In all my years as a parent, a corporate executive, an activist or a candidate, I have never received a communication such as the one that arrived on Wednesday from State Representative Rick Kriseman. What's even more remarkable about being on the receiving end of a letter - which can only be described as "attacking" - is that I can't even recall one time where Representative Kriseman and I have had a conversation.

And the headline in the St. Petersburg Times political blog describes the accuser and the crime with the headline Kriseman rips Simpson for Campaigning at Raytheon.

That bold accusatory headline may be the only words a reader of the St. Petersburg Times glances at. It implies that I am grossly at fault and that a "rip" upon my efforts is righteous. Seems to me that's the same modus operandi of our times under a Bush regime. One is assumed guilty and innocence must be proved.

Representative Kriseman could have called me and inquired if all of his assumptions were accurate. He could have then, if he still felt it necessary, offered counsel, or advice.

I received no call.

Instead, the Democratic Representative wrote a letter full of inaccuracies and finger pointing. And before my response had time to be delivered into his mailbox, he sent his letter to the St. Petersburg Times for public view.

My letter of response is here.

I am assured that the residents of District 10 know that I hold their interests - and those of the Constitution, above my own. It is for the people and the children, that I write, speak and run - sounding an alarm about the state of our Republic.

It is the truth we must seek, and for that we must have honest, thoughtful dialogue. I hope that Representative Kriseman and I can engage in that process sooner than later.