Losing Focus: How DUers get attracted to a shiny toy and can't let go

[stevietheman]

I mean, c'mon people, this story has no political legs--it instead is distracting us from the *real* issues going on in this country.

Yeah, Cheney accidentally shot a dude while hunting... who the f cares? really?

Meanwhile, we have a buildup to unjustified war with Iran, warrantless wiretapping, Abramoff, Rovegate, November election, etc.

Back on track, people. Snap, snap!

(Yes, I'm your friendly disciplinarian today)

[Taxloss]

1. Hear hear.

It's so dull to be confronted with endless threads about this silly accident.

[Crazy Dave]

3. Yes, you are correct

Just like the 200 plus Alito threads focused on and worried more about making jokes about his wife crying versus the complete rolling over of democrats in the senate.

[ClassWarrior]

2. I second that emotion!

Always Focus.

Never Give Up.

[mrcheerful]

4. If you or I had accidentally shot someone hunting we'd be facing

charges of some sort. Assault with a deadly weapon comes to mind, then negligence handling thats just off the top of my head. A few years ago a guy made national news when he fired up into the air and killed a kid 3 miles away, he was given 5 years probation and lost his right to bare arms. To say this isn't serious is not the answer, the question is why did it take 24 hours for the news to come out? Why is it hospitals are required to report any and all gun shots, yet again silence for 24 hours. Something smells fishy.

[stevietheman]

8. This could be applied to all celebrities, but your point is taken.

But you see, most of the threads regarding this incident appear to be happy-fun-time side-show distractions, rather than drilling down on the specific issue you state.

[tridim]

43. Without a few happy-fun-time side-show distractions..

I'd personally go crazy. I welcome the dark humor from this story because I needed it.

5 years of nonstop bad news requires an occasional distraction IMO.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Same for torture or spying. So which is more important?

NGU.

[Maru Kitteh]

54. He lost his right to bare arms? Man that would suck.

I'd hate being told I had to wear long sleeves for the rest of my life. LOL :rofl:

Sorry. I just couldn't stop myself.

Did this bare-armed man ever regain his right to bear arms?

P.S. You are right. Something about this smells really, really bad.

[hfojvt]

75. I cannot believe that is always true

In my school there was a kid who accidentally killed his little brother while cleaning or playing around with what he thought was an unloaded rifle. He was never charged with anything. In fact, he was elected homecoming king, but did not show up to the football game.

[rodeodance]

5. brovo--i second that motion.

[rpgamerd00d]

6. Actually, I think DU can becomes the distraction...

... I think too many people think that a mere post on DU actually does something in and of itself.

People need to act, not just post on DU. Email senators, newpapers, news stations, etc. Attend their local Democratic Party meetings, join, become involved, volunteer locally, join a Caucus.

You know, Do Something. DU is great to share info, but that info is useless without action in the real world.

[BookemDano]

18. I do all that

I am involved in local politics and I do everything else humanly possible!Yeah it was a good laugh but,we do need to focus on whats important,yet the repuks wonder why Dem's want gun control Dick just proved our point!

[CTyankee]

78. DU is vital to us

I know I can go on DU and ask a question about sources of info on subjects I don't know enough about. I get SO MUCH helpful pointers. Then I can write a knowledgeable LTTE or argue forcefully for my beliefs. DU is a search engine, even tho I regularly also use Google.

Another thing is that I learn about local stuff all over that provides pieces to puzzles (people getting away with shit and it never gets in the press). I get a much bigger picture by going on DU.

If anything, DU is an extremely helpful adjunct to my ability to fight for the cause. I would be a weaker opponent to the present criminal administration without DU.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Good point. I don't think there's anything "there" but

the accident does symbolize how this guy (and this administration) works. Accept no responsibility and blame the victim (gee, Harry got in the way and didn't duck!); take credit when politically motivated (spin plot to bring down Library Tower as "foiled" and don't say the words "he called it off").

Other than using it as a symbol, it's not really worth much time.

With the trouble Cheney keeps getting the spotlight for, we might just see the first woman and first black in the VP and/or President's chair...unelected though it would be.

