Dear Maureen

The Vega writes a letter to Maureen Dowd.

You are a disgrace. Al Gore's prescient speeches outlining the outcome of our invasion of Iraq were ridiculed by the news media. He was called "loony" by your own Michiko Kakutani in her "review" of "Earth in the Balance." His candidacy in 2000 was harpooned by a press corps obsessed by "cosmetics," the color of his clothes, and an off-hand comment by Naomi Wolf. You spread lies and misperceptions about Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004.

But, for you, as evidenced by today's column, all that matters is: "Al Gore fat."

I realize you're paid to be irreverent, to provide the "Heathers" take on American politics. But do you ever lie awake at night pondering your role in helping to elect George W. Bush? Or is it all some funny game to you, this "politics" thing.

What is found on the pages of The New York Times has consequences. It informs the public discourse in both subtle and not so subtle ways. You and your editors are irresponsible. Again, a disgrace.