Bush's 4th of July Celebration

It's good to see that Woodward, OK invited George W. Bush to their 4th of July celebration. Some days I feel sorry for this poor lonely man. His dream of being rich and famous took him to be the leader of our great nation. My satisfaction as a Oklahoma farmer and rancher is the rain that comes in July or August to carry a cow herd till fall.

I wonder what Bush will say in his 40 minutes speech. I'm sure it will be sprinkled with patriotism, independence and how we were only attacked once during his presidency.

Maybe he'll talk about how going to war in Iraq helped move oil from less than $25 to $147 a barrel. If oil could go to six times it's price, maybe cattle could go to $6 a pound or each cow could have six calves in one year.

That $4 a gallon fuel put many people behind on their stretched mortgages and kind of turned our economy into a tail spin. That money ended up in the pockets of his campaign contributors, so it should be a fair trade.

I doubt if he will talk about 4,300 American soldiers killed in Iraq or the 30,000 maimed for life. Or the haunting memories of thousands of others who watched it all happen.

The Iraqi people suffered the greatest loss of property and life, but I doubt if there is time to mention them in a 40 minute speech.

He could touch on torture for a few minutes. Bush said America did not torture which is partly true because most Americans would not torture a fellow human being. Bush and Cheney had to torture to back up faulty intelligence and extract information to suit their story of why we invaded Iraq. So that must mean it's okay.

I often wondered why a man would commit suicide to kill my son in Iraq. I guess if we treated his son, brother or cousin in a sub human way with our torture techniques, it would compel him to take revenge at the first American he could find.

The war is depressing to all but Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater and others who profit. So my guess is, Bush will stick to our independence or maybe mention SEC watching Madoff, or how he firmed up the banks with our tax dollars.

The story of how the big banks failing would cause a major economic collapse reminds me of another story he told about weapons of mass destruction that were never found.

On second thought, I've heard his stories before and I'm short one family member because of him. So, I'll pass on George's speech this 4th of July.

Comments

[intwokatz]

What better place for Dubya to be on the 4th of July, Woodward, Oklahoma at a rodeo. Are you sure that they still don't think he is president.­? How much does a gig like that pay the worst president of the USA?

Mr. Bush and Laura never had to sacrifice anything. They wouldn't know the pain that Warren and John suffered from their losses. He isn't worthy enough to polish their shoes

It is comforting to know that Bush spent his holiday in Woodward, Oklahoma in a place that is still stuck in the days of the dust bowl.

[Okiedoke]

As Arianna says: "six years, $1 trillion, and 4,321 U.S. deaths too late."

Bush trumped-up a war in Iraq for oil, and he gets standing ovations in Oklahoma.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma, but this just makes me crazy!!

[darlajane]

I am Warren L. Henthorn, father of lost soldier Jeffrey S. Henthorn, lost in Iraq on Feb. 8, 2005.

I understand former President George W. Bush is coming to Woodward on the 4th of July. Should he be welcomed? No.

This president led our military forces into a war of choice, a war that should not have happened, a war that has cost the lives of more than 4,300 U.S. soldiers, more than 35,000 injured, some hurt for the rest of their lives, and countless thousands of Iraqi people killed and wounded.

Does anyone remember the Vietnam War? Another war of choice: 58,000 dead, countless lives ruined to this