Now that Letterman ("Good news, ladies and gentlemen, we have finally located weapons of mass destruction: It's Dick Cheney") and Leno ("In fact, when people found out he shot a lawyer, his popularity is now at 92 percent") and Stewart ("…the vice president is standing by his decision to shoot Harry Whittington"), have had their shot at Cheney and Harry Whittington's condition has worsened -- do we now "think" we know why he was initially admitted to the ICU? -- and the press is aflame over the Vice President's news blackout, there should be lots of lessons to learn from the shooting incident.

But the evidence suggests that Cheney isn't interested in learning any of them. Instead, the public is getting an opportunity to learn some lessons about Cheney.

Big number one is that Cheney gets his way. Bush and Rove cleared Cheney to decide how, when and what to disclose to the local sheriff and to the public. White House officials described Cheney's delays as a "break with the White House practice of disclosing such high-level mishaps immediately".

Big number two is Cheney doesn't give a damn about the public's or the press's right to know. Shouldn't there be some minimum level of explanation he's willing to offer as the nation's second-highest ranking public official? When you nearly commit homicide as a public official, shouldn't the honor of your office compel you to stand up and explain yourself in some fashion?

Big number three is the Bush Administration's arrogance after five years of largely coercing the press and the public to live with its version of events on everything from Iraq's phony weapons of mass destruction to the bungled response to hurricane Katrina. Is this one actually too seamy to spin? Did Cheney have to be propped up on his feet after knee walking from the vehicle that carried him into the field to shoot those just-released, spoon-fed quail?

Big lesson four is that the White House Press Secretary has no credibility left, whatsoever. Let's face it, when you're a spokesman for lying manipulators who really don't give a damn, you lose track of truth real fast. Here's the link to yesterday's White House Press Briefing, you decide how much is being covered up.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060213-4.html

Big lesson number five is that Cheney has not an inkling about self-responsible behavior. The Smoking Gun Web site yesterday posted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report, which blames the shooting on a "hunter's judgment factor" but Cheney still shot a guy! The Kenedy County Sheriff's office announced that it is "fully satisfied that this was no more than an accident" but Cheney still shot a guy! Stand up. Take responsibility. Be a man. Cheney, you shot a guy!

Big lesson number six is Cheney ain't a panda, he's Vice President of the United States!  He Hunts, Shoots and Leaves!