Just sent a letter to the editor (re: bin Laden tape)

[MissouriTeacher]

This is what I wrote:

"The reappearance of Osama bin Laden is a glaring reminder of the failure of the Bush administration to deliver on their promise of finding bin Laden "dead or alive." How anyone can see the emergence of this new videotape as a positive development for the president is beyond me.

Bush has had three years to capture the man responsible for planning the deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans. Instead, he has led us into a costly quagmire in Iraq, a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks.

Now we learn bin Laden is alive and well, taunting us once again. Voters should do well to remember three years of lost opportunities under George Bush as they cast their ballots on Tuesday."

I encourage every one else to do the same. This issue is extremely bad news for Bush, but don't let the media whores spin it otherwise!

[Philosophy]

1. Nice

and to the point. Should have put the "not concerned" quote in their too, though.

[Paradise]

2. good for you! you've inspired me to do the same. thanks. :) nt

[bobbieinok]

3. does the paper print election LTTEs this close to election?

[DemBones DemBones]

7. Of course they do. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Great letter

Yours is worded much better then mine, but the general idea was the same.

I agree, don't let the media distort this blow to Bush.

[dixiechiken]

5. Your letter is so succinct and well-worded, I was wondering...

How do you feel about plagiarism, MissouriTeacher? ;) LOL (j/k) :D Seriously, great letter... and a great idea. I'll get to work.


(Oh, and normally, I'd say something about you giving us homework on the weekend but considering it's the LAST weekend before the elections... well... I'll just shut up now and get back to work. ;))

[kostya]

6. I think it might be worth reminding freepers how much this

situation parallels the Iran Hostage Crisis that did in Carter.

[Swede Atlanta]

8. And why did we lose our focus on Afghanistan?

Great post. I think the other component is not only have we not captured Bin Laden but why? We may never have captured him but we diverted resources from Afghanistan in preparation and execution of the war in Iraq.

The fact Bin Laden is free isn't itself so damaging to the President because we might never have captured him. But the fact this Administration lost focus on the war on terror in Afghanistan and pursuit of Al Qaeda to pursue the oil war in Iraq does place Bin Laden's freedom squarely on the table.

Let's see how this plays out in the coming days.

[juliagoolia]

9. Im sending this to TV journalist

I’m writing to ask you to let the political spinners know that Americans are disgusted that they still have to suffer the arrogant presence of Osama Bin Laden in our living rooms. I never thought we would ever see this man again when George Bush was on that pile of rubble with the megaphone. I guess we were wrong! I am very angry about this! We need a government that will protect us from madmen like OBL! How dare he be able to show back up NOW!



Ask all these talking heads about this.

[Suzie57]

10. Where? Which Paper

will you send this to? I live near St. Louis, I'd love to see your letter in the Post Dispatch. You did a great job, I love it.

[NJmaverick]

11. Good for you

We need to get out there and make this sure things are spun the right way.

[Rev_Karl]

12. Good job.. I might have..

eliminated "whores" It's unnecessary and the old folks will take offense, but that's just me. Excellent work.

[lefty_WOHM]

13. OK, I can't tell if you're joking

You do realize that she didn't actually include that last line in her LTTE, don't you? Oh, of course you do.

[Rev_Karl]

19. whoops - now I do - GOOD JOB MissouriTeacher, thanks lefty

I was wrong.

I was so enthusiastic about the post that I missed the quotation marks.

Please forgive me, my eyes have been riddled with floaters since I was young. They're black spots on the vision and obscure all the little dots. I agreed with so much that I didn't bother to scan for details.

MissouriTeacher was dead on in the statement and fully accurate in it's follow-up. I made a mistake (note to GWB*) and now, for what it's worth, give the letter my fullest endorsement.

[BayStateBoy]

14. Good Letter. I would just mention a few other references

1. The Bush Administration ignored many intelligence warnings prior to 9/11

2. Bush did not protect us from attack on 9/11 and he's not protecting us now.

3. Bush took his eye off the target, let Bin Laden escape, and has involved us in a war in Iraq under false pretenses. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and it is quickly turning into another Vietnam costing thousands of American lives and billions of dollars.

4. Bin Laden referred to Bush as a children's book reading simpleton. He undoubtedly would prefer Bush as our President because of Bush's unparalled incompetence and policy failures. Let's give Bin Laden a man who can think on his feet, who keeps his eye on the target, and how can get defend American best and get the job done - John Kerry!

[Robeson]

15. Good job!

[The Magistrate]

16. Excellent, Sir!

Well done indeed!

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[MotownLew]

17. Copied and Sent

With minor rewrites (haven't done that since college!), I'll send a version to the Detroit News, Free Press (the other Freep... dot com, and the Oakland Press (Oakland County).

Nice writing. Direct, succinct, and honest.

[MotownLew]

20. My Version

Long-ish, but editorial discretion allows for cuts as necessary:

I'm a 39 year old resident. For the first time in my life I've been involved with our election process in one of the many "get out the vote" efforts, and it has been inspiring. Every day, with every knock and every phone call I have witnessed passion from both sides, and brutally honest but constructive comments from those undecided. In pre-September 11 days this experience would let me sleep easy this Tuesday night and wake up to indisputable results whatever they may be.

