Whittington Apologizes to Cheney

Harry Whittington apologized to his hunting partner, Dick Cheney, today after being discharged from the hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he spent almost a week in intensive care after Cheney shot him, thinking he was a quail.

Mr Whittington, who suffered a minor heart attack when a shotgun pellet lodged near his heart, absolved Mr Cheney of any responsibility.

As he was discharged from hospital in Corpus Christi, he 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."

Mr Whittington, whose face was still bruised but who otherwise appeared healthy, 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 to deal with this week."

He added: "We hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves."

I can see that Whittington might want to make sure his good friend Dick Cheney does not beat himself up with guilt about the shooting, since it was an accident (as if Cheney would do that, anyway) -- but apologizing to him? For what? Being in Cheney's way when he should know that Cheney doesn't know enough to check that no one was in his line of fire?

Too bad Whittington doesn't have enough pride, or respect for himself, to know he doesn't owe Cheney an apology for shooting him.