If you heard KQRS this morning then you know exactly how I feel about Dayton closing down his office!

Mark Dayton is a coward and a disgrace to the State of Minnesota. His elevator doesn't go all the way to the top and we really fell asleep at the switch when we let him buy his way into office.

He says that he received intelligence of a threat and that he was not going to be in DC because congress isn't in session (other congressmen and women won't be in DC either). He didn't feel that he could subject his staff to a threat that he, himself, would not be facing. Now, admittedly the risk of an attack is slight. But, then the risk of 9/11 would have been considered almost zero on 9/10 (especially if your name is George Bush and you were reading an intelligence briefing that August entitled, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Within the US", but hey that's another topic).

Now, how would you feel subjecting your staff to a risk that you will avoid? How would you feel if you were the father of a staff member, and you found out --after an attack--that Mark Dayton knew there was a chance of an attack (even if slight but did not warn your child)? And how --if such an unlikely but tragic event were to occur--could he ever explain his actions to the public if such an attack were to take place, and he had left his staff in DC? If no attack occurs, he looks like a coward. If an attack actually does occur, he will be revered for having saved lives by speaking out. It's a tough call, but I think that I understand why he did what he did.

Thanks F&H for placing his position in a perspective that he stated for all of us to read - if we chose.  Much easier to attack than to read and ponder when we are politically motivated.

I remember a story back in 1999 where the Chinese government required the top execs of the Chinese airlines to actually be in the air at midnight on Jan 1, 2000 in case there was a problem with the changeover to the millenium.  They (the execs) had a strong motivation to make sure the software controlling the planes did not fail.  Perhaps those (other Senators and Congressmen/Congresswomen) that left their offices fully staffed - and call people like Dayton cowards - should be required to 'live' in their offices during this time period.

Having said that, I feel that Dayton will be a one-term Senator - as this appears to be his full term claim to fame so far.  Would prefer to have his legacy be related to meaningful legislation.  Makes him pretty vulnerable.  But definitely not the coward others would make him be.  

sl

This letter was sent to Senator Dayton within the last two days.  Your thoughts!?


Sen. Dayton,

I have not seen the "intelligence" that has caused you, and only you, to hightail to the heartland, so I must put some caution in my comments.

I also have not seen your voting record on the "War on Terror", but I have to surmise that you have argued for substantial increases in our intelligence capabilities, Homeland Security, strengthening the Patriot Act, and any and all increases in funding for our military.  If not, I'm sure you will become one of the most vocal and ardent supporters of these functions, just as soon as it is safe for you to do so.

Sen. Dayton, I must ask, do you think the other Senators are stupid, simply can't grasp the situation?  Or are they just very brave, putting on a good face for the nation?

If the situation is so bad that you had to go home, what action have you taken to "get the word out" to your fellow government workers in Washington, DC?  Surely, if it is so bad that you had to cut and run, don't you feel the need to help your fellow Washington, DC government workers understand the gravity of the situation and their foolish nonchalance?  

I note that you do not have "Terrorism" as a "general topic" for messages sent to you via this system.  That is probably an oversight you will correct, first thing in the morning, or after the paralysis of fear wears down, sufficiently.

It is amazing to see all the people that are spending millions, literally, to get the opportunity to go to Washington, DC.  Don't you think they should be warned?  I would think you should contact all your Democrat brothers and sisters and convince them to drop their foolish notions to serve in Washington, DC.

Clearly, somebody doesn't understand situation.

--
Don Sherwood

-- Modified on 10/15/2004 3:58:52 AM

I do  not agree with everything that Mark Dayton stands for but I do agree with him on this count. What is the sense of subjecting your staff to a potential danger, no matter how minimal it may seem, when you know you would not be subjected to it yourself.

For those of you who call him a coward, THINK ABOUT IT

It seems to me that those with a political agenda seize on anything they can to attack the other side.  I find these attacks tiresome, and don't believe they sway independent voters one way or the other.

We all need to read what was said by Dayton more carefully, to make sure we ourselves understand the situation.  Congress is not in session, so that means that all our senators have "hightailed" out of Washington DC... so, if Dayton's a coward for leaving the capitol, so are all the other Senators.  The difference is that Dayton chose not to leave his staff behind.  I give him credit for that, but also think some of his comments telling tourists and travellers to avoid Washington DC showed poor judgment, and were uncalled for.

Brent

Dayton is a great senator.  Even though he has inherited wealth, he always stands up for working families.  He's got
a great pro-labor record.

But I think closing his office was a mistake. It was his response to a scarey briefing he received from the Rethugs.  Obviously they were looking to freak out a Dem, and unfortunately it worked on one of our guys.  If there was a real threat, all the Rethugs would have left first.  Remember how Bush (once he finished being enthralled with the "Pet Goat" story) stayed out of DC and let Cheney run things from a hidden location.  Remember that all the Rethugs who led us into a war with lies are all chickenhawks (supported the war in vietnam as long as someone else went).  So if there was a real threat, the Rethugs would run first.

I think Dayton got taken in, and he should have consulted with his caucus first.  I still support him, its not a big deal, but the Rethugs are making political hay out of it. Watch for more dirty tricks in the next two weeks, that how Karl Rove does things.

So I have a question for you regarding his judgement.

If he was so concerned about their safety could he have taken an alternate path such as:

1. Given them some time off and let them make the choice.
2. Quietly make a decision and move them temporarily. Was there a need to create a potential furor and potential panic among many many people who are not as informed?
3. Not given any time off, but, allow each of them to make the choice regarding their safety.

Or Was it a political statement which has no meaning other than to create fear, uncertainty, and doubt?

It is interesting to note that no one else is reacting this way.  I don't believe EVERYBODY is already left Washington.  Your comment is typical of the stuff going on.  Say anything to try to prove your point.  

I'll be glad when it is over, so I can return to business....

Hangin'

Eat, "Dayton is a great Senator" PLEEESE, this guy is a real live nut case. Do your homework and talk to some people who actually know him personally.

---Or Was it a political statement which has no meaning other than to create fear, uncertainty, and doubt?

Hangin', you have jus described the concept of the Bush campaign and all of the "orange alerts" courtesy of John (cover the breasts of the naked female statues) Ashcroft. Republicans (Karl Rove & Dick (I had to skip Vietnam because of my numerous educational deferments but why don't you go lose a limb in Iraq) have mastered the art of creating fear and uncertainty--even as the misguided Bush policies in the world create real fear and uncertainty amongst our allies.

He sent what amounts to a hand full of people to work out of Minnesota instead of DC. It is no big deal, even if the reason is as flaky as most of Dayton's political career.

COWARD, PERIOD!! He should resign from office immediately.