Americans just want the truth

Re “Bush clashes with Congress over firings,” March 21

So President Bush wants the entire truth about the firing of U.S. attorneys to come out, and he’s willing to allow administration officials to answer questions from the Senate. As long as it’s behind closed doors. Oh, and don’t bother to bring a Bible; we won’t need that. And you can leave the tape recorders and stenographers at home.

Do we, the American people, have “stupid” tattooed on our foreheads? The rest of the world is laughing.

SHELDON WEISEL

Los Angeles

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If the president is concerned about a “fishing expedition,” he’d better get that red herring of his own under control.

It’s not only Democrats who are increasingly concerned about the secrecy of this president and his friends in power.

If those fired U.S. attorneys didn’t have the courage to speak out, we wouldn’t even know about the provisions slipped into the Patriot Act to circumvent the Senate.

It’s ludicrous to claim that this is business as usual. This is not a question of whether a president has the authority to fire U.S. attorneys. The crucial question is: Were U.S. attorneys fired because their investigations led to the convictions of influential Republicans such as California Republican Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham of Rancho Santa Fe?

This is an issue that should concern all Americans because there can’t be justice when there is manipulation and corruption.

We, the people, have a right to know.

CHRIS HAISS

North Hollywood

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I’ve heard countless Bush backers argue that, if you’ve got nothing to hide, you shouldn’t mind the government bugging your phone, reading your mail and monitoring your Internet use.

If that’s the case, then what’s wrong with Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales, White House political advisor Karl Rove and former White House Counsel Harriet E. Miers testifying under oath and on the record before Congress and the American people? What have they got to hide?

And given that Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, felt perfectly comfortable lying under oath to the FBI, why should we believe that any of Bush’s cronies can be trusted to testify truthfully without the prospect of a perjury charge hanging over their heads?

TIM PAINE

Studio City