The hemorrhaging of taxpayers’ money never stops. The Washington Post (AP) reported on Dec. 8 that a dinner in Hollywood at the exclusive Beverly Hilton Hotel in honor of movie industry lobbyist Jack Valenti cost the Pentagon (taxpayers) $295,000. About 350 Hollywood celebrities, Pentagon officials and lawmakers attended the dinner given by Defense Secretary Bill Cohen who gave Valenti the First Citizen Patriot Award. Cohen said he honored Valenti for his advocacy of the military.

Cohen, Bangor’s favorite son, has lost his luster and, indeed, his integrity. It appears he, too, has lost his soul to the limelight of the rich and famous, willing to spend oodles of taxpayers money to bring him to center stage in hopes of being accepted by the Hollywood crowd. I’m appalled by the flagrant spending of taxpayers’ money, especially hosting extravagant parties for those who already have millions and truly are exactly the ones who deserve it the least, that is, the Hollywood crowd.

Imagine the outrage – honoring a lobbyist whose job it is to curry favor with an industry that is practically dedicated to smut peddling. Cohen has apparently lost touch with his Maine values and has fallen for the phony side of politics, allowed his soul to be bought by the Washington underworld and now is, with the help of taxpayers’ money, himself currying favor with the beautiful people. We say goodbye to Cohen and to $295,000. I thought at one time that when Cohen retired from his stint in politics, a huge gathering in the Bangor Auditorium would honor his dedicated service. Now the city and the auditorium just might not be good enough for him.

Dick Graves

Presque Isle