[stevietheman]

10. Oh no, you don't mean Kindasleazy, do ya? :)

I mean, talk about incompetence! Heh.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. The very same.

Scary thought, isn't it?

[marions ghost]

53. right ... in our current political nightmare

this little incident is indicative of exactly how Mr.Cheney and his minions operate. Get sprayed, y'all. Oops, you were in the line of fire...oh gee, sorry bout that (smirk). You can't touch this.

People are TIRED of this kind of behavior from our so-called leaders. We live with psychological abuse everyday at the hands of these hijackers. Maybe it's an over-reaction, this obsession with lampooning and skewering Cheney...but that in itself is indicative of these bizarre repressive times. And the offensive attitudes about domination of nature embodied in this obscene spectacle of fat cats blowing a bunch of quail away for fun --ties in all too much with the same offensive attitudes seen towards humans re. Katrina, Iraq, Abu Ghraib, Torture & Police Brutality, illegal surveillance, etc. etc.

Cheney him. Tar and feather him and hang him from the virtual yardarm....and then yes, get on with the real business at hand.

[Village Idiot]

11. You make a vaild point, BUT:

These little foibles help to lighten the mood a little around here. I like reading about Junior's latest troubles with pretzels and "that damn bike,"and Cheney's alcoholic and inept target practice. It relieves me that many of these very public folks are just as inept in private life.

AND

It sure beats worrying about the impending sprectre of WWIII all damn day.

[stevietheman]

17. The humor isn't lost on me one bit, but...

the thought of losing one or two news cycles over this gives me the shivers.

[YOY]

13. I never thought of it as anything more than a speed bump laugh

As nothing will come of it there really is no point in thinking otherwise.

Are there others who are really taking this seriously?

[Wheezy]

14. Hey look!

A butterfly! *runs after it*

[Sugar Smack]

19. *snort* LOL!

:rofl:

[Nye Bevan]

15. I agree. Let's stick to the serious issues like

Donald Rumsfeld is briefing president Bush: “Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed.”

“Oh no!” exclaims the president, “that’s terrible!”

His staff is stunned at this unprecedented display of emotion, watching as Bush sits, head in hands.

Finally, he looks up and asks, “How many is a brazillion?”

;)

[rateyes]

20. ROFL....

leave it to MathGuy to find a good place to tell that damned joke again!

[ShortnFiery]

26. Like my distain for Calculus, The Average American doesn't pay

Attention to what we consider are the "real issues."

I'm going on and hyper-focusing on Cheney's criminal behavior. The man he shot is still in ICU.

The above resonates with the public more than all our "real issues" combined.

If you don't want to participate, then kindly stand out of our way and dispense with the chiding.

This Issue is Monumental.

[reality based]

16. I would agree if it were not so symbolic: a "trigger happy" administration

It is just too characteristic of their approach to everything. Shoot first, question later. An obsession with violence. An inability to perceive the consequences of their gut reaction to situations. They're not safe to hunt with nor to govern with. This is another straw for the camel's back.

[stillrockin]

21. Hmmmm

I understand your point, but c'mon, lighten up a bit. No one's suggesting that we focus on this very entertaining gift from Bushco, we just want to have a giggle. And, it does add to the growing public impression that they are a bunch of inept fools.

[Avalux]

22. Some of us can multitask, you know.

Paying attention to this story doesn't mean we've forgotten the other stuff. ;-)

[McCamy Taylor]

23. Agree! Cheney committed TREASON!

[rateyes]

24. Well, it's like this...

I'm still on the serious stuff...but, once in a while one needs some comic relief...Schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, and when it comes at the expense of "Dick going off half-cocked," well it's just that much better!

[ShortnFiery]

25. WTFU --- Why does Swiftboating and the Dean Scream work so well

This is a REAL ISSUE ... Whittington's still in the Intensive Care Unit and being gravely ill, may die!

That big time important NEWS!

Come down from our intellectual "real issues" pedestal and JUMP ON the bandwagon that will win back the House and The Senate for Democrats.

