An Open Letter to Jan Schakowsky

[jackie menconi]

Structural Aviation Mechanics, Naval Air Station Pensacola

Dear Rep. Schakowsky:
 
I noted with interest and alarm your comments on Hardball with Chris Matthews, which aired on MSNBC on May 11, as referenced in the Daily Caller (http://tinyurl.com/43jxfdg).
 
You stated that young people are “getting over this feeling that maybe America’s kind of a loser” since Osama bin Laden’s death.
 
You also described bin Laden’s death as a “murder.” No doubt that is a view shared by some on the radical left, but it is certainly erroneous--and irresponsible when expressed by a member of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee.
 
Osama bin Laden’s death was not “murder.” It was justice, delivered by American heroes who benefited from intelligence that, had you had your way, likely never would have been available to them.
 
How dare you claim to speak for “young people” in America, after you made my age an issue in the 2010 campaign, highlighting my youth in your fundraising letters.
 
How dare you claim that young Americans had no pride in their country until now.
 
How dare you challenge anyone's patriotism when you retained a campaign manager and political director who referred to principled opponents of the Ground Zero mosque as "f***ing dumba**es." (http://tinyurl.com/5sqylto)
 
You evidently have little regard for the thousands of young people who proudly volunteer to serve their country.
 
You evidently have not taken the time to get to know young people like the Navy recruits I have befriended through my wife’s military service.
 
They proudly cheered the successful mission to kill bin Laden--not because it made them proud of America, but because they have always been proud of America.
 
I won’t question your patriotism. But I will question you, questioning theirs.
 
Proudly,
 
Joel B. Pollak