ahream

For three years, I worked at the local newspaper in Corpus Christi, Texas, not a place that tends to garner much national attention. Really not since Selena was killed there have they had so much of the spotlight. So you can imagine my utter surprise when reading CNN.com. Vice-President shoots friend according to the Caller-Times.

Eh? Come again?

According to the Caller-Times because Cheney’s office didn’t release the information. A tipster called it in to them nearly a full day after the incident occurred just outside of town. I can only imagine the wave of hysteria that went through the newsroom.

A friend of mine was one of the reporters on the first story, a fantastically boisterous and colorful woman who is more fun than a barrel full of any primate. I would’ve given any amount of money to hear that conversation. “The vice-president did what? Seriously? No, seriously? He shot him, like with an actual gun?”

You know this story is going in her personal clip file.

According to the published story (I haven’t talked to her personally about this, but am anxiously awaiting a return e-mail from other of the old gang), the vice-president’s representative was asked if they would’ve revealed the incident if it hadn’t been leaked. To which the rep replied, I won’t speculate on that.

Uh, huh. I believe that’s code for “not on your life.”

Fortunately, it appears that the victim was not too badly injured considering, although he remains in the hospital, and Corpus and my old workplace remain at the center of a very interesting storm. A terrible accident, yes. And we all hope the man recovers. But also one of the worst PR bungles in recent memory. Tell me, Mr. Cheney, did you think no one would notice?

ahream Dispatches from the City of Angels I'm a mystery writer living in and writing about Los Angeles. You can catch my short story, "Running Venice," in the new anthology LAndmarked for Murder. Look for it in bookstores and on Amazon.com now. In the meantime, feel free to poke around. Over at my website you can find even more blog entries than I could fit here, as well as a few other ramblings. Enjoy and come back often.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (2) Most Recent Twitters: A 3-foot long alligator was found walking down the middle of the street in Venice Beach this morning. I love L.A. In case you were wondering, it is very difficult to get a hummingbird out of your house. They are irrational and prone to hysterics. L.A. Finds: The Nickel Diner on Main between 5th and 6th is a made-to-look-old, throwback of a place that melds into the old downtown and is, at the same time, part of the renaissance. They serve their burgers medium, their soda in bottles and offer all they can to locals in need. Flickr Updates: The second Thursday of every month is the Downtown Art Walk. The galleries stay open late, the restaurants are packed, bands perform on the streets. God, I love L.A. What I'm Reading: Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks by Christopher Brookmyre What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami Want E-Mail Updates? Click here, type your e-mail address into the first field (for public entries) and receive an e-mail note each time a new blog post goes up. (Photo updates, Twitters and "L.A. Finds" features not included. Those you have to swing by and check yourself.) Absolutely, positively no spam. Promise. Other author blogs: Sue Ann Jaffarian Eric Stone Christa Faust Lipstick Chronicles		2006-02-13 10:22 AM The vice-president in my old backyard For three years, I worked at the local newspaper in Corpus Christi, Texas, not a place that tends to garner much national attention. Really not since Selena was killed there have they had so much of the spotlight. So you can imagine my utter surprise when reading CNN.com. Vice-President shoots friend according to the Caller-Times. Eh? Come again? According to the Caller-Times because Cheney’s office didn’t release the information. A tipster called it in to them nearly a full day after the incident occurred just outside of town. I can only imagine the wave of hysteria that went through the newsroom. A friend of mine was one of the reporters on the first story, a fantastically boisterous and colorful woman who is more fun than a barrel full of any primate. I would’ve given any amount of money to hear that conversation. “The vice-president did what? Seriously? No, seriously? He shot him, like with an actual gun?” You know this story is going in her personal clip file. According to the published story (I haven’t talked to her personally about this, but am anxiously awaiting a return e-mail from other of the old gang), the vice-president’s representative was asked if they would’ve revealed the incident if it hadn’t been leaked. To which the rep replied, I won’t speculate on that. Uh, huh. I believe that’s code for “not on your life.” Fortunately, it appears that the victim was not too badly injured considering, although he remains in the hospital, and Corpus and my old workplace remain at the center of a very interesting storm. A terrible accident, yes. And we all hope the man recovers. But also one of the worst PR bungles in recent memory. Tell me, Mr. Cheney, did you think no one would notice? Read/Post Comments (2) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top