Comments for The Spiral Notebook

Comment on About My Spiral Notebooks by Heidi Fisher Balla

Heidi Fisher Balla — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:40:41 +0000

Gov. Graham,
Many years ago I had the opportunity to be one of the pages in the captital of Florida, when you were the Governor. Thank you for the opportunity. My father, Arley Fisher, also spent some time in the capital doing a student internship with you. Robert Middlemas, I think had a hand in that. Wanted to let you know , dad now resides in Cairo, Georgia. Mom, Nan Fisher, died this past November 1, 2011. I just found your book at our local library and have not even had a chance to read it, but am highly anticipating it when I get off from work tonight. You can contact dad, 229-377-7621, if you get a chance, he would get a kick from hearing from you.:)

Comment on New Book: Keys To The Kingdom by Dwight Russell

Dwight Russell — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:52:01 +0000

Senator Graham:
Thank you for writing the novel; I enjoyed it immensely. I do have two questions relative to published events re: 911. They are:
1. Relative to the US-imbedded Saudi cells that supported the hi-jackers, I have read that they were shadowed by Israeli intelligence agents. Is there a reason why this was not treated in the novel?
2. The Manchester Guardian published a story about 911, saying that several Israeli intelligence agents (Mossad, Shinbet?) were filmed atop a white van (Manhattan, New Jersey?) clapping their hands and cheering when the buildings came down. They were later apprehended, held a short time, and released by someone’s orders, apparently to return to Israel. Is there a reason why this was not treated in the novel?
I would greatly appreciate your comments by E-mail when you can.
Thank you,
Dwight Russell

Comment on New Book: Keys To The Kingdom by Carmen Kienzle

Carmen Kienzle — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:24:12 +0000

Senator,

Congradulations on your book, “Keys to the Kingdom”.

I saw you and your wife on the news the other night. You all are still looking great.

We met at the openning of the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America building years ago.
Please call me when you can, I would like to talk to you again.

Thank you,

Retired Lieutenant Carmen Kienzle
305 318-1494

Comment on Column: Jobs and civics go hand in hand by Mary Anne Lampasi

Mary Anne Lampasi — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:06:33 +0000

My sister Candy and I moved to Florida from NYC in the early 1990s after the loss of our father that heralded a political change in America now widespread. We both lost not only our employment not only our family structure, but experienced the breakdown of the civil communities in America traded in for a form of community that is pernicious and destructive. Suppose I told you that a network exists that supercedes all communications. Suppose I told you that this network is run by subversives in the goverment who are intent on pursuing the destruction of our constitutional promises of liberty life and justice to all. Would you be able to explore this as a viable issue to deal with to reclaim the civil communitis of America?

Comment on New Book: Keys To The Kingdom by Ed Bradley

Ed Bradley — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:59:45 +0000

I enjoyed the book very much and had the opportunity to meet Senator Graham last night in St. Petersburg. He spoke about a variety of topics as well as his novel” Keys to the Kingdom”. I was very impressed with man, his candor and appreciate his leadership in Florida and the Country for many years. Thank you Senator

Comment on Archived Events and News by Deanna J. Bennett

Deanna J. Bennett — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:49:05 +0000

I’m organizing a multi-author sign and sell event at East Lake Community Library in Palm Harbor, 10 a.m – 4 p.m. on the 12th of November. It would be fabulous if you are or can plan to be in the area and would be our key/kick-off speaker at 11 a.m. that day — as well as sign and sell your books for an hour or so. Any possibility of you doing this?

Comment on Archived Events and News by John Riedel

John Riedel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:51:11 +0000

Hello, Senator. I am halfway through KEYS TO THE KINGDOM, and as anticipated, I’m loving every word of this enlightening novel.

See if you remember this. About thirty (30) years ago a group of law enforcement officers ran from Pensacola across and down the state in support of the Florida Special Olympics. I was in private practice as a public accountant at the time, and when I learned that they would be coming through Tallahassee, I organized some friends of mine from the Gulf Winds Track Club and we escorted you from the west end of the City of Seven Hills to the east end, chatting all the way. A few days later we drove down the west coast of Florida and intercepted the caravan just south of Ft. Myers. One of us then ran with the lead pack through the night all the way to the stadium in Tampa. It was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.

I think you may know my sister-in-law, Anna Johnson, formerly with Channel 6 WCTV in Tallahassee. She is married to my brother, Bob Riedel.

Like you, after several decades as a professional, I was bitten by the writing bug. My first book, a 463-page historical novel titled REQUIEM IN RED: DEATH OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE, was published and distributed by Columbia University Press in 2000. My second effort was a thriller titled ONCE A WARRIOR, which dared to present the specter of a terrorist attack at the final game of the Little League World Series. I wrote it while living in Williamsport during a three-year sojourn there.

More recently I wrote and self-published another thriller titled THE PRODIGAL SON, the antagonist in which was Uday Saddam Hussein, the sadistic son of the Butcher of Baghdad. Please provide me with a mailing address and I’ll send you a copy of THE PRODIGAL SON.

I had the pleasure and the privilege of voting for you several times, first as governor and later as our U.S. Senator. I’m a lifetime Democrat and very concerned about the obstructionists currently residing on the other side of the aisle in Congress.

Best personal regards,

John Riedel
Clearwater

Comment on Archived Events and News by Jack M. Karako

Jack M. Karako — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:28:06 +0000

Senator,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Keys to the Kingdom. Reading it reminded me the folly that our nation undertook in the sacrifice of U.S. servicemen, money and resources to fight a simultaneous second war in Iraq – one that did not directly threaten the U.S. or our national interest – and greatly divided the American public opinion immediately after 9/11 forecasting the economic disaster and federal debt our nation would face as a result. Many of the depictions in your book also brought to mind the single-purposed determination of the previous Administration to divert much needed resources to Iraq while taking our eyes off Afghanistan and Pakistan. Thank you for your years of public service to our state of Florida and to our nation. You are sorely missed,

Jack M. Karako

Comment on Archived Events and News by Bill Boyd

Bill Boyd — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:04:47 +0000

Dear Bob: I have just finished your terrific thriller Keys to the Kingdom and Tommie is waiting impatiently to begin it. I enjoyed getting to sit at the table with you and family at a Nova event a year ago. Tommie made sure I got to sit at your table. Your book references to Pakistan stirred memories. In the 1960s I was very familiar with Quetta, Lahore, Rawalpindi and the resort town of Murree which is quite near Abbottabad of recent news.

Bill Boyd

Comment on New Book: Keys To The Kingdom by henry dean

henry dean — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:58:55 +0000

Just finished Keys to the Kingdom. A real thriller. Bob, Clancy and Ludlum have nothing on you.