To the Editor,

The writer of a recent letter would have one to believe that the only good Democrat is one that, regardless of whether right or wrong, would only vote along party lines. This, apparently in response to 7th District Rep. Mike McIntyre’s vote along with 16 other U.S. House Democrats to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress.

As a 38-year veteran law enforcement officer and administrator, as well as a lifelong Democrat, I have a few comments in response to the writer’s accusations. The attorney general of the United States is the “top cop” in the nation; he is where the buck stops when all else fails within the local, state and federal justice system. Under the Attorney General’s Department of Justice reside the FBI, DEA, BATF, U.S. attorneys and a slew of special prosecutors and staff lawyers, to mention a few.

I realize this is the first time in our nation’s history a congressional contempt citation has been issued against a current Cabinet member. And, that is indeed a disgrace. But don’t blame the members of Congress and especially the courageous Democrats, including our own Rep. Mike McIntyre, for this action. It’s real simple: Provide Congress with the subpoenaed documents. Law enforcement and members of the justice system must maintain the highest level of openness and transparency. Anything less will erode public confidence and trust.

Congressman McIntyre has a long record of supporting openness and transparency in government, even if it means going against his party. I applaud McIntyre’s effort to obtain as much information as possible about “Fast and Furious.” A dedicated law enforcement officer lost his life and it is very important that all information concerning this tragic event is known.

McIntyre has been a consistent supporter of law enforcement, which is why he has been named recently National Legislator of the Year by the NC Troopers Association, and presented with the coveted Legislative Award of Honor by the N.C. Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. As far as McIntyre’s trip to Europe last June, he is a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and accompanied other members of Congress on a national security trip to visit NATO forces allies that support our Special Forces and operations troops in Afghanistan. Not a vacation.

Phillip Little

Elizabethtown