President Bush’s Initial Response

I am a liberal and a Democrat, and today that makes no difference. I believe in diplomacy over the flexing of American might, but today I am a hawk. I believe that, often, corporate greed is an assault on the fabric of our morality, but today I am focused on just how moral a nation we are.

I have never been a supporter of President Bush, but today I stand behind his leadership. I am an American, and today that is the only thing that matters. We are a great people with an iron will, and tomorrow that will become evident to the enemies of freedom.

Richard Embardo

Encino

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The president’s speech Tuesday was a distressing mixture of platitudes and pablum. He should have looked straight into the camera and stated that the perpetrators of the most infamous attack on American soil, and their supporters, will be sought out under every rock and eradicated. Instead of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Bush gave us Pee-wee Herman. Hopefully the victims and their families know they will be avenged.

David Wiechert

Capistrano Beach

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A president’s speech is not necessarily indicative of his leadership ability, but it does provide some insight into his thought process. Bush’s minimal TV response to the assault on New York and Washington clearly indicated that he has no idea of what action the U.S. should take. Other than the platitudes expected of any politician and a call for prayer, he made only one statement: that we would pursue not only the terrorists but the people who harbor the terrorists.

This attack calls for a president who can assure the citizens that he has a plan to do everything possible to prevent further terrorism and to punish those responsible for Tuesday’s actions. Bush’s speech offered no such assurances.

Max R. Flehinger

Tarzana

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The test is for the nation, not just for Bush. I find your front-page news analysis (Sept.12) inappropriate. Your focus on President Bush is misplaced. It should be on the people of America coming together to fight the enemy.

Tom Kemendy

Garden Grove