Replies

Here's an email I received today:

Dear XXXXXX

Thank you for your e-mail. I regret the length of time to respond, but I am trying to catch up on my e-mails today. First, I do value my career, and I did vote for HB1525. I fear that much mis-information exists in this debate. I consider myself a conservative Democrat, and my voting record proves it. This Bill is part of Gov. Huckabee's legislative package, and several of our colleges and universities, and people in the Department of Education testified for the Bill.

Frankly the bill went out of the Education Committee quickly, and came to the floor very quickly. I think the debate on the bill might have mis-led you somewhat. My understanding from the Bill's sponsor and the Committee was that the Bill forced students who earned a scholarship but who were only undocumented due to their age, to sign an affidavit agreeing that they would become documented prior to releasing the scholarship. That is the only way I voted for the Bill.

If you have not read the Bill, I don't mind forwarding you a copy, so that you can read it and see for yourself that the debate over the Bill might be different than what has been portrayed. If the Bill gets amended on the Senate side, it will come back to me, and I will take your thoughts into consideration.

Again, thank you and please feel free to e-mail me or call me any time. Jay Martin

While I'm at it, this one is from Blanche Lincoln (aka a LIAR)

Dear XXXXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me about the nomination of Alberto Gonzalez to be Attorney General. As you may know, he was confirmed by the Senate and was sworn into office on February 3, 2005.

I believe the office of the United States Attorney General is unlike any other Cabinet post because it carries the unique responsibility of representing and defending the rights and constitutional freedoms of every American citizen. It requires someone who can think independently and who possesses a strong sense of boundaries that cannot be crossed if the United States is to remain true to its core values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

By all indications, in his former position as White House Counsel to the President, Judge Gonzales played a significant role in determining U.S. policy on the treatment of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. After hearing the concerns raised by several retired military leaders about decisions that were authorized under Judge Gonzales' authority, I was deeply disturbed. These respected Americans suggested that our military code of conduct was compromised, therefore jeopardizing the safety of our men and women in uniform.

After giving serious and lengthy consideration to Judge Gonzales' nomination, I was not convinced that he was prepared to exercise the independence and judgment that the post of Attorney General demands.

While I have supported every other Cabinet level appointment by President Bush during his second term, I could not support Judge Gonzales' nomination to be Attorney General because he will be in a position to defend rights and freedoms which he has failed to show the proper respect in the past. Now that Judge Gonzales has been confirmed, I have pledged to work with him in his new role as Attorney General. It is my hope that he will execute his new duties with the commitment to justice and the rule of law that is expected of America's highest law-enforcement official.

I appreciate your interest in this important matter and look forward to hearing from you again in the future.

Sincerely,

Blanche L. Lincoln

BLL/at