Writes a friend: "I'm sure the Ass. Emperor's doctors and food tasters are only the finest our tax dollars can buy.

"Is 'peppered' the usual term for being shot with a shotgun? Saying the Veep's victim was 'peppered' sounds rather suspicious. I hunted for about five years with my father when I was younger, and never heard the term used. Of course, we didn't shoot each other or anyone else.

"I saw the Fox morning show this morning too, and it was hilarious. Dick shoots someone, and he's the victim in it all."

NB: There is also that other vice presidential euphemism for being shot: "sprayed."