1115.org

Look, I like a good letter as much as (and probably more than) the next guy. I picked up my writing style by watching Cohen Sr. write letters to the editor (like this one) and anyone else he felt needed a wake up call. In effect, 1115 began as my own version of this. And for private citizens who lack the organization and means to plaster their message on billboards and radio, a well-written skewering of an individual or group is often their only recourse.

But the same can not be said for those in power, even less so for the majority party. I guess this is why I’m getting increasingly irritated reading about all these letters that Democratic leaders in Congress are writing with regards to stonewalling by the Bush administration in the face of subpoenas in the US Attorney cover up. Clearly the administration doesn’t care what the letter says, so the words only serve as an attempt to pacify citizens as frustrated with the lawlessness as I am. Speaking for myself, it isn’t working.

The President doesn’t get to make up new laws, and he doesn’t get to decide who respects or ignores Congressional subpoenas. But as long as the responses consist of, as they have for six months now, harshly worded letters with later and later deadlines, Democrats will get about the same response as Yosemite Sam did when he repeatedly dared Bugs Bunny to “Cross this line!,” “Now cross this line!”

It’s time for action, not words. Reid and Pelosi need to step up and see that there are consequences for impeding Congress’ oversight responsibility. If that means jailing Dirty Harriet and Sara Taylor, so be it. They can avoid even one night in the cooler simply by appearing and taking the fif.