Letter from Greg Walden, annotated

I finally got a response to the letter I wrote to Greg Walden in January after a local protest against the troop escalation in Iraq. I basically told him that he should support a withdrawal date instead of a troop escalation. It's quite timely that he would respond to me right now, while Congress is talking about withdrawal.

Below, chunk by chunk, I have typed out the letter, verbatim, and my annotations:

Dear Patrick:

First, let me apologize for my late response and thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the Iraq War with me. Every week I receive hundreds of letters, faxes, e-mails, and calls, and while sometimes I can't respond to them immediately, I want you to know that I value your comments and those of other Oregonians.

This much is understandable. Members of Congress are busy people.

Like most Americans, I look forward to the day when our brave men and women in uniform can return home.

Well, you say you do...

However, that return cannot occur without regard for the situation on the ground in Iraq or the needs of our commanders in the field. It is clear, however, that the Iraqis must be held accountable to do their part to secure their country and help stem the violence. We cannot do for them what they are unwilling to do for themselves.

We can't secure the country for the Iraqis unless they want to do it for themselves, you say. So why are we there in the first place? Are we shooting them until they feel compelled to sing Kumbaya?

It is also important to encourage more regional diplomatic efforts to help stop the flow of insurgents, weapons and explosive devices which fuel much of the violence in Iraq.

Where was this diplomacy before the insurgents, weapons, and explosive devices, and before the violence? Where was this diplomacy before we occupied Iraq? If you really cared about diplomacy, you would've spoken up earlier, when the time was prime for diplomacy.

Recently, Congress considered legislation that would provide the support and equipment that our troops need to continue their efforts. Both the House and Senate bills also contained language which set arbitrary withdrawal dates.

It's so terribly easy to say these withdrawal dates are "arbitrary." But one must wonder if you really believe that.

While our goal should be to finish the job so the troops can come home, I could not support setting an arbitrary date that ignores whatever the realities on the ground may be at the time.

Well gee, those "realities on the ground" wouldn't be so if we didn't go into Iraq in the first place.

I would note that even major newspapers, including the USA Today and the Washington Post, have strongly editorialized against the language. The Oregonian also dismissed the mandatory, but arbitrary, troop-withdrawal deadline, calling it "a great favor to the insurgents, terrorists and political opponents in Iraq to announce precisely when American troops would leave."

Your party's favorite rhetoric: We'd be aiding the terrorists if we withdrew.

Sadly for you, Iraq and the terrorists that attacked us in 2001 had nothing to do with each other. And if they do now, it's only because the president, you, and the rest of the Republican members of the Congresses in session since 2001 have been giving the Iraqis a reason to sympathize with the terrorists' cause, have effectively been giving the terrorists a support base in Iraq.

Sadly, sir, it is your party, not the Democratic Party, that is doing a favor for the miscellaneous terrorist organizations in the Middle East.

The Washington Post editorial board stated the "House Democrats are pressing a bill that has the endorsement of MoveOn.org but excludes the judgment of the U.S. commanders who would have to execute the retreat the bill mandates."

Funny. I was under the impression that the experts of the Iraq Study Group recommended a phased withdrawal. That silly bipartisan study group! Right?

Also, I thought the media was liberal. However could that damn liberal media have let conservative editorials slip by their grimy hands?

It would be nice if you gave me more information, such as in which issues these papers published these remarks, and whether they came from letters to the editors or from the editors themselves like you said about the Washington Post. That makes a huge difference. But maybe you didn't think I wanted to be overwhelmed with such irrelevant details. Or something.

While we work to help the Iraq [sic] government separate the fighting factions in Iraq and resolve other domestic political issues, America must listen more carefully to what the leaders of the Arab world are telling us will work.

Yes, we must. Why are we not doing that already?

We've never needed thoughtful and effective diplomacy more than now, [...]

Is that why our government never bothered to even try diplomacy before?

[...] and I will continue to advocate for that.

You advocated for diplomacy in the first place?

