Letter to Hillary Clinton: Bob Barr is one dangerous, frightening dude.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 1997
NEW YORK

Hillary Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 50515

Subject:
Bob Barr Is One Dangerous, Frightening Dude.

Dear Hillary:

We are out here. And we are listening to and fighting for you, not because you are the First Family, but because you're right.

Thank the Lord for your remarks yesterday at the luncheon in New York where you were quoted saying, "Those who are on the reactionary side of the ledger have an enormous publicity machine that never quits. It's 24 hours a day. They have networks that basically mouth their point of view, they have radio stations that get their faxes every day from sources in Washington about what the line of the day might be, they have newspapers that tow the party's line and we have nothing on the other side to speak of." I think they meant "toe" the party's line. They "misspelled" you -- but what do expect from Reuters?

But, wait a second Hillary, am I not out here defending the POTUS every day? Don't I get hundreds of pieces of hate mail, including death threats from militiamen 'cause I say Representative Everett, in pseudo-league with Wolf Blitzer and Bob Franken, uses dead soldier heroes to make political hay and more money for CNN? Haven't I found what seem to be the last 2 million liberals left in this country who (1) have a computer linked to the internet; (2) still maintain social values based on empathy, and (3) have IQ's over 80? Gee Mrs. C. your ought to be reading "American Politics."

You can find it at http://www.americanpolitics.com on your "residence" computer. Don't use the office computer, 'cause the next thing you know "they'll" indict you for political activity on federal property.

We at "American Politics" do our best for you and the nation every day. And that's pretty good, because we don't make money at it. We do it from avid belief in your husband's and your basic decency as well as the from loyalty to Democrat ideals --even some "New" Democrat ideals.

I sit here every day, six days a week starting at 4AM trying to sort out the day's expected flak from the GOP. I'm a loyal Democrat. Just ask Alan Diamonstein, or Janet Reno's public relations people. We end our day at 7PM.

Well. okay, I did get a little peeved over Bill's Welfare Reform position. I even wrote him a long letter urging him, no -- begging him -- to reconsider during those few days he was struggling to make his decision. I faxed it. And you know what, I think it ended up in the trash. But, gee, I can't agree with him on everything!

So let me fess up. I don't back campaign finance reform because it won't work. The money will find a way. I do like the idea of a flat tax, call me crazy, but also call some economists and ask them if my position - that a flat tax is "proportional" and not "regressive" - is defensible. I think they'll tell you yes.

But that's it. Other than my sorrow over US and IMF support for Indonesia while she tortures and murder kids in East Timor, I agree with the President on most everything.

Otherwise I wouldn't have volunteered my Georgetown home for a breakfast for you which Esther Coopersmith was arranging with some other people back in 1992. I wouldn't have sat on that boat with Bill, early in the first campaign, and given him my two cents about how he would win while sailing around the river ( I get seasick) at the "expensive" invitation of the Seidman's five years ago. And besides that, I even get eager to part with my and my client's money to all kinds of great Democrats. Just ask Chuck Robb, or Gerry Belisles, or how bout Michael Coles -- the "cookie monster" -- who chose-off Newt last year and lost because my own party didn't come to his aid? Did you know he's out to beat Senator Coverdell next year. I hope you'll go down to Georgia and meet his lovely wife. I think you'd like her.

So, not only am I out here, trading wit and wisdom with a couple of million Clinton fans, but I'm putting my money where my mouth is as well. And I battle with the same people you spoke off yesterday in New York with a pen, not a sword.

And I'm proud of it.

But I digress.

My letter is really about Congressman Bob Barr.

We've had a lot of fun pointing out his "flaws" in the past, but after yesterdays "Burton Committee" hearings I think the nation really has a problem. Barr is dangerous, for lots of reasons. But when it gets down to raw racism and class bashing, I draw the line. Barr was a former federal prosecutor, and that's scary enough. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be his target. But I guess I'm going to find out. ( By the way, have you noticed how many former prosecutors sit on the House Oversight Committee? What's that all about?) Anyway, Barr said two things yesterday of which I feel you should be aware.

First, he urged passage of laws that would make criticism of "independent counsels" a federal crime -- "obstruction of justice," he sneered. Then he personalized it citing James Carville as a target. In short, he would prosecute and put American patriots like Carville in jail for being critical of people like "Malibu Ken" Starr and that nut Don Smaltz who seems to titter a lot -- in all the wrong places, if you get my drift.

But second, and almost unbelievably despicably, he attacked you and the President for hiring people who once were on welfare. "What!?," you say. I said that too, twice. Once during the hearings which I monitor over our computers and once at about midnight when I listened to him again courtesy of C-Span. I suppose you already know that his reasons "made sense." He thinks people, once without means, are "security risks."

This is the same guy who is masterminding the "Recall Clinton" movement which has taken on an octopus-like life on the internet. We did a universal search on the words "impeach Clinton" this morning. We got back more than 2,000 references - many of them citing Barr's www.impeachment.org web site. But there were hundreds of others as well. And you know what, a lot of people read that pap -- and believe it.

So, in our daily editorial meeting, we've decided to pursue Mr. Barr, to whatever conclusion.

