Senator Dole, a former Republican presidential candidate no less, writes, "I'll bet you are an extreme member of the left wing just like Terri Gross."
Frankly, I was a little surprised to read what Senator Dole had written, on two counts: one, he actually responded to a letter I'd addressed to him and, two, I was surprised and disappointed at the schoolyard level of his missive -- though, to his credit, he did stop short of calling my mom names.
Of course, continuing with the schoolyard tone of his response, that good 'ol stand-by taunt is almost audible -- So-and-So, Sitting in A tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G -- as Senator Dole naturally concludes that Terri Gross and I "deserve each other."
So, aside from that little blue pill, what could've possible gotten such a rise out of Senator Dole?
(That was a cheap shot, I know -- but, come on, it was high and slow... I had to take a swing.)
On April 12 Senator Dole was on NPR's "Fresh Air," hawking his book "One Soldier's Story : A Memoir." The host, Terri Gross, was extremely accommodating and gave Senator Dole ample time to discuss the book and his life's story; however, as a responsible journalist, the host asked Senator Dole to comment on some current events, specifically: the nuclear option and Rep. DeLay's alleged ethics violations. Of course, as expected, Senator Dole immediately resorted to the partisan talking points on both issues; however, to my hear, the Senator went too far when he completely dismissed the allegations against Rep. DeLay as merely an attack by Democrats and their allies in the "liberal media" -- including NPR. Now, I don't have the transcript of the interview, so I cannot post the exact quote, but you can hear the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4587202.
What was even more infuriating is that Terri Gross, of course, did not question Senator Dole's unfounded accusations and simply let his ridiculous charges rest. Subsequently, Senator Dole insisted that he was on the program to talk about his book and was not there to discuss politics and, of course, Terri Gross acquiesced.
Well, right after I heard the radio interview with the Senator I shot off this letter to his Washington, DC, office:
[Name Omitted]
Office of Senator Dole
c/o Alston & Bird, North Building
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
Senator Dole,
I just finished hearing your radio interview with Terri Gross, of NPR's "Fresh Air," where you were promoting your book.
I was sorely disappointed to hear your condescending and extremely insulting tone directed against the host of the program and, by extension, her listeners. Moreover, I found it utterly incredible that you, as a former Senator that had the reputation of a moderate, would so manipulatively use the right-wing canard that there exists a conspiracy by the so-called liberal media to get congressman DeLay, because of his "ideology." That you resorted to such a base and false accusation is utterly incredible in its maliciousness and a completely fact less charge -- your entire interview was filled with hypocrisy, considering how many times during the interview you said that you liked to look at the "facts" before making any judgments.
Senator Dole, I'm afraid that your legacy -- at least in the mind of this American and NPR listener -- will forever be tarred by your right-wing pandering of recent years.
Sincerely,
[Name Omitted]
An NPR Listener
Which motivated the Senator to respond with:
I like how the good Senator, a former representative and public servant, which at one point had hoped to represent all Americans as our president, basically told me -- an American citizen that, to boot, has worn the nation's uniform -- to go piss off. Of course, all is forgiven, since the Senator does close by invoking god's grace on America -- now, as for the rest of the planet, if my reading between the lines is correct, it can simply go piss off.