Much Ado

Well, the Vice President of the United States, a politician I do not love, was involved in a hunting accident. He accidentally shot one of his hunting companions. That's sad, and I'm sure that at the time it was scary for all concerned. News reports indicate that the victim is recovering nicely. End of story, right?

Not for the White House Press Corp. They are incensed--INCENSED, I tell you!--that they were not notified immediately. They have launched a two day (so far) crusade to find out why they weren't told immediately, and why they found out 24 hours after the fact when the story was published in a local Corpus Christi, Texas newspaper. The Vice President is being flogged from pillar to post for not stepping up and informing the world, through the White House Press Corp, himself, so that they would have the privilege of grilling him.

Okay, it's news when a high government official shoots someone, even by accident. But is it bigger news than, say, the budget or health care or even the snow storm in that part of the country? No, it's not, but it feels to me like the WHPC doesn't feel there is anything more important to cover than a hunting accident in which everyone involved was shaken up or injured but is recovering fine.