Open Letter to the President (or, Why Bush Has Lost My Vote)

me | 9/26/2001 | Brent C. Skilton (aka Heisenburger)

[Heisenburger]

Dear Mr. President:

I want to tell you that you have lost my vote in the 2004 election. Though I voted for you in 2000, though I donated to your Victory 2000 campaign, and though I wore your pins and t-shirts, I cannot support you again.

Your diplomatic team, by trying to build a world coalition, has allowed Middle-Eastern and Arab dictatorships to dictate what we can and cannot do to respond to the attacks that took place on September 11. Instead of following the example of Ronald Reagan and basing foreign policy only on what is in the best interests of the United States, you have made concessions to Pakistan and Middle-Eastern countries that will threaten our security for years to come. The coalition has indeed determined the mission, not the other way around.

Specifically, your administration's statement that you will not overthrow the Taliban is unthinkably misguided. To not overthrow the Taliban is to give a feeling of security and power to other states that sponsor terrorism. Not only that, but it makes your statement last Thursday that the Taliban would share in the fate of terrorists an outright lie. One of the reasons I supported you in the 2000 election was that I was sick of being lied to by the Clinton administration. Now I see that you and your team are no different.

Furthermore, the fact that your administration, in an attempt to keep from offending Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, is not concentrating on Iraq as an important link to the Septemeber 11 attacks shows that you are not truly concerned with protecting Americans and ending terrorism. As Colin Powell said, Hussein is indeed the greatest terrorist in the world today. That he had a hand in the attacks on the 11th is not only highly probable, but also fairly obvious. The world can never be safe as long as Saddam Hussein is still in power.

In closing, I would remind you that you have a chance to win back my vote by changing your policy towards terror states and terrorists themselves. Perhaps your team should realize that "it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission."

Sincerely,
Brent Skilton

[Cogadh na Sith]

Bush also said:

"Let me tell to what I won't do. I won't fire a two million dollar missile into a ten dollar empty tent and hit a camel in the ass."

By your repudiation of Bush and his policies, may I also assume that you are wholly in favor of 'firing a two million dollar missile into a ten dollar empty tent and hitting a camel in the ass'?

You must be a master of tactics and modern war...

[Heisenburger]

Give me a break. We didn't do anything for what, four months after Pearl Harbor?

Yeah, but we didn't ask for everyone's permission to kill the Japanese either.

[Dan Day]

Don't you think you owe your President the patience, and loyalty, to see how it plays out?

I owe him nothing. He is my servant.

Oooookay.... Seek help

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Do not underestimate bin Laden. He is clever enough to have set traps for us if we rush in. I think the Spec Ops people are the best approach. If he is there, they will find him and kill him but it may take a little time.

[Heisenburger]

By your repudiation of Bush and his policies, may I also assume that you are wholly in favor of 'firing a two million dollar missile into a ten dollar empty tent and hitting a camel in the ass'?

I understand that saying he won't do bad action A does not mean he will do good action B. Indeed, he may not fire a missile at a camel's ass, but he might not fire one at an Arab's ass either.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Re 76--still waiting.....

...................................

[Reagan Man]

Don't you think you're jumping the gun, just a little bit?

I mean, you're cutt'en and running after only two weeks. Show some patience and resolve. We're all somewhat apprehensive about what the future holds, but this sudden move of yours is totally irrational. Have some faith in President Bush and show some courage!

Right now, real patriotic Americans have put aside their differences and are united behind President Bush and support him during this critical time of national tragedy. America has been attacked and American's have been killed. We have a common cause to rally around and a common foe to fight. And we have but one President.

I think President Reagan would have handled this entire situation, just as President Bush is doing today. Bush has shown a cool head and calm demeanor. But the President has also displayed a firm hand and is determined to see that justice will be served in the end. This war on terrorism has only begun and it will take years to achieve the goals that President Bush has laid out in recent days. Theres also a chance that this conflict will never really end. This isn't something that requires a quick fix. That won't work. Its a slow and methodical process that requires guts and courage. Bush has the guts and courage to see it through.

The question is, do you have the guts and courage to see this through?

[airborne]

Another case of "Iwant it all, and I want it now." Americas' obsession with instant gratification.

Would you rather Bush be like Klintoon and lob a few cruise missles so yoou can get off on seeing a few buildings explode on CNN?

Be patient, and have a little faith. The adults are in charge now, and they want to get it right the first time.

[Heisenburger]

Oooookay.... Seek help

I suggest reading the Declaration of Independence or familiarizing yourself with John Locke and the social contract. Those who govern are the servants of their citizens.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Indeed, he may not fire a missile at a camel's ass, but he might not fire one at an Arab's ass either.

If you don't believe him, or trust what he says, why in the world did you support and vote for him?

[NeonKnight]

I really don't understand all of the secrecy. I sort of thought it would be more like the University of Nebraska playing St. Mary's Blind Sisters of the Plains....or some such school in football.

Heck...just tell 'em what you are going to do. "We are going to do an option to the right side. You try to stop us."

[Eagle Eye]

Hope you aren't this quick with your wife.

[Cogadh na Sith]

All the Way!

[Heisenburger]

I think President Reagan would have handled this entire situation, just as President Bush is doing today.

Reagan wouldn't have made a peacenik his Secretary of State.

[Republican Wildcat]

Good to have you out of the picture. Leaves more room for those of us concerned with facts.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

has allowed Middle-Eastern and Arab dictatorships to dictate what we can and cannot do to respond to the attacks that took place on September 11.

I don't like these Arab dictatorships and monarchies any more than the next man, but the only reason to continue to deal with them I can think of is "you know the game is fixed, but it's the only one in town." We do need to decrease dependence on foreign oil. (just as aside, Japan depends on Middle Eastern oil more than we do).,
If these Arab leaders are pushed out of power, then we would have to eventually deal with several Taliban type governments. Democracy wouldn't last long in these countries as our liberals have demonstrated how easy it is to derail good government, through playing up class envy, blackmail, and exploiting voter apathy.

[nancetc]

Ditto Dog!!!! Those who are so easily disillusioned will just have to live their lives that way. For me...trust is watching the highwire man on his bike and thinking he'll make it across to the other side. Faith is putting yourself in the basket to ride along. I have faith that Pres. Bush is on the right course.

[MosesKnows]

I voted for George Bush because I wanted a President who knew this nation was a republic and not a democracy. A republic requires a President who can take decisions without having to consider what the polls may report.

The great British statesman, Edmund Burke, in 1774, cautioned the voters of Bristol: Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

And so did the journalist Walter Lippman believe that our elected officials should be leaders, not just agents, when he wrote that Effective government cannot be conducted by legislators who, when a question is presented, ask themselves first and last not what is the truth and which is the right and necessary course, but ‘What does the Gallup Poll say?’

I like it better this way; let's wait and see how it all turns out.

[Dan Day]

Give me a break. We didn't do anything for what, four months after Pearl Harbor?

Yeah, but we didn't ask for everyone's permission to kill the Japanese either.

We haven't asked for "everyone's permission" this time either, you twit. Heck, we haven't even asked *anyone's* permission.

What we have done is recruit allies to join us in the fight -- just like we did in WW II.

Pearl Harbor was hit on December 7, 1941. On January 1 1942 we signed with the 25 other allied nations on the Declaration of the United Nations. I guess you would have wanted us to tell them to screw off if you had been around in 1942...

On January 26, 1942, the first American troops arrived on the shores of England, our *ally* -- I guess if you had been in charge, you'd have just landed them straight on the shores of Germany and made a solo push for Berlin, eh?

[nancetc]

McCain is seriously weak...he's all about himself.