That may sound a little harsh, and no offense to the man personally, but when you read what's below, you'll understand.
I wrote this e-mail to Congressman Campbell last week, in response to Rush Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" statement:
Sir--
Seeing as how you voted to condemn MoveOn.org for exercising their free speech rights and you ignored the contradictions in moving against their slander of a soldier but saying nothing about the attacks on the integrity and service of Senator John Kerry or former Senator Max Cleland, both of whom were wounded in the course of serving their country, I ask you know to extend that same sense of outrage and comdemnation to Rush Limbaugh for his reprehensible and disgusting
comments calling me a phony soldier. I am a former serviceman who is opposed to the Iraq War and believes in a responsible re-deployment for our troops to fight Al-Qaeda where they are hiding. Instead my honor and my service is besmirched by a drug-addled phony who has free reign to spout his ridiculous views in a national forum. He didn't even have to pay to spout his slanderous and hurtful comments.
If you condemn MoveOn.org, you must condemn Rush Limbaugh. MoveOn may have attacked the integrity of one man, Rush Limbaugh just assaulted the integrity, honor, and service of countless service members, past and present, who seek a responsible redeployment and to go after Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Congressman Campbell, if you do nothing, you are a hypocrite, becuse your
standard for slander of service members only applies to a liberal, progressive media organization and not a staunch right-wing water carrier like Rush Limbaugh.
So, sir, can I expect to see you draft legislation to condemn Rush Limbaugh as slandering the brave and honorable service of all our service members who disagree with the way is being fought? I hope I can count on you drafting this legislation immediately.
VR,
Nick Suhr
This is the response I got back from Congressman Campbell today:
Dear Mr. Suhr :
Thanks you for contacting me concerning the MoveOn.Org advertisement against General David Petraeus . I appreciate hearing from you on this matter.
You will be pleased to know that on September 26, 2007, the House of Representatives voted 341-79, with my support to condemn this ad and its slanderous attacks on General Petraeus . This followed passage of a similar resolution in the United States Senate on September 20, 2007.
MoveOn.Org's ad was reprehensible and the New York Times decision to run the ad was just as troublesome. One of the great things about our country is the ability to petition the government for redress of grievances, but it does not make it right to personally attack General Petraeus or his character and integrity.
General Petraeus has a distinguished and stellar record of military service to the United States illustrated by his receipt of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Superior Service Medals, four Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, and other awards and medals. Additionally, the Senate approved General Petraeus by an 81-0 vote in January as the Commander of the Multi-National Forces in Iraq .
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. Having the benefit of your views is important, and I appreciate you sharing them with me.
I remain respectfully yours,
JOHN CAMPBELL
Member of Congress
So, there's two possible things going on here (and I know this is a form letter):
- His office sent me a response without even reading my letter or
- They sent this response as a big middle finger to me.
Frankly, I'm a little taken aback by the stunning incompetence of someone who prides himself as a Congressman with a strong business background. His staff is obviously incompetent and a complete waste of time. If he was going to go to the trouble of actually reading my e-mail and writing me a response, unlike in the past, he could at least have written me back with a response that actually addresses the e-mail I actually sent. And even though it's highly likely his staff wrote this response, it's his name at the bottom of the e-mail, so I take it as having coming from him, thus the harsh statment in the title.
What a complete waste of time. Hire some new staffers, Congressman! They are making you look like an idiot.