BREAKING: Whittington suffers heart attack!

[MadisonProgressive]

due to shot lodged in heart. Yeah, he was 30 yards away.... right.........

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Reference? Source?

[Mutley]

64. Here's a link.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/14/cheney/

[mike_c]

2. breaking WHERE?

Link please-- or at least attribution.

[MadisonProgressive]

6. This is from CNN

BREAKING NEWS Man shot and wounded by Vice President Cheney suffers "minor heart attack" after birdshot becomes lodged in his heart, hospital spokesman says.

[woo me with science]

3. just heard it on ABC news. shot lodged in heart. nt

[BlueInPhilly]

4. It's on CNN right now N/T

[mom cat]

11. So much for "superficial wounds" !

[okieinpain]

156. well don't get all bent out of shape, first accord to fmr sen. simpson

it was his fault for not ducking, I mean not letting them know he had rejoined the line. then the damn fool is sitting around telling jokes at the hospital. you know the man is really stupid...

[mom cat]

174. I thought they had just gotten out of the car. Couldn't Dicky keep track

Harry for a few minutes?

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Holy shit. This is a fucking tragedy.

It's like the whole last five years are being replayed in one weekend. Cheney's recklessness and the manipulation of the media.

[henslee]

82. Three days ago it was just a peppering.

[The Backlash Cometh]

85. This is Cheney's strike three.

1) Lying us into a war with Iraq.
2) Halliburton war-profiteering.
3) Whittington.

[Capn Sunshine]

103. Too bad there's no rules in Cheneyball.

he gets to keep batting until the REAL big man takes him out.

[The Backlash Cometh]

130. Republicans just enable his reckless behavior.

[MadisonProgressive]

118. I remember the ranch owner laughing

"he got peppered pretty good"... YEAH RIGHT!

[henslee]

124. A DUer already pointed out the press's misuse of the word peppering....

refers to the light spray pellets tha come down after a shot in the air... not a blast to the face... that is NOT a peppering. Next thing we're gonna hear is that it was a good thing he went into the hospital -- he was due for a check up anyway.

[txindy]

145. Here's what a Texas hunter has to say about this:

The base here is not pleased with Darth, no matter what some folks here at DU believe. Only the cultists are buying the spin on this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=417606&mesg_id=417606

[cornermouse]

161. Shot is shot

as far as I'm concerned. Whittington was shot. Pepper is what you use to season food.

[zann725]

150. I wonder just how long they waited to take him to hospital? Sure, they had

Darth's mobile medical crew; but I'm wondering IF there was a "significant" delay in transporting him to NECESSARY ICU treatment, which could've altered such tragic complications?

Clarify again...was THIS the guy who ran the "morgue" services for Katrina, as well as Shrubco in the past...where bodies disappeared, and wrong-doing was suspected? I've heard it mentioned once or twice (NOT in MSM, but if it's true...the "timing" in terms of Brownie's confessions last week,and broadening investigation into Katrina "problems" would be "ineresting" indeed...particularly IF Whittington had "things" he wished to disclose about TRUE numbers dead, and/or euthanized in New Orleans and Miss.

[karynnj]

159. If there was any delay at all, it was unethical

There was nothing that they couldn't do or monitor as they drove to the hospital. Does an ambulance sit in the driveway once the patient is safely in?

Although it was almost certainly an accident, they really need to look at the time line. If they really delayed sending him to the hospital - as was suggested in some stories - this is sheer negligence.

I hope even Lynne Cheney has enough decency to see who is really not a good man. He is total evil.

[NashVegas]

129. Aye, I Can't Really Joke About This Anymore

Although, whomever it was that said Cheney now has something in common with Aaron Burr ...

[Benbow]

140. It was reported on the latest BBC news bulletin - you're right, it's

not funny any more. Everyone in the Cheney administration who has been talking about "superficial" injuries, and Whittington doing "fine" (perhaps even flirting with nurses) HAS BEEN LYING. Again. To protect their own wretched skins and pock-marked reputations.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. No wonder they've been keeping him in ICU.

[Crunchy Frog]

61. They had moved him out of ICU.

He's back in there now.

[okieinpain]

157. and there he will remain till the end of time. telling jokes, and flirting

with the nurses....

[Dulcinea]

101. What happens if Whittington dies? All kidding aside.

Can they charge Cheney with anything? Reckless endangerment? Involuntary manslaughter?

[MadisonProgressive]

119. Minimum of involuntary manslaughter

[The Backlash Cometh]

133. Bush has a knack of surrounding himself with people that have the

kind of personalities that lead to that kind of thing. I mean, how many people do I know in my personal circles that have personalities which have led to the injury of another human being?: 0

[wordpix]

162. If Dickhead were poor, they'd charge him with manslaughter but

they won't charge him with a thing b/c it was an "accident" and BigDick's lawyers will get him off, especially since he can afford the best at $500/hr. and maybe at taxpayers' expense.

