Recording Opinions on an Unplugged President

The Feb. 22 editorial, “Bush Unplugged,” laments that it’s “Odd that the same man [Bush], once in office, would be incapable of admitting them [mistakes].” This ignores the sad truth that President Bush’s reign is built on propaganda.

The four pillars of effective propaganda are simplicity, certainty, repetition and a grain of truth. Admission of a mistake undermines certainty. Doubt opens the door to honest debate, which is anathema to propaganda. This is why all challenges to Bush’s propaganda are met not with an honest discussion of real issues, but rather with repetition of the “grain of truth” and silence/change of subject, and never with the admission of any mistake.

Charles Finch

Huntington Beach

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It is extraordinary that The Times finds President Bush “more ... appealing” for his taped conversations with a friend some years ago. As the editorial says, “... never mind that turn-your-other-cheek stuff, the born-again Bush is not afraid to sabotage political rivals who hit below the belt on the campaign trail.”

And Bush is apparently praised by The Times for favoring “the right-wing senator” John Ashcroft as a vice presidential running mate because Bush “saw loyalty as the preferred litmus test for political picks.”

Perhaps The Times intends this editorial as a joke. If so, isn’t the humor a bit obscure?

Larry Steinberg

Los Angeles

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Bill Clinton admitted trying marijuana, “didn’t inhale” and never heard the end of it. Gov. Bush admits marijuana use and there’s hardly a word about it.

Um, what, ahh, um um a difference um, a um, ahh, a breath makes.... Nothin’ to uhh, go nukler over.

Bradley Zane

Morro Bay