My LTTE published today

The White House Christmas parties epitomize the lack of sacrifice for war

Should anyone be surprised? While American troops are maimed and killed every day in Iraq, plans rocket full-speed ahead for 24 lavish White House holiday parties ("White House Showcase: This Year, Traditional Decorations and a Not-So-Traditional Menu," Dec. 16).

The Bush administration's ideal of war without sacrifice is epitomized by this ostentatious display of decadence and indulgence. While some children of soldiers will receive cardboard cutouts of military fathers who can't be home for the holidays (" 'Flat Soldiers' Stand in for Troops in Iraq," Oct. 1), the real three-dimensional dads are getting ambushed daily in Mosul.

As King George II ponders whether to send more of America's best and bravest into the black abyss that Iraq has become, how many of those already there will be dining on "golden and crimson beet salad with orange, fennel and feta; sweet potato souffle; herb- roasted lollipop lamb chops; and chicken-fried beef tenderloin with white onion gravy"? My guess is we'll see another photo-op, maybe Condi Rice this time, with a plastic turkey (a perfect metaphor for the Bush administration, I would say).

more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06356/748147-110.stm

Excellent LTTE, do you get published often??? I have had some luck along the way, here and there in St. Louis on various topics.

...but the P-G is known for its liberal bent, so I always get a "nice letter" comment when they call to verify if it's mine.

I try to keep mine as short as possible (less than 100 words) and send different versions to the City Wide (St. Louis Post), a weekly Suburban and a neighborhood weekly. Also have gotten a few in The Chrisitian Science Monitor and US Naval Institute Proceedings. Of course depends on timing and the issues.