[mom cat]

5. Cheney is a monster and the cover up is unconscionable!

[MadisonProgressive]

15. Scotties spin conference should be really good tomorrow!

[ShockediSay]

79. White House Finds Humor in Hunting Mishap

http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2006/02/14/ap2525155.html

The White House has decided that the best way to deal with Vice President Dick Cheney's shooting accident is to joke about it.

President Bush's spokesman quipped Tuesday that the burnt orange school colors of the University of Texas championship football team that was visiting the White House shouldn't be confused for hunter's safety wear.

[henslee]

83. Shameless evil fckers with no respect for life.

[Raine]

88. Maybe they won't find

it so funny now that the victim has had a heart attack. x(

[Rick Myers]

7. CNN has press conference live

Pellet lodged in Wittington's heart. Had cardiac cath procedure at 9:30 am CST. Now in ICU.

[thefloyd]

8. Cnn reporting

http://www.cnn.com/

[habitual]

9. holy crap

time for the administration to rethink the 'it was nothing, happens all the time' strategy

[ChairmanAgnostic]

143. 15 mill registered hunters and 74 deaths in '04.

And our white house makes with the jokes.
I feel this cold anger - which is good. It lasts longer.

[livetohike]

10. Wonder if Bush thinks it's a laughing matter now?

Just laugh it off, ha, ha, ha :sarcasm:

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Bird shot, my ass.

[wtmusic]

164. Maybe Scott will have some more cute jokes

at tomorrow's press briefing.

Or maybe not.

[Serial Mom]

12. I wondered why he had been placed in intensive care

for what some described as minor wounds.

I thought maybe due to his age, but figured he was injured worse than they said.

[AnneD]

60. Same here....

except I figured that it was because of his wealth and status (in addition to age).

[Deb]

14. Oh, that poor man.

How did they miss this? It seems he must have had internal bleeding. :-(

[woo me with science]

16. Faux News: "Birdshot MIGRATES into Cheney Victim's Heart"

It was birdshot, so it migrated.

[HereSince1628]

62. Is that the SPRING migration?

[goodboy]

18. He was just "peppered" He was a helluva lot more fucked up than

any of us suspected. Also the reason Cheney fended off law enforcement until they could get the guy out of there.

[WestHoustonDem]

19. Hartmann just mentioned it! So it's coming over the wire

The cnn site says it's a "minor" heart attack with "minor" in quotation marks.

[MadisonProgressive]

20. Minor? Yeah and he just got "peppered" too! Hold the mayo!

[katmondoo]

25. At 78, no matter what happens his health will

continue to deteriorate. I know, I was very ill a few years ago and I never fully recovered. I am now 76.

[woo me with science]

27. agree. at 78 this is serious. nt

[danalytical]

33. Yeah, even a flu could kill you when get a bit older.

Try a heart attack after being shot in the face, neck, and chest. This man has a likely chance of dying.

[woo me with science]

31. also....

the best to you. i am sorry for your illness and the struggle it's caused. glad you are well enough to be here!

[WestHoustonDem]

78. Foreign matter invading the heart cannot be minor.

My dad is 78 and has been hospitalized almost all year. Every setback takes a horrible toll on his body and his spirits.

[MANative]

21. They are reporting that he had a cardiac catheterization. I

have some very minor knowledge on this, as my hubby has had 2 heart attacks. CCs are done when there is an actual blockage in the arteries feeding the heart. This does not make sense with what the doctor was saying on CNN, that the "bb was pressing up against the heart muscle." Sorry, something really stinks here.....

[DebbieCDC]

34. Heart Cath

I had one also about 4 years ago for a suspected blockage (thankfully nothing was found). So if something is pressing against the heart muscle I don't think a heart cath would be the procedure. This is for arterial blockage!

[MANative]

59. Yup - my understanding too.

Wierd stuff here.

[Gregorian]

49. They probably need the angiography to see the metal.

I am guessing. Although I used to be a cardiac cath tech. So I'm pretty well versed in angiography. But this is an odd situation.
My guess is they need an accurate picture of where the shot is located. But then why wouldn't a cat scan work?

Hey, I thought this thing would blow up. At 78, little things snowball.

[MANative]

57. Exactly! My understanding of CCs is that they are

primarily used to open blockages. Is there an underlying health problem being exascerbated by this wound? It will get worse before it gets better, I fear.

[formercia]

94. Lead shot shows up very well on an ordinary radiograph.

even fine shot can't be missed.

