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Letters to the Editor

Published January 29, 2008

Bush the worst

Jan. 22, 2008

To the editor:

Is George W. Bush the worst president in U.S. history? That’s a question currently being debated.

Many of the facts are indisputable. Bush is so completely responsible for the war and occupation of Iraq. It is virtually his personal war. This adventure was sold to the country using totally false information. Bush sent the one man in his administration the public trusted, Colin Powell, to the United Nations to make the case for war. He made 24 separate and specific claims. All 24 were false.

Ten’s of thousands of U.S. soldiers killed and wounded, many more psychologically damaged, one-half million Iraqis dead and many millions forced to flee with their country in ruins. The cost of the war that Bush claimed would be mostly paid for with Iraqi oil is now predicted to be between $2 and $3 trillion, enough to put a solar panel on every house in America.

Six years later and with the vast majority of Iraqis wanting the United States out of their country, and Bush continues to talk about fighting for freedom. The incredible loss of civilian life, the scandals involving widespread torture. And atrocities by the U.S. military. The arrogance and disdain shown to our allies who disagreed with the war have so damaged the U.S. image abroad that polls now show overwhelmingly the world who once revered us as a beacon of hope now see us as the biggest threat to peace.

Bush is so reviled in most nations that it is virtually political suicide to support him. Bush’s war in Iraq has stretched the military to the breaking point. A string of retired generals has called for an end to the occupation. Historically this war has to be seen as one of, if not the, greatest debacle in U.S. history. The damage is broad and deep and the nation will be paying for at least a generation. With astronomical debt at home and ridicule and almost universal loss of support around the world, no president has ever been this toxic. So, is Bush the worst president ever? Yes, he is.

Sean McGuire

Fairbanks

Sarah Palin

Jan. 23, 2008

To the editor:

Sarah Palin is on track to be one of the three best governors Alaska has ever had.

The News-Miner didn’t much like the other two, either.

Jim Oehring

Fairbanks