Letter From A Reader

Occasionally, we at WW will receive emails from readers, concerned citizens, critics and fellow bloggers regarding the subject of our site: the incorrigible Peter Welch. We want to make this clear: we love hearing from readers. Whether it's a citation to a news event, a commentary on our chosen format, or an interesting tidbit of political information, we just can't get enough feedback. Simply put: we love it.

However, sometimes we get some email, or in this case a posting, that deserves a wider audience than it has thus far been afforded. In the case of the letter we received below, this theory applies. Why? Because, well, it really says it all. Dare we say, better than we are capable of doing? Come on: as though that's even possible...

At the very least, the letter below lends a less cynical, and perhaps more visceral, perspective than we are capable of offering. It really touched a nerve with us here at WW, so we thought we'd give it some play. We also think that the open-letter format lends itself well to our set-up here at WW.

In any event, it certainly reflects the sentiment that we have been getting from our readers. Oh, and we'll try to make it our last posting on Autographgate, unless we get more news on the issue. Cool?

Enjoy!

To: Representative Peter Welch

From: David in Brattleboro

Re: My Vote For You Faxed to his VT & DC fax lines, no email address made available. Also posted to iBrattleboro.

Dear Sir,

I voted for you in November after hearing you speak at my place of employment and was impressed by your strong position against the Bush regime. I spoke to you afterwards and implored you to, if elected, explore any means necessary to stop this war and stand up to the ruling party. Imagine my dismay as I view the video of you at the State of the Union last week. The same man who was the target of your fiery speechmaking was the target of your fawning behavior after the speech was over. What in the world possessed you to want to shake that man’s hand, get his autograph and smile and act like everything is OK with his outrageously corrupt and single-minded presidency? He is more of an enemy to us Vermonters than any of the people whose countries we invade and cultures we defile could ever be. He has drained our treasury, soiled our reputation worldwide, neglected to protect our citizens from natural disasters, lied about the reasons for going to war, and seriously damaged our constitutional rights. And you sought him out for an autograph? It boggles my mind that you would do this. My respect for you is shot and my vote will never be cast in your favor again, even if it means that Martha Rainville, or another Republican candidate is our next Congressperson. At least they would be honest about their Bush-loving and would not have misrepresented themselves to the voters of Vermont who sought CHANGE. I voted for someone who would stand up to the president, not seek him out for an autograph. I read that the autograph was for your nephew – and even if that’s true – how can you seek out an autograph from the worst president in any of our lifetimes and the single greatest threat to our nation’s future? What kind of example are you trying to set for your nephew and for Vermont’s youth? Bush should be shunned and avoided and your association with him is an embarrassment, worse than anything Fox News could dish out for Vermont. You have already been a great disappointment to me and many other Vermonters. There is a chance to redeem yourself by voting for the House Bill that will return our troops home and end this fiasco in Iraq. Will you make that stand or will you continue to betray your campaign platform and further disgrace your seat and your standing in Vermont’s eyes.

Disgustedly,

David
Brattleboro