Pardon my scepticism, but people who are impaired, and expect the arrival of police to investigate an event, are often well advised to establish a post-event pattern of drinking.

That way, it can never be said that alcohol was certainly involved in the crime; maybeit came in only later.

The media appear to be a bunch of clowns in this reconstruction but the White Hose is simply much smarter than they are–in most things–and they are too cowardly in most instances to raise the really tough quetions.

Yep, this whole cover-up of what actually happened has a twisted, Rovian feel to it.

And when combined with the implausibility of what is claimed to have occurred, then I understand why this story still has legs.

For instance, a long-time quail hunter stated that members of hunting groups fan out until they are 25-30 yards apart. Therefore, Whittington must have been in the 30-yard arc range to Cheney’s right rear. Oh wait, Whittington was supposedly returning from the rear to rejoin his place in line to Cheney’s right. He would not have been heading directly toward Cheney, but would have been angling toward his former position in line, 25-30 yards to the right of Cheney…which would have been outside the 30-yard arc range.

Also, Cheney himself said he pivoted counter-clockwise before shooting Whittington…who was coming up from behind and to Cheney’s right. Boy, for an older man with lower-leg problems, Cheney sure is spry. Because, he had to have turned beyond 180 degrees behind him to get off a shot at Whittington to the right and rear of him.

You would think that Cheney and his gang would have come up with a more credible cover story. And one far simpler than the one they keep repeating with all the mistakes they are making in the retelling.

Simpler explanation: Cheney forgot to check the safety on his shotgun or unlocked the safety before they headed out into the field. It misfired, with the birdshot sprayed Whittington on his right upper-body at a distance far less than the 30 yards they claim.

Neglisgence? Yes. Embarassing? Yes. Something to cover-up? Yes.

Should we keep plugging away at this story? Yes. Should we keep joking about how Cheney plugged Whittington? Yes.

Besides, I love a good mystery.