Letters to the Editor: reply to Isthmus editorial on VNTCAR

Reply to Kristian Knutsen’s Monday, 2/20/06 Blog on thedailypage. First, thanks for the coverage of Votenotocutandrun.com by Kristian Knutsen on 2/20/06. The title of the article is close to correct in that the individuals who formed VNTCAR were asking at the caucus last Saturday that the Dane County GOP join us and get behind defeating the irresponsible "Bring the Troops home NOW: (emphasis added) referendum brought by WNPJ, Green party, Bring the troops home, and all the other far Left groups listed in their coalition. In fact, as Jenna Pryor accurately reported in her blog that you sited, they unanimously voted in favor of the resolution to defeat the referendum and are now supporting our efforts. WNPJ and Co. has received money from the Democrat Party and the AFSCME Local 171 UW Employees. (Do you wonder how their members who are, or have been in the Armed Forces feel about their dues being spent this way?). Also, the League of Women Voters (a non partisan group?) and out of state money from far Left “peace” organizations have contributed to WNPJ. We, however, have not received any money from the RPDC. But, we have from individual Republicans and from folks that simply have common sense, but are not associated with any political party. We too will happily accept money from the Democrat party and the League of Women voters should they care to support the troops and our effort. We did not make it a partisan issue by politicizing the support of our troops, and the completion of their mission. And in classic grass roots tradition, we are reacting to the fact that this referendum does. We differ on the definition of what a grassroots group is I guess. We were shaken when we read the referendum and realized the devastating impact it would have on the morale of our troops and we set up VNTCAR specifically to defeat it. The RPDC didn’t set it up, we did. The morale of our troops directly depends on the support they receive from the American public back home. We believe that the majority of Madisonians- Republicans, Independents, Democrats, Progressives, and non-politically charged people - do support the troops and the completion of their mission and will vote against “bring the troops home NOW.” We welcome their help and support. The six questions I would pose to you as a fine reporter are: What would happen if we withdrew all U.S. Troops NOW? Who is behind the referendum? Have they supported our troops in the past, and do they now, or is their newfound “concern” for our soldiers simply a cover for a different agenda? What is their true agenda? From whom does their financial support come? What do they have to gain? And no, we are not going to “harvest” people for RPDC. This is a single issue and we are confident that most democrats/independents will vote against the referendum and we have enough trouble herding the cats that are members of the “R” side now, without adding staunch democrats! Yes I do support Attorneys General like Paul Bucher that put cop killers behind bars, and finally, you are correct that this has become a partisan issue. Reason: this referendum was offered up and/or forced upon communities via law suits by the Peace and Justice posse. We fully support the troops and the successful completion of their mission in Iraq. Does the other side? Bill Richardson, treasurer, VoteNOtoCutandRun.com .