[WhiteTara]

22. OMG Can they charge Cheney with actual

murder? My mouth is just agape with horror. He shot someone in the face and now they may die!

Let that be a lesson for anyone who would presume to ask for some of their stuff back (Whittington was fighting eminent domain). Bring in Cheney or Pickles, they're good for a kill.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. I think attempted Involuntary Manslaughter is where this may go...

...if Wittington survives. If he doesn't survive, it could very easily be Involuntary Manslaughter.

Then again, none of us know what was going on that lead to the shooting. The delay between the actual event and the story being reported bothers me quite a bit...is something being covered up? For instance, was drinking involved? Was there an argument between Cheney and Wittington?

These are questions that the media should be asking...not much chance of that, is there?

[CountAllVotes]

108. that is just what I was thinking ...

Manslaughter! Good god! How sad this is! :( May God help this poor man Mr. Whittingham!

:kick:

[screembloodymurder]

127. Who was in the "hunting" party?

I know how this is being spun, but it is possible Wittington knows something (Plame) that Cheney doesn't want out. It is possible that this is a case of attempted murder.

[aquart]

131. Depraved indifference to human life?

And every other kind.

There's also criminal negligence.

[NashVegas]

132. Reckless Endangerment, Tops

Unless you can show Cheney had reason to be pissed off at the guy.

[alcibiades_mystery]

137. Can you "attempt" involuntary manslaughter?

Hardly.

[intheflow]

100. Do you have a source on Wittington fighting eminent domain?

The fact that the government is moving toward eminent domain to go to private business development is something I've been trying to follow but haven't seen much on it. Tying that in with this Cheney incident is an interesting way to connect the dots.

[Soloflecks]

151. Will this do?

Cheney Hunting Mishap Victim an Eminent Domain Crusader
Posted by Peter Lattman


http://tinyurl.com/dhfxa

[intheflow]

184. Thanks! n/t

[WhiteTara]

186. thanks. I was just getting ready to look this up again

Does anyone have confirmation that Scalia was there as well?

[0007]

165. I think it is!

[Hawkeye-X]

23. Can you say MURDER in the first degree?

Yes, you can! :evilfrown:

[SIU_Blue]

48. unfortunately, no you cannot.

If this man were to die it would be manslaughter, unless there is something to prove a motive in the shooting. As long as it's an accident, it's involuntary manslaughter.

[ShockediSay]

50. Esp is Cheney was drunk, reckless endagerment, felony murder

murder 1, wilfully negligent homicide, murder 2, &c &c IMHO.

[SIU_Blue]

55. if he were drunk...

wow, that would be something, wouldn't it?

[ShockediSay]

65. One good reason to hold off 24 hrs

to avoid a breathalizer test? to consult his team of lawyers?

I saw this CSIMiami where the guy thought he ran over somebody when he was dead drunk and the defense strategy was to wait before reporting to police to avoid the breathalizer.

[LizW]

26. Poor old guy. This could get a lot less funny. n/t

[alarcojon]

36. A lot less funny than this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2108087

[LizW]

52. Exactly. I mean, WE can laugh

about the shooting. But it's just mean for the WH to act like it's a joke after their cover-up got blown.

They can't stop screwing up. Just as they decide, "Oh, we'll play the humor angle, that'll work," THE OLD GUY HAS A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE A PELLET IS INSIDE HIS HEART!!!!

I don't regret our taking pleasure in the situation so far. It was freaking hilarious watching them scramble. But if the old guy dies, it turns ugly, and I say we call for Cheney's immediate resignation.

[Arugula Latte]

106. Right. Surface BB-like abrasions are one thing ...

and fodder for humor ... but this ... gulp.

[Laelth]

166. I think Cheney will resign if ...

... Whittington dies. He becomes too big of a liability if there's any truth to the following headline:

Guns don't kill people; Dick Cheney does!

:shrug:

-Laelth

[Arugula Latte]

Well ...

:wow:

[alarcojon]

28. The people want to know

Was Cheney drinking?

[Hawkeye-X]

30. Antifreeze, I hope.

Goddamn bastard.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

32. Likely.

The delay in reporting it was to allow his body to purge itself of the ETOH.

[Hawkeye-X]

37. Still, a biopsy (probably forced without anthesia) of his liver

would confirm if he drank.

[AbbyR]

58. Even if he was, does it matter?

He SHOT the guy - I don't care if he was drinking or not, something should happen to Cheney over this. Yeah. I know. In my dreams.

I'm the child of an alcoholic, and I've always felt that drinking was no excuse.

Seriously, will it make any difference in the charges? Again, I know. What charges? It's Cheney, after all.

