An open letter to the U.S. Secret Service
July 10, 2008
Mark Sullivan,
Director, U.S. Secret Service
Washington, DC
Dear Director Sullivan:
I am writing to you today as a law-abiding, taxpaying, red-blooded, American citizen with a serious concern. Oh I should also mention, I'm a Republican.
While preparing breakfast for my kids this morning, I was watching ABC's Good Morning America when a report came on about comments made by "Reverend" Jesse Jackson (I'm not sure where he preaches, but he's usually running his mouth wherever there are cameras around). "Reverend" Jackson made a comment about wanting to "cut the nuts off" of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
My first thought was, "What kind of 'man of the cloth' would make such a statement wanting to bring bodily harm to a fellow man?" I never paid a whole lot of attention in church as a kid, but I certainly know that is not a Christian-like thing to say.
My next thought (as a man), was "Wow, if he did that, I bet it would hurt!" as I figured that if Jesse Jackson were a medical doctor he would have the appellation "M.D." after his name. Since he doesn't, I believe the castration he crudely wants to perform on Sen. Obama would be performed without anesthesia and it would be painful for the senator.
My third thought, and the one for which I write to you today is, "He just threatened bodily harm toward one of the two men who will be the next President of the United States!"
While I am not a prosecutor or law enforcement officer, I believe the threat "Reverend" Jackson made was a violation of the law and should be investigated by the Secret Service. I've read reports of other "crazies" making threats against presidential candidates and they are always taken seriously. And while I am also not a psychologist or expert in body language or tone of voice, "Reverend" Jackson's statement did not appear to be made in jest. In fact, it appeared to me to be made so casually and calmly, I can only assume they are Mr. Jackson's sincere thoughts.
When something like this occurs, I know one thing you law enforcement types look for is motive. In this case there is clear motive. No one could argue that "Reverend" Jackson does not have "motive" to want to cause harm to Mr. Obama. As the former self-appointed national spokesperson for all African Americans, "Reverend" Jackson must not be pleased to see all his calls for bigger government, increased social spending, and class and economic warfare being co-opted by Senator Obama.
Given the above facts, I call on the United States Secret Service to conduct a full and complete investigation of this matter and release your report to the public and the media upon its conclusion.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and the service you and your agency employees provide to the American people.
Sincerely,
Chris Ingram
p.s. If you happen to know the name of that correspondence school (you know, like the one Sally Struthers used to pitch) Jesse got his religious ordination from, please let me know. I think it would be pretty cool to get one of those degrees so I can call myself "reverend" -- I guess the fact that I don't have a church really doesn't matter.
Chris Ingram is the president and founder of 411 Communications a corporate and political communications firm, and publisher of Irreverent View. Ingram is a frequent pundit on Fox News and CNN, and has written opinion columns for the Washington Times, UPI, Frontpage Florida, and National Review online. E-mail him at: Chris@411Communications.net.