| [E-mail to CJ]
CJ-
I want the credentials to "Catholic News Today" and any of its affiliates revoked immediately until further notice.
CC: Leo McGarry
[/E-mail to CJ] | comments: Leave a comment   |
| My fellow citizens:
This past week, there was a very interesting editorial printed in Catholic News Today titled Bartlet: A Questionable Catholic. For anyone who has not read this opinion piece, the basic gist of the thing was that I consistently and vigorously violate Catholic doctrine and that if I don't get my act together, I ought to be excommunicated. To say the least, the piece dictated an opinion I don't hear very frequently. More often than naught, I am branded a "papist" who takes his orders from the Vatican. To hear that I am a bad Catholic is an interesting change. And so, I'd like to take this opportunity to list my objections to this article and the charges it so unjustly lays at my door.
Firstly, I'd like to address the attack upon the daughter of Leo McGarry, Mallory O'Brian. Now I can understand the added media attention given to Leo, as he is my Chief-of-Staff, and I can see how his family would, by default, also be scrutinized. However, the discussion of Ms. O'Brian and her personal life in this article is unacceptable. The article states that:
This week brought yet another questionable scene from the Bartlet Administration. Mallory O'Brian, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry's daughter, was out in Adams-Morgan with Ann Bartlet-Westin's head agent Mark Camron. This writer was able to determine that Agent Camron did stay the night with Ms. O'Brian. This questionable behavior by a public school teacher who is also a Sunday School teacher at St. Jude in Rockville, is a direct contradiction to her supposed religion.
The fact that the writer of this article went out of his way to determine the comings and goings of Ms. O'Brian is ridiculous. That the writer "was able to determine" anything raises this question, did this guy stand watch outside Ms. O'Brian's doorway all evening? Or even worse, did he pay someone else to stand watch? Was this writer a "peeping Tom" and did he watch everything that may or may not have happened inside the apartment? Additionally, the actions of Ms. O'Brian have absolutely no bearing upon the Administration. She is not a member of my staff or of any staff related to the Administration. I cannot control her actions, nor can I tell her how to behave. It is not my right nor is it my duty to instruct Ms. O'Brian on how best to behave in public, but as far as I've seen, she does a perfectly respectable job of it herself. What happens behind closed doors in an individual's life is no one's business but his or her own.
Next, let me address the following statement.
President Bartlet's administration has frequently been contrary to his religious background when it was not convenient. The most recent trip to Rome to attend the Pope's funeral is the latest attempt by Bartlet to win back his religious supporters.
The idea that I am Catholic when it suits me and the accusation that I attended the Pope's funeral as a political move is not just false but insulting. If the writer of the article actually examined my record, I think that he would realize the idiocy of his claims. I have always heavily considered my faith when making any decision. I may have many advisors, but always I look to God for guidance. The decision to attend the Pope's funeral was motivated only by my deep sorrow at his passing. As a religious man, I am happy to see him move forward to his eternal rest and to find peace with God. However, I am still saddened by his death as the world has lost one of its greatest advocates and one of its greatest men. Thus, I felt it was important to attend not necessarily as the President of the United States, but as Josiah Bartlet. Politics was the last thing on my mind. To claim that it was otherwise, is insulting and irritating.
I will be withdrawing any subscriptions that I may have to Catholic News Today or any publications affiliated with the organization in protest of the ridiculous things they are attempting to pass off as journalism. It's a shame that the quality of journalism in this country has fallen to such a low level. I can only hope that someday it will improve.
I hate to close on such a sour note and so instead I will say good luck to all those participating in the Boston Marathon tomorrow. I hope the weather will be favorable and that all of those racing have a good showing. I, for one, will be watching the race on television throughout the day.
So good luck and good evening.
President Bartlet | | comments: 8 comments or Leave a comment |
| [E-mail to Abbey]
My dear Abigail,
I just started my own LiveJournal. After hearing about your journal and about the amusement that it provides, I figured that it might be entertaining to create one of my very own. Then I had a bit of an epiphany; I could make use of this 'blogging' tool to communicate with the people. Abbey, I've found my own way of making a fireside chat! Of course, I never ran this plan by CJ or Toby or Josh. I may have mentioned in passing to Leo, but I'm not sure. So I'll probably have thrown Josh into a huge tizzy. And that's always a good time. I'll have to wait and see how this plays out. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about my little creation. Hope that all is well in New Hampshire.
Love,
Jed
[/E-mail to Abbey] | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| Greetings and salutations to all of you internet dwellers out there;
This is your president, Josiah "Jed" Bartlet, writing his first "LiveJournal" entry for public consumption. Now, I know you may be asking yourself, "Does the president have so much time on his hands that he can sit around at a computer and type nonsensical things?" but take a moment and consider the possibilities of this medium. Ours is a society driven by technology; it is only natural that we Americans use it to the best of our capability. When I heard about this online 'blogging' phenomena, I realized that I, as the leader of our country, had a unique possibility in front of me: I could use this medium to communicate to the citizenry on an entirely different level. In some ways, I find this 'blogging' business to be reminiscent of Franklin Roosevelt's 'Fireside Chats,' in that I have the opportunity to reach my fellow Americans in a new and innovative manner. Thus, I resolve to make a post here every Sunday so that I may reach out to the online community. Of course, I never bothered to check with my staff if it would be 'acceptable' for me to start engaging in an activity like this. Then again, I am the president.
Today finds us at the most holy of holidays in Christianity, Easter Sunday. In the religious world, today marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of redemption and eternal life. Despite the religious nature of the day, I do believe that we can take something out of the message of the holiday. No matter what the situation, no matter how terrible life may be, no matter what tragedy may strike, hope and faith in the future always remain. As a nation, we have endured wars, natural disasters, worldwide poverty and disease, and yet we still stand tall and look forward to what lies on the horizon. Especially after the tremendous loss of life in the South Pacific (due to the tsunami) is it important that we never relinquish our hopes and dreams. As the Christian community is reminded today of the sacrifice Christ made for the redemption, forgiveness and eternal life of mankind, we should all recall the enduring spirits of hope and faith that drives us to continue to reach for the unattainable. We would do well to never give up hope and to always strive for excellence in all our endeavors.
In closing, I would like to share a quotation from Ida Norton Munson:
Because upon the first glad Easter day
The stone that sealed His tomb was rolled away,
So, through the deepening shadows of death's night,
Men see an open door ... beyond it, light."
And so, go into this week with hope and look beyond the shadows into the light.
Best wishes to you all on this Easter Sunday,
President Bartlet | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
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