The Washington  Post's Al Kamen illustrated the theme of last
week's “How Washington Really Works” in which Charlie Peters
complimented the Secretary of State for her plan to redeploy
ambassadors from cushey European capitals to Africa, Asia and other
harder posts.
Kamen alsowrites about the overlooked third shooter in
the Cheney party that took out a Texas lawyer.  She is Pamela
Willeford, US Ambassador to Switzerland.  Talk about cushy,
Willeford, who's been on the job 27 months, has had 21 weeks of
personal or family travel — not a bad ratio. 

This could explain the demise of the thank-you note.  Imagine if
you had to worry that the recipient would read it aloud on a national
radio broadcast.

Dear Dr. Dobson:

This is just a short
note to express my heartfelt thanks to you and the entire staff of
Focus on the Family for your help and support during the past few
challenging months.

I would also greatly appreciate it if you
would convey my appreciation to the good people from all parts of the
country who wrote to tell me that they were praying for me and for my
family during this period.

As I said when I spoke at my formal
investiture at the White House last week, the prayers of so many people
from around the country were a palpable and powerful force.

As long as I serve on the Supreme Court I will keep in mind the trust that has been placed in me.

I hope that we'll have the opportunity to meet personally at some point in the future.

In
the meantime my entire family and I hope that you and the Focus on the
Family staff know how we appreciate all that you have done.

Sincerely yours,

Samuel Alito