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Opinion
A longstanding American tradition is to rewrite history in a form we find more agreeable, as the death of president Bush reminds us.
There are an almost endless number of video pieces, print stories and commentaries on his passing, but one would be very hard-pressed to find an account of his life that even vaguely resembles a reasonably balanced or accurate portrayal of reality.
If President Bush were a movie star or sports figure it wouldn’t matter much, but where the political history of the nation is the subject of the recollection the truth is something we can’t afford to be diminished by sentimentality, misguided patriotism or respect for the dead.
You won’t hear much about how Bush used lies about Iraqi troops tossing babies out of incubators in Kuwaiti hospitals or huge masses of Iraqi troops and tanks on the Saudi border to get us into the first Gulf War, or how he urged the Kurds in northern Iraq and Shia in Southern Iraq to “rise up” and overthrow Saddam, who he then allowed to slaughter them by the tens of thousands.
You’re also unlikely to hear about the American support he helped Saddam get as vice president in the Iran-Iraq war, or how he broke his word to the Russians to not move NATO bases “one inch” to the east after the fall of the Soviet Union, or what the resulting impact of encircling Russia with American troops and weapons has done to prospects of world peace today.
There is almost no mention of his direct role in the Iran-Contra scandal in the remembrances, or how special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh stated that Bush was “fully aware” of the illegal support for the Contras and weapon sales to the Iranians, or how Bush refused to be interviewed by the special prosecutor and withheld critical documents from the investigation, or how he pardoned six of the defendants in that case and made legal history by being the only president to pardon someone who’s trial he was to be a witness at.
Multiple people at the highest level of the weapons smuggling operation were adamant that Bush was fully informed that Panamanian president Manuel Noriega was using CIA provided planes and pilots to smuggle cocaine into America. You won’t hear that either.
The invasion of Panama and capture of Noriega won’t be mentioned, or the fact that the primary reason for it was that Noriega had carefully archived his contacts with Bush to blackmail him if he tried to stop the drug smuggling operation, and that Bush needed him behind bars to keep the secret, even if several thousand civilians had to die in the process.
Another unmentionable embarrassment was Bush’s Vice President Dan Quayle, likely the most unqualified VP choice in modern times.
You will hear a lot about him having the longest lasting marriage of any president, you won’t hear about the at least eight women who have claimed he groped them, or that it was extremely implausible that he wasn’t having a long-term affair with his secretary Jennifer Fitzgerald.
Those who choose to ignore these truths about the man endanger the future of our nation, because the record does matter to those who want to survive in a fact-based world.
Sources: Wikipedia, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, National Security Archives, Rolling Stone and BBC.
Phil Murphy lives in Finley, Calif.
There are an almost endless number of video pieces, print stories and commentaries on his passing, but one would be very hard-pressed to find an account of his life that even vaguely resembles a reasonably balanced or accurate portrayal of reality.
If President Bush were a movie star or sports figure it wouldn’t matter much, but where the political history of the nation is the subject of the recollection the truth is something we can’t afford to be diminished by sentimentality, misguided patriotism or respect for the dead.
You won’t hear much about how Bush used lies about Iraqi troops tossing babies out of incubators in Kuwaiti hospitals or huge masses of Iraqi troops and tanks on the Saudi border to get us into the first Gulf War, or how he urged the Kurds in northern Iraq and Shia in Southern Iraq to “rise up” and overthrow Saddam, who he then allowed to slaughter them by the tens of thousands.
You’re also unlikely to hear about the American support he helped Saddam get as vice president in the Iran-Iraq war, or how he broke his word to the Russians to not move NATO bases “one inch” to the east after the fall of the Soviet Union, or what the resulting impact of encircling Russia with American troops and weapons has done to prospects of world peace today.
There is almost no mention of his direct role in the Iran-Contra scandal in the remembrances, or how special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh stated that Bush was “fully aware” of the illegal support for the Contras and weapon sales to the Iranians, or how Bush refused to be interviewed by the special prosecutor and withheld critical documents from the investigation, or how he pardoned six of the defendants in that case and made legal history by being the only president to pardon someone who’s trial he was to be a witness at.
Multiple people at the highest level of the weapons smuggling operation were adamant that Bush was fully informed that Panamanian president Manuel Noriega was using CIA provided planes and pilots to smuggle cocaine into America. You won’t hear that either.
The invasion of Panama and capture of Noriega won’t be mentioned, or the fact that the primary reason for it was that Noriega had carefully archived his contacts with Bush to blackmail him if he tried to stop the drug smuggling operation, and that Bush needed him behind bars to keep the secret, even if several thousand civilians had to die in the process.
