Say What?

Dear Mr. President,

I know opinions are as common as dirt, but some opinions rise above the muddy thoughts of others.

"Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace." ~Charles Sumner (1811 -1874, US Senator from Massachusetts between 1851–1874)

"Taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely or not at all." ~ George W. Bush, quote from Feb 2005 (I think you know who you are.)

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969, 34th President of the United States)

"The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations." ~David Friedman

"My aunt once said the world would never find peace until men fell at their women's feet and asked for forgiveness." ~ Jack Kerouac (1922 - 1969, American writer/poet)

Wow, my feminist ideals appreciated that last quote more than I believe I should. I'm all for strong women and women's rights and equality and equality of pay; but ultimately we are all human, no one type better than the other. I would amend Jack's words to say " The world would never find peace until people fell at each other's feet and asked for forgiveness."

Thoughtfully,

Brother Can You Spare a Dime?

Dear Mr. President,

In times like this when citizens here at home desperately need our help, it is easy to forget about our citizens in Iraq and the war they have been sent to fight. Just so you know, I haven’t forgotten. I think about each day Americans are put in harms way either as a direct result of something our government has done or things they have not done. I think about how much this war is costing the American people and wonder where that money might have been better spent.

There is a website called \\costofwar.com which shows a running tally of the cost of the Iraq war to American taxpayers. Here are some interesting numbers: Total taxes from my hometown of Northampton, MA allocated to the war: $21,475,600. Total my state of Massachusetts paid: $5,683,775,000. What all tax-paying Americans have paid for the war in Iraq: $196,393,673,000.

There is another informative website started by True Majority.org (http://go.truemajority.org/c3oreo/) which shows how much of this nation’s budget is allocated to military spending vs. alternative energy sources, education and other programs. Sure the disparity between the combined social programs budget and the military budget is disturbing enough. But, what was truly mind-boggling was that the next big military spender in this world after us was Russia and they are only spending 70 billion to our 400 billion (and they are now our allies). Even the dreaded axes-of-evil are spending 7.5 billion combined. These numbers, I’m sure, do not include the additional money you have asked Congress to approve for the war in Iraq. I hope you are not planning on asking for any more any time soon.

But then, even members of your own party agree that cuts to certain programs must be made in order to pay for the rebuilding after Katrina and the continued war effort. Mr. President, we can’t afford to be in this war; especially not after what happened and what is happening in parts of our own country. And besides, where would these cuts be made from? I don’t even want to speculate on what you -- a President who can so easily send his citizens off to war and can so easily approve of “Patriot Acts” that limit our freedoms -- would possibly consider cutting from the budget. Then again, I can’t actually imagine you considering the budget at all. I suppose when those issues are discussed you start planning your next vacation.

Frugally Yours,

LTV

Excuse Me?

Dear Mr. President,

There is an email circulating with a link to the Reuters website showing what is apparently you writing a note. The caption reads: "U.S. President George W. Bush writes a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York September 14, 2005."

The note in the photo reads "I think I may need a bathroom break? Is this possible?"

Now, I'm sure your supporters will argue that everyone is entitled to a bathroom break - and they are right. However, not only are you a grown man, but also, you are the President of the United States. Is it really that politically difficult to excuse yourself or, if you must, request a break in the summit so you can tend to your business? I mean, aren't you supposed to be "The Most Powerful Man in the Free World"? It doesn't make sense that "The Most Powerful Man in the Free World" needs to ask his Secretary of State if it's okay to use the bathroom.

I was hoping that you were a changed man after you claimed responsibility for the Federal government's role in the poor response to hurricane Katrina. I was even hoping I had something to do with that; (see my email of 9/5/05 titled "End of Days?" questioning whether we are prepared for such events) but I'm reasonably sure it was a coincidence. I thought, "wow, President Bush may be thinking on his own now. Maybe he realizes that there is more to government than politics." But, no, I am just a mere serf in this kingdom, how could I possibly understand the intricacies of politics that require our President to slip notes regarding bathroom breaks.