My Country's future is too important to let "my intellectual pride" get in the way of a potential
World-Wide Scandal that forced the VP to resign!

Yes, this is THE ISSUE ... THE ONLY ISSUE ... NO SHAME ... THIS IS BIG!

[BookemDano]

28. We don't loose focus

Hey there's nothing wrong w/a good laugh and I am laughing my ass off but,I did e-mail my senators today!I think we DU members can have a laugh and then get to business I mean c'mon were in a fascist nation we need a laugh.Oh gun control should be discussed I think because Dick obviously didn't take his gun safety class seriously or did he take it at all?

[ShortnFiery]

32. A man in the ICU in Grave Condition is A Scandal - Not just a giggle

[BookemDano]

47. Sorry

Yes he is in Icu sorry I forgot that he is human regardless of his political affiliation.He is talking though so I think he will make it just fine but,you shouldn't just go after me for my opinion its me and alot of others on here! So don't pigeonhole someone you should direct your comment to everyone who has been commenting about this!!!

[Klukie]

29. I'll second that!

This could be the shot heard around the world, but even if it isn't your point is well taken. It is about time to come down to the level of Americans and their attention deficit disorders. Most of us here see the big picture, but we fail in our delivery. A good rule that my 8th grade teacher taught me was KISS ( keep it simple stupid ). The bush administration has perfected it.

[jdadd]

35. the shot heard around the world

I Like that!!:rofl:

[mom cat]

92. It is emblematic of a trigger happy admin and we would be fools to ignore

it.

[rman]

27. Even Rove could not have created a more effective distraction. nt

[ShortnFiery]

33. This is "Manna from Heaven" and will play to THE PEOPLE

Don't stop inquiring about Whittington's medical conditon. I honestly believe that he is NOT well off. Is he still in ICU?

This could be The Scandal that will save the Democratic Party if we only play our cards right?

[mac56]

40. Absolutely. This displays Repug carelessness,

arrogance, and "blame the victim" mentality. Plus outright criminal negligence, if it turns out Cheney was drinking.

[Common Sense Party]

63. Do we need a "scandal" to "save" the Democrat Party?

Really?

How sad.

[montana500]

90. Make lemonade with lemons.

nm

[alcibiades_mystery]

30. For all the disdain DUers heap on the MSM, they are among the most

laughably influenced by it.

It really is disgraceful.

[mac56]

31. BS.

Remember when Clinton took a tumble down the stairs during a visit to a championship golfer? Remember Carter and the grief he took about the rabbit that attacked him in the woods? Remember the political hay the Repugs made off of those things?

We can multitask, dammit. And this is just too important in too many ways to let pass by.

[rman]

36. We can't grieve mr Go Fuck Yourself,

because his buddies own the media.

The only way to grieve him - if only ever so slightly - is to catch him when speaking in public and shout "Hey Cheney, go fuck yourself!" at the top of your lungs as many times as you can before Security drags you off. So far only one or two have managed to pull that off.

Multitasking or not, any time spend on this is time not spend on more pressing issues.
But to each heir own.

[mac56]

44. Multitasking. Some can, some can't.

But to each their own.

[Jamison]

34. So what, he accidentally shot another GOP crony.

Why aren't we talking about the 2,000+ American soldiers and over 100,000 Iraqis who are dead b/c of Cheney's quest for war? Which is more important?

[Frank Cannon]

42. We talk about that stuff all the time, every minute of every day

But it's not every day a VP shoots somebody. In fact, I don't think it's happened for more than 200 years.

[Frank Cannon]

37. How do you know it was "accidentally"? Don't the cops...

make that determination?

Isn't that why ALL gunshot wounds are reported to the authorities for further investigation?

Have you heard of that happening here?

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Sorry but there are so many funny things about this story

I started a thread about the ambulance that accompanies Cheney wherever he goes. These monsters take health care AWAY FROM the poor, yet he gets his own personal ambulance? ? ?

This is a sick sick story. It points to the selfishness of our current administration and their warped values.

