Our hearts go out to the president who announced today that Barney, his beloved Scotty, was hit by a truck in front of the White House and had to be put to sleep. The secret service agent who was driving the Hummer (shown on the right), expressed deep regret, but said the dog ran right out in front of him and there was nothing he could do.

Cheney, smirking in the background, seems to be thinking “I never liked that dog. The next time we went hunting I was going to “accidentally” shoot him. In the face.”

(Reality check: This picture really came from the New York Times, America’s most respected tabloid. It accompanied a story about an the white house’s attempt to prop up the economy. Shouldn’t they be a little happier about their plan?)