Right on schedule, Baker and Washington Post come to Cheney's rescue

Right on schedule and just in time to save the Vice-President from too much embarrassment, the Washington Post's Peter Baker fulfills his role as "BushCo stenographer" and pens a flattering piece about macho-man Cheney's love of hunting.

"Long before the shot heard 'round the world, Cheney took refuge from the burdens of leadership with an intricately crafted, Italian-made shotgun, Texas snake boots, a blaze-orange vest and the camaraderie of his fellow hunters. Stalking game birds through marshlands on horseback or from a truck, he has escaped the Washington political wars for days at a time."

Was Baker writing a "news" piece, or channeling Louis L'Amour? Is there a "Best Fiction" award in the offing? You be the judge!

"Cheney, an intense, seemingly dour man, spoke of the satisfaction almost wistfully in his interview with Fox News Channel last week, perhaps recognizing that it may be more problematic to continue pursuing his avocation after the shooting accident Feb. 11. 'It's brought me great pleasure over the years,' he said. 'I love the people that I've hunted with and do hunt with. Love the outdoors. It's part of my heritage, growing up in Wyoming. It's part of who I am.'"

Okay, as an after thought, Baker slips in the fact that Cheney's hunting "heritage" didn't really begin until well after his second or third heart-attack, and during his tenure as Halliburton's leading man. Ten years of hunting hardly makes it "part of" a man. Still, Baker's role was certain and he fulfilled it with the usual gusto and flair we've come to expect of the American Pravda Press.

Baker dug around diligently, leaving no stone unturned until coming up with such critical eyes as Republican Senator Graham of South Carolina, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, and even Trent Lott. Ultimately, what was the reason for Baker and the Washington Post taking the time to scribble this drivel?

"Although many hunters drink as part of the ritual, Cheney's partners insist that he does not. The vice president said he drank a single beer for lunch the day of the accident, hours before he shot Whittington by mistake. Regular partners said even that is rare and that any alcohol is usually reserved for the end of the day after hunting is over."

Yes, to ensure any thought of Cheney being hammered while hunting is immediately, now, that BushCo has bullied the press into silence -- unless it makes Cheney look good, put to rest.

And, of course, to polish the Veep's tarnished image -- must always shine BushCo's image.

"Despite the blast of birdshot at Whittington, Cheney's friends described him as a careful, accurate gunman. He's 'an excellent shot,' Lott told reporters last week, adding mischievously, 'He never shot me.' Lott also noted that Cheney 'looks the part,' a virtual Field & Stream model in his hunting garb."

Most of all, however, just in case anybody missed it, to convey Cheney's sorrow for being an unsafe, possibly intoxicated hunter.

"Chambliss, who spoke with Cheney after a meeting with senators last week, said the vice president seemed distressed over the Whittington accident. He said, 'You know, I've never felt so bad about anything in my life,' Chambliss recalled. He was really emotional about it."

Yes, right on schedule and just in time to save the Vice-President from too much embarrassment, the Washington Post's Peter Baker fulfills his role as "BushCo stenographer" and pens a flattering piece about macho-man Cheney's love of hunting.

Gosh -- who could have seen that coming?