I Asked My Congressman to Stop Funding the War and All He Did Was Critique My Fiction Writing
October 30, 2007
Well, well, well, I finally got a response from Congressman Peter Welch’s office today. Since our arrest last week in his Burlington office while seeking a meeting and a commitment from him to stop voting to fund the Iraq war, Welch’s office has been completely ignoring my requests for a meeting and an explanation of his confusing blend of anti-war talk but pro-war votes. You’ll recall, for example, that Welch voted for $12 billion more for the Iraq war in late September after also voting with the Republicans to condemn the anti-war activism of MoveOn.org. And this was after he voted for more than $120 billion for war last spring.
But, as you’ll see in the response below, Welch still isn’t interested in addressing the war or his continued support for it. Geez, he doesn’t even use the word “war” anywhere in the response. And who can blame him? I mean, it must be hard to always be saying one thing (“I oppose this war”) and then voting the opposite way (“I will vote for the war funding”).
Instead of addressing the war, Welch and his staff have decided to morph into a kind of Congressional-Miss-Manners role, whereby critiques of the etiquette of civil disobedience apparently mean more to him than his constituents’ urgent calls to end the war. Mr. Welch, there are thousands of people being killed, maimed or otherwise terrorized every day in Iraq. These are the people we were speaking for in your office. With all due respect, these are the people truly being inconvenienced – not the members of your staff who spent a few hours sharing a publicly-funded office with the public and, lest we forget, your constituents.
Finally, I guess Welch and his staff are little slow to catch on to the whole Snarky Boy routine. As I spell out on this website, I was, indeed, the creator of that character. Yes, a character, a fact that everyone else seems to understand. You see, Mr. Welch, I’m also a fiction writer – and Snarky Boy was the lead character in a collection of stories that I hope will be published some day soon. And while I’m flattered by the attention you’re giving to my character, I’m afraid your attempts to engage in a debate with him are a little too late. The stories are complete. The website is dormant. And the manuscript is being shopped around. I’ve heard, however, that Santa Claus sometimes responds to letters if you’re really jonesing to dialogue in the fiction realm. But – shhh – don’t tell the staff that he doesn’t really exist.
But back in the land of reality, the issue is not me, my fiction writing or where I stood while in your office. The issue is the Iraq war and the untold horrors being perpetrated in our nation’s name as a result of this war. And, frankly, shame on you for trying to make the issue anything other than the pain, suffering, death and destruction that millions of people are feeling as a result of the war that you continue to fund.
Trying to make this an issue about me and/or Snarky Boy is a nothing but a cheap evasion. Because there were 19 other people in that office with me seeking answers from you. And there were seven other people who were handcuffed because you refused to simply agree to meet with us at a time, date and place of your choosing. But more than that, there are nearly 450,000 Vermonters (70% of our population) who are opposed to this war, many of whom voted to send you to Congress to put an end to it. Congressman Welch, you must stop ignoring us. We are not going away until this war is stopped, the troops are home safely and the proper restitution is made to the Iraqi people.
Okay, okay, here’s the letter:
Dear Mr. Colby,
Thank you for your request to meet with Congressman Welch.
On March 21, 2007, you (and others) came to our Burlington office without an appointment and demanded a meeting with Congressman Welch. As you will recall, Congressman Welch was in Washington that day but still accommodated your request by participating in a conference call with you. He spoke with you for some forty minutes and responded to all of your questions. At the conclusion of the call, you chose to remain in our office for the balance of the day. You refused the staff’s request to leave the office at our normal 6:00 p.m. closing time. You left us no choice but to call for the assistance of the Burlington Police Department. Responding officers also gave you the opportunity to leave the closed building on your own but you refused. You were removed from the building and cited for trespassing.
On the morning of October 22, 2007, you left a voice mail for a Washington, DC staff member indicating you would be arriving at our Burlington office at 3:00 pm that day and that you were demanding a meeting with Congressman Welch at that time. Upon your arrival in the office, accompanied by members of the press, you again demanded a meeting with the Congressman. Your request could not be met because the Congressman was not available at that time. Despite your refusal to remain in the common area of the office as requeste by staff – you were permitted to remain in the office for the balance of the day. You again refused the staff’s request to leave the office at our normal 6:00 p.m. closing time. You again left us no choice but to call for the assistance of the Burlington Police Department. Responding officers again gave you the opportunity to leave the closed building on your own will and you refused. You were again removed from the building and again cited for trespassing.
Yesterday, October 29, 2007, you phoned our Washington, DC office and left a voice mail for a staff member. You immediately called back asking for another staff member. I took your call at that time and you again demanded a meeting with the Congressman. I told you that your request would be taken into consideration and that you could expect a quick answer. You also inquired as to whether this office was intervening in your case with law enforcement officials. I emphatically told you that any decision about your legal case was a matter for law enforcement officials, not this office.
Finally, you have created and maintained a website (www.vermontsnarkyboy.blogspot.com) where you have repeatedly delivered derogatory and offensive remarks aimed at the Congressman and other public officials.