Not because he doesn't have the right to speak -- even the most vile and hateful statements -- but because he, and his growing ilk, are a threat to our democracy. Barr, it seems to me, will stop at nothing to aggrandize power for himself and his cronies. It's time he was exposed for what he is.

I'm asking your help to do that. You don't have to do much, just keep on talking about the fact that the media is now controlled largely by conservatives, and even if journalists are self-described liberals, they can not longer risk looking, even fair, to the Administration. They have started to believe that these wackos are serious people. It's a Brave New World out there in networkland. And the print media isn't much better.

Yesterday I pointed out that young Artie Sulzburger seems to have created a "New" NY Times which panders to right-wing muckrakers in such a shocking manner that I faxed Howell Raines, the editorial managing editor, a copy of my own op-ed piece. I don't think they'll pint it though. Let's not even bother to talk about Dick Scaife, who makes a hobby out of twisting American minds toward evil. Even Jane Fonda seems to have less influence than ever on her hubby as CNN leads with news characterizing Thompson and Burton as "serious" people. They don't even mention that Burton shoots at watermelons in his Indiana back yard in the shape of Vince Foster's head so as to prove that you and Bill had Foster murdered. And this guy runs a congressional committee.

Something's very wrong.

One more thing, you are respected by a lot of behind-the-scenes media types. Maybe they would volunteer to write for us so we can expand our site? Of course they can write under pseudonyms for fear their incomes will be taken from them. We'll protect their identity.

How 'bout it? We're here every day, we have a couple of million readers a year who like what you and Bill and the Party stand for. And we're eager to help. We don't take advertising --- not that we'd get any anyway. We don't fit the mold. But we want to be equipped to handle the tide of right-wing propaganda -- and that is exactly what it is -- a kind of sick prevarication that 's twisting and poisoning our children's minds and has quite successfully created an America so consumed with greed and avarice that she pauses on the brink of societal meltdown.

I know that sounds dramatic. But I also know you get out there, tour the nation and talk to children one-on-one. Ask them what they think.

BEST REGARDS TO YOU AND YOURS

- Jeff Koopersmith

PS: Why does the White House Christmas tree look blue?

HERE'S BARR'S ACTUAL LETTER TO MALIBU KEN STARR

AND OUR FICTIONAL "KEN'S, HOPEFULLY," REPLY

Bob Barr 7th District Georgia

Congress of the United States

Vote for me! Damn it!

May 8, 1997

The Honorable Kenneth Starr

655 15th Street N.W.

Suite 1200

Washington, D.C. 20005

IN RE: 28 U.S.C. 595 (c) Information Relating to Impeachment

Dear Mr. Starr:

As you may know, I have written the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, asking that he call a full committee meeting for the purpose of discussing the initiation of an impeachment inquiry of President Clinton and Vice President Gore. This request is based on numerous reported instances of abuse of office, some of which are the subject of investigation by your office.

Yes, we know. Of course, what you don't mention is how many of our fellow Republicans cringe when you walk into a room, and laugh at your nitwit ideas -- to your face and behind your back -- and do so as well at your audacious use of your office which smacks of abuse of power, another crime which you may want to keep in mind.

In response to my requests, Chairman Hyde has indicated that while the Committee staff has been asked to examine previous impeachment proceedings so as to be prepared for action on this matter, it is premature in his view to proceed further without evidence of a "smoking gun" with respect to one or more of the many instances of abuse that are now the subject of several Congressional investigations.

Barr, isn't it true that Chairman Hyde thinks you should be muzzled and rubber-roomed , and snickers at the mention of your name? The staff must be rolling on the floor. The only "smoking gun" I see is your brain.

In light of the recent declaration by your office that your Whitewater-related investigations have uncovered an "obstruction of the administration of justice," I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully call your attention to Subsection (c) of Section 595 of Title 28 of the United States Code. This subsection specifies that "[a]n independent counsel shall advise the House of Representatives of any substantial and credible information which such independent counsel receives, in carrying out the independent counsel's responsibilities under this chapter, that may constitute grounds for impeachment." Because of the unique role of the House Judiciary Committee in the impeachment process explicated in the Constitution, I trust that you will fulfill your statutory obligation by promptly conveying any such information covered by Subsection (c) to the Committee.

Well, actually, we don't really have a solid "obstruction" case, or even a liquid one. And you don't have to call my attention to the law, after all -- I'm heading for Malibu soon, where are you going, Atlanta for the weekend? I may be a media-seeking guy, but even I'm not dumb enough to admit I even received your letter. Also, I do inform the House of any substantial and credible facts we uncover. That's been tough lately. However, I wouldn't choose you, a reckless nobody, to deliver such sensitive documents to the House, or even to your local liquor store. Remember one thing Barr, this isn't a joke. This is America, a great nation of laws, not innuendo, and even though I'm embarrassed to know the media portrays us a being on the "same side"...we aren't.

I appreciate your attention to this matter.

With kind regards, I am,

very truly yours,

BOB BARR
Member of Congress

cc: The Honorable Henry Hyde

BB:ba

Let me add some advice:
Get a life.
Sincerely
Malibu Ken
Member of the "real" world.
cc: St. Elizabeth's Hospital
"M"KS:mm