I was sad to see "The Times Argus," in its Feb. 20 editorial jumping onto the Burris kangaroo court.

Nowhere in your editorial did you give notice to the origin and prosecutors of the drumbeat for removal of Roland Burris from his Senate seat representing Illinois. The calls for investigation of Burris for perjury in his testimony before the Illinois legislative body impeaching disgraced ex-Governor Blagojevich (who, by the way, so far has not been tried or convicted of anything) all come from the Republicans in the Illinois legislature – and most likely Washington as well.

If you watched on C-Span the news conference Burris held a few days ago, even in this cynical era you would have been astonished at the viciousness of the reporters present hounding him as he attempted to give his side of the story.

The Republicans have finally concluded that they have lost the Minnesota Senate seat that will go to Democrat Al Franken, and they are desperate to try to whittle down in whatever way they can the large majority the Democrats have in the U.S. Senate. Thus the campaign to force out Burris and hope for a possible win in a special election in Illinois.

Perhaps he has been somewhat inept in some of his statements, but give legally appointed Sen. Roland Burris a chance to defend himself against the attacks by the Republicans. Don't join the scurrilous Republican campaign.

Did George Bush finally win and destroy the concept that no one is guilty until proven so in this country?

Edward C. Day

East Montpelier Center