Saturday, November 4, 2006
Duck served, while Bartlett ducked
This is a letter to the editor that was published today in the local newspaper, The Herald-Mail. I'm fairly certain that it's technically considered plagiarism when you republish something from a newspaper on the Internet. My only defense to this example of reckless plagiarism of my local newspaper is that I actually wrote this.
To the editor:
I was disappointed to see The Herald-Mail chose to endorse Rep. Roscoe Bartlett for another term as the Maryland 6th District's congressional representative. We deserve better.
Instead of endorsing Bartlett because of the car he drives or because he believes we should all just get used to high gasoline prices, look at his congressional record. He has done little in the last 14 years to benefit the people he is supposed to represent.
For example, Bartlett recently authored a bill that was passed into law that prohibits private homeowner associations from enforcing rules that ban displaying the American flag. Though on the surface this bill seems good and even patriotic, it does not actually benefit the people of the 6th District, or anyone in Maryland.
Our flag-flying rights were already well protected under existing Maryland state law when Bartlett authored his federal bill. I contacted Bartlett's office soon after his bill was signed into law. I asked specifically how this new law actually benefited the citizens of the 6th District. I have yet to receive an answer to my question.
Bartlett avoided serving in the military during a time of war by claiming he wanted to pursue a life in the ministry - a pursuit he abandoned when our country no longer needed him in the military.
Democratic challenger Andrew Duck, who your newspaper failed to endorse, honorably served more than 20 years in the military.
His military career included combat tours in Iraq and Bosnia. I believe that Duck represents what we Marylanders do when it comes to the defense of our great nation.
It was George Washington who gave our state the nickname "The Old Line State" because of the steadfast way Maryland troops conducted themselves.
It was because Maryland troops could always be counted on to hold the line. It was not because we lined up to become members of the clergy instead of going into military service in wartime.
Bartlett voted to authorize President Bush to use military force in Iraq. If Bartlett is once again re-elected, he may again be called upon to make a similar vote. I would rather have someone representing us who has experience with such things. Someone who knows exactly what it means to send American armed forces into harm's way.
Andrew Duck has that experience. Who better to represent us during this time of war than an actual warrior?
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