Writer corrects record on sense of humor

Edwin E. Powell
Published: July 14, 2008

Sandi Teets, not satisfied with her attempt to besmirch the good name of Senator Barack Obama, has now decided that I do not have a sense of humor because I did not think her “sarcastic” opinion
letter was funny, “Ha, Ha.” (When sarcasm is misperceived, Potomac News, July 8) Let me be absolutely clear so that Ms. Teets will understand me! I do not think “character assassination” is FUNNY! 

Ms. Teets was NOT being sarcastic when she attacked Senator Obama. She was on a mission. Now, she is trying to cover her real intent. As a retired federal criminal investigator for over 32 years, I
recognize this “dodge” for what it is. “I didn’t mean to kill him when I pulled the trigger; I was just horsing around.” Well, the end result is just as tragic isn’t it?

I have dealt with “motive” and “intent” all of my career. Ms. Teets knew exactly what she was doing. Her motive was political. Her intent was to propagate the rumor or belief that Obama is a Muslim
(Which he is not) and that Muslims are bad (Which they are not)!

She wanted readers of the Potomac News to fear Obama as a presidential candidate so John McCain could win the election in Prince William County. Her intentions were no more innocent or honorable
than were those of a few partisan veterans who called themselves the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” in 2004. Their “character assassination” worked, killing an honorable and decent man’s chance of
becoming president, a man whose war record in Vietnam was just as heroic and admirable as John McCain’s.

That act of “character assassination” helped create the prolonged sad state of affairs under which we now suffer with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney as our “leaders.”

Finally, Ms. Teets does not know me any more than she knows Senator Obama. If she did, she would know that most of my friends agree that I have a wonderful sense of humor when I am not angry.

EDWIN E. POWELL

Woodbridge