Editorial Overstates Bush Administration’s Crimes

To the editors:



I am writing to criticize The Crimson’s unfortunate Nov. 2 editorial “Just Results.” The editorial begins inauspiciously by decrying “the recent string of indictments of Bush Administration officials.” As any news-watcher knows, however, only one administration official has been indicted. This hardly constitutes a string of indictments against numerous officials. Later, the piece claims that despite “admissions of guilt,” President Bush “has yet to ask for one resignation.” Actually, the Plame affair has not resulted in any admissions of guilt, at least to the public, and Bush promptly received I. Lewis Libby’s resignation. Finally, the editorial offers a few somber reflections. “We are eagerly anticipating answers and admissions of guilt,” the editorial declare, though, naturally, “it is not a time for the Democrats to bask in the glory of Republican corruption.” One struggles to keep a straight face.

Of course, the editorial’s sloppiness, while unprofessional, is not the real problem. If polls are to be believed, then the President’s recent policy failures have earned him more detractors than supporters nationwide. Yet Bush’s would-be challengers remain unable to convert popular discontent into a groundswell for change. The Crimson’s glib editorial helps to explain why.



RICHARD M. RE ’04

New Haven, Conn.

November 2, 2005