Letter to the Washington Post's Ombudsman Re: Iraq Coverage

Dear Ms. Howell,

Congratulations to the POST! Three stories above the fold today and another one, inside.

Thank you for keeping this world tragedy in the faces of your readers. Sadly, we need to keep abreast of the war, its repercussions, its aftermath, and our participation. It's a "forgotten war," or many would like for it to be for Americans are tired of it. If it's "forgotten," what public will cry for it to end?

Sincerely,

Patriciadc

Cong. James Moran On Fire at Virginia's 8th Congressional District Convention

"Un-American!" That's what he called the Republicans last Saturday to the welcoming audience of 400 Democrats who spent the day at an Alexandria school to debate resolutions and pick delegates to go to the national convention in Denver in August.

"Less than half of a percent of Americans have fought in Iraq while the rest of us are told to go out and spend," Cong. Moran thundered.

"We're being used as chumps! There should be no more torture! Close Guantanamo!"
The crowd roared.

The Republicans are "selfish, mean-spirited; an intolerant party!" he exclaimed to the choir. "They are arrogant bullies abroad...who have showed us eight years of ideological incompetence!"

Bush has "rewarded polluters...His appointees...have diminished our values. Now it's our time!" he sang. "We've lost our moral authority throughout the world. We can restore hope and belief in America!" The adorers leaped to their feet, loudly applauding.

Did you know the richest one percent of Americans receive 45 percent of the tax breaks? Cong. Moran said it is so on Saturday and all the other days that we endure this monstrosity of an administration.

Another Robo Letter from Senator James Webb

The staff forgot to include my name and address in the salutation, but where's the salutation? I guess letterwriting is not taught any more. I wrote Sen. Webb to thank him for the first "genuine" reply I have received from him since he's been in office (18 months).



Thank you for your recent electronic mail message to my office in Washington. I am pleased that because of the Internet, more than 100,000 Virginians will send their ideas directly to me this year.

Please be assured that your views are very helpful to me and my staff. As the Senate addresses crucial economic, domestic and foreign policy issues facing our nation, we will be sure to keep your comments and ideas in mind.

I encourage you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for regular updates about my activities and positions on matters that are important to Virginia and our nation.

If the subject of your communication is time sensitive, involves a personal issue relating to the federal government (such as help with a passport, claim for veterans' benefits, or immigration) or requires more detailed attention, please contact my office directly toll free at 1-866-507-1570.

Again, thank you for contacting my office, and I hope you will communicate with me often in the future.



Sincerely

Jim Webb

United States Senate

Hillary Writes Again

It's been known for weeks that she is financially desperate, bolstered by her letter to me for I have not given her money, however, I do fall into "that" category: White, female, over age 2.

Written after Pennsylvania and before North Carolina, Hillary says: "We are in a neck-and-neck race with Senator Obama...this race is so close that the decision you make could be the difference between winning and losing"! Me, myself and I can choose the next president!

Her letter asks for $100, $50, $35 "or whatever you can afford." When I used to fundraise we were trained to start at the top, for a lower "ask" usually produced just that (if anything).

"With your support today, we can show them once again that we're in this to win." Who is "them"? Now I find myself feeling sorry for her but still, hanging on to my wallet.



.

Tom Hayden at Busboys and Poets

Hello Walls.

I hate to say it, but they were more interesting than Tom Hayden making an author's visit to Busboys and Poets Thursday night.

If his new book is anything like his delivery, throw out the sleeping pills. Zzzzzzzz.

Speaking in a monotonous tone with few dynamics or enthusiasm, Mr. Hayden, a name familiar to those who grew up in the 60s, read from his latest book, Writings for a Democratic Society: The Tom Hayden Reader which includes his works over the past 50 years. He spoke for about 15 minutes and then took questions from the 50 or so people gathered to see and hear an icon.

It was my first visit to the renowned coffee shop, and the walls were more intriguing than Mr. Hayden.