[Canuckistanian]

39. Whaa? Where was I?

Back to business. What happened while I was gone?

[DefenseLawyer]

41. Politically speaking

I would say an "issue" like this has far greater "legs" with the average person than real issues. That doesn't me one can be distracted, as you say, from real issues. Still perception is important in politics, particularly among the average voter who is not in tune to politics in their daily lives as many of us here tend to be. Gerald Ford was known for two things: pardoning Nixon and falling down. One was a real issue, one was not; yet no one could say that Chevy Chase and the perception of Ford as a klutz helped him politically. Keep pounding on the important issues, but never miss a chance to mold the public image of your opponent either. When people think of Cheney they should think first of a crazy man with a gun shooting his friends. Political cartoon, SNL skit, halloween costume, when people think of Cheney they should have an image of a crazy man with a shotgun. Any words out of his weird crooked mouth, people should think first of a crazy man with a shotgun- and laugh.

[Wordie]

50. Excellent points. We want *others* to focus on that shiny toy of an image

of a crazed Cheyney with a shotgun in his hand (drooling, if possible).

I for one, can't wait for the talk shows tonight...and Stewart!

Besides, we all need a little comic relief now and then...

[Klukie]

56. perfect summation!

[mondo joe]

45. How many things can you focus on in a whole day? I can manage

to focus on the *real* issues and also some less substantial issues, and - get this - I can even have some fun.

Can you?

[stevietheman]

59. You miss my point.

It's not about _my_ ability to concentrate on multiple issues at once.

It's about the group flooding the board with mounds of topics on the same, relatively unimportant, story.

It defocuses the _board_ from the more important topics, in that it makes it momentarily more difficult to engage with others on said topics. Hopefully, this moment will pass quickly, as we are just now learning new things about the Plame case in relation to Iran--methinks that deserves to be the issue flooding the board now. Or am I crazy?

[mondo joe]

88. But the posting reflect things the posters are thinking about.

It's not as if this knocks Iraq or Plame or anything else out our heads.

And we are all focused on all those *real issues* -- we can have a little fun with this too.

What you are experiencing is online democracy.

[ananda]

46. If it wasn't for the blame the victim stuff..

.. this story wouldn't last that long.

But it really pissed me off when Whittington was blamed
for not announcing himself.

Cheney is such an asshole to let this fly by the news.

Sue

[Katherine Brengle]

48. THANK YOU!!! There are like a thousand posts threads on Cheney's

hunting accident--a totally pointless energy-sucking story.

Even Al Franken is talking about this BS right now... Blech.

[Wordie]

49. When I read the title, I thought you meant the "Iran is gonna nuke us"

story...a shiny toy in itself for some.

[stevietheman]

58. That's also a "shiny toy" that I hope no self-respecting progressive...

buys into.

[LincolnMcGrath]

51. Cheney kept hunting.

[deutsey]

52. Well, this does seem to be obscuring reports that Cheney told Libby

to leak classified info to reporters.

[newportdadde]

55. Actually I think it might have legs Average Joe eats this up.

Its a great issue, gun safety, incompetent VP etc. It has violence and no real impact on our lives, this is the kind of shit the American public eats up. If only had happened in Aruba.

[w8liftinglady]

57. lol..you're right,of course-but..

it's so much fun!!!

[Der Blaue Engel]

60. You've got to be kidding me

Move along, nothing to see?

The Veep of the US just shot a man, and they kept it under wraps until they could claim the guy had "had a great night" and was "very stable."

Accident, my ass. Even if it's nothing more than a little accident, they are behaving in a pretty scary manner IMHO.

EVERY crime this administration commits is important.

[skooooo]

62. Yep...this just illustrates how this admin. works....

It's not just a "shiny thing". It puts many of the issues we've been talking about in terms that the common person can get and understand easily.

