Unloading on Cheney over hunting accident

Re “Cheney Says He’s to Blame in Shooting of Fellow Hunter,” Feb. 16

After listening to the vice president’s reasons for the delay in informing the media of his hunting accident, I am surprised that it took his damage-control people so long to come up with such logical sounding reasons. But I suppose with all they have had to do lately, being slow on the job is to be expected.

ARLENE MARKMAN

Indian Wells

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Your editorial “Cheney’s code of silence” (Feb. 16) was pretty much on the mark. However, some government secrecy should be kept. Inasmuch as I favor disclosure, I don’t think we should telegraph our punches when it comes to genuine issues of national security. Still, there should be disclosure when it comes to information about illegal or highly improper conduct.

Americans should be entitled to hold our heads up when abroad and not have to fend off evidence of our hypocrisy when it rears its ugly head. Not being forthcoming makes us appear disingenuous or to be hiding culpability.

DAN MARISCAL

Montebello

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I’m so excited! Jack Abramoff has sent me an all-expense-paid opportunity to go quail hunting with Vice President Dick Cheney! Unfortunately, I can’t afford it. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld insists that the event is BYOBA (bring your own body armor).

In addition, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff suggests that if anything goes wrong, I’m on my own. However, there’s comforting news from Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-Tracy): He assures me there will be no endangered species to worry about and that I can’t get lost in the forest, at least not in a national one.

BRIAN BICKFORD

Los Alamitos