What part did politics play in the decision to attack Iraq? I can see you are committed to the idea of attacking the man and government that threatened your father. At what point did that outweigh honesty about the information you received about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction? At what point does politics make you do the right thing? Maybe that is what the "I take responsibility" response to Katrina is all about. Who knows? You do not inspire confidence. And you inspire even less when photos like this surface on the news.

I really hope this was doctored in some way. Perhaps it is a hoax which no one has uncovered yet. Does it bother you how many people would so readily believe it to be true?

Link to photo:
http//photos.reuters.com/Pictures/ViewImage.aspx?type=News¤tPicture=2&photo
Name=galleries/newspictures/2005-09-14T201816Z_01_UNS93D_RTRIDSP_2_SUMMIT-UN.jpg

MA.M, SAttP&DoPC

My original response to the White House Letter (See "Mail from the White House" below). Originally emailed 7/18/05.

Dear Mr. President,

I love watching the TV show West Wing. Wouldn't it be nice if you could run your presidency the same way Jed Bartlett does his? If you think about it, you probably have the same amount of writers on staff, various managers of press and publicity, directors, and cameramen.

I received a letter today, from your address. It was very politely acknowledging my "letter" to President Bush concerning the war on terrorism. It indicated that you appreciate hearing my views and welcome my suggestions. If that's the case, what was up with those election "town meetings" where pretty much only your supporters got to attend? I'm all for surrounding myself with friends, but when you are attempting to have an publicly open debate, tipping the scales in one's own favor is generally frowned upon.

I suppose you would appreciate my views if I supported your own; but, I don't even believe that. I don't believe you've ever heard my ideas and probably have no opinion whatsoever about me or my views. And that doesn't bother me; because I'm just an average citizen with no political background spouting my opinion because I enjoy the liberties my homeland provides me. (These same liberties which allow me to check books out of the library without fearing an investigation and send emails which are unmonitored.)

Tonight's episode of West Wing (9pm EST, Bravo Channel) focused on President Bartlett's response to a US Air Force transport being shot down. They talked about proportional responses and Pres. Bartlett asked the question: "What is the virtue of a proportional response?" He wanted to bomb the whole country into oblivion instead. He talked about when the Roman Empire was flourishing. How any Roman citizen could walk freely across the known lands carrying only the statement "I am a Roman citizen" with him. They could do that because all enemies knew that the retaliation for harming even just one Roman citizen was decimation. Where is that great Roman Empire today? Do you really want to follow in those footsteps? Do you want to make the same decisions that lead to using a decimating force?

We cannot afford to be at war Mr. President. If you truly appreciate my views and welcome my suggestions. Here they are. Get our troops out of Iraq even if we have to kneel before the UN and say we were very bad boys and girls and promise not to "liberate" any more countries other than our own. Which by the way, reminds me; we have a lot of work to do within our own borders. Try liberating some people from poverty. Why not find tools of mass creation right here in our schools by giving them enough money to thrive and produce intelligent, proud citizens of the United States of America.

Thank you for taking the time to write, Marguerite A. Murer. I send my best wishes right back at you.

Mail from the White House

This is the text of an actual letter I received in response to my emails to the President. It is dated July 14, 2005

Thank you for your letter to President Bush concerning the war on terrorism. The President appreciates hearing your views and welcomes your suggestions.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush has taken important steps to protect America from terrorist threats and prevent terrorists from striking us again. With the help of a broad international coalition, we are engaged in a campaign that spans the globe. Our efforts have resulted in the death or capture of many senior terrorist leaders and the removal of two regimes that harbored terrorists and persecuted their own people. This campaign has disrupted networks of terrorist financing and has included diplomatic efforts to enlist people of every nation in the pursuit of peace.

