I had been hoping this stuff might blow over without more casualties, but I just received the following email from Jane Mitakides in response to my email thanking her campaign for not bowing to the pressure from the right-wingers. Ironically, I have another browser window open with a contribution to her campaign half-finished. Guess I can close that window.
From: "administrator" <
info@mitakidesforcongress.com>
Date: Sun Apr 4, 2004 19:12:17 US/Eastern
Subject: RE: Keep your advertisement on Daily Kos
Thank you to all who have contacted us to alert us to the unfortunate statements made on The Daily Kos regarding the deaths of the American contractors in Iraq.
Many of you know that I come from a family with deep military roots, and I have been dedicated to supporting our troops and our veterans my entire life. I also believe that whenever a life is lost to violence. American or Bosnian, Somalian or Hutu, Palestinian, Israeli or Iraqi. mankind is diminished.
We have made the decision to remove our advertising from that website, to assure that there is no confusion about my position on this matter. But I want to be clear on one point: this decision is not because of any "pressure" I have received. It is a personal decision, and one I have not made lightly.
In the past, Kos has provided a valuable forum for Democrats, for the sharing of issues and information, and I believe "blogs" such as these will continue become a real force in political communications.
Again, thank you for your e-mail, and for your interest in this very important race.
Sincerely,
Jane Mitakides