September 11th did indeed happen however, and President Bush was in charge. Since then the President has made a string of choices which affect us as Americans, and the Western World on a daily basis.

Friday, a new tape from Osama bin Laden appeared.

This fresh appearance of Osama bin Laden is an in-our-face reminder of the failing of the Bush administration to deliver on the promise to "smoke out" Osama bin Laden and deliver him "dead or alive;" obviously, that hasn't happened.

President Bush has had three years to capture this terrorist. Instead, he has led us into a costly, bloody and ongoing war in Iraq. As undisputedly demonic as Saddam was, he ruled a defanged and sovereign nation that had nothing to do with the attack on the United States. His demise was inevitable but could wait.

Here we sit, just days before the biggest election in generations. On my television is bin Laden, the man in the black hat; no smoke, and no cowboys. Lost opportunities, mismanagement, scandal and spin may be the lasting legacy of the Bush administration.

Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, and our dwindling middle class should weigh heavily the last three years and ask just three things before turning in your ballot: Do you feel safer now since September 11th? Has the President focused on the capture of Osama bin Laden? Can we do better?

Answer those questions honestly then get out and vote on November 2nd, rain or shine.

[yardwork]

18. Good letter. I'll do the same.

After Kerry wins the election, we can go after OBL. It's clear that bushco has ignored him on purpose.

[cynthia]

21. thanks for the inspiration

I do believe that LTTE are one tool that we must continue to use even after the election, when Kerry wins, of course. We must let our voices be heard.

[Regularkid]

22. SENT THIS LETTER TO ABOUT 10 NEWS SOURCES

HERE IS A LETTER I SENT TO ABOUT 10 NEWS SOURCES:

Dear _________,

Why isn’t Osama Bin Laden dead or in jail right now?

I am a Republican voting for Senator Kerry. The recent Osama Bin Laden tape confirms in my mind that Bush has got to go. The tape…

-Reminds us that it was Osama Bin Laden- not Saddam Hussein- who was responsible for the attacks on September the 11th.

-Highlights Bush’s failure to deliver on his promise to find Osama “Dead or Alive.”

-Belies the Bush Administration’s speculation about Osama being holed up in a cave somewhere, unable to reach his terror network. Osama appears to be in good health and in comfortable surroundings. Moreover, he seems quite able to get out his message.

-Demonstrates the ridiculousness of President Bush not being “that concerned” about Osama Bin Laden.

Bin Laden should be rotting in a prison cell right now, awaiting execution- not making tapes. I hope the press has the courage to point this out.

Yours,
JOE

[newyawker99]

24. Hi Regularkid!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ktowntennesseedem]

29. Welcome, Regularkid! Excellent points!

That describes my reaction to seeing the OBL tape to a T. I just hope that enough "thinking" Republicans and Independents respond to this like you and I do.

"When people think, Democrats win." Bill Clinton

[UCLA Dem]

23. kicked. just emailed every major news outlet I can think of.

:kick:

[johnkerryyip145]

25. My Letter To the Dayton Daily News and Cincy Enquirer

My hometown is Dayton, but i'm living in Oxford (Miami University), which is between Cincy and Dayton, so sent i it to both:

"The new Osama bin Laden tape is a sickly reminder of the failures of the Bush Administration. How dare our President let this man stay free, taunting us three years after 9/11, while our vast military might is committed elsewhere in the world.

Voters will never forget that solemn day when 3000 good, innocent people were murdered at the whim of a madman. Three years later, President Bush has done nothing to stop the pain and anguish of that day. Our President has ignored America's #1 Enemy, who now points his finger at us in disdain. It's disgusting. I point my finger at President Bush."

[Digit]

26. How nice for * to give a few years for OBL to rest up and get healthier.

Thanks alot, *, OBL has never looked healthier. He has even managed to put on a few pounds. (sarcasm off)

[MotownLew]

27. And where'd he come up with a polished podium?

I would assume that piece of furniture is hard to come by in an effin mountain cave. Maybe he's working out of the Starlight Room in the Kashmir Hilton Conference Center and Country Club... I hear they have 10% off the rack rate for AAA members.

Membership has its privileges. </sarcasm>

-- I had to laugh in the "Mosh" video from Eminem when bin Laden's flat / backdrop falls behind him and you see the big bald DICK scurry off, camera left. Nice touch, Em.

[MADem]

28. THE Missouri Teacher GETS AN A+

PERFECT letter. Short, sweet, declarative. OUTSTANDING WORK. Pat yourself on the back!!! And go to the head of the class! Bravo!!!

[man4allcats]

30. Many thanks for a great letter. You've inspired me.

Here is the one I just sent to several papers:

Friday’s surfacing of the bin Laden tape must surely be the final and most glaring example of Bush’s incompetence as Commander in Chief. As Senator Kerry pointed out in the first presidential debate, we had bin Laden cornered in Tora Bora. Had Bush employed superbly trained American troops to flush him out, bin Laden would now be either dead or in custody and Bush himself would have been considered a hero. Instead, however, he once again made the wrong call and outsourced the job to Afghan warlords we had no reason to trust who then botched the effort. As a result, Osama is alive and well and free to make the kind of threats we heard in Friday’s tape. Could there possibly be a more compelling reason to vote Democratic on Tuesday?