Right-Wing Intimidation Hits Home

Let me share with you a letter I received at home, Tuesday, September 30th. At the time, I knew nothing about the sender or the organization of which he's Chairman. Now, thanks to the Internet, I know a good deal more about him. This letter arrived in a large, thin cardboard envelope, labeled "UPS Expedited Mail." The envelope also proclaimed that this was "Expedited Mail by UPS Mail Innovations" and it was "Time Sensitive Material." I don't remember ever getting "Time Sensitive Material, Expedited by UPS Mail Innovations." Here is the letter accompanied by a legal memorandum from the sender's attorney:

Click on image for pdf.

Here is my OPEN LETTER in response to Howard Rich, Chairman, Americans for Limited Government Foundation:

Dear Howie,

Thanks for your time-sensitive, expedited letter, undated. Let me call you Howie since you have my home address, something only my friends and business associates have, and since there are almost four million internet entries about you, many of which refer to you as Howie. Do you like being called Howie? Probably as much as I like to get threatening letters from people such as you. I'm sure you really don't know anything about me, let alone my political leanings. How is it then that you have my name and address and threaten to "publicize my involvement in leftist organizations in my local community?"

Let me tell you about my local community. I live and work in Hollywood, where if you publicize someone's involvement with the Left, a thunderous yawn will likely arise over the basin. Unlike you, people out here don't care what organizations a person belongs to. You must have gotten my name as a result of sloppy work by a lazy hired hand because in my case, you got the wrong guy. I wonder how many of the other 11,000 or more identical letters you sent went to people you've wrongly identified as "belonging to the radical agenda of the left."

You see, I'm not a member of any political organization - left, right or center. I gave a donation to Barack Obama, but not to any PAC's or any other candidates. I once gave a donation to our local Sheriff, but I have no idea what party he belongs to. I am a member of two prominent social clubs, both of which could be called conservative. You might enjoy them as much as I do. So what am I doing in your database?

As I mentioned, there are almost four million internet entries that reference you and your organization. Some of them refer to you as a "wealthy, New York developer." Like a lot of stuff that gets written about people, one can't always verify the truth, but here are a few random entries: a posting by a Robert W. Dalton claims you're "one of the most despised figures in South Carolina politics." Mr. Dalton's posting goes on to quote the Spartanburg (SC) Democratic Chairman who calls you "A disaster waiting to happen." The Democratic Public Information Officer for the Union County Schools in South Carolina says you're "pouring money into candidates who are willing to sell their souls to get elected."

On the other hand, prominent Republicans like the State GOP Party Chairman, the Spartanburg GOP County Chairman, and Governor Mark Sandford (R) have nothing but good things to say about you. It seems the dispute along party lines is over your desire to create a private school system funded by taxpayers. You seem to be a big spender and you put your money behind your beliefs. Nothing wrong with that, nothing that should cause anyone to send you a threatening letter. But again at random, a website called STOP BALLOT FRAUD says you "subsidize voter fraud." By the way, nice picture of you on that website.

Surely my small donation to the Democratic candidate for President can't be what offends you, so I invite you to lay out publicly exactly what it is you consider to be my radical agenda. I'm sharing this note with the public because it demands wider circulation. What you're expediting is Un-American. False accusations. Threats. Attempts to suppress speech. As Joseph Welch, long ago lamented to Senator Joe McCarthy, "Sir, have you no shame?"

Sincerely,
William Friedkin

P. S. Enclosed is a letter to you from my lawyer, Eric George, sent by regular mail.

Click on image for pdf.

Comments

[Hipployta]

Wonderful response. I particulary love the part about a letter from your attorney being enclosed FABULOUS!

I hope I get one. I'm FROM SC (I'm a NJ resident now as SC doesn't treat the military right at all and the elected officials are TERRIBLE) so it'll be even more humorous.

You think they'll mail it to my APO address?

[bonho]

Well, you know, this is along the lines of making donations to Planned Parenthood on behalf of Sarah Palin. Can we donate money to Obama's campaign in Howie's name?

[Protoguy]

I, for one, would like to know when it became illegal to be a liberal.

[montemalone]

1980

[Jane Devin - Huffpost Blogger]

Just when I think I couldn't be any more amazed by the underhanded antics and fear mongering tactics of the extreme right. . .

Wow.

[JulieSA]

So I assume you were equally appalled when moveon.org goon Tom Matzzie was doing this to Republican donors in August? He even bragged about it here on HuffPo, and no one here seemed upset about it. What a bunch of hypocrites. You only think these tactics are bad if done to Dems. I think they're horrible no matter who does it. There's no excuse for it.

"Led by Tom Matzzie, a liberal political operative who has been involved with some prominent left-wing efforts in recent years, the newly formed nonprofit group, Accountable America, is planning to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions. …

The warning letter is intended as a first step, alerting donors who might be considering giving to right-wing groups to a variety of potential dangers, including legal trouble, public exposure and watchdog groups digging through their lives."

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/08/how-to-anger-conservatives-into-action/

[raincity]

Howard Rich's threats have indeed changed my plans for continued associations. After reading his vile letter I immediately went to Obama's web page and made another donation.

Thanks and congratulations Howie. You're helping Obama get elected!

[insanityfollows]

The whole thing feels very East Germany Stasi-ish. Creepy. Good for you for snapping to with such a strong response.

[SolarPowerGuy]

What do I have to do to earn myself one of these rabid letters? I'd love to have one. :^)

[ajaye]

I'm going to write them a pre-emptive letter!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

A+

[Krikkit]

BAM BAM!!!

[texasben]

"Hi Howie" - totally awesome. Can anybody imagine if every person that donated to Obama/Biden would get this letter? I would have that letter framed in gold (and the sinews of fornicators)* .




*random Will Ferrell reference.

[monoxboogie]

Right on man. That's pretty funny stuff

[LiberalBuzz]

William I LOVE your letter,

Can I borrow your attorney's letter response?

I would LOVE to post that at other sites.

[Phalanxman]

Hi, LB. Here's another one that attorneys love to laugh about sending, appropriately edited for the Huff Post family audience (but I think you will get it). The Rich letterhead included a fax number. Thus, my response would have been to fax the following:

"Dear Mr. Rich:

Eff You. Rude letter to follow.

Sincerely,

Attorney name here."

I sure hope this doesn't become my 21st deleted post.

[TrevorAlan]

So who ELSE have received these letters? Ariana? Baldwins? It would be good to get a collection of them.

And for the record, I added it to the record of Rich's Wikipedia entry.

[sticksnstones]

Bill, thanks for the heads-up. I can hardly wait to get a letter, too !! I'm hoping it comes in a roll, appropriate for bathroom use. Cheers, fellow traveler !!

[JBryan]

Dear Bill,

Kudos for being included on that list, not quite as big an honor as Nixon’s enemies list but an honor none the less. It is always reassuring to know you are irritating the ones who need it most. Keep up the good work!

By the way thanks again for the pizza. It was a real pleasure working with you on Il Trittico.

[TrevorAlan]

If the only thing that can be done in this case is a strong letter, that was a good one. But please, if this guy crosses any line he can be sued or prosecuted for, go after him without reserve. That was just awful. Is he going to start coming after readers and posters on THIS site now?

[bibb]

Well, I'm pretty sure that regular bloggers on this site will not be invited to any McCain/Palin fundraisers! It seems apparent that Mr. Rich has never gotten over being the "bully on the playground."