MarkWhittaker.com

I’ve not been following the ins and outs of the Democratic National Convention this week. The results were decided months ago, and the insider machinations of party politics just don’t interest me.

However, I will almost always stop for a few minutes to listen to former President Bill Clinton give a speech. He never disappoints, and his speech this evening was no exception. I don’t agree with everything the man says or does, but it’s always a joy just listening to him. He’s almost got me believing that Barack Obama should be the next president! His best line tonight (on foreign policy, no less): “The power of our example is stronger than the example of our power!”

And he certainly accomplished his tasks tonight. He excited the crowd with his delivery, and made a couple of bold statements about Obama’s qualifications to become president. Among other things, Clinton reminded us that in 1992, Republicans criticized him as being too young to be commander-in-chief. “Sound familiar?” he wondered aloud.

Fun stuff …

Dear Rep. Metcalfe (may I call you Daryl?),

I am in receipt of your letter dated, um, well it’s not dated, but I received it Monday or Tuesday. Anyway, it’s the letter you started with “A despicable act of fraud has been and is being committed against me as your legislator, and against each of you.” (See the letter here.).

The letter goes on to describe a conspiracy to sully your reputation by associating you with the Ku Klux Klan, or at least some group that has ties to the Klan. Did I get that right? In fact, you also included a letter of response that you wrote to this group, which may or may not be fictitious and which apparently doesn’t collect its mail at the Post Office box in Erie to which you mailed your response. Did I get that part right? (It’s kind of like me writing this response in my blog. The odds are against you actually ever reading it.)

I appreciate your distaste for the Ku Klux Klan. Your adjectives were “race-baiting,” “deplorable,” “repugnant” and “sickening,” and then there was “hate-mongers” (which is a noun, of course). Your staff obviously spent extra time with the Thesaurus. Should the Klan or some related group wish to bestow an award upon me, I would no doubt decline, just as you have. On that point, we agree. (See the letter to the klan here.)

However, I’m disappointed that you’ve sent these letter to me and residents of your district at our expense. Clearly, your letter to residents is campaign literature, yet it came to me in envelope with your state legislative office’s letterhead. It’s your attempt to defend yourself against an effort to defame your name and harm your reputation. Such a defense is a personal matter, and in an election year, is clearly related to the election. Yes, that’s right. Even though it’s highly unlikely that you’ll lose to Democrat John Olesnevich, or any other Democrat in our conservative district, your letter still smacks of campaigning.

You were right. An act of fraud has been committed against me. It’s your letter. But don’t worry, I’m not taking it too seriously. It’s hard to take anybody in the state Legislature too seriously. I just won’t vote for you again.

Kindest regards,
Mark Whittaker

(Revised July 26. Links to letters added. Minor editing)