On Feb. 11, Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot 78-year-old lawyer Harry Whittington while on a quail hunting trip. The birdshot from the shotgun struck Whittington in the face, neck and chest. One of those pellets traveled to Whittington’s heart, causing a mild heart attack Tuesday.
The media have been all over this story and comedians were quick to pelt Cheney with jokes. Cheney took the brunt of the attacks and accepted full responsibility for what happened.
Regardless of political beliefs, the fact is that Cheney took responsibility and Whittington has forgiven him. Therefore, it is time for America to move on and the media to focus on something else.
“My family and I are deeply sorry for everything Vice President Cheney and his family have had to deal with,” Whittington said at a press conference after being released from the hospital.
This is not to say that the story was not important. The vice president shooting someone is undoubtedly news.
If it turns out that Cheney tried to cover up the accident and keep it out of the media, then that is a story that should be covered. If the accident had caused Whittington’s death, then Cheney probably would have been forced to resign his position, and that too would have a been a big story.
But, until one of those things happens, then this is just a hunting accident, something that happens frequently. It is a serious situation, but it is over and done with.
It is not the job of the media to destroy the life and reputation of a man for an accident. If he had committed some egregious and purposeful act, then all of the attention and abuse would be justified. The reality is that this attention is probably a reflection of the current state of affairs in America.
It is more than clear that the Bush administration is receiving poor approval ratings, and the media know that the people will not be upset by the large amount of coverage.
If a real reason comes about to chastise and bring Cheney down, the media has every right to investigate. But for now, this story has run its course.
