Dead-Eye Dick Anniversary

A moment of silence, please, for the three-year anniversary of former vice-president Dick Cheney shooting his hunting partner down in South Texas.

On Feb. 11, 2006, Cheney accidentally (one would assume accidentally) shot Harry Whittington, a 78-year-old attorney while on a quail hunt. Now I'm not necessarily against shooting lawyers, but probably not in this case.

The Bush administration disclosed the shooting the next day. On Feb. 14, Whittington suffered a heart attack and atrial fibrilation due to at least one lead-shot pellet that lodged in or near his heart. On Feb. 16, Cheney spoke publicly for the first time with, shockingly, Fox News.

Whittington was also treated for birdshot wounds to his right cheek, neck and chest. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's summary of the incident said, "Whittington downed a bird and went to retrieve it. While he was out of the hunting line, another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck and chest."

On the Fox News broadcast, Cheney accetped full responsibilty of the incident.

The oddest thing -- beside a 78-year-old man getting buzzed -- was Whittington's statement at a press conference on Feb. 17: "My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with. We hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves."

YOU'RE sorry. Dude, you're the one who got shot.