[alarcojon]

76. I'm not suggesting it exonerates Cheney at all

it would make this whole thing ten times worse. I would think it would be hard to accept for the great majority of Americans - even to some of the Repug base - that Cheney shot a guy while hammered.

I would think something worse should happen to Cheney if he was found to be drinking. Then again, that day's delay in reporting this gave him plenty of time to sober up.

[tblue37]

80. Of course he was.

I don't doubt it for an instant.

[lonestarnot]

29. Dick I hope your balls are sweat'n!

[ronnie624]

91. Eew!

I'm trying to eat here! The image of Dick Cheney's sweaty balls is the last thing I want to see right now. :)

[lonestarnot]

95. I didn't say anything about seeing them! Groooooosssssss

x(

[Strathos]

96. YUCK! Not an image I needed at all!

LOL

[skip fox]

35. Conversely, if he would have shot Cheney in the heart . . .

the shot/pellets would have bounced off> ;)

[AndyTiedye]

170. Would Need a Wooden Stake

[LiberalGuy000]

38. OMG!

I wonder if the White House is still making jokes.

[japple]

39. Keep on repeating: Chapaquidick, Chapaquidick, Chapaquidick

[meganmonkey]

63. I think you mean CheneyquiDick, CheneyquiDick!

[caledesi]

147. Can we say Laura Bush? (If you want to play that sordid game). nt

[aquart]

134. WRONG MEME.

They'll say Cheney should get off just like Kennedy.

Do NOT bring up Chappaquidick in this context.

They can also say that Cheney got the man help.

It is absolutely the wrong analogy.

[Dunvegan]

40. First ICU...then he's better..is this like "The cat is on the roof...."

...and Whittington has been gone all along?

[bmbmd]

90. That was my first thought, as well.

The cat is on the roof.

[Stevendsmith]

41. I'm really feeling sorry for the guy. Jeezus. (n/t)

[ripple]

43. Would it be better for Cheney if Whittington died?

Think about it. We don't know the circumstances leading up to the shooting, but we do know that the White House spokesman essentially BLAMED Whittington for getting shot. I would venture to guess that Whittington might not be too pleased with that little teflon maneuver.

[gordianot]

93. No it would not be better for Cheney. Certainly Mr. Whittington.

[thecrow]

44. NN says it was a "minor" heart attack ...gotta love the language!

No heart attack is a minor thing.
I would suppose that Mr. W is now thinking this is a MAJOR happening.

[alarcojon]

45. Link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11340558/

The 78-year-old lawyer who was shot by Vice President Dick Cheney in a hunting accident has some birdshot lodged in his heart and he had a "minor heart attack," a hospital official said Tuesday.

Peter Banko, the hospital administrator at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial, said Harry Whittington had the heart attack early Tuesday while being evaluated.

He said there was an irregularity in the heartbeat caused by a pellet, and doctors performed a cardiac catheterization.

Whittington expressed a desire to leave the hospital, but Banko said he would probably stay for another week.

[arikara]

144. That sounds very bizarre

My husband has a heart problem and is going through all sorts of cardiac procedures, as well I have some small knowlege from a paramedic background. They do the catheterization which is called an angiogram to look inside the arteries to see if there is a blockage. If there is a blockage or major narrowing then while they are in there they will do an angioplasty to widen the artery.

But the irregularity is not caused by the narrowing of the arteries and the angiogram/plasty won't fix that. The irregularity is most likely atrial fibrillation which is an electrical problem with the heart. It could well have been brought on by the shock to the poor fellow being "peppered" with buckshot. My husband fell through the roof of the shed and that brought a-fib on with him. The first step that they normally take to deal with a-fib is to put the person out briefly and shock the heart into beating normally. But unless an emergency, even this isn't done until they've ran blood tests and its held at the correct INR levels for at least 3 weeks.

What I'm trying to figure out is what they are doing, because the problem they say he has doesn't match the treatment they are giving. They are leaving something out.

[CottonBear]

46. The shot can enter the blood vessels in the neck and travel to the heart

and other parts of the body such as the extremities cuasomg blocakges which can lead to heart attacks, strokes and gangrene.

Firedoglake blog medical post on this topic:
Speaking as a 20-year veteran of The-Big-ICU-In-Knife-And-Gun-Club-Territory, there is no way in hell that the victim is relatively uninjured.

Shotgun injuries are some of the worst cases I have taken care of, due to the spread-shot nature of the wounds. If the victim got "peppered" in the neck, there are waaaayyyy too many important structures in that small space (oh, like maybe one of the internal or external carotid arteries) for this to be a "no big deal" situation. If any of the pellets nicks a blood vessel, it may travel as far as it can go--I took care of a kid shot in the chest and some pellets eneded up in his ankle, blocking the bloodflow, leading to an amputation. In this situation, add to that the victim's age and potential underlying medical problems--this is huge.