Spread over one entire side is a mural of articles and images of revolutionaries (Bella Abzug, Nelson Mandela, and many others whom I could not see) plus framed art of more famous faces on the facing wall and three large drawings (Martin Luther King was one) facing the audience behind Mr. Hayden on stage. They were inspiring, enthralling and I felt rude staring so hard at them. My table mate, Glenn, told me the manager and owner, Andy Shallal, who was present, created the huge, fascinating mural. (Mr. Shallal in shirt and tie, stayed throughout Mr. Hayden's presentation, asking questions, and showing keen interest in the presentation.)

We sat in a carpeted "great room", the Langston Room, named after the venue's namesake, busboy and poet Langston Hughes. Wooden tables, low lighting, a tiled ceiling, and old-fashioned booths invited strangers to join strangers to carouse, drink, and eat before and during Mr. Hayden's presentation which made the evening all the more delightful. Table service was impeccable. I am always impressed by any restaurant which uses cloth napkins.

Mr. Hayden believes today's protests against the Iraq War are more effective than the ones during the Vietnam War (Ed's note: NOT), and likened the Iraq War to "an unspoken Christian crusade". Many evangelicals are embedded at the Pentagon, he said, and some call Muslims "wicked. They've taken over the chaplain's corps," he said. The Iraq War cannot be ended this year, and "it will probably take another five years" to get out. "Every five years there's a war."

Pressure to attack Iran is present in every possible way. "The neocons see this as their window of opportunity." If we don't (attack), the Israelis will. "We need to run the clock until November, but there's a danger between November and the inauguration. As it gets closer to the election, bombing (Iran) becomes more likely."

"The business of writing is to make people uncomfortable," Mr. Hayden said.

Crowd: 90% Caucasian, male and female in equal proportions more or less, average age: 32. All seats taken.

Tom Hayden was one of the "Chicago Seven", a co-founder of the radical group, Students for a Democratic Society, a member of the California state legislature (1982-2000), and the husband of Jane Fonda (1973-1990).

Busboys and Poets, a progressive, liberal, eclectic "think tank" bookstore and coffee shop is located at 2021 14th St. NW, between U and V streets, about a block from the U Street Metro Stop and also in Arlington at 4251 S. Campbell Avenue. There's a short, diversified menu with plenty of good food at reasonable prices. Its web site says sales proceeds go to a non-profit, "Teaching for Change". Ph. 202-387-7638

Howard Fineman Promotes His New Book

Maybe it was the economy; or the location; or maybe it was the topic (Great American Debates); or maybe a surfeit of books about American politics in the Washington, D.C. area nowadays, but, whatever it was, Howard Fineman drew a crowd of fewer than 20 persons to his new book signing Wednesday night at the Tyson's Corner Borders bookstore.


When he spoke at Politics & Prose on Connecticut Avenue on the northwest side of town May 1, the crowd likely was double or even triple 20.


His title of his book is: The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates That Define and Inspire Our Country. Mr. Fineman is a columnist for Newsweek and a "pundit" who regularly appears on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews and "Countdown" with Keith Olbermann.


I got there too late for his book presentation. The Q+As are always the most interesting part, and I wasn't disappointed. The people who came were all senior citizens, average age, 65; all Caucasians, probably more males than females. The store was the least populated with customers that I've seen, and I'm a frequent visitor. Lots of empty seats.


Anyway, what did he say? No way, Hosea, that Condi Rice will be John McCain's running mate: Too much baggage and negative vibes which permeate the State Department, and lack of domestic policy experience.


George Bush is "too insecure intellectually and personally to listen to anyone who doesn't agree with him and who he doesn't know. I know him well and have covered him for years."


Obama appeals to a lot of Republicans.


The press went to sleep at the wheel after 9/11, and was bullied by the White House. The only Washington news outfit which reported events unafraid was Knight-Ridder: "Not the networks, not the New York Times." Mr. Fineman said an unnamed actress compared 9/11 for him to a "bad divorce" when judgment for several years afterwards was/is questionable.