Here is a sample of your writing from your web site to refresh your memory:
- January 30, 2007: Here’s how Peter the Dick will go down in 2008… Thus, Welch will face a strong third-party candidate and a Republican candidate and – holy shit – Peter the Dick will be sent home to walk his dog and enjoy his millions. … Then, of course, Peter the Dick will utter these historical – hysterical? – words: “I wish Snarky Boy well in representing the people of Vermont for the next two years.” Oh yeah, baby. You’ve been snarked.
- May 1, 2007: Let’s start with Peter Welch. What the fuck is it about this guy that just makes me want to hate him? Oh yeah, he’s the embodiment of every little prick-know-it-all that we all knew in school. He was the kid, for example, who always had his homework done and – worse – joined the teacher in giving the rest of us that smug little look that said: “Why are you underachieving?” And for purposes of my own battered self-esteem (fuck you, Wordpress), I’m going to ignore the fact that Welch went on to be a congressman and I’m an underemployed painter for now.
Mr. Colby, Vermont has a rich history of vigorous debate over the many fundamental issues facing our nation. Vermonters have conducted such debates not only with passion, but with a civility that shows respect for each other and an appreciation for the special state in which we live. You have shown time and again by your behavior that you have no interest in civilized debate and discussion. Instead, you seem intent on disrupting the work of Vermont’s Congressional office and staging a media event. Therefore, your request for another meeting with Congressman Welch will not be granted because the pattern of your behavior makes it clear that it is impossible to expect a productive and civil meeting in the Vermont tradition.
Sincerely,
Bob Rogan
Chief of Staff
Office of Congressman Peter Welch
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Its appalling to think that our tax dollars are being spent to read drivel such as Snarky Boy. There’s so much better fiction out there.
ButI do have to admit they picked some better than average excerpts.
This is perfect on so many levels. I love the idea of Bob Rogan rereading all the old Snark, trying to find the most objectionable passages about his boss.
I love the pious, injured, self-righteous indignation they display. Poor things! Isn’t it terrible when you’re down there working so hard to get on TV with Condi Rice and stay on the good side of Nancy Pelosi so she’ll invite you on more overseas “fact-finding” trips, and hoping that in spite of the Condi thing, you haven’t pissed the president off so much that he won’t give you another autograph….and all the time working to keep that damned carbon footprint down. Whew!
Can’t you see they’re the oppressed, misunderstood victims here? Slaving away at receptions and fundraisers, meeting the right people, keeping the connections straight, writing their nuanced statements to explain their incomprehensible votes, coming up with the boilerplate speak to slide past any critical questions asked — “Just keep saying that you’re opposed to the war and believe it should be ended as quickly as possible. If they keep pressing you on your votes for funding, remember, the votes are the president’s fault - he’s put you in this terrible position. If all else fails, talk about the brave troops.”
And of course, it was outrageous for the protestors to bring the press along (and impossible of course, that the press might actually have been interested in outraged constituents wanting a frank discussion with their congressman.) Peter Welch would NEVER invite the press to an event on his schedule. For instance, if he visited the VA hospital to talk earnestly about Untold Sacrifice and increased funding for veterans, he would be horrified to see any members of the media there!
But the major point of all this is the one you make. They never addressed the issue. In trying to make this all about Colby/Snarky, they show just how craven and frankly stupid they are. What about the other people who were in the room? And the people who were arrested, this time and the last time? Like former Windsor Country constituent, Grace Paley, a woman who could have taught you a lot about integrity and courage, Peter.
And what about the people dying, Peter/Bob? What about them?
But putting aside the cowardice, cynicism and definite air of nobless oblige at work here, we are witness to an incredible political blunder. It was enormously stupid of Rogan to write to you, especially the artless, pathetic comments above. He had to know this would go on the blog, that it would be read by people not necessarily sympathetic to the Congressman’s case of thin skin, who would find it laughable. So laughable that it will now be sent around the internet to appear on dozens of blogs and enlighten a whole new universe of people about this pathetic example of strong representative democracy.
And did you consider, Bob, that by including quotes from Snarky, you make it legitimate for the press to include them in any story? And that then legions of people will be looking at Peter Welch to see if indeed there is something about this guy that makes you want to hate him. (Not to mention going back to read the Snarky Boy archives…)
I can’t imagine what you were thinking, Bob, but thanks for moving the conversation into a much greater arena. We look forward to continuing to work with a genius such as you.
Well, Michael, obviously Welch is afraid to talk to you because he’s afraid he’ll lose his job if he’s ‘exposed’ on Broadsides and Snarky.
Would you write something on your blog for me about how much I care for Condi and want to ____ her brains out–in her office, on her desk. I’d be willing to get arrested for that. Same for Hillary too. And Ann Coulter. And…
wow- peter welsh and his mighty welsh-men really can’t take a joke. oh well. i guess they showed you, huh? all you have left to pick on is mark johnson.
I am outraged by Rogan’s letter and by Welch’s position of not ending the war. Vermonters are going to remember come the election. Bye-bye, Peter Welcher.
so,welch gives bush a pass on trashing the constitution, wants congressional oversight for hired killers (blackwater,et al), and supports the arrest of non-violent protesters. what am i missing?
Marry me Snarky Boy…too funny.
you have to give me (your husband) a divorce first Sandy!!!!!!
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