Meanwhile, I hear your concerns and appreciate you taking the time to share them with me. Thank you again for contacting me.

No problem.

It's an honor to represent you in the U.S. Congress.

The feeling is not mutual.

Best regards,
[signature]
GREG WALDEN
Member of Congress

I will write a response letter soon, which will cover the points I made above. Until then.

— Athelwulf

Did you know?

Did you know?

Yes, the Virginia Tech tragedy was/is undeniably tragic, however, did you know that it was not, as some news agencies may tell you, the worst school tragedy/massacre in U.S. history?

Indeed, on May 18th, 1927, a Mr. Andrew Kehoe carried out the deadliest school tragedy in U.S. history.

…killed his wife and then set his farm buildings on fire. As fire fighters arrived at the farm, an explosion devastated the north wing of the school building, killing many of the people inside. Kehoe used a detonator to ignite dynamite and hundreds of pounds of pyrotol which he had secretly planted inside the school over the course of many months. As rescuers started gathering at the school, Kehoe drove up, stopped, and detonated a bomb inside his shrapnel-filled vehicle, killing himself and the school superintendent, and killing and injuring several others.

Why did Mr. Kehoe do this?

It is believed that he committed this act because he blamed a tax levy for his family’s financial misfortune, when it could have been caused by:

~His wife, Nellie Kehoe’s numerous hospital visits due to tuberculosis.

~His lack of aptitude in farming, which his neighbors attest to:

"He never farmed it as other farmers do and he tried to do everything with his tractor. He was in the height of his glory when fixing machinery or tinkering. He was always trying new methods in his work, for instance, hitching two mowers behind his tractor. This method at different times did not work and he would just leave the hay standing. He also put four sections of drag and two rollers at once behind his tractor. He spent so much time tinkering that he didn't prosper."

~In the end, forty-five people (mostly children) died because of this man’s act.

~Now you know the facts.

Peace, ~Elindelwolf

Virginia Tech tragedy: We are all Hokies

As many now know, a lone gunman, now identified as, Cho Seung-Hui, went on a rampage on the Virginia Tech campus, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He shot and killed 32 people, and injuring many others; as one student stated:

“He just stepped within five feet of the door and just started firing."

I offer my thoughts and prayers to all of the friends and family of those lost, injured, and those who attend the school as well as to the family and friends of the shooter, as they will indeed have a long and rocky road ahead; Also, while what he did was very, very wrong, I send him my prayers. According to what i have read from various sources (News, and other), this student was deeply troubled, and was in need of serious psychiatric help. I hope, and pray that he's found some peace.

Secondly, while I do not own a firearm of any type, I was raised around them; I was trained in how to handle them, use them, and as well as being educated concerning them. I hope that all realize that this incident does not mean that every individual that owns a firearm will be going on a shooting rampage; that firearms, in the right hands, are not bad.

Finally, I hope and pray that this incident encourages each and every one of you to spend more time with your family and friends, for each second could be your last; I hope that each of you reach out and help those around you; your neighbor, paper boy, teacher, or friends, times like these emphasize the need for more people to help others.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Peace, ~Elindelwolf

Rest in peace, Kurt

American literary idol Kurt Vonnegut, best known for such classic novels as "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle," died on Tuesday night in Manhattan at age 84, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
(Source: Reuters.)

I noticed this article by chance while looking at articles on Reuters just as it was posted. I gasped when I saw it. I couldn't believe it.

Kurt Vonnegut was a great writer, and a very smart man. I only read one book of his, The Sirens of Titan, but I just loved it. I whole-heartedly think he was one of the greats. I've also looked at quotes of his, and I really appreciate and value his view of people, government, and the universe.

With most other famous people, I briefly acknowledge their death, and almost immediately move on. I think this man's death will linger with me for a bit. It really hit me. Plain and simple. I feel a genuine loss. The world has lost a smart man and a great mind. We still have his works, thankfully, but it just won't be the same without him.

I'm not sure what to say, except: Rest in peace, Kurt. We'll miss you.