Looking for comments on my LTTE

[T Roosevelt]

I can add a few sentences if necessary. Also need a good title...


When did Republicans lose sight of what it means to be an American? If they step back after reading that question and take the time to examine their initial reaction, they will understand why I ask it.

Today our nation faces many crises, both internal and external, but the mere fact of pointing them out is enough to send many Republicans into a tizzy about how the questioner is "an America hater." Many reading this already think I hate America for having the audacity to make that statement. Osama is still free. Torture occurred in Abu Graib and Guantanamo. Every reason used to justify the invasion of Iraq was a lie. The majority of the tax cuts went to the wealthy. Each of these statements is supported by the facts in evidence, yet denied vehemently by Republicans.

For example, Karl Rove, the president's trusted adviser, has been implicated in outing a CIA operative whose covert work involved principally gathering of intelligence related to weapons of mass destruction. In addition, he, Scott McClellan, and the president have lied directly to the American public regarding Rove's involvement in this. Yet somehow to make these observations is unpatriotic. Huh? I'm sorry, but revealing a covert CIA operative in the midst of a self-proclaimed war is treasonous, and no American, including Republicans, should lose sight of that fact.

[CrispyQ]

1. Why do they care more for their party than their country?

Above is a title suggestion, although I think many times the paper will give a letter it's own title.

Excellent letter! Be sure to send to all papers in your region, including any university papers.

[The White Tree]

10. Just an FYI - I'm not sure you can do that

Most newspapers request that in submititng a LTTE that you confirm that they are the only place you send it to. If they find out you sent it to multiple papers they will likely not publish it.

I'd check the LTTE policy of the paper before doing that.

[Tommymac]

2. Pretty good.

I would add a short conclusive statement tying the body back to your initial point.

Tell them what you are going to say, say it, and then tell them what you just said.

[T Roosevelt]

6. How's this?

When did Republicans lose sight of what it means to be an American? If they step back after reading that question and take the time to examine their initial reaction, they will understand why I ask it.

...

As Theodore Roosevelt said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

[hfojvt]

7. something like

To be an American means you hold politicians accountable when they betray your trust, even when they are in your own party. Replace them with other Republicans, like Gerald Ford, but throw the scoundrels out.

Also I think it is "Abu Ghraib"

[yewberry]

3. A minor suggestion

Nice letter.

I've noticed lately that there is a sentiment among some pundits (granted, they're the wacky variety, but their message is being repeated by the public) that the torture at Abu Ghraib (I think that's the anglicized spelling) & Guantanamo is okay because the detainees are, essentially, really bad people who deserve it. (I know, it's nuts, but it's out there.)

I'd include some mention of the Geneva Conventions, maybe just to imply that these protections are meant to protect our people, too, and abandoning them is an invitation for others to do so. Then again, maybe that's too nuanced.

Good job.

[Carla in Ca]

4. T, I like this. My suggestion is to

make your first sentence the title.
Also, toward the end, change the Huh? to Why?

:-)

[tenshi816]

5. I like your letter,

but I'd take out the "I'm sorry" in the last sentence. I know it's just a figure of speech, but it's one I try not to use when writing similar letters. You have nothing to be sorry about, and some people will focus on those two words alone while dismissing the rest of the letter. I don't use the words "I'm sorry" unless I'm apologising to someone. I also realise I'm being fussy about something minor.

If it were me, I'd start that final sentence "Revealing a covert CIA operative...".

Other than that, I think it's a fine letter.

Edited for redundancy.

[T Roosevelt]

9. Thanks

[tenshi816]

12. You're very welcome.

You obviously put a lot of time and thought into this letter, because it's hard to get so many thoughts together in a letter short and organised enough to be published.

I had my first LTTE published in the Times of London ten years ago and when they phoned to ask my permission to publish it, I was told that my letter was chosen because I made good points without taking up too much space (unlike many of my DU posts where I seem incapable of shutting up!).

Please let us know how you get on.

[T Roosevelt]

13. Sometimes it feels like they have me on ignore

I've submitted many LTTE with little success. Of course it is the Orlando Sentinel, and they are tilting to the right, but still...

[The White Tree]

8. Good letter, one critique

You wrote:

Each of these statements is supported by the facts in evidence, yet denied vehemently by Republicans.

I'd edit to;

Each of these statements is supported by the facts, yet denied vehemently by Republicans.

Succinctness is looked for in LTTE and "facts in evidence" is a little obscure and redundant in that regard.

Likewise I'd change - but the mere fact of pointing them out

to just - but just pointing them out

Good luck, I hope you get it published.

[T Roosevelt]

11. Good points

[NewJeffCT]

14. good letter, a few pointers

I might write: "Each of these statements is supported by the facts, yet each is denied vehemently by Republicans."

If you think you have room, you can add "Afghanistan" to Abu Graib & Gitmo.

"Vast" majority of tax cuts went to the wealthy.