Been a busy weekend for me, as I’m appearing in "Sordid Live" (see advert at right for more information).  Then I got stomach flu.  Ugh.

But at least I didn’t shoot anybody in the face!

The Smoking Gun has the accident report.

Ironically, on March 17, 2005, I blogged this.

Paul Begala, a Texas hunter himself, writes:

It is not best practice – in fact it’s unsafe – to send 3 guns into the field and to chase 2 coveys at once.  I would never – ever – go chasing a second covey while someone else was occupied with a first covey.  My experience is that safe quail hunters generally  hunt no more than 2 guns in the field at a time, and chase one covey at a time.  To do otherwise is reckless.

AmericaBlog is calling it Cheney’s Chappaquiddick.

Think Progress explains the law that Cheney broke.

MSNBC quips:

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today that his department would immediately implement a “Cheney Alert” system to warn Americans if an attack by the vice president is imminent.

Even Konservative Korner Kid John Podheretz can’t diminish the Cheney story:

This story is a very big deal, despite all the mitigating factors — the accident involved a friend, his medical team was right there to help, and all that. Something like this has never happened before, and it is a genuinely disturbing thing to think that the vice president of the United States actually shot somebody last weekend, even for fans of his. It’s disturbing as well that there was a news blackout that lasted nearly a day about this serious incident. It seems beyond question that the vice president is going to have to go before the cameras, explain what happened, and show genuine remorse for his actions, however inadvertent. It’s a difficult challenge for someone as reticent as Dick Cheney. But unless he does so, and makes a good showing of it, he will be damaged goods for the remainder of the Bush presidency.

…. but he’s getting hell for saying that.

Meanwhile, Powerline Paul is ho-humming the whole thing, and yes, blaming the media:

The press corps’ over-the-top reaction to this event reflects two things, I think: the reporters’ detestation of the administration, and their ignorance of firearms. If Cheney had been trout fishing and a companion had walked behind him as he started to cast, so that he inadvertently snagged his friend, resulting in a hospital visit, would we have seen this kind of frenzy? I don’t think so. I think we’re seeing, among other things, the press corps’ innate ignorance of, and hostility to, firearms coming through.

Yes.  The reason why the media is making a big deal about the Vice-President shooting someone is because of their "ignorance of firearms".  Don’t they know that guns shoot people all the time??

Wonkette provides a handy-dandy reference for Cheney wannabes:

The Quote Of The Day goes to former Reagan press secretary and gun control advocate Jim Brady, in a press release, referring to Cheney’s accidental shooting of a hunting companion:

"Now I understand why Dick Cheney keeps asking me to go hunting with him."

And for you hunters out there, here are the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education guidelines…

Rules Hunters Can Live By . . . Ten Commandments of Shooting Safety

1. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

2. Treat every firearm or bow with the same respect you would show a loaded gun or nocked arrow.

3. Be sure of your target and what is in front of and beyond your target.
Before you pull the trigger you must properly identify game animals. Until your target is fully visible and in good light, do not even raise your scope to see it. Use binoculars! Know what is in front of and behind your target. Determine that you have a safe backstop or background. Since you do not know what is on the other side, never take a shot at any animals on top of ridges or hillsides. Know how far bullets, arrows and pellets can travel. Never shoot at flat, hard surfaces, such as water, rocks or steel because of ricochets.

4. Unload firearms and unstring conventional bows when not in use.

5. Handle the firearms, arrows and ammunition carefully.
Avoid horseplay with firearms. Never climb a fence, a tree or a ladder with a loaded firearm or bow and arrows. Never jump a ditch or cross difficult terrain with a loaded firearm or nocked arrow. Never face or look down the barrel from the muzzle end. Be sure the only ammunition you carry correctly matches the gauge or caliber you are shooting. Always carry arrows in a protected cover or quiver. Learn the proper carries. Try to use the two-hand carry whenever possible because it affords you the best muzzle control. Always carry handguns with hammers over an empty chamber or cylinder. If you fall, be sure to disassemble the gun and check the barrel from the breech end for obstructions. Carry a field cleaning kit.

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.

7. Control your emotions when it comes to safety.

8. Wear hearing and eye protection.

9. Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms or bow and arrows.

10. Be aware of additional circumstances which require added caution or safety awareness.