July 6

July 6, 2004

Dear President Bush;

I have just returned from watching Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. If ever there was an indictment of your administration and your devotion to the god Mammon, this is it. Yes, it is a polemic, but a well deserved one even with its warts.

You, sir, are not interested in serving the country unless it serves yourself. How else to explain the acquiescence to the Saudis and allowing members of bin Laden’s family to leave without nary a question on September 13, 2001? Given their involvement with you and your family’s business interests I suppose you surely did not wish to offend them. How to explain your willingness to allow Sharon to trample the Palestinians? Moore left that out, but it is an interesting development in view of your Saudi relationships. I am sure you did a quick assessment of the possible impact on the voters in the next election. I bet the term “terrorist” is proving real useful and besides, you can try and claim some form of evenhanded relationships with the players in the Middle East.

You, sir, personify the ultimate political twisting of the facts. Of course your staff backs you up no matter what direction you go in. Powell and Rice spoke in early 2001 and clearly stated Saddam had no army, no weapons (let alone WMD), and didn’t see him as a threat. My how things changed after 9/11. Did the CIA suddenly find information between then and your decision to go to war? Or was George Tenet a sock puppet? Powell sat at the UN and insisted the evidence of WMD was present. How did he miss that back in 2001? And how come we can’t find the doggone things? Rummy sat on TV and declared we knew where they were, in general terms. Let’s send him over and let him look. Of course, why worry now? Mission Accomplished! We bombed Iraq into rubble, got that nasty Saddam out, and the Iraqis are still dancing in the streets. By the way, have you figured out the bill yet?

At this point I don’t believe Dick Cheney cares as much for the country as he does about his former employer. Watching those vendors figure out the bottom line was beyond embarrassing. Knowing that Halliburton has managed to lock up a lot of business, including subcontractors and subsidiaries, does not give me much confidence. Neither Cheney nor yourself subscribe to the oath of office you took. If you did, the question of ethical behavior would never come up. You would recognize at once that you couldn’t afford even the appearance of impropriety. Then again, if serves you and your personal purposes I am sure you think it’s OK.

Might I suggest that instead of sending the Marines to troll the low income communities, like Flint, for more cannon fodder you have them offer those young people the jobs paying $8-10,000 a month driving a bus 40 hours a week. The military knows about those jobs, and I wonder how many wish they had made a different choice. The weather would still be annoying, but it beats carrying a rifle and wearing all that military gear for a pittance wage. Oh yeah, we got to hear how you tried to cut back military pay and benefits. Nice reward for all those young people. They might not die in vain, but they will cost a whole lot less while they are alive. Bet you like the way that looked on the bottom line. Planning for a post-Presidency job with a defense contractor?

Oh, and I don’t think the abuses at Abu Ghraib were merely anomalies attributable to a supine military leadership. We got to watch American soldiers fondle a dead body and make very crude remarks. Nope. I think that the attitudes that led to Abu Ghraib are far more widespread than the Pentagon, or Rummy, care to admit. Rummy needs to leave.

Yes Mr. President, you are not a credit to this country or to the position you occupy. I have invested over 28 years working for the American taxpayer, and I am ashamed to call you Commander in Chief. Nothing will make me happier then to see you leaving the White House next January. I look forward to the opportunity to pull the lever in November and add my vote to the millions that will go to your successor.