Our military victories in Iraq and Afghanistan are essential to the war on terrorism, but these nations still face challenges. In Afghanistan, the United States is working to ensure a future of freedom and peace, joining with the new Afghan army to hunt down the remnants of the Taliban regime and their terrorist allies. In Iraq, we have ensured that a dangerous dictator can no longer murder his own people or pursue or use weapons of mass destruction. Currently, terrorists are targeting our successes in Iraq because the rise of a democratic Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will be a further defeat to their ideology of terror. We are committed to giving our men and women in uniform the resources they need to help build free and prosperous societies in Afghanistan and Iraq because our missions in these countries are making America safer.

The war on terrorism is a test of strength, perseverance, patience, and will, but no act of terrorism can weaken our resolve. The President is committed to bringing terrorists to justice wherever they hide. He is confident that this Nation and our friends and allies will succeed in securing America and making the world more peaceful.

Thank you again for taking the time to write. The President sends his best wishes.

Sincerely,
Marguerite A. Murer
Special Assistant to the President
and Director of Presidential Correspondence

End of Days?

Dear Mr. President,

I've been hearing all sorts of reports around the world (some included below) and have been getting worried about what all of this means. You have access to all sorts of intelligence reports and people who have studied world events. Does this seem excessive to you? There seems to be an abundance of planes falling out of the sky, floods rising all over the world, wars and fighting erupting in many places (even snipers in New Orleans!), not to mention disease (dare I say) plaguing the people of this earth. I just want to know whether the President of my country is aware of all of this and whether you have thought about preparing our country for what might come? You are a God-fearing man (well, you claim to be). Are these the end of days? Or should we just expect another round of plagues? Should we be making sure our roofs are flame-retardant in anticipation of the rain of fire that may soon come down upon us? Do you think the plague of frogs will be as bad in cities as in towns where ponds and swamps are more prevalent? Would using a bug spray with DEET also help to ward off the gnats, flies and locusts? If this is the end of days, should employers allow the use of vacation and sick time for workers taken by the rapture or can they simply terminate employment for job abandonment? Just wondering.

Planes are falling out of the sky.

From http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD167304.htm

Feb. 3, 2005 - An Afghan airliner crashes into a mountain near Kabul, killing all 105 people on board. The Boeing 737 was operated by Afghanistan's only private airline, Kam Air.

Aug. 2, 2005 - An Air France Airbus bursts into flames after overshooting the runway while landing at Toronto's Pearson International Airport in a storm, but all 309 passengers and crew survive.

Aug. 14, 2005 - A Helios Airlines Boeing 737 crashes in the area of Kalamos, 30 km (19 miles) north of the Greek capital, Athens, killing all 121 passengers and crew on board.

Aug. 16, 2005 - A West Caribbean Airways MD-80 aircraft crashes near Venezuela's border with Colombia, in the Sierra de Perija mountains. All 160 passengers and crew are killed.

Aug. 23, 2005 - A Boeing 737-200 aircraft of Peru's state-run airline TANS with 100 people aboard crashes during a severe storm in the country's northeastern jungle, killing at least 40 people and injuring at least 20.

Sept 5, 2005 - A Boeing 737-200 operated by Indonesian carrier Mandala Airlines crashes just after takeoff near Medan, Indonesia's third-biggest city, in northern Sumatra. At least 100 people are feared dead after the plane broke into pieces and set fire to homes and cars.

Disease plaguing the people of this earth

From http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/year/2005/en/index.html

I was going to list all of the outbreaks listed for 2005 on the World Health Organization website, but it was 8 pages long (and it didn't even include incidents of HIV/AIDS)!

Flood waters have risen in several parts of the world.

From http://www.met.rdg.ac.uk/~brugge/world2005.html

I was going to list each incident of flooding separately, but it turned out to be over 20 pages long! Here's the most disturbing entry:

March 6th-7th (2005)

In Algeria, heavy rainfall led to flooding in the Saharan desert region that caused 2 deaths and 9 injuries.

I don't know about you, but when I hear about deserts flooding I get nervous. I hope you have a contingency plan that doesn't simply involve you being whisked away by Air Force One.