know the law, the ranch where he was hunting should know the law. It’s their job. I often fish with guides and the first thing they do is check my license BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE LAW! Dick is above the law, I am again shocked.
First, Secret Service is law enforcement. Who else do they need to inform?
Second, the only reason the press is complaining about this is they weren’t told immediately. Their wittle feelings got hurt because they had to find out from a newspaper. Waaa, waaa, waaa.
The VP’s office is under no obligation to inform the White House press corps of anything. Get over it!
February 14th, 2006 at 10:48 amAs an experienced hunter from Texas, and knowing how savvy this Administration is, there is but one explanation for the handling of this accident; Alcohol was involved. Why else would Cheney look so idiotic? Because hunting under the influence is a crime.
February 14th, 2006 at 10:59 amIf alcohol was involved wouldn’t the VP being subject to criminal negligence investigations? Maybe that is why they handled it the way they did. What would look worse, an alcohol induced “accident”, or a PR mishap?
February 14th, 2006 at 11:02 amThe VP was drunk when he blasted his hunting partner. Investigate the criminal consequences of that happening and you will see why Cheney handled it the way he did. I have hunted quail for 48 years; this was a case of hunting while drunk. Don’t be so naive.
February 14th, 2006 at 11:07 amYou liberals are full of it. Cheney does not drink. Find something else to haggle about.
February 14th, 2006 at 11:09 am122, on which nipple does Dick wear his “paste maker”?
Brilliant logic you have there that a beer would kill Dick but not the stressful excitement of shooting someone. If we subscribe to your logic then he shouldn’t be out shooting guns with other people because another shooter might startle him to death.
Guess that’s why doctors say a little wine is good for you.
Stop drinking the Kool-Aid & take the blinders off dude.
February 14th, 2006 at 11:33 amGossipy
He accidentally shot a friend. He’s the VP. Leave him alone or your legitimate arguments will weaken. This is a stupid story. Totally.
Comment by Harman, Rockefeller=DINO #9
The Plame/Iran story is F*CKING HUGE.
Comment by Harman, Rockefeller=DINO #14
Harman,
…ever hear of ‘multi-tasking’?
February 14th, 2006 at 1:02 pmIt is truly a sad affair when politicians can dictated how a police department investigates anything. This is the story from the washington post today.
http://www.comcast.net/ news/ politics/