Monday, February 25, 2008

Wonder if he ever caught the offender. Hope it wasn't the journalisim professional

Open Letter to Waukesha County D.A. Paul Bucher:
September 2005 - Christoper A. Micklos
Dear District Attorney Bucher:
I am writing to alert you to a serious matter that deserves your immediate attention!
It appears as though an intern in your office has written a letter in your name to Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and released it to the media. I can only assume that this was done without your knowledge or consent, because the letter reads more like the testy diary entry of a petulant teenager than it does a serious communication from an elected official.
In case you are somehow unaware of the offensive nasty-gram that was released in your name, you should read the offending letter for yourself.
Surely, a man of your stature - the duly elected District Attorney of Waukesha County and candidate for the highest law enforcement post in the state - would never write such an infantile and unprofessional missive as the one attributed to you and dated September 26, 2005. Between the sarcastic tone, the condescending language, and the use of such childish phrases like "just so you know", the letter - had it actually been written by you or with your consent - would indicate an individual without the personal maturity or professional integrity to drive an ice cream truck, much less serve as District Attorney of one of Wisconsin's largest counties.
I bring this matter to your attention for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, you must surely be concerned about your public image. After all, the author of this ridiculous letter not only wrote it but also distributed it to the press. As a result, it could find its way onto the front pages or - even worse! - onto the editorial pages of newspapers throughout the state. Can you imagine what the press and the public would think if they read this letter and actually thought you had written it? It could be a serious blow to your political ambitions.
Of even greater concern, though, is the fact that you apparently have someone working in your office without the requisite maturity or professionalism to be working there. Clearly, the author of that letter has no place in a District Attorney's office...or any office, for that matter, that requires the confidence or trust of the voters. Assuming that it is indeed an intern, I would suggest that you give him/her a stern talking to and send him/her back to the junior high school classroom where you found him/her. Clearly, this individual needs a little more seasoning and education before trying to tackle professional responsibilities again.
Mr. District Attorney, I know that this is probably a trying time for you. Not only do you have to identify the offending member of your office staff, but you also have to deal with the fallout of all this nonsense.
As soon as you identify the author of the letter, I'm sure that you will want that individual to offer a full and unconditional apology not only to Attorney General Lautenschlager, but also to each and every one of the Waukesha County constituents whom you are supposed to represent.
Best wishes,
Chris Micklos (really me, not an intern)
P.S.: On a somewhat related matter, I am hoping that you can clarify something for me. Having read the offensive letter in question on the political web site www.wispolitics.com, I was unable to determine whether it was written on official government letterhead or on campaign letterhead? Obviously, if it was written on official government letterhead, you might have a real problem, considering the blatantly political nature of the letter. Similarly, if it was written on campaign letterhead, it begs the question of why on earth the author would choose to engage in official business of the District Attorney's office by using campaign resources? Obviously, you will want to get to the bottom of this, as well, because that could have serious implications for your future.
P.P.S: Considering the question raised in the P.S. above, it's funny that the original issue that prompted your intern's letter involved the blurring of the line between government responsibilities and campaign activity. Ironic, isn't it?

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