"To Tell the Truth": My LTTE published.

[trof]

The hometown paper is usually good about printing my rants and diatribes.

To Tell the Truth
What if you were called as a witness in court and learned that you would not be required to take an oath to tell the truth?
You would therefore not be subject to any penalties for perjury if you didn't tell the whole truth.
Or even if you flat out just lied.
And what if truthful answers to some of the questions you knew you would be asked might get you into some serious trouble?
Just out of a sense of self preservation, most of us would heave a sigh of relief and say whatever we thought would keep us out of trouble.

That's exactly what's happening in congressional committee hearings in our nation's capitol these days.

Last November, a joint session of the Senate Energy and Commerce committees was held to "investigate" the reasons for high oil and gasoline prices, and unprecedented oil company profits. Oil company CEOs from Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, BP, Conoco, and Shell were not required to testify under oath.

The Democrats on the committees wanted the witnesses to take an oath to tell the truth.
It would have taken about a minute to swear all the witnesses, en masse.
It would also have made them subject to the laws of perjury.
The Republicans somehow did not think this was necessary.
The Republicans outnumber the Democrats.
No oath was given.

Just a few days ago, U. S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales "testified" before the Senate Intelligence committee about alleged illegal wiretapping by branches of the Bush administration. Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R. PA) made a point of not requiring that Mr. Gonzales furnish sworn testimony.

The Democrats on the committee wanted the witness to take an oath to tell the truth.
It would have taken less than a minute to swear him in.
It would also have made him subject to the laws of perjury.
The Republicans somehow did not think this was necessary.
The Republicans outnumber the Democrats.
No oath was given.

So, if you ever have to appear in court, or in front of a congressional committee, just say "I'll do it the way my Attorney General did. No oath, thank you."
And say whatever you want.
What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

(trof)
Foley, AL

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Spot-on and well spoken!

You're one of the good ones, trof!

:applause:

[havocmom]

2. BRAVO trof!

Damn fine job! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Roland99]

3. Here's to them printing the whole letter!

[myrna minx]

4. Excellent letter.

:applause:

[yellerpup]

5. Congratulations!

Very well done.

[blm]

6. Wow...my paper would've chopped it down to 150 words. Good job, trof.

,

[HootieMcBoob]

7. That stuff's not important enough to be under oath

But steroids in baseball! You better belive each and everyone of those baseball players were put under oath. Who says the Republicans in congress don't know what's most important?

[trof]

8. Thanks to all.

DU is my best audience.
:-)
Of the 4 letters published yesterday, 3 were from liberals/Dems.

[havocmom]

9. 3 outta 4 were from liberals/Dems?

Cool. Most papers try to print the ratio of pro/con they actually receive, don't they?
(Unless they are really a partisan rag)
The tide is turning.

[trof]

12. I think the publisher is a closet Dem.

He also publishes editorials by Jim Hightower.
We are in a very red county is a red state.

[havocmom]

14. Could be he is just an honest newspaperman

There are still some out there, but the species does seem to be facing extinction.

My granddad was one. And his father. And his father's father. They must all be spinning in their graves now. They knew democracy needed a free and honest press to keep the citizens able to make informed decisions. How their souls must weep for what is lost.

[trof]

15. I'm gonna hold that thought. Thank you.

one can always hope.

[havocmom]

17. Keep those cards & letters coming in, trof

Your local editor might take great comfort in what we dismiss as small things. Give him something to hang onto.

My granddad took great comfort in the marker at Ben Franklin's grave. With all the great accomplishments and adventures Dr. Franklin had to his name, on his marker, after his name and dates it says: "Printer"

Grandpa really liked that. So when he passed and mom was ordering the marker, she went simple to honor her father's tastes, and referenced the profession he knew to be so essential:
Robert Lincoln Weed
(date of his birth & death)
-30-

He would have liked it.

His grandfather was a newspaper man back east. His dad took Greeley's advice, and went west. He started little papers in areas as they were opened up to homesteaders. His wife and sons had it tough, but it wasn't boring! And every American town needed a newspaper.

My granddad never fought in the Great War, but he lost part of his hand in a press accident keeping people informed about it. He learned his letters by playing with type as a child. Insisted we bring him newspapers from any place we visited and showed us how we could tell a lot about a town by the paper (it was back before they all got bought up by giant corporations) He never stopped reading til his eyes closed for good. He knew America's fate depended on it.

Trof, your letters would have meant a lot to him were he around today.

-30-

[usafguy99]

10. Wow... you live very close to me

I'm in Loxley and work in Foley - i'm surprised any newspaper around here would publish such a lengthy letter from a "librul".

I have found the editorial section of the Mobile Register so far right it makes me sick just to read it.

[trof]

11. Well, welcome to DU. Come see me at the Habitat Chili Cook-Off.

Sat. Feb. 25, 11:00 till 2:00.
Foley Park on 59 and 98.
I'm the entry for the Baldwin County Democrats.
Nice to have you here.
:hi:

[calimary]

13. Great one! It needs to be said, too. Every point you made.

Excellent work! Even better that they used it.

[ProSense]

16. Excellent! n/t