Harry McKnight – 9/29/04

This page was last updated on September 29, 2004.

Bush’s ‘atmosphere of fear’; Harry McKnight; Beaver County Times; September 29, 2004.

This is a weird letter. It’s nonstop Bush bashing, yet Mr. McKnight never mentions President Bush by name.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Congratulations America, according to all of the latest poll results you are about to re-elect for four more years, arguably one of the worse [sic] presidents in the history of the country.”

[RWC] Mr. McKnight, where’s your proof that President Bush is one of the worst presidents in history? Should we simply take your word for it?

“He has mislead [sic] you into a disastrous, unwinnable war in Iraq that has cost you more than 1,000 of your sons and daughters, and more than $200 billion of your hard-earned tax money.”

[RWC] Why do some people want to see us defeated? Despite the violence, over 70% of the country is relatively calm and more areas come around each week. Make no mistake about it, though, the work is hard and slow.

“As a direct result, we are loathed and disrespected throughout the world. A military draft is a very real possibility in a second term, and, again, your sons and daughters will be called upon to fulfill it.”

[RWC] Why does Mr. McKnight worry about what the world thinks of us? We need to do what we think is right and not worry about gaining the favor of the right clique. Frankly, I favor the opinion of those 30+ countries that support us in Iraq over the ones that don’t.

Mr. McKnight is a promoter or victim of an urban legend. See Draft Fear for a discussion of this myth. So-called “draft” bills were introduced on January 7, 2003, as a political stunt. All sponsors were Democrats.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if another little war is being planned for after the election, possibly with Iran or Syria.”

[RWC] Nothing like being a fear monger, is there?

“Consider the implications of a second term here at home. He has created a record deficit that your children and grandchildren will surely pay for. Social Security and Medicare are at serious risk under this administration, health-care costs are through the ceiling and escalating every day, jobs are being outsourced in record numbers (and there are fewer and fewer good ones available each month), 401ks are stagnant at best and often losing ground, many of you will be lucky if you can afford to heat your homes this winter.”

[RWC] Nothing like being a fear monger, is there? This paragraph is merely a recitation of Democrat talking points I’ve addressed in rebutting other letters.

“This administration has created an atmosphere of fear in order to get re-elected and unfortunately enough of you have bought into it to keep them ahead in the polls.”

[RWC] President Bush “has created an atmosphere of fear?” Isn’t it Mr. McKnight who claims President Bush will draft your daughters and sons and is planning another war? Isn’t it Mr. McKnight who claims “Social Security and Medicare are at serious risk” and “many of you will be lucky if you can afford to heat your homes this winter?” Wasn’t it Sen. Edward Kennedy who said, “The war in Iraq has made the mushroom cloud more likely, not less likely?”¹

“Unfortunately, and I must be blunt here, you are a gullible, uninformed, uninterested electorate. The only hope is that enough of you will wake up before the election to send them a message that you will not accept fear and deception as a substitute for hope and progress, that you will not accept arrogance and self righteousness as a substitute for diplomacy and leadership.”

[RWC] This is a typical liberal view; you are stupid if you don’t see things their way.

“If not, God help us all in the next four years.”

[RWC] So if we elect John Kerry we won’t need God’s help? I didn’t know John Kerry was the second coming.

1. Kennedy says Bush makes U.S. more vulnerable to nuclear attack; Lolita C. Baldor – AP; The Boston Globe; September 26, 2004.