I thought this piece was refreshing and quite amusing. It's something I'd expect to see on The Onion more than Salon. Not quite up to Daily Show levels of political sarcasm, but a commendable effort.

It makes a great point to juxtapose Burr and Cheney. Burr is one of the most bizarre and malevolent characters in American political history. I like the idea that Cheney is going to be put off in an annex with another guy whose legacy to the country is valued at the level of dogshit.

...but not nearly as funny as the actual press briefing. For more belly laughs per square inch of text, check out the McClellan briefing transcript:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060214-1.html

I wouldn't be writing if not for the criticisms voiced in previous letters. Shapiro's piece works on two levels -- not only aping the bizarre press briefing in the wake of the Cheney shooting (down to the McClellan-Gregory exchange), but also the mind-numbing dodge, deflect and detour at the heart of McClellan's daily song and dance with the White House Press Corps.

Salon tends to be rather dry and self-serious -- its rare stabs at humor generally inspire yawns -- so for its wit, alone, Shapiro's piece surprised me. I only wish I'd thought of this satirical angle first.

I don't think anyone would have said "stonewalling" in 1804. It's a reference to the tactics of General "Stonewall" Jackson during the Civil War, if I'm not mistaken. Please excuse my snark.

First of all, political satire has to make a good point. Cheney shot someone, Burr shot someone, there the relevance ends. And anything that equates George Bush with Thomas Jefferson is just plain wrong.

Now a funnier article might compare Bush's right to do domestic wiretaps to Cheney's right to shoot people, including citing this historical example.

And yet, you're here...

Salon, you're jumping the shark in silly, dull fashion. Stick to your guns -- quite futzing around and aping (poorly) trends on other sites and in other media. I'm no longer a Salon member and crap like this is certainly not going to make me return.

Aaron Burr is the reason for the 12th Amendment, allowing for political parties and letting two people run separately for President and Vice-President on the same ticket. That amendment states that the two people have to be from different states. Unfortunately for Bush and Cheney, both were claimed Texas as home in 2000. Fortunately for Bush and Cheney, a compliant Supreme Court ruled that Cheney really, honestly truly nice nice with sugar on top was from Wyoming, despite his tax forms and drivers license. Perhaps Cheney has been seethng at his false home of Texas ever since and has been itching to mess with Texas. Shooting a Bush Pioneer in the face seems a bit extreme, but this is a very extreme administration. Both Bush and Cheney are known known for being foolishly stubborn and being very very bad shots.

You call this satire? It's disgraceful to rake up old national scandals and political tragedies in an attempt to undermine the authority, sanctity, and immunity from prosecution of an administration that is waging war on our behalf against its critics and terrorists. Has Salon no shame?

can't you see that it's unpatriotic to keep asking these questions? our country is better served if you keep your hysteria to yourself and just print these nice talking points.

MR. RODNEY: "As part of cooperating fully with the investigation, we made a decision that we weren’t going to comment on it while it is ongoing."

Awsome article, Salon! Loving every minute of the newscoverage too. Lets see if we can get the Prez's approval rating down to the low 20's. Way to go VP! You can't buy press this good.