These days, God Almighty doesn't get to stay in the ICU unless it is absolutely imperative that He do so.

This stinks worse than a gangrenous leg....
LittleBit | 02.13.06 - 8:04 am | #

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/firedoglake/113984118736473358/#259119

[Spiffarino]

71. Those inclined, please pray for the poor old guy.

He's a dogged Republican, probably a jerk. So what? He's also a human being who suffers needlessly. I'm going to go say a little prayer of comfort for him. Hope those so inclined will do so as well.

Peace.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

84. Suffers Needlessly?

He is the one who chose to spend an afternoon hunting with ol' Dick. Think he cried any tears during Katrina? Guilt by association.....hang out with scum, and that's exactly what you are.

The shooting might have been an accident, his presence with our Vice-King was not. I'll shed no tears. Neither will Dick most likely.

[Spiffarino]

195. My only responses are...

A: That's your choice

and

B: What they were doing was killing tame birds; it wasn't hunting.

[alarcojon]

89. I'm with you, Spiffarino

If I had a Valentine to give, I'd give it to you.

[rman]

47. excellent timing of the WH to make jokes about the incident

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2108087

[medeak]

51. Faux News "taking a break to regroup" at the news

they are shitting pants!

edited to say...doctor on Faux News said he came into hospital in atrial fib and there's no way the hospital couldn't know the seriousness!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

56. They should be. Fucking idiots!

[demo dutch]

53. I bet that they were drinking!!!

[mainer]

97. Alcohol intake can set off atrial fibrillation

Reports say that Whittington was noted to be in A. fib when he was admitted.

[HereSince1628]

54. My God! Just heard it on CNN! Obviously we've been fed more lies

This changes things.

Clearly Widdington was SERIOUSLY wounded. Shotgun shot in the heart muscle!

So that shot went through the guys clothes, through his skin through the chest musculature etc. and lodged in the heart muscle.

The medical person on CNN said they knew there was shot near the heart from the start! ANd then they lied about the guy spending a night in the ICU as if it were an overnight in a hotel.

So where the hell else is the shot embedded? And did Cheney shoot him with steel or LEAD shot?

On edit: CNN just said LEAD shot.

[Deb]

121. Good Grief! Lead??

I didn't know toxic lead shot was legal anywhere nowadays.

[underpants]

66. Hunter shot by Cheney has 'minor heart attack'

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/14/cheney/index.html

[AndyTiedye]

194. Yeah. His Heart Was Attacked By…

[Brotherjohn]

67. Test. n/t

[PuraVidaDreamin]

68. That doc at the press conference seemed to get a bit touchy

I'd like to see that again, can't put my finger on it, as I was
only half listening. Don't know his name, but his tone
started getting quite a bit defensive towards the end.

[mainer]

69. If you're 78, no heart attack is "minor"

I used to think this was a minor story. Amusing but utterly irrelevant. Now the shooting isn't the story.

The coverup is the story.

[Stevendsmith]

70. I guess he’s no longer sitting up, alert, and joking around. (n/t)

[Frank Cannon]

125. And flirting with nurses, as was reported (n/t)

[951-Riverside]

72. No No No He's fine

Sure he got a good old pepperin' in the heart but you know them good old texans they... :puke: ...he's fine!

[TankLV]

185. "Superficial minor incident" my ass, huh!

Love to watch them squirm.

[Peace Patriot]

73. This is getting weird. What the hell went on, on that hunting trip?

First of all: ...the story about Whittington leaving the group and going off to an unseen location, rifle in hand, then sneaking up behind Cheney. The Secret Service would NEVER let that happen (unless they were involved in some way). It just wouldn't happen. So, are they sticking to this story? That Whittington left the group and surprised Cheney?

Second: They let Whittington OUT of ICU with a pellet or pellets still in his arteries??? Billionaire, and friend of billionaires, and big time Bushite, gets that kind of medical mistake?

This is the dangdest news story we've seen since Bush got caught on camera eating cake during Katrina (with Rove and Cheney AWOL)!

[LibertyorDeath]

128. Maybe Cheney acted in self defense

Just a thought

[marions ghost]

152. yeah

....straaaange....

we do not know the truth yet. The holes in this story are not only in Mr. Whittington.

[AnneD]

74. So what happens next....

Cheney is hauled in for questioning or he has his own heart attack. He should have been questioned, he should have had a blood test. If this guy dies, he should be charge with involuntary manslaughter. We tend to fry 'em here in Texas, but not for the involuntary stuff. Besides, all that current running through him would just perk him up, like a spring tonic. This really does have a stench about it.