Another unmentionable embarrassment was Bush’s Vice President Dan Quayle, likely the most unqualified VP choice in modern times.
You will hear a lot about him having the longest lasting marriage of any president, you won’t hear about the at least eight women who have claimed he groped them, or that it was extremely implausible that he wasn’t having a long-term affair with his secretary Jennifer Fitzgerald.
Those who choose to ignore these truths about the man endanger the future of our nation, because the record does matter to those who want to survive in a fact-based world.
Sources: Wikipedia, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, National Security Archives, Rolling Stone and BBC.
Phil Murphy lives in Finley, Calif.
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- Written by: Phil Murphy
My name is Linda Diehl-Darms from Middletown and I am writing this letter because I think it is important to let the public know when one of our elected officials is doing good works.
Congressman Mike Thompson and his deputy chief of staff, Brad Onorato, truly do their best to work for the people. I personally know of two cases that they and their team are working on. Both have to do with the devastating fire events that we have experienced here in Lake County.
Sometimes the bureaucratic mire is hard to navigate or one has not spoken with the right person to clear things up. People are still dealing with insurance problems from the Valley fire and the Clayton fire. Some people are dealing with the finances of the debris cleanup. Some people are dealing with reassessments of their property tax after they have rebuilt and the assessment not being what they were expecting.
Congressman Mike Thompson and his team go the extra mile to sort things out. They know who to talk to on your behalf, or they can tell you who to talk to and they do get results.
It does not matter what party you are, people are people in their eyes and not everyone is blessed with the contacts to get things done.
Reach out if you are having issues. I know that they will do their best to resolve the problem.
Linda Diehl-Darms lives in Middletown, Calif.
Congressman Mike Thompson and his deputy chief of staff, Brad Onorato, truly do their best to work for the people. I personally know of two cases that they and their team are working on. Both have to do with the devastating fire events that we have experienced here in Lake County.
Sometimes the bureaucratic mire is hard to navigate or one has not spoken with the right person to clear things up. People are still dealing with insurance problems from the Valley fire and the Clayton fire. Some people are dealing with the finances of the debris cleanup. Some people are dealing with reassessments of their property tax after they have rebuilt and the assessment not being what they were expecting.
Congressman Mike Thompson and his team go the extra mile to sort things out. They know who to talk to on your behalf, or they can tell you who to talk to and they do get results.
It does not matter what party you are, people are people in their eyes and not everyone is blessed with the contacts to get things done.
Reach out if you are having issues. I know that they will do their best to resolve the problem.
Linda Diehl-Darms lives in Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Linda Diehl-Darms
Rep. Mike Thompson is without a doubt a standard-bearer for the Democratic dynasty in California. And he shows no sign of releasing his grip on power in the Fifth Congressional District.
Thompson is a native son of Napa County and has maintained a permanent residence within our district boundaries for many years.
During a Middletown Area Town Hall meeting last year, he vowed “to protect the interests of my country, my state, and my district,” in that order. Who can fault him for that? I can’t.
Thompson is clearly nowhere near political extinction. In his recent congressional reelection, and each general election dating back to 1998, he “devoured” his opponent. He received 78.1% of the vote during the recent mid-term elections.
His challengers will need an introduction: Anthony Mills (2018), Carlos Santamaria (2016), James Hinton (2014), Randy Loftin (2012), Loren Hanks (2010), Zane Starkwolf (2008), John Jones (2006), Lawrence Wiesner (2004-2002), Russel Chase (2000), and Mark Luce (1998).
For those residing in California’s 5th Congressional District, it appears as though we are in a long-term relationship with Mike Thompson. Or at least at such time as he sees fit to end it. A bit ironic.
However, I want to bring out a couple of facts. First, each of Thompson’s marginal electoral opponents have proven to be patently noncompetitive candidates. On average, Thompson has defeated his closest challenger by ca. 40 points.
Secondly, one recurring complaint is shared by his opponents: their inability to engage our member of Congress in a formal debate of the issues.
How unfortunate that Thompson has consistently chosen to sidestep this long-standing democratic tradition.
Is this fair to the electorate or his opponents when an entrenched, Tyrannosaurus rex-like incumbent opts to tread carefully during a campaign to avoid any potential risks, however small, to his seat in Congress?
If I may continue without offending, T-Rex is believed to had a life span of 30 years. Can we then expect at least ten more years of Congressman Mike Thompson?
