Got this in an email today:

VoteVets.org PAC is soliciting votes at its website to determine which of seven veterans it has endorsed in 2008 House and Senate races will be given a $5000 contribution. Jill Morgenthaler is one of the seven.

I don’t know much about this organization. These are the goals they define for the PAC on the website:

• Elect Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans to public office – regardless of party. The war in Iraq is the number one issue facing the nation, and these 21^st century patriots are the only ones with personal experience in America’s most recent conflicts. Theirs is a voice desperately needed in the debate.
  • VoteVets.org PAC encourages donations to endorsed candidates through constant and proactive actions that highlight our candidates.
  • VoteVets.org PAC makes the maximum allowable contribution to each of our endorsed candidates.
  • VoteVets.org PAC supports our endorsed candidates in the media.
• Oppose public officials who have failed our troops, Veterans, and nation on matters regarding the war and Veterans’ issues.
  • VoteVets.org PAC exposes the records of the most egregiously incompetent public officials. Whether it is the failure of key Members of Congress to ask the most urgent and difficult questions on the war or those whose votes have hurt our nation’s Veterans, VoteVets.org PAC will hold a spotlight on the record for all Americans to see.
• VoteVets.org PAC is building an organization to fight for Veterans in the future.
  • VoteVets.org PAC continues to enhance its credibility by researching, and disseminating, all government actions that impact our nation’s newest servicemembers and Veterans.
  • VoteVets.org PAC will continue to be a strong advocate for legislation that fully supports our troops, military families and Veterans.

Seems like the voting is a gimmick to collect email addresses and increase their donor pool. But hey, if it might help Jill get a few thousand bucks to use against Roskam, what the hell.

It pains me to admit to my readers that I have failed them.

I have been writing this blog since October, trying to make a case against returning Peter Roskam for a second term representing the 6th in Congress. In doing so, I have largely focused on the minutiae of Roskam’s voting record over the course of the past year or so. But I have never taken the time to listen to the man make his own case - until today that is.
Yes today curiosity got the better of me while I was browsing through various anti-American web sites and I wandered over to Roskam’s campaign website. I was shocked and amazed and, dare I say, transformed by what I read.

No Barack Obama is Roskam, full of pretty words with no substance. No, Roskam, using words sparingly, clearly and cogently outlined his vision and his case for re-election.

His main points:

• Grew up in the district
• Lives in the district
• Raises his family in the district
• Is your voice in Congress

Clearly I had misjudged the man. But there was more, just a click away:

• I grew up in Glen Elyn where I attended public schools
• I am raising my children in Wheaton
• I played here as a boy
• I am watching our children grow up here
• We face serious challenges
• Together we have the chance to make a difference
• I want to be our local voice in Washington
• I understand our challenges
• I share our dreams

I was, needless to say, shattered by its brilliance. I immediately called Roskam’s office to apologize for having misrepresented him and I was politely but firmly reminded of the restraining order. I now must apologize to you, my readers.

I will be going into seclusion for a while, perhaps a long while, to contemplate where I went wrong. During my absence, RSR will fall silent. Upon my return, this blog will be entirely focused on Origami, the ancient and fascinating Japanese art of paper folding.