Letter: Republicans on a mission of distraction

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007 | 7:11 a.m.

For security reasons, the speaker of the House of Representatives is furnished a plane to take her home on weekends. The speaker of the House also is second in line in succession to the presidency.

Since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lives in San Francisco, the House sergeant-at-arms suggested that flying nonstop would be the safest way home. Many Republicans in Congress are trying to make this into some kind of political brouhaha, as if she was trying to take advantage of this situation.

Tony Snow, President Bush's spokesman, has stated: "This is a silly story and I think it's been unfair to the speaker." Pelosi says that she has never asked for a larger plane: "I have said that I am happy to ride commercial, if the plane they have doesn't go coast to coast."

Don't expect Republicans to drop this incident - anything to distract America from their mess in Iraq.

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

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