Pubdate: Tue, 31 Aug 1999
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 1999 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/man/opinion/letters.html
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Author: Michael Gorman

MATTER OF PRIVILEGE

I think it is quite outrageous that the media are piling on George W.
Bush in this uncalled for way. Do they not realize that, when
privileged white men in their 20s take drugs, it is "youthful
indiscretion," and when poor, black or Hispanic men in their 20s take
drugs, they deserve and get jail?

Do they not understand that, if George W. Bush took drugs at the age
of 22, it should be put behind us and forgiven, whereas, when
22-year-old Bill Clinton did his best to avoid a war he despised, it
was moral turpitude of the worst kind? Do they not realize that George
W. Bush should be free to answer personal questions when the answers
are favorable to him, and free not to answer those that are not?

If the Republican Party wishes to nominate a squinty-eyed chucklehead
who may or may not have taken drugs, they are entitled to do so and
the media should play no part in their decision.

Shucks (as ol' cornpone George - the Yale cowboy - might say), if it's
good to have standards, surely it's twice as good to have double standards.

MICHAEL GORMAN
Fresno

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