War & Peace: October 2005 Archives

Support our troops.

...about that letter I got the other day. Yeah, I need to get a life. Nonetheless, it's not all bad. Iraq Veterans Against the War is now $25 richer, and a postcard is on its way to Mr. Bradshaw:

Dear Mr. Bradshaw,

Thank you for your letter. I was touched that my piece in the Chronicle struck such a chord with you that you were moved to go to the trouble of tracking down my home address!

I wanted to let you know that your words inspired me to make a donation to Iraq Veterans Against the War. You can learn more about them at http://www.ivaw.net.

Once again, thank you. I'm glad we were able to exchange ideas and inspire each other to action in our own ways.

In peace,

Katherine Falk

I came home from a crazy day at work to find this screed, which had been mailed to my previous home address. The return address was:

William C. Bradshaw
Post Office Box 1288
Oakland, CA 94604

and the letter said:

3 October 2005

Dear Ms. Falk:

Contrary to what you may think, there have been significant numbers of courageous men and women --- who "do truly value life and freedom" --- have [sic] lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You may rest assured that you, and those who agree with you, do not have a monopoly on wanting a better future for all - here and abroad.

As far as the protests are concerned, they are merely social events which bring out those people who have all kinds of time to chase around the street with boring signs and silly little rhyming chants.

Quantities mean absolutely nothing.

Sincerely,

William C. Bradshaw

copies to:
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Selected Others

He thoughtfully also enclosed a few articles from 2002 and 2003 about how awful Saddam Hussein was. Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for opening my eyes! NOT.

Yes, "those people who have all kinds of time"... to write letters to total strangers? To track down their home addresses? While using a P.O. box to shield his own? To argue against statements I never made in my original letter? Quantities mean nothing... when nearly 2,000 of the "courageous men and women" he claims to support are dead because of this wretched war?

I'm guessing Mr. Bradshaw could use a big hug right now... and maybe some gift subscriptions to various liberal publications. That'll cheer him right up. Just in case you missed it, that address is Post Office Box 1288, Oakland, CA 94604. Drop him a line if you like.