Dear Sir:
In your editorial of 18 October, you say of LtCol Charles Brown, "Appearances are deceiving." There is nothing about Charlie that is deceiving; rather, it is your editorial that is deceiving. Charlie will always take responsibility for what he says and does. For you to imply that he agrees with everything that Cindy Sheehan, Sean Penn, and Code Pink say and do is a pathetic attempt at guilt by association. If Charlie happened to make a single appearance with these people, to stretch that into saying that he "hangs out with this ilk" is a distortion.
I note with interest that your editorial does not take issue with Charlie on a single subject of concern to the voters of Northern California or of the 4th District. Why?
You say that John Doolittle supports our troops. Really? The fact is that he has one of the worst voting records in Congress on veterans' affairs. What sort of support is that? Meanwhile, your laundry list of Doolitle's accomplishments is singularly underwhelming for 16 years in Congress. If Charlie doesn't match that in his first term, I'll call him "do-little."
But the best way to compare apples and apples is compare character. During four grueling years at the Air Force Academy, Cadet Charlie Brown learned to live by a code of honor: "We will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." This is the code that was etched in that young man's mind and soul. He carried it with him throughout his 26 years of service to the United States, as well as his seven years of service to the people of Roseville. So on Election Day, you just have to ask yourself one question: does John Doolittle live by that code of honor?
Sincerely,
Thomas Gangale, Capt, USAF (Ret.)