Reply #51: Here's what I just sent 'em:

[calimary]

Subject: How can I thank you enough?

Bless you, Bless you, Bless you for running with the Downing Street Minutes/Memo story!!!

It feels like our nation has been locked in some horrid, nightmarish hostage hold for at least five years, while the conventional press corps has looked the other way as the Bush machine ran amok.

I am a retired AP reporter, ashamed of my former employers for dropping the ball on this story. SHAME on them! At least they finally admitted it. I have been retired from the AP in L.A. for nine years. Even so, the dereliction of duty in our media has left me repeatedly embarrassed to admit I used to be in the news business. Awful, isn't it? At least YOU guys are still doing your jobs - as WATCHDOGS, rather than lapdogs. Thank God! That gives me some hope.

Lead the way! You're doing a great job! Too bad you've been alone on it for this long.

Sincerely, and DEEPLY gratefully,