[txindy]

66. But, can you concentrate on more than one thing at a time?

:eyes: Yeah, I think we can handle multiple news items. I'm with you, this is important and, yes, we are very capable of multitasking. Why is it that whenever something happens with the cabal, so many rush in here to tell us to ignore it and "focus on the issues!" :eyes:

[omega minimo]

61. Yep, even distracted you from including: Plame leak (Libby fingers Cheney)

:hi:

[stevietheman]

87. I guess I felt that fell under "Rovegate"... maybe "Plamegate"...

works better.

[montana500]

64. You are wrong. Any story that discredits GOP = good for us.

nm

[stevietheman]

69. I doubt this story will go far enough to discredit anyone.

Meanwhile, the actual bad things happening in this country get glossed over.

[montana500]

80. disagree.

This only amplifies them.

[stevietheman]

84. If you mean, clues people into the real problems, then maybe. n/t

n/t

[Generator]

65. Ha!

I knew this would be the BIG story on DU when I read it yesterday. Cheney just drives us mad, I guess. He is the boil on our country, afterall. The epi-center of all that's wrong, wrong, and evil. He's just fascinating because he's so damn creepy.

[goodboy]

67. You're wrong. This is just as important as every other event you mention.

Cheney shot a guy in the face.

Listen to me, The Vice-President of the United States of America SHOT A GUY IN THE FACE!

Steve, this story may be another nail in the coffin, but it's a big'un.

[stevietheman]

68. And how could it not have been an accident?

Yeah, Cheney is sinister and creepy, but do we really believe he intended to do this?

[goodboy]

73. Once again, it's not the crime, it's the coverup. Why'd they wait 24

hours to reveal what had happened? Why weren't the police called? Was Cheney drunk? Why did CNN report that Cheney was "told" he shot Harry in his face on Saturday night? Don't you think he'd remember if he shot someone in their face? Why did Cheney's team ask the ranch owner to speak to the local paper about the incident where only then it was picked up by the AP? If Harry was OK, then why was he life-flighted to Corpus?

And, Steve, accident or not, it's negligence, misuse of a firearm, and incredibly.fucking.stupid.

and illegal: texas code

§ 22.02. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person commits assault as defined in § 22.01 and
the person:
(1) causes serious bodily injury to another, including
the person's spouse; or
(2) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the
commission of the assault.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second
degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first degree if
the offense is committed:
(1) by a public servant acting under color of the
servant's office or employment;...

[stevietheman]

85. But the thing is... will Bush's base really care even if what you...

say is true? Look, everyone who is not in Bush's base don't approve of the regime any more as of today (according to polls). If you're suggesting we might peel off a few of his base with this, I say "maybe", but frankly, I cannot foresee anything coming of this that is signficant. You're preaching to the choir with regards to Cheney's behavior--of course, it looks bad, but will there be actual political damage from that? Convince me that Bush's base will give a damn.

[goodboy]

97. Bush's base is the minority, nevertheless it makes them more vulnerable

to attack on the other issues, so it's useful for that purpose only.

[stickdog]

98. You are COMPLETELY out to lunch on this. This is EXACTLY

the kind of story BEST suited to alienate Elmer "Cheney" Fudd from his base. He can war profiteer, torture and eavesdrop illegally all he wants and they'll just clap, but if he doesn't follow correct gun etiquette, he's toast.

[goodboy]

82. also, you never EVER point a gun at something you don't intend to shoot

You NEVER EVER pull that trigger unless you've identified your target, and you know beyond any doubt that there's nothing behind it that could be killed or damaged.


www.nra.org

[hippiegranny]

70. DU is a reflection of society as a whole

and the way I see it, an easily understood scandal trumps all. This incident, as truly accidental as it may have been, is symbolic. Between the carelessness with the firearm to the spotlight put on the dispicable practice of slaughtering tame animals, this is one more blow to the already teetering foundation of BushCo. It's simple and people get it why its wrong and it is difficult to spin otherwise. THAT is why DU is abuzz. We are able to multi-task after all.

[occuserpens]

71. ?!?!

Cheney accidentally shot a dude while hunting... who the f cares? really?

WaPo has not found any historical precedents for this, top officials are simply not supposed to shoot each other occasionally.

