Mail to the Chief

I sent a letter via White House email to President Obama the other day, the second time I've ever written to a public official. The first time was September 12, 2001, the day after the Twin Towers fell, in case you just dropped in from the planet Mongo. It was late that evening and the government seemed halfway into chaos trying to figure out what to do. My letter urged President Bush to get thee to New York City as fast as possible. As our leader, he needed to begin the healing process and comfort the bereaved, things better accomplished from the site of the catastrophe.

It was late at night on the second day and, unbelievable to me, W hadn't yet gone to the site or anywhere near it. It would have been the first thing I would have done if I were president.

I wasn't angry, I was polite and encouraging and wished him well during the crisis, but as an American, I wanted him in New York, well... yesterday. Thankfully he did go to Ground Zero the next day, though I'm sure my letter had nothing to do with it.

I wrote to President Obama after seeing snippets of his speech at Notre Dame. Not one who moves easily, I was moved. To call the abortion issue 'irreconcilable' at that place and time was a bold and risky move, and I wanted to send words of support and encouragement to Mr. President for making the effort.

When someone does something outstanding, you should tell them. I don't expect my letter would ever get to him, but if its weight is merely added onto the pile of favorable emails, it's fine enough for me.

UPDATE: Lyla has been getting along well and has totally adjusted to her shock collar. She seems to know the boundaries now without the flags, since the guys who mow our grass (or whatever it is) have shredded about half the markers into oblivion. There are other plusses, besides keeping her on the property. There have been a lot fewer barking incidents with the neighbors when they're out in their yard. I think Lyla figured out that, since she can't get to them, it's not worth it. Ditto the denizens of the woods, deer, squirrels, a turkey or two. May and Marii say they've seen fewer ticks this year, probably because of reduced hunting forays into the woods. Now if only I could make myself feel better. It's becoming rare, but she'll still chase a moth, a toad or something over the line and get zapped for it. I hope she never figures out who's behind it.

Lylaboo's life and ours has been greatly simplified by the wondrous PET-SAFE 330 Personal Pet Torture Device.