[pitohui]

75. oh my god, was just coming to post that

it kind of takes the fun out of the entire scandal

you'll never convince me they weren't drinking

[PhilipShore]

77. AP: Cheney victim suffers heart attack

Associated Press
Cheney victim suffers heart attack
February 14, 2006

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/victimcheney14.html

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas-- The 78-year-old lawyer who was shot by Vice President Dick Cheney in a hunting accident has some bird shot lodged in his heart and he had "a minor heart attack" Tuesday morning, hospital officials said.

The victim, Harry Whittington, was immediately moved back to the intensive care unit for further treatment, said Peter Banko, the administrator at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial in Texas.

[superconnected]

81. betcha Cheney ends up killing him... but it won't be his fault.

They haven't told you yet but let me be the first to leak it.

The gun misfired. It was a total unfortunate malfunction that Dick Cheney had nothing to do with.

:sarcasm:

[gordianot]

86. Whittington is the lawyer who covered for Bush in the funeral scandal

Shows how you get covered when you cover up for Republicans. Presiding officer of the funeral indeed.

[wicket]

87. Mr. Whittington & family are in my prayers

Please god let him be ok :( :cry:

[ramapo]

92. It was all very suspicious

I was saying to my wife last night how strange it was that the guy was still in the hospital for such minor injuries. I had also seen someplace that he had been (or was) in intensive care. Not so minor either.

Evidently Cheney came closer to taking the guy out then they let on. No surprise there.

[gordianot]

98. Shotgun wounds are the worst you can have unpredictable.

I remember a boy in High School was improving a couple days from going home, a pellet not removed cause blood poisoning he died the next day.

[katty]

197. yeah, birdshot...30 yards away?!! right

[woodsprite]

99. As I've been following this story, I've bee thinking they're keeping

the guy on life support until they can figure out what to do. Just a thought - I'll take my tinfoil hat off now.

[MadisonProgressive]

102. Hopefully it's not "Weekend at Harry's"...

[katty]

116. probably--WH getting a story together now

[katty]

104. he is quite old, don't think he will pull through

[henslee]

107. Sadly, I agree.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

105. From one who has hunted.....

Alcohol and hunting, while not always, unfortunately almost always go hand in hand. Macho cowboy roughin' it thing.

Hunting out of cars near roads is illegal in NY?

[Bridget Burke]

114. Well, the hunters I've known have a schedule.

Start hunting at the crack of fucking dawn.

Find & dispatch the prey.

"Process" what you've killed. They told me more than I wanted to know about this step, but were contemptuous of "hunters" who hauled the game into town so someone else could do the icky part.

Fix dinner, drink bourbon (or tequila), tell lies!

Note: The guns are put away before the booze comes out.

[Laelth]

167. Welcome to DU, Mr. Mojo Risin!

:patriot:

And I've never seen any hunters who don't drink and hunt at the same time. There must be one or two out there ... somewhere ... but I've never met them.

:shrug:

-Laelth

[peacebird]

172. welcome to DU Mr. Mojo Risin!

just across the river in my back yard I was awakened by shots this past December. Ran up to look out the french doors and saw hunters with spotlight.... So I went on the deck and heard them - very much partying had obviously been occuring.

And yes - spotlighting at 3am IS illegal here.

[NastyRiffraff]

109. WaPo has it now...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021400990.html

[truthisfreedom]

110. shot. covered-up. delayed investigation. laughed it off. had heart-attack.

instant-fecking-karma, if you ask me.

[katty]

117. So where was his Secret Service detail in all this?

[gasperc]

136. indeed, the VP can shoot at anything that moves

but who's watching the VP to PROTECT him from being shot, wow these baffoons were really on the ball.

[Lochloosa]

111. K/R

[The_Casual_Observer]

112. Yesterday he was doing great, according to the wh.

As others have said, he is probably dead. There is a old joke about something like this.

[MadisonProgressive]

115. Can't we get a picture of him if he's still alive

Even Reagan, with a bullet next to his heart came out to the window for a wave.

[Nothing Without Hope]

113. ***COMPILATION of threads on the Cheney shooting incident - LINK:

I will continue to update - I'd love it if you would too:

In General Discussion:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x411916
thread title (2-14-06 GD): Thread COMPILATION on Cheney shooting/Fuddgate - including VIDEOS:

In the Research Forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=358x3133
thread title (2-14-06 RESEARCH FORUM): Compilation of threads on 2/06 Cheney shooting incident, including videos

[Gussie]

120. Latest Spin - He was asking for it

If this poor guy dies (or is already dead), Uncle Dick will probably say the guy was suicidal and jumped in front of Cheney's gun, begging to be killed. A fight over the gun ensued and it "accidentally" went off. By law Uncle Dick is always innocent. :patriot:

[rodeodance]

123. A statement from Cheney's office said,...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060214/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney_whittington;_ylt=Aq3GSvk5YhVPI5iWSMooWYys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

Hunter Shot by Cheney Has Heart Attack

Cheney watched the news conference where doctors described Whittington's complications. Then the vice president called him, wished him well and asked if there was anything that he needed.

