Dear Gwen Ifill,

by shep

I want to tell you how much I enjoyed Washington Week this past Friday, June 29.

I especially enjoyed the closing segment on the subpoenas of the President's and Vice President’s offices for records related to Congressional oversight hearings. It was good to hear the panel agree that President Bush and Vice President Cheney were going to refuse to turn over the requested records because they believe firmly in the principle of executive privilege.

To be honest, I had become worried that perhaps the sought-after records might expose wrongdoing, such as the manipulation of the Justice Department to affect elections or surveillance of American citizens in violation of federal law, and the president and vice president were stonewalling and running out the clock before damning evidence was uncovered. But then I am not wise in the ways of Washington or paid to tell people outside the halls of power what their leaders are doing.

I’m relieved to know that the likelihood of an actual cover-up of wrongdoing by the President and Vice President is so remote that it didn’t even warrant mention and, also, that they are simply men of honest and noble principle.

In fact, I am now so confident in the integrity with which our government is run, I no longer feel the need to check on executive actions by watching your program.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
[shep]