Public service isn't always on the clock

Once again, I have to reply to someone who writes a letter without checking the facts, repeating rumors as fact.

Laurie Wadkins complains about Nancy Pelosi saying “she is flown home in a luxury 757, 200-seat airliner.” This is false, and has been spread all over without checking the facts. In fact, since 9/11, for obvious security reasons, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (who is next in line behind the vice president to become president) has flown on government rather than commercial aircraft. The House sergeant at arms, not Mrs. Pelosi, requested that she have use of military plane capable of flying non-stop. It is not a “luxury 200-seat” plane at all. The request did not come from the Speaker.

Secondly, I object to Ms. Wadkins calling the Speaker “Nancy” — since when do we fail to show proper respect to people in office? I hear “Barack” all the time. I would never speak of our previous president as “George” — we are not that close.

Finally, Ms. Wadkins rails on and on about how few the hours are worked by Mrs. Pelosi. Surely she should know that any elected official, she should ask our own local Republican officials, for example, works many more hours than the meeting times of the House. There are committee meetings, planning sessions, meetings with constituents, meetings with staff, writing and reading bills, and lots more. In her case, the Speaker also has meetings across the aisle. She is probably working way more than 40 hours per week. I do not envy the time required for public service.

Why is it that some people have nothing positive to contribute, only constant complaining and put-downs? To quote Rodney King: “Why can’t we all just get along?”

JOHN BAGWELL

Sandpoint