It is like hitting somebody by a car, certainly incomparably worse than Clinton's adultery!

[cboy4]

72. This story is important if only to illustrate that this administration

continues to embrace a Soviet-style policy when it comes to releasing public information.

If they could get away with it, and every day they try, we'd know nothing.

[AntiFascist]

74. I avoid those threads...

he's in bad health and probably going senile. End of story.

[alfredo]

76. Yeah, but every now and then it is good to stick our

thumb in their eye. Every little thing like this helps us, and hurts them. Not only are they evil, they are incompetent.

The veterans on my mailing list are hunters, and they were pretty unanimous that Cheney did something really stupid. One asked, "how can you shoot your friend at a canned hunt"?

[distantearlywarning]

77. I agree.

This story is mildly amusing and fodder for the comedians, but hardly the most important issue facing America today. I am surprised by all the speculation and # of threads about it today.

[laruemtt]

79. of course you're right - but

you can't blame us for jumping on this one today - it was custom-wrapped for us! our moment of levity. okay, we'll go back to being good little doobies, er, dems / Americans!

[WI_DEM]

81. So big deal, we have one day of gloating about this

doesn't mean we won't get back to the more substative issues. And how do we know there isn't more to this? After all, why didn't Cheney make this public? Why did it take a tip to a local newspaper for this to come to light? Those are very real questions.

[against all enemies]

83. Do you ever take a break at work? That's what this is. A break.

Something to break the stress of fighting evil every day. Let us recharge our batteries with some fun at the evil ones expense. A little R&R, a recess. Besides it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

[stevietheman]

86. Who takes breaks on Mondays? :) :) :) n/t

n/t

[yurbud]

89. It's a truly non-partisan story

funny, and worth some water cooler chatter, but that's it.

[Jamastiene]

91. Well, we have tried getting justice with serious violations

of the law with no success. Who knows? Maybe something trivial will be the key to getting them. We need justice somehow. I'd take it even if it was over something else. :shrug:

[Raine]

93. I don't think

it has legs either except maybe on late night comedy shows. The repukes had 18 hours to spin it their way and now it's accepted that he 'peppered' the guy and that kind of thing happens 'from time to time'...end of story. :-(

[otohara]

94. Not Another Lecture - Can't We Just Have Fun For A Day?

it's not every day the VP shoots someone in the face.

This is exactly what one of the icky TV pundits would say. Issuing another broad statement about "all democrats" - when we all know it's not true.

Nobody's losing focus - we all know this is nothing compared to the shit this administration has pulled and will continue to pull. Really!

[WinkyDink]

95. Ooohh,, LOOK!

What?

[LSdemocrat]

96. I take quite the opposite view

This story demonstrates the administration's incompetence to people who normally don't follow the news that closely.

[LWolf]

99. It sure made for interesting conversation in my classroom yesterday.

Middle school students from a small rural republican community. Most of them hunt themselves; the classroom seems empty during opening week of the season. What was their response? Did they jump in to defend the fearless leader's puppet master?

"What a retard."

"We won't be inviting him to go hunting around here."

"I guess he didn't take a gun safety class."

And so on.

I didn't invite the conversation; it was on their minds when they walked through the door, and I let them go with it while I took attendance, passed things out, etc..

[brainshrub]

100. Awww c'mon, let us chew on this until Thursday.

It's a fun story.

[Pachamama]

101. Must... must... touch... shiny.... object... it's... so.... beautiful... &

.....FUN!!!!!! :bounce:

:hi: Thanks Stevietheman! Yeah, I needed that slap across the face and to be kept on track....

There is no question that its a distraction....we all (or most of us atleast) here on DU know it and we are multi-taskers about making sure we follow what is going on, but occasionally with all the ridiculous and frankly outrageous and scary sh*t going on, we need a few laughs and ability to jibe at the fat piece of crap suffering from gout and destroying our world....

We all need a good laugh and good spanking every now and then... :spank:

[txindy]

102. The 'shiny toy' has birdshot in his heart, now, & suffered a heart attack.

Should he let go, now, too?