Note to Lee Terry 8/12/2009

This note is in response to the Congressman's appearance on the Fox News Program "Red Eye" 8/11/2009 (You Tube)

Representative Terry,

I saw your appearance on "Red Eye" that you posted on YouTube. As a Nebraskan, I was horrified at your performance. First, that you allowed the host to insult your state was offensive to those of us who graduated from fifth grade and can identify Nebraska on a map (and who, like me, are proud of the state they live in).

Second, your comparison of Speaker Pelosi to Veruca Salt, and your tacit agreement with the host that she was the "living embodiment of fingernails on the chalk board" may have scored you points with your new friends at Fox News, but it portrayed Nebraskans and citizens of the 2nd District as shallow, petty individuals who have no interest in having respectful and productive discourse.

How productive do you expect your time in Congress to be if you personally insult the leader of the body? I am not a fan of Speaker Pelosi, and I disagree with her methods and positions almost as much as I disagree with yours. That said, I have a respect for her office, and address the office with respect. I also address you, Congressman, with respect -- not for you as an individual, but for your office and position. Even when I am angered by your positions and politics, I still address you with respect to your office. I expect at least as much from you.

When I moved to Nebraska ten years ago, I was overjoyed with the courtesy shown me by the citizens of my adopted state. Your cheap shot at the leader of the House of Representatives (I'm guessing to illicit a twittering giggle from Anne Coulter) made me ashamed of having you represent my district and is not consistent with the general courtesy of the Nebraska I know.

How can we expect respectful discourse from the public when our leaders abjure the very simplest etiquette and race to the lowest form of insult? My hope is that you apologize, publicly, to Speaker Pelosi. Regardless of your differences with her and her leadership, she deserves the respect due her office. We can all disagree without being disagreeable. I don't imagine you would appreciate being compared to a fictional, repugnant character.

It is your responsibility as a leader to set the tone of the debate for all the people you represent, not just the screaming pundits on late night Fox News. That you are proud enough of your appearance to post it on your website is very disappointing.

I hope at your coffees and town hall meetings, the people you are paid to represent treat you with more respect than you have shown to your colleagues.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Kevin Flatowicz-Farmer