Commander in Chief

To the editor,

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary." — H.L. Mencken.

The Bush administration has been perfecting this worn political ploy with typically patronizing patter. Chicken Little Cheney runs around exclaiming the sky will fall if we vote for John Kerry. But the sky fell on George W. Bush's watch.

On Aug. 6, 2001, he ignored the briefing entitled, "Bin Laden determined to strike in U.S." His strong, decisive response? A month-long retreat to Crawford and an initial seven minutes of stunned inaction one sunny September morn.

In the first debate, Bush's stammered excuse for invading Iraq was because the enemy attacked us. Kerry retorted that Bin Laden and al Qaeda attacked us, not Iraq. Was it meant to be comforting when Bush assured everyone, "I know that. Of course, I know that"? The American people realize it now, too.

Bush will be renowned throughout history as the worst U.S. president, ever. How embarrassing if Montana endorses him, again. Fooled twice? Shame on us.

I'm with Mencken: "In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."

Wanda L. LaCroix

Arlee