Letters: Dec. 6, 2004

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Fasten Your Seat Belts

In "The Uniter vs. The Divider" [NOV. 15], columnist Joe Klein stated that "rational political discourse may no longer be possible," in part because of "the Limbaughs and Drudges and Hannitys who proselytized for Bush during the endless election season." Klein neglected to acknowledge the equal number of loudmouths on the left who proselytized for Kerry. Al Franken, Chris Matthews and Michael Moore are just as responsible, if not more so, for the lack of reasoned discussion in the U.S.

KELLY GALLAGHER

Regina, Sask.

Klein wrote that "No one really knows which President Bush will show up on Jan. 20 to begin his second term." Some do--it will be the same arrogant, self-impressed zealot of the past four years. But playground bullies eventually get their just deserts, and now it's going to be Bush's turn. He has alienated virtually all our allies and enraged fully half of the voters. Who is on his side? Radical conservatives and Evangelicals--not a lot of company when most of the world is against you. To paraphrase Bette Davis: Fasten your seat belt, Mr. President; it's going to be a bumpy four years.

RICHARD MALLERY

North Hollywood, Calif.

The Whole World Watched

I am not American, but I respect the choice of those who re-elected President Bush [Nov. 15]. I wish to remind them, however, that the decision they have made will also affect the citizens of the rest of the world who hope to see a less violent world in the next four years.

PATAMA UDOMPRASERT

Tokyo

The world stared in disbelief at the election results. Bush lied to Americans and the rest of the world at the U.N. about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He did nothing to prevent the 9/11 disaster, even after he was warned of an attack. He then failed to catch and kill the most important terrorist who attacked the U.S. He tells Americans that freedom is on the march. Meanwhile, Iraqi cities are uncontrolled, hostages are beheaded, and bombs explode almost daily because of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's ill-conceived military planning. The U.S. budget deficit is exploding. Bush has diminished individual rights in the U.S. And we are told he was re-elected because Americans trust his morals and because he makes them feel safer. As the Americans say, Go figure.

PIERRE DE VILLIERS

Johannesburg

It is a blessing in disguise for Kerry that he did not win. No human being, however well endowed with skills of leadership and statesmanship, could possibly clean up the mess Bush has created. So it is poetic justice that Bush was re-elected to clean up his mess.

RAGHAVENDRA SHENOY

Bangalore, India

Europeans went to bed hoping for a better tomorrow and woke up realizing that their dream had lasted only a few hours. I cannot understand how Americans entrusted Bush with four more years in power. Such a victory would be unthinkable in Europe.

JORGE SILVA

Fânzeres, Portugal