A statement from Cheney's office said, "The vice president said that he stood ready to assist. Mr. Whittington's spirits were good, but obviously his situation deserves the careful monitoring that his doctors are providing."

David Blanchard, chief of emergency care at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial, called it "a silent heart attack, an asymptomatic heart attack. He's not had a heart attack in the traditional sense."

The doctors said Whittington did not experience symptoms of a heart attack or any other problems. They left the birdshot in place and said he could live a healthy life with it there........

[daleo]

160. Or: it's Whittington's fault for being old

This peppering only brought out medical issues that were related to his age - not really Cheney's fault. In fact, Cheney did him a favor, "convincing" him to seek medical treatment. (My predicted corporate media spin).

[Endangered Specie]

122. If he got a birdshot in the heart from "30 yards"...

then I must not know as much about guns as I thought I did.

[slackmaster]

135. I'd believe 30 feet at the outside

:argh:

[formercia]

138. Not only that. He was shot from the right side,

so the shot would have had to travel through the right side of his chest, but then BBB size shot can penetrate the side of a car at 30 yds.

[Atmashine]

126. Accidents Just Happen

Cover-ups do not.

These people can't even keep their 'friends' alive.

[ramapo]

141. What If?

Wellington dies as a result of his injuries...

I'm sure Cheney will not be charged but if the shooter was not the sitting VP then what would be the charge...negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter, or..???

And what if Cheney is determined to be responsible...could he be charged with a crime? I assume the only recourse is impeachment...

That said, I hope Wellington survives his injuries.

[JoFerret]

139. What if he's already dead?

.

[KamaAina]

142. Remember, guns don't kill people, Vice Presidents kill people

(or at least give them heart attacks) :eyes:

[Pithy Cherub]

146. wow, wow, wow i just signed on and wow, oh wow!

CNN said birdshot lodged in or near his heart. MINOR heart attack..:wow: :wow:

[MadisonProgressive]

148. Open heart surgery is a SURE THING NOW!

"..it might be necessary to do open heart surgery" - Dr. David Blanchard

[Lib4Life2006]

169. Heaet surgery

I've had open heart surgery and let me tell you, it's not a fun thing to go thru.

[leftchick]

149. none of this on wolfies show so far

damn! And weren't they yucking it up in the WH all day about it?

[Oreegone]

153. If this wasn't so sad I'd be in hysteria

One of the doctors said the "b-b" had worked its way into the muscle. Coming from a family hunting history myself I have to tell you I don't see anything round "working" its way into a muscle, do you know how hard muscle is? What was he on the treadmill too long? Come on, this guy was in ICU, and then they tell us that they can't see the "b-b" with all our modern equipment....the rays glance off it, making it so they can't find the exact position.....give me a freaking break....if that is so try an x-ray, we can't see shrapnel all of a sudden in 2006???, what a bizarre line of crap. The doctor had to correct himself several times to say "b-b" as he looked at the spin doctor with him like, I'm trying....This whole thing stinks to high heaven. If we waited this long to report something we would be in jail with a charge so fast it would make your head spin. My favorite Cheney story is about how he went to a grange hall to campaign half in the bag, got drunker punched a dissenter and was hauled off and driven away by his handlers when he was running for state office.

[slampoet]

154. If the Xray can't pick it up I have a metal detector that will...

....Y'know the kind they have at EVERY AIRPORT?

[okieinpain]

155. well you know the guy is 78 years old....

[sakabatou]

158. I hope Cheney is sued...

[LisaL]

163. Not a good thing. Cheney could end up killing the guy

after all, I guess.

[Lib4Life2006]

168. Ban Guns NOW

I'm sorry, but this is what happens when citizens are allowed to have guns. Citizens who are not police or military should not have access to guns.

[Laelth]

171. Welcome to DU.

Most of us have given up on repealing the 2nd amendment. You're welcome to give it a shot in your state.

-Laelth

[Lib4Life2006]

173. Thanks

Thanks for the welcome. But I have not given up. The 2cd Amendment was designed for a milita or an army. It was never meant for citizens to bear arms and I am all for the Police breaking into every house, if that's what it takes to disarm America.

Citizens have no right to bear arms. That's why we have Police.

[skip fox]

175. SHOT IN THE BACK???????????

Is that what the reticence is about?

