Although I have read Kos for a while now, I only recently registered and I never thought I'd actually post something until tonight. After seeing Rep. Bachmann's nightmarish bit on Hardball I immediately donated $20 to the campaign of her opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, and then wrote Michele Bachmann the email below.
I've lived in Minnesota for 17 years and I am ashamed that this woman represents any part of this fine State.
Ms. Bachmann,
I just saw the interview you did on 10/17/2008 with Chris Mathews on Hardball. I was literally nauseated by your performance during which you basically called for a McCarthy-esque witch hunt to find out which members of Congress are "Anti-American". Here is one of your quotes, "What I would say is that the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look. I wish they would. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or Anti-America? I think the American people would love to see an expose like that."
You actually think that’s what the American people want? Some sort of litmus test to see who is pro-American enough? For who – you? Do you suppose you are qualified to make those assessments? Do you believe that such a pogrom would be beneficial for the country? Are you under the impression that other members of the various branches of the U.S. Government are of a like mind or did you come to this point of view on your own? Because if there are those among your fellows who share your conviction, I’d surely like to know their names.
In addition to your call for a patriotic inquisition, you repeatedly used terms such as "radical left", "liberal", and "anti-American" interchangeably. One can only surmise, therefore, that you believe all liberals to be enemies of the United States of America. By extension, that means you believe that I, an admitted liberal, to be an enemy, too. My, my, my... . I’m simply thunderstruck. Ms. Bachmann, that is an extremely radical position you’ve staked out. I’d go so far as to say you are on the very edge of fertile ground – way out on the fringe.
While I believe you are entitled to your opinion, I am also sure that few other Americans feel the way you do. I am quite certain that your constituents don’t either. And although I live in Minneapolis and not in your district, I felt compelled to make a contribution to Elwyn Tinklenberg earlier this evening in the hope that he will soundly defeat you in your re-election bid next month and that you will thrown out of your office in ignominy, for you are surely unfit for your position. I hope you enjoyed your brief stint in Congress. Once you are unceremoniously voted out a few weeks hence, I will use every legal means at my disposal to prevent you from holding any public office anywhere ever again.
In the spirit of respectful competition John McCain told Barack Obama and the other guests at the Al Smith dinner on Thursday, 10/16/08, "I can't wish my opponent luck, but I do wish him well."
Ms. Bachmann, I wish you neither.
If you'd like to help beat Michele Bachmann, go to Elwyn Tinklenberg's campaign site and donate.
You might also like to tell Ms. Bachmann what you think of her.
Thanks all,
Tim
Update: El Tinklenberg has posted a thank you for all of the support!