Political pablum from Dan Sullivan and Nicholas the Third
Many readers sent eloquent messages to the Alaska Congressional delegation about the murders in Minneapolis and the federal kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy in a bunny hat only to receive answers as sincere as the automated phone systems that claim “Your call is important to us.”
I want to thank the dozens of readers who forwarded me the robotic replies from Nicholas Begich the Third and Sen. Dan Sullivan, utterances as meaningful as missives from Renewal by Anderson telling me I need new windows.
The communiques from Sullivan and Begich bear out the wisdom of George Orwell, who condemned political language “designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”
The wind from Washington is gale force.
A reader from Eagle River told Begich: “I’m tired of being told to ignore my own eyes.”
“My grandfather and father-in-law fought in World War II to stop authoritarianism and not to watch it take root here at home. They didn’t risk their lives so federal agents could kill U.S.citizens and then hide behind political spin. They certainly didn’t fight so elected officials could shrug off lies and violence as if they are acceptable costs of doing business.”
She called on Begich for him to demand an independent investigation, the release of all information, accountability for federal agents who misuse their authority and a public rejection of lies by government officials.
“I want a clear response from you, not a form letter and not talking points,” she said.
Nicholas the Third ignored that request. Like Sullivan, he speaks a different language, as phony as Trump’s FIFA peace prize.
Here is Begich’s reply to all who wrote, whether in anger or sadness:
Thank you for reaching out about the recent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
The circumstances of both Ms. Good’s and Mr. Pretti’s deaths are the subject of ongoing investigations by federal and local authorities. In situations like these, it is essential that all relevant facts be fully and transparently examined so justice is duly served. I fully support comprehensive investigations into the circumstances surrounding both incidents, and I will continue to follow developments closely as they unfold.
I will also continue to advocate for legal and efficient measures to address illegal immigration that respect the rule of law and protect public safety. I remain committed to working with colleagues to pursue thoughtful reforms that strengthen our system and reduce the likelihood of such events in the future.
Some readers who have long experience in writing to Washington, D.C. say that Nicholas the Third has never responded in the past and that this message is not an improvement over his silence.
A reader who frequently shares her ideas with Sullivan was one of dozens who told me that his office replied to her denunciation of the Minneapolis killings with the same letter sent to her in the past, in which Sullivan drags out Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist Papers and all the usual suspects.
“I've received his form letters before. They never address the issue, but tell you many wonderful things he's done. You'd think that something as serious as the current events in Minneapolis would prompt him to have his staff cobble together a new form letter,” she said.
Please continue to send me copies of what letters you write to members of our delegation—as those are more important than their mechanical replies. There is real communication on one side. Political pablum on the other.
Forward copies of your letters to the delegation to dermotmcole@gmail.com
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