This page was last updated on August 26, 2004.

As of August 14, 2004, this letter had not been published on the Times web site.  Since I was unable to cut-and-paste the letter, I apologize up front for any transcription errors.

Mr. Snyder presents an anti-Bush tirade devoid of logic.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Some people support President Bush because he’s pro-life.  If you’re pro-life and against killing, how do you rationalize the killings in Dubya’s war, his executions as governor, his support for the tobacco industry or him allowing the 10-year ban on assault weapons to expire on Sept. 13?  Who’s going to buy an Uzi, a hunter or a criminal/terrorist?”

[RWC] Showing a lack of logic, Mr. Snyder writes President Bush is inconsistent for being anti-abortion while supporting the war on terror, capital punishment, and the tobacco industry.  I don’t see any connection.

When you are anti-abortion, you oppose killing a defenseless and innocent life.  The war on terror is self-defense and intended to prevent the killing of innocents.  To refresh Mr. Snyder’s memory, terrorists have been attacking and killing Americans for more than 20 years.  President Bush said enough is enough.  Terrorists have decided someone will die no matter what we do.  I’d rather it be the terrorists and so does President Bush.

Regarding capital punishment, you get this sentence only after you take at least one life.  How is executing a convicted murderer inconsistent with defending a defenseless and innocent life?  Remember, juries assign the death penalty, not the governor.  Further, Mr. Snyder is unfamiliar with Texas law.  The governor has limited ability to commute death sentences.  In summary, the governor can commute a death sentence only when recommended by the majority of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.  As I wrote above, I don’t see a conflict between being anti-abortion and in favor of the death penalty.

I’m unaware of President Bush’s position relative to the tobacco industry so I can’t comment about it.  In any case, tobacco consumption is voluntary.  Using Mr. Snyder’s logic, President Bush should oppose any activity that can result in death.  Should President Bush oppose cars, planes, swimming, hunting, et cetera?

Mr. Snyder implies President Bush will be solely responsible if the so-called assault weapon ban expires in September 2004.  Congress must first pass legislation to renew the ban before President Bush can choose to sign it or not.  Mr. Bush has stated publicly since 2000 he supports extending the ban.  Where does Mr. Snyder get his information?

His second question is incredible.  Does Mr. Snyder really believe criminals and terrorists go down to the local gun store or gun show to buy and register their weapons?

“Some support Bush because we’re at war.  Could the real reasons for starting the Iraq war include paying back for Saddam for trying to kill daddy, to control Iraq’s oil, to give billions of no-bid contracts to Halliburton or to help him get re-elected?”

 [RWC] These comments could have come right out of Michael Moore’s mouth.  Does any reasonable person believe a president would be so devoid of a moral compass that he would prosecute a war for any of these reasons?  I disliked former President Clinton and I would never make such ridiculous accusations of him.

“Some support Bush because they want lower taxes and smaller government.  The size of government has increased under Bush while tax cuts for the wealthy have caused increased state and local taxes and fees; higher costs for education and gas, and insurance; and the closing of schools, businesses, fire houses and police stations.  Are we safer?”

 [RWC] This is an incredible laundry list of things for which the federal government has no responsibility.  Mr. Snyder, please read the U.S. Constitution.

Tax cuts only for the wealthy is a tired old lie.  Just about everyone got a tax cut, even people who paid no income tax.

As a result of the Bush tax cuts, the number of income tax filers who paid/will pay no income tax increased from 29,000,000 in 2000 to an estimated 44,000,000 million in 2004, a 50% increase.  When 15,000,000 people at the bottom of the income scale have their income tax cut to zero, and some actually get so-called “refunds” for taxes never paid, how can you say this was a tax cut only for the wealthy?

According to an August 2004 report released by the Congressional Budget Office, the percentage of income taxes paid by the wealthy actually increased.

“Some support Bush because they believe he’s a great leader.  When told of Sept. 11, 2001, Bush sat still for seven minutes, not knowing what to do.”

 [RWC] Another Michael Moore moment.  President Bush was reading to a classroom full of second-graders at the time.  What does Mr. Snyder think President Bush should have done?  Run out of the room and put on his Superman suit?  John Kerry is on the record as saying he couldn’t think for 40 minutes after the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center.

When asked about this by Larry King, here was President Bush’s response.  “Well, I had just been told by Andrew Card that America was under attack.  And I was collecting my thoughts.  And I was sitting with a bunch of young kids, and I made the decision there that we would let this part of the program finish, and then I would calmly stand up and thank the teacher and thank the children and go take care of business.”¹  Sounds like grace under fire to me, and to the principal who hosted President Bush.

“When called before the 9/11 commission, Bush refused to be questioned without Vice President Dick Cheney.  Bush lied about Medicare plan costs, and threatened the main bean counter to keep him from telling Congress the truth.”

 [RWC] President Bush wanted to be interviewed with VP Cheney.  So what?  Former President Clinton brought along his former White House counsel and former National Security Advisor Sandy “Sticky Fingers” Berger to his interview.²

The two different Medicare prescription plan cost estimates were known to Congress, though not every member knew about the two estimates.  The lower figure was not solely a White House estimate.  The non-partisan (according to John Kerry) Congressional Budget Office also estimated the cost at about $400 billion.  I don’t support the program regardless of cost, but we need to get the facts straight.

“Bush got revenge on Joe Wilson by outing his CIA wife.  He led us into a war without an exit strategy, and then lied about the benefit of the war resulting in fewer terrorist attacks around the world.  The number of attacks has actually increased.”

 [RWC] Apparently Mr. Snyder has information the rest of us don’t have.  How does he know President Bush told anyone about Joe Wilson’s wife?  As we learned recently from the 9/11 Commission report, Joe Wilson is a proven liar.  Someone in the White House may have told a reporter about Wilson’s wife – the investigation is still underway, but I would guarantee it was not President Bush.

The exit strategy is victory.  To folks like Mr. Snyder, apparently you have an exit strategy only if you specify the date you plan to leave.  What kind of idiot believes telling your enemy when you will leave is the smart thing to do?  Won’t he just lie low until you leave?

Ultimately there will be fewer terrorist attacks.  In the interim, though, we can expect more.  It’s analogous to destroying a rat nest.  Initially, a bunch of hidden rats will scurry into view before ultimately succumbing.

“Bush blames Clinton for everything while ruining our children’s future with record deficits.  Bush diverts America’s attention with scheduled terrorist threat announcements, hoping to win the election with fear.

“Does this really sound like a great leader?”

 [RWC] Frankly, I haven’t heard President Bush blame Clinton for much of anything.  In fact, Bush gave Clinton a glowing speech when the Clintons’ portrait was unveiled in the White House.  President Bush has been far more gracious than Clinton and former VP Al Gore.  Lest we forget, during a speech in early 2004, Gore said President Bush “betrayed this country.”

“Scheduled terrorist threat announcements?”  What BS!  This is nothing but name-calling.  Using the late-July 2004 warnings as an example, everyone briefed with details agreed the warnings were justified.  This included John Kerry.  If anyone is playing politics with the war on terror, it is liberals.

1. CNN Larry King Live - Interview With George W. Bush, Laura Bush; CNN; August 12, 2004.

2. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.  To refresh your memory, Sandy Berger was caught illegally removing classified documents multiple times from the National Archives while he was preparing to testify before the 9/11 Commission.

© 2004 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.