Feb. 17, 2006

Lawyer Shot by Cheney Is Sorry for Veep's Troubles
See original story here

The man accidentally shot by Dick Cheney is scheduled to be released from a Texas hospital later today, as the vice president gave his first public speech since the hunting accident.

Cheney wounded Harry M. Whittington on Saturday when they and friends were hunting quail on the Armstrong Ranch in south Texas. As many as 200 pellets hit Whittington and one lodged in a muscle near the heart causing a mild attack.

At a news conference at the Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi where he was treated, Whittington called the incident an accident. He looked wan and the right side of his face appeared bruised, but spoke graciously of Cheney, with an occasional touch of humor.

"This past weekend encompassed all of us in a cloud of misfortune and sadness that is not easy to explain, especially to those who are not familiar with the great sport of quail hunting," Whittington said.

"We all assume certain risks in whatever we do, whatever activities we pursue. And regardless of how experienced, careful and dedicated we are, accidents do and will happen. And that's what happened," he said.

"My family and I are deeply sorry for all that Vice President Cheney and his family have had to go through this past week. We send our love and respect to them as they deal with situations that are much more serious than what we've had this week," he said.

Whittington said he hoped that Cheney would continue to come to Texas and hunt.

Hospital officials said Whittington was in good health and will be released later today.Moments later in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cheney entered the state legislature chamber and was greeted by applause from lawmakers. Cheney began his political career as intern in the Legislature in the mid-1960s.

Officials praised a sizable donation from the Cheney family trust to the University of Wyoming where Cheney went to school.

"Thank you for the kind words," Cheney said. "I want to thank you for that welcome home. It's a wonderful experience to be greeted by such warmth by the leaders of our great state. It's especially true when you've had a very long week. Thankfully, Harry Whittington is on the mend and doing very well.

After the speech, Cheney, a former congressman from Wyoming, is expected to stay for the weekend at his home.

The appearances by Whittington and Cheney will likely further dampen the furor over the shooting.

The incident was not publicly revealed until Sunday when the ranch owner contacted her local newspaper. Cheney did not personally comment until Wednesday when he granted Fox News an exclusive interview.

Cheney has defended the delay and the limited release of details, both of which angered the Washington press as well as political critics who said it was another example of the administration usual secrecy on a variety of issues.

President Bush has backed Cheney, telling reporters on Thursday that the vice president handled the situation in a fine manner.

"I'm satisfied with the explanation he gave," Bush said.

Bush described Cheney as extremely distraught since he shot Whittington.

In his interview, Cheney said he didn't see Whittington until the vice president fired his shotgun, hitting the 78-year-old lawyer and Texas Republican. Cheney said he had a beer at lunch, but that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

In his comments to the Kenedy County Sheriff's Department, Whittington agreed that none of the hunters were under the influence of alcohol.

The department ended its investigation without charging anyone and released the incident report on Thursday. According to the document, a deputy interviewed Cheney on Sunday and Whittington on Monday at the hospital.

Whittington was hit with shotgun pellets in the face, neck and chest. He was treated at Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi where he suffered a mild heart attack caused by a shotgun pellet that traveled to his heart.

Cheney said it was "one of the worst days of my life," while accepting full blame for the accident and defending his decision to delay the public disclosure until the next day.

You have GOT to be kidding me! The Daily Kos called it 'Operation Switch The Victim', and I don't think I could possibly come up with anything more fitting myself.... This is an outrage, and yet more proof that the right will stoop as low as it can to cover it's own ass. I have an extremely hard time believing that this poor old man would think it necessary to come to the press and apologize for his injuries hurting the VP's feelings. Come on now...is there actually anyone who thinks he did this on his OWN?

Also, Dicky boy said he had "one beer at lunch"? How many lunches did he have?!