Legitimate Tears: my LTTE published in online Chicago Tribune

[Martin Eden]

It didn't make the printed paper, but can be found at this link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/moreletters/chi-g932569t5.3jan16,0,6399627.story?coll=chi-newsmoreletters-hed

Legitimate tears

January 16, 2006

The tears of Samuel Alito's wife have no bearing whatsoever on whether her
husband should be confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The issues of harsh questioning and political posturing at the Senate
confirmation hearing are also distractions that focus media attention away from
the supremely important issue of whether Samuel Alito will uphold the
Constitution, maintain its checks and balances, and protect the rights of
American citizens.

We have a president who insists his duty to protect the country in a war against
terror -- predicted to last generations -- gives the president authority to
wiretap citizens without a warrant, imprison citizens indefinitely without
charges, and ignore laws against torture. Whether or not this vast increase in
the power of the presidency is allowed to stand will ultimately be decided by
the Supreme Court.

We are a nation of laws established by Founding Fathers who understood that
power corrupts, which is why they created a Constitution balanced by the
legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. Every American has the right to
know the views of Samuel Alito on the "unitary executive" theory of expansive
presidential powers, which he advocated when he was a legal counsel in the
Reagan administration. The long-term stakes are very high for our rule of law
and for all Americans, left and right. If we allow ourselves to be distracted by
a weeping wife and partisan politics, we may all have a legitimate reason for
shedding tears.

[benny05]

1. K & R

Congratulations....

[catnhatnh]

2. DAMNED RIGHT......N/t....But K&R

[Grateful for Hope]

3. Excellent letter -- Recommended

Concise, to the point, and absolutely right.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Cool!

[NanceGreggs]

5. Beyond Excellent!!!!!!!!

All I can say is ...



:yourock:

[glitch]

6. Well said as usual Martin Eden.

We've got some mighty fine writers on DU and you are among them.
:dem:

[IndyOp]

7. Good job!

:yourock:

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Stellar prose. Just stellar. Thank you!

[mom cat]

9. Great job. Hope it helps defeat Alito!

[Straight Shooter]

10. Stunning summary of the issue at hand.

Congratulations are in order:

:yourock:

[CoffeeCat]

11. Incredible, succinct, and powerful writing!!

Kudos to you!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!

Many people read your words and I'm sure they impacted many.

Truly, this was one of the best LTTE that I have read.

What an honor to have it printed.

You should be very proud of yourself.

[Martin Eden]

12. Thank you my peers, for the wonderful praise.

You really helped to make my day.
Good night, and good luck:toast:

[ninkasi]

13. Great letter

and 100% true. Thanks for writing.

[Vidar]

14. Good letter.

[greiner3]

15. Good LTTE!

Columbus Dispatch would never print it. They had 3 pro ID LTTE's in 2 days. Who can fight against that?