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Senator Biden suggested that if one is outraged by President Bush’s commutation of Libby’s prison sentence that one might call the White House and register that sentiment. The number Biden provided was 202 456-1414 and indeed when I called that number a mild mannered woman answered quietly, “The White House.”

I may have called the White House before, but probably not since the intentional criminality of the Nixon administration manifested in the illegal bombing and invasion of Cambodia in 1969. At that time I learned that the ship of state has a huge momentum and it isn’t easily turned by truth or justice. My urgings for Nixon’s impeachment in February 1969 weren’t worth the six cent stamps it took to mail the letters. Nobody listened in Congress, and certainly the felon in the White House didn’t care.

Tonight, when I called and the woman said “The White House,” I thought at least I could add my voice to many who must be unfavorably impressed by the news that Cheney’s butt boy Scooter won’t have to serve any time. Alas. I was told that I would have to call again in the morning, that I had called the wrong number, that the comment department would be open to take my comment tomorrow at 202 456-1111 should I care to call back.

“But certainly you must be gathering a sense of the public outrage tonight,” I said.

“No, that’s not my department,” she said.

“What is your department?” I asked. This is the White House, is it not? So certainly there must be some official interest in what people want to share with you. Here. Tonight.”

“No, I don’t gather that information.”

“What do you do?”

“I direct people to the numbers they should have called to reach the office they wish to contact. Call back tomorrow on 202 456-2111 and the Comment Department will take your comment.”

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