The facts support Kirk independence

In his letter (Fence Post, July 17) attacking Congressman Kirk, Mike Konopka says at one point that, "the 10th District isn't buying it anymore."

What the 10th District isn't buying, and never has, are the Seals campaign's attempts to smear Mark Kirk.

Konopka accuses Kirk of "fear-mongering" to gain the Jewish vote.

I can only assume he is alluding to Kirk's commendable leadership on Iran and his consistent defense of Israel.

Supporting the only democracy in a sea of dictatorships, theocracies and failed states is not fear-mongering.

Working to prevent a state sponsor of terror from acquiring a nuclear weapon is not fear-mongering.

Condemning terrorist organizations and their benefactor is not fear-mongering.

Konopka also repeats the tired old canard that Kirk is "in the pocket of Big Oil."

How, pray tell? He supports offshore oil exploration and the construction of new refineries to bring down the price of oil.

But if that puts him in the pocket of Big Oil does that mean by stopping British Petroleum from dumping in Lake Michigan he's in the pocket of "big water?"

Does supporting wind power put him in the pocket of "big wind?"

Supporting energy solutions doesn't put Kirk in anyone's pocket other than his constituents, whose interests he is protecting.

Seals and his supporters need to remember that while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, they are not entitled to their own facts. Repeating ad nauseam that Kirk is a Bush lap dog won't make it true.

The people of the 10th District know better and all the shrill, misleading letters to the editor in the world won't change that.

William Murphy

Des Plaines