Augusta Co. Democrats: No Apology To Fallen Marine

This letter was published Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 in The News Virginian. According to sources, the author, Tom Long, was not present when LCpl. Jason Redifer's memory and reputation were impugned nor was he present at the "confrontation" at the Democrat booth afterwards. Mrs. Rhonda Winfield, Jason's mom was the recipient of the insulting words about her son and was treated rudely and disrespected by the Webb campaigners at their booth when she went to inform them of the incident. Here is Mr. Tom Long's (short on facts) letter to the editor in its entirety.

I am writing only because Mr. Steve Kijak wrote first, attacking Augusta County Democrats. The News Virginian graciously offered an opportunity to respond.

The short version of this minor confrontation at the Augusta County Fair is this: A gentleman sympathetic to the Democrats was handing out literature and wandered into the Republican booth area. Words were exchanged with a couple of individuals. Tempers escalated.

Afterwards, Mr. Kijak and friends approached the Democratic booth and verbally abused the women volunteers. It got so bad and repulsive that Mr. Kijak was eventually escorted away from the Democratic booth by a sheriff’s deputy. End of story.

There is no place in Augusta County for the personal attacks by petty partisans like Mr. Kijak. The issues of terrorism, how to salvage the bungled policy in Iraq, and how to help rebuild the strength of the American middle class are too important to the American people to get bogged down in this sort of trivial bickering.

Jim Webb is a man of moral character and integrity. As a former secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration, Jim Webb has the insights into the foreign and military policies necessary to ensure American security is second to none.

Jim Webb will never be so blinded by partisanship that he fears to ask the tough questions of the administration, be it Republican or Democratic. Americans deserves a Senate that is more than a rubber stamp for the administration. Virginians deserve a smart and independent voice in the U.S. Senate. That voice is Jim Webb.

Tom Long is chair of the Augusta County Democratic Committee and lives in western Augusta County

This is what the Webb Campaign worker said about LCpl. Jason Redifer:

"Jim Webb is more of a patriot than this man was." (tapping finger on picture of LCpl. Redifer's flag draped coffin)

"Jim Webb is more of a man than this man ever was." (once again tapping finger on picture of LCpl. Redifer's flag draped coffin)
comments by Bob Tichenor, Webb Campaign volunteer.

This is the picture of Jason's flag-draped coffin Tichenor was flicking and tapping with his nasty finger.

For more on what Mr. Tom Long refers to as a minor confrontation UCV has posted here, here and here. RightsideVA has posted here, here and here and SWACgirl here.