It appears Thompson enjoys representing his constituents in Washington, and he obviously has overwhelming support here. He is also, by any measure, the consummate politician. I do honor his service to our country.
However, I am disappointed by the lack of serious competition in our congressional elections and Thompson’s reluctance to debate. To elaborate, consider the following quote: “Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
Mike Tabacchi lives in Middletown, Calif.
Thompson is a native son of Napa County and has maintained a permanent residence within our district boundaries for many years.
During a Middletown Area Town Hall meeting last year, he vowed “to protect the interests of my country, my state, and my district,” in that order. Who can fault him for that? I can’t.
Thompson is clearly nowhere near political extinction. In his recent congressional reelection, and each general election dating back to 1998, he “devoured” his opponent. He received 78.1% of the vote during the recent mid-term elections.
His challengers will need an introduction: Anthony Mills (2018), Carlos Santamaria (2016), James Hinton (2014), Randy Loftin (2012), Loren Hanks (2010), Zane Starkwolf (2008), John Jones (2006), Lawrence Wiesner (2004-2002), Russel Chase (2000), and Mark Luce (1998).
For those residing in California’s 5th Congressional District, it appears as though we are in a long-term relationship with Mike Thompson. Or at least at such time as he sees fit to end it. A bit ironic.
However, I want to bring out a couple of facts. First, each of Thompson’s marginal electoral opponents have proven to be patently noncompetitive candidates. On average, Thompson has defeated his closest challenger by ca. 40 points.
Secondly, one recurring complaint is shared by his opponents: their inability to engage our member of Congress in a formal debate of the issues.
How unfortunate that Thompson has consistently chosen to sidestep this long-standing democratic tradition.
Is this fair to the electorate or his opponents when an entrenched, Tyrannosaurus rex-like incumbent opts to tread carefully during a campaign to avoid any potential risks, however small, to his seat in Congress?
If I may continue without offending, T-Rex is believed to had a life span of 30 years. Can we then expect at least ten more years of Congressman Mike Thompson?
It appears Thompson enjoys representing his constituents in Washington, and he obviously has overwhelming support here. He is also, by any measure, the consummate politician. I do honor his service to our country.
However, I am disappointed by the lack of serious competition in our congressional elections and Thompson’s reluctance to debate. To elaborate, consider the following quote: “Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
Mike Tabacchi lives in Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Mike Tabacchi
We all strongly endorse Shanda Harry – an outstanding candidate to be the next Superior Court judge in Lake County.
We have come to know Shanda and her family well over the past several years – some of us as colleagues and all of us as friends.
Besides having a strong legal career, Shanda has dignity, honesty and an ability to interpret the law seldom found in this political arena. We need our incoming judges to be ethical and with an eye to protect our community and families through unbiased interpretation of the law.
Speaking of families, our children need strong role models in the community and Shanda will fill that role perfectly. What an added bonus that our strongest candidate, Shanda Harry, is a woman and will be the first female Judge in Lake County in 30 years and only the second in Lake County’s history.
Shanda has the required energy and persistence to bring needed changes and new programs to our county judiciary system.
In addition, she has the physical and mental stamina to serve as a Superior Court judge for many years to be able to see those changes through to successful completion.
We are proud to be voting for Shanda Harry on Nov. 6.
Amber Sheridan lives in Lakeport, Calif.; Meg Lankford, Abby Leutholdt and Alicia Brisker in Kelseyville; and Kim Lewis in Hidden Valley Lake.
We have come to know Shanda and her family well over the past several years – some of us as colleagues and all of us as friends.
Besides having a strong legal career, Shanda has dignity, honesty and an ability to interpret the law seldom found in this political arena. We need our incoming judges to be ethical and with an eye to protect our community and families through unbiased interpretation of the law.
Speaking of families, our children need strong role models in the community and Shanda will fill that role perfectly. What an added bonus that our strongest candidate, Shanda Harry, is a woman and will be the first female Judge in Lake County in 30 years and only the second in Lake County’s history.
Shanda has the required energy and persistence to bring needed changes and new programs to our county judiciary system.
In addition, she has the physical and mental stamina to serve as a Superior Court judge for many years to be able to see those changes through to successful completion.
We are proud to be voting for Shanda Harry on Nov. 6.
Amber Sheridan lives in Lakeport, Calif.; Meg Lankford, Abby Leutholdt and Alicia Brisker in Kelseyville; and Kim Lewis in Hidden Valley Lake.
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- Written by: Amber Sheridan, Meg Lankford, Abby Leutholdt, Kim Lewis and Alicia Brisker