Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | T | The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

Flip-flop is in eye of beholder

A month or two ago, a stern-faced George Bush, looking presidential in a suit and tie, faced the television camera and said, "I am a war president."

A few weeks later he made a campaign stop in Iowa. With his shirt collar open and a broad smile on his face, he said, "I want to be the peace president."

In the debates with Al Gore, Bush asserted that his administration would not get involved in nation building; we are up to our clavicles in nation building.

After Sept. 11, he said we didn't need a Department of Homeland Security; we have a Department of Homeland Security. He was opposed to the appointment of a Sept. 11 commission; the Sept. 11 commission has submitted its report. He supported Condoleezza Rice's refusal to testify before the Sept. 11 commission; Rice testified.

Did the president flip-flop?

Not according to New York Times columnist David Brooks (Register-Guard, July 20). Brooks says the president is a pragmatic man and changes course when conditions change.

Sen. John Kerry volunteered to serve in Vietnam. His experience there convinced him that the war was a tragic, mismanaged farce. He came home and got involved in opposition to the war.

Kerry voted for the war with Iraq. But when he felt the president had not followed through on his commitment to enlist broad-based international support, Kerry voted against funding for the war.

Was he being pragmatic? Not according to many commentators and columnists. Kerry flip-flopped.

Anyone for word games?

JIM OHMAN

North Bend

Christians treated with disdain

So the Democrats in Eugene are upset because...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!