That the VP shoots people in the back as he does the facts

[nomatrix]

176. Hunter Shot by Cheney Suffers A Heart Attack

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13872614.htm

[xultar]

177. You must be joking! We've been talking about this since 9am

[MercutioATC]

178. OMG!!!! You're KIDDING!!!!

Sorry, lemme guess...you just got home from work?

[RobertSeattle]

179. There's another one?

:evilgrin:

[nomatrix]

180. Remains at risk

Hunter shot by Cheney suffers heart attack, remains at risk
BY RON HUTCHESON
Knight Ridder Newspapers

"WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting incident took on a more serious edge Tuesday when the shooting victim suffered a heart attack caused by Cheney's errant birdshot.

Doctors said Austin, Texas, lawyer Harry Whittington, 78, remained at risk from a pellet embedded in his heart muscle. The birdshot triggered a mild heart attack and forced Whittington to undergo a cardiac catheterization. The procedure is typically used to look for arterial blockages or other problems.

"Some of the birdshot appears to have moved and lodged into part of his heart in what we would say is a minor heart attack," said Peter Banko, the administrator of Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial, at a news conference. David Blanchard, the hospital's chief of emergency care, said Whittington suffered "a silent heart attack" that lacked many of the typical symptoms.

Cheney is unlikely to face any criminal charges because law enforcement officials have found no evidence of wrongdoing, experts on Texas hunting laws said."

[JCMach1]

182. Negligent Homocide is a crime

i.e. manslaughter...

[stop the bleeding]

181. Is this heart attack # 1or #2 for the day? n/t

[Moderator]

183. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2108432

[0007]

187. Will Cheney have trouble finding a partner to go hunting?

[kskiska]

188. NYT: Fellow Hunter Shot by Cheney Suffers Setback

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 — The 78-year-old lawyer shot by Vice President Dick Cheney in a hunting accident over the weekend suffered a minor heart attack early Tuesday caused by birdshot lodged in his heart, hospital officials in Texas said.

The lawyer, Harry M. Whittington, was moved back into the intensive care unit at Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Tex., to be monitored for up to a week in case the birdshot shifted or additional pellets in his body moved into other organs, the officials said at a televised news conference. Dr. David Blanchard, the emergency room chief, estimated that Mr. Whittington had more than 5 but "probably less than 150 to 200" pellets lodged in his body.

(snip)

The downturn in Mr. Whittington's health significantly changed the tone of the White House reaction to the hunting accident. In Texas, Carlos Valdez, the district attorney in Kleberg County, said a fatality would immediately spur a new report from the local sheriff and, most likely, a grand jury investigation.

(snip)

Under the law, even an accidental hunting fatality can result in criminal charges. Mr. Cheney could be charged with negligence, defined as failing to understand the dangers involved and disregarding them, or recklessness, defined as understanding the dangers and disregarding them.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2006/02/15/politics/15cheney.html?hp&ex=1139979600&en=909c86b70545c6f1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[wake.up.america]

189. delete

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

190. Fat chance of Cheney facing any charges per this incident n/t

[keopeli]

191. Simple question to the doctor: how many pellets were lodged into his body?

Answer:

estimated that Mr. Whittington had more than 5 but "probably less than 150 to 200" pellets lodged in his body.

Now, let's say I'm doing surgery on this guy that was shot. The first thing I do after stopping the bleeding is start removing pellets. I dump them in a tray as I go along. Maybe I have to leave a few and miss a couple, but I can count the ones I removed easily enough.

Can anyone in the world understand how this doctor arrives at this figure?

Somewhere between 5 and 200 pellets!

What?!?! WTF?!?!

What time did you get to work this morning?

Somewhere between midnight and noon!

How far is it to your office, doctor?

Oh, somewhere between 3 feet and 3000 miles.

Any more questions?

[AndyTiedye]

193. Not so much "Peppered" as Perforated.

It probably means Mr. Whittington has hundreds of pellet wounds,
lots of pellets deep inside,
and his condition far too grave to remove them.

[savemefromdumbya]

192. what if he dies?

[Name removed]

196. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

199. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[johnnygirl]

198. Would it be good for us if he gets worse?

It was just a fricken hunting accident, been there, done that, sorry as hell to say. Peppered my best friend,
a springer, felt like shit, but he still loves to hunt and so do I.
Anyone who has never tried to follow a flushing quail with a quick swinging shotgun, should shut the f**k up.
Makes us look like silly city slicker fools to most of the country.

Lets face it folks, a whole lot of people are secretly hoping he dies! Political gain at such a price is worthless.
Most of our side hate guns and would rather Colonel Sanders
kills our dinner for us.


And that's some sad shit.