Wesley J. Smith's Recommendation Letter
to Me ( Janet Granofsky )
Wesley J. Smith is one of the leading opponents of the legalization of assisted suicide in the United States. He is the attorney for the
International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (formerly IAETF). He has written/ co-authored a number of books on assisted suicide, eldercare, legal and medical ethics, civil rights and consumer issues, and shares his expertise and opinions frequently through lectures and print and electronic media. See
his website.
January 4, 2000
Dear Janet:
Thank you for your two letters. I read every word of both. As I said in my phone message, I was very impressed by your letter-to-the-editor. You have the ability to express yourself cogently and intelligently.
I don't want your $2.00. I never watch Dateline: don't like the show or its approach to news reporting. And, no, I did not call them to speak about you or communicate with them in any way about you.
I am sorry you have had such a tough time. I wish I had answers to help you solve your problems, but I don't. There are so many people reaching out to me (and others) who have suffered and continue to suffer injustice. As I alluded to you in
my phone call [ ...a line of personal stuff... ] probably what we called in law school, a wrong without a remedy. All I can do is continue to move forward, doing the best I can.
I am sorry you feel disappointed by me and my ability to help you. I am sorry you consider me a hypocrite. I am sorry that I haven't met your expectations.
You have described your frustration to me that not enough people read your WEB site. I understand how that feels. I give many speeches and sometimes only a few people show up. I have actually given a speech to an audience of one. Two weeks ago, I had a turnout of only nine. Sometimes I have a turnout of hundreds but that does not mean those speeches are necessarily more successful than those with a sparse turnout. I have come to realize that the size of the audience is not necessarily an indication of the success of the enterprise. You never know who you are going to reach. Sometimes, communication wih only one person makes the world a better place. And I perceive that is what you are trying to do with your WEB site: make the world a better place.
I have no doubt that you will persevere and move forward with your dreams. You are clearly a very strong and intelligent person. No question, you are indomitable. That is to your great credit and I truly hope it will serve you well.
Please feel free to write me at any time.
"January" is a mistake- actually February, received 2/7/00.
The $2.00 was a bet which I actually won. Then I made him another 2-part bet which ended up cancelling itself out, but he still said he didn't want my $2.
It wasn't his phone call, it was MINE-- one of two which cost me a total of 9 bucks.
This WJS Recommendation Letter file first published February 24, 2004 by Janet Granofsky. If you saw it anywhere before that, please tell me.
See also my communications with another author, and/or My Index to my other files and relevant links.
If you can't figure out how to send me an electronish message via the y (host), then don't. If you do: NO SPAM! Do not send me spam, ads, commercial offers, discount offers, free product or service offers, membership offers or newsletters. Very long messages, inane or irrelevant subject lines, BCCs or attachments will probably get reported as spam and trashed without opening. Please limit profanity. And remember that mayl(ee) can be eavesdropped.
My comments © Janet Granofsky 2004.