Iraq: "I agree with Thomas Friedman with what he said this morning (in his column): We are in the Middle East where we are not loved, not respected. We're following Osama Bin Laden's play book."


"If we leave, the Iranians are going to come in and take over Iraq." (Ed's note: Well? So what if it does?)"We were lied to. Colin Powell used up all his credibility at the U.N. He misled everybody. George Tenet is a buffoon. Cheney and all the others at the White House went to war against the C.I.A. No one asked about the consequences of our going 'in there' (Iraq)."


He reluctantly answered a question: "I know this sounds callous. I have to tell you, war is a great story" and it's much sexier (not his word) than no attack. When asked about the dwindling coverage of the war, Howard Fineman said: "The American people have become desensitized to it. They don't want to hear bad news."

I am as sure as rain that many, if not all the blurbs on the book jacket and most others, are written by persons who have never read the book which they acclaim. And when do these "authors" have time to write books? Not to single out Mr. Fineman, but I dare say many political books (and others) are written by "ghost riders" who sit down and slam something on paper just to get the damned things out to satisfy the publisher and earn money quicker. "Poor" Cindy McCain.

Letter to Washington Post's Ombudsman about Failure to Cover the Iraq War

(Written May 13, 2008. Check it out: No Iraq War coverage. And NO REPLY.)

Dear Ms. (Deborah) Howell,

Am I missing the Post's Iraq War story today? Why can't I find anything with a dateline from Iraq?

Aren't we still engaged in a war there?

You don't carry one mention of it today: Not on any of your pages, not one story by any of the columnists. Why?

When Americans identify the Iraq War as the second issue of concern to them, the POST fails to carry a word about it! It is no wonder the was has continued for five+ years when the media abandons it, and yet, how many of our troops are stationed there? How much money are we pouring there by the minute?

Dick Cheney and the Defense Department must be jumping up and down and drinking champagne over the Post's lack of coverage. Did you see his quote yesterday? "Good news is no news." So that means it is all good coming out of Iraq?

Perhaps I have missed the story, perhaps there is a paragraph about it somewhere, but I fail to find it anywhere, even in the one paragraph stories in "Around the World".

I believe the POST strives to be an "international" paper, but perhaps I am wrong, too, about that.

I hope you are able to tell me the page number of the story I missed in today's Washington Post about the Iraq War.

Sincerely,
Patriciadc

Letter from Senator Jim Webb: RE: Our Soldiers And Sewage Showers in Iraq

See my earlier post of March 23, 2008 and my letter to Senator Webb and to Senator Warner regarding Halliburton's cutting costs on its equipment and services it furnishes our troops in Iraq while pocketing the difference. This is the first letter I have received from Senator Webb that was not a "robo" letter or the generic one he usually sends (please see the post of April 7, 2008).


May 9, 2008

Dear Patricia:

Thank you for contacting me regarding allegations that KBR, Inc. (KBR) installed faulty and unsafe electrical systems in Iraq, resulting in the electrocution and death of at least one U.S. soldier.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General (IG) is conducting a full investigation of this incident. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is also probing it, and Senator Bob Casey has called for a Government Accountability Office investigation.



I am deeply concerned by reports of such accidental deaths and injuries of military and contract personnel in Iraq. Please be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to monitor this situation and exercise necessary oversight to ensure that U.S. troops in Iraq are provided with proper and safe facilities.



Achieving greater accountability and oversight in the way contractors support U.S. military operations are two of my top priorities. You may be interested to know that on January 28, 2008, the President signed into law a provision that I introduced with Senator McCaskill and several other senators (H.R. 4986) to establish a Commission on Wartime Contracting that will examine U.S. wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Commission will study the impact of the government's growing reliance on civilian contractors to perform wartime functions and make recommendations to remedy today's systemic problems.


As both the son of an Air Force officer, the father of a Marine, and a Marine veteran myself, I understand the sacrifices that our service members and their families make every day. I have worked on these issues throughout my life, and they continue to be one of my top priorities as a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as the U.S. Senate considers this issue.

Thank you once again for contacting my office. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if we can be of further assistance.



Sincerely,




Jim Webb

United States Senator

Where is Tom Ridge?

On Thursday the former Secretary of Homeland Security was in Washington, D.C. at a downtown hotel delivering a canned speech to 300 governmental (mostly law-enforcement) employees interested in searching databases and finding more information about people, corporations, and foreign companies.

He was engaging and enthusiastic and spoke without notes (not needed when it's canned) about "risk management" but his subject had actually little to do with the topic at hand since he talked about himself, his children, and his transportation woes. Poor Tom. He had Secret Service wheels at his disposal for years and when he left Homeland Security, poof! There went his driver. He had to borrow a car from his teenage son, if you can imagine.

Anyway, amidst his waving the terrorist fear flag (he and Rudi Giuliani would make great bed mates), about the only things he said of interest were he thinks waterboarding is torture, he does not condone it, and believes Guantanamo should be closed.

Also, comparing the preparation for Y2K (remember it?) and Katrina: "We only had 2 or 3 days' notice to get ready for Katrina." Really? It had been common knowledge for years that a hurricane striking New Orleans would bring disaster and wreck havoc. Who was to know 2.5 years later the city would still lie lifeless and full of waste like a description in a science fiction novel? Only New Orleans is not science fiction. Perhaps Tom was inside his Secret Service vehicle, sheltered from the outside world like so many members of the Buzh Regime.

Ridge said Buzh tried to talk about the crisis facing Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, but "everyone said it was not a problem". What? Instead of a Secret Service car, maybe Ridge has been riding in a space ship circling Pluto this whole time.

Ridge is the CEO of Ridge Global LLC which specializes in "global engagement" (not defined)and the remaining 2008 buzz words: "technology integration", "change management" and "other issue that encompass a diverse portfolio".

Say Tom: What would you recommend about fixing New Orleans? Not announced. And it's not the Democratic Party, but the "Democrat Party". Please!

Letter to Senator Warner's Military Aide

Mr. Sam Zega

Hello Sam,

I have been traveling and thinking every day about writing to thank you for the conversation we had on April 28, 2008 about the continuing involvement of the U.S. in Iraq.

Your time is valuable, and I appreciate your willingness to listen to a constituent of Sen. Warner's.

It was my understanding from our conversation that Senator Warner is afraid of a collapse of the Iraqi government if the U.S. withdraws quickly. You said the "possibility" of collapse exists. Has Senator Warner considered other possibilities, other than "collapse"? Since so many Iraqis want us to leave, and I believe a nation should be able to run its own government independent of U.S. dictates, what are other possibilities? Could one be that Iraq is strengthened by our withdrawal and a "possible" source of friction is removed? I would like to know what other "possibilities", if any, have been explored, rather than just adopting the Bush agenda of "collapse" and a ceaseless war.

While you and I talked that day, the Washington Post listed the names of 16 soldiers who died in Iraq as a result of our presence. The next day on the front page above the fold was a memorable picture of two Iraqis carrying a badly injured two-year-old from a bombing in Sadr City. The boy died as a result of American shelling in Sadr City.

Consider if the location were Oklahoma City. Foreign soldiers camped nearby and shelled neighborhoods from which suspected terrorists resided. Does this make a difference?

I was struck by the similarity of the photo of the injured Iraqi child to the burned child carried by a fireman from the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. I am sure you remember the photo: Who can ever forget it?

I do not have the power and influence of John Warner. I wish I did! I do not understand why Senator Warner does not use his power to end the tragedy of our involvment. How much time must we give the Iraqi government to stand up for itself? How long is "too long"? Like the simple analogy I mentioned to you on the telephone, what entity is going to say "no" to an unlimited check?

There are many who believe we continue our presence in Iraq because of lucrative Iraq War contracts held by private firms in the U.S. Is this possible?

(If I misconstrued any of your statements, I hope you will correct them. I am going to post my letter to you on my blog.)

Sincerely,
Patricia