Please note that these links do exist -- but
they're in the process of being shuffled around a little because of some
asshole making an issue of my web sites in court. If one doesn't work today
-- it will very soon. I'm guessing November 30, 2005!
The following is a
letter from CWO Jim Wright, who lives in Huntington, WV to his Senator. Jim
doesn't pull any punches and his letter reflects the way many of us feel:
Senator Robert Byrd,
I am a Retired, U. S. Navy, Chief Warrant Officer, W-4, who served Honorably
on active duty for thirty-two years, from 1955 to 1987. I challenge your
public criticizing and slandering our Commander in Chief and his visit to a
major Iraqi War participant, the USS Abraham Lincoln, CVN-72, May 2-3,
2003. The President's visit to that fine ship was a representative symbol
of our Nation's "hand shake, well done, and welcome home" salutation to
every member of our armed forces who served, and continues to serve, in the
Middle East War, not just for personnel of the Abraham Lincoln!
I was aboard a ship off Onslow Beach, North Carolina, when President John F.
Kennedy paid us a visit during a major Joint Task Force military exercise in
the spring of 1962. There was much elation and joy throughout the entire
fleet of some 40 ships participating in that exercise; everyone was grateful
and thankful that OUR Commander in Chief thought enough of what we were
doing to come witness one of the largest and most complex joint exercises
ever conducted by our military. That visit by President Kennedy is not one
bit different from the visit of President Bush to the USS Abraham Lincoln
last week. Later, in October 1962, I was serving aboard the Navy's first
nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier, the USS Enterprise, CVAN-65, which was a
part of the activated Joint Task Force, while U. S. Marines from Camp
LeJeune were again backloading on amphibious ships at Onslow Beach; we were
preparing for an invasion of Cuba. I remembered President Kennedy's visit
there the previous spring and the significance of his visit and concern for
what we were about to do, if necessary.
I watched your diatribe on the floor of the U. S. Senate yesterday, May 6,
2003. I initially hesitated to correspond with you because of heartfelt,
intense disgust with your denigration of our President, and commensurately,
our military forces. After much thought, I consider your conduct on the
Senate floor abhorring and shameful, and deserving of any criticisms
directed your way by any veteran or member of our armed forces. Your party
leadership position on the Senate Armed Services Committee is dubious. Your
conduct on that committee is now tainted because your defamation of our
Commander in Chief will be considered in all your committee decisions and
will be viewed by our military forces as being guided by a purely partisan,
edifying, and self serving agenda, rather than that which is best for our
military.
I believe that you owe an apology to President Bush and to every crew member
of the USS Abraham Lincoln because your tirade on the Senate Floor on May 6,
2003, did much to malign the faith of many members of this Nation's military
forces in our government. Our military's conduct in this crisis has been
gallant, heroic, and exemplary and deserves the highest praise and respect.
Your degradation of our Commander in Chief certainly does not show any
praise or respect, but sadly places your partisan agenda at a higher level.
Many of my Navy and civilian friends and relatives have corresponded with me
about your conduct on the Senate floor yesterday and have voiced great
displeasure with your obvious pure, personal partisanship. I am being
ridiculed and shamed by them because you are my representative in the
Senate. I have lost much respect for you as an individual because your
conduct does not reflect the dignity of your constituency, especially those
of veterans and the armed forces. You have certainly made a lasting
impression on many of my Navy associates and civilian friends, and
relatives, especially those who do not live in our state.
I am ashamed of your representation on my behalf. Your actions demonstrate
a personal, blatant, and obvious HATE for our President. Your partisanship
has been fomenting since President Bush was ELECTED to office and your
conduct in the Senate and public statements of defiance about every thing he
has attempted to do for the past two plus years is nothing short of
shameful.
Be assured that I will work feverishly to end your tenure in the U. S.
Senate and to elect a more deserving representative to the office you
presently hold.
Sincerely,
//s//
James H. Wright
CWO4, U. S. Navy Retired
(Street Address Withheld by Dave)
Huntington, WV 25705-2711
