David Mamet Hired as Cheney Scriptwriter

Well, of course I jest; Mamet's too busy working on the Buddy Cianci story. But I thought I'd take a minor detour from the usual literary chit-chat to point out a thing that drives me nuts about the New York Times. Here's how the Washington Post described what the vice-president did yesterday on the Senate floor:

The exchange ended when Cheney offered some crass advice. "Fuck yourself," said the man who is a heartbeat from the presidency.

And now the Gray Lady's version:

At that point, the aides said, the vice president turned and stalked away, using an obscene phrase to describe what he thought Mr. Leahy should do.

Frankly, if the second ranking executive of the world's largest superpower is an intemperate potty mouth, I think citizen-voters have a right to know exactly what it is he's running around saying, and I think New Yorkers of all people can take it. Even the NY Post at least did an "f---" cite; I also love how they casually tacked on the Supreme Court's permitting Cheney to keep his work papers under lock and key onto the end of the obscenity story in just two sentences. Slate has also considered how to handle public servant profanity.

UPDATE: Cheney must be getting great advice from his therapist, according to reports:

Asked if he cursed the Vermont senator, Cheney told the Fox News program, the Cavuto Report, "Probably." But he said "No" when asked whether he regretted it. "I expressed myself rather forcefully, felt better after I had done it," Cheney said."

Geez, what a hippy. But I'd like to go into the weekend feeling better, too, so, hey, here's my measured response on domestic policy issues and executive integrity: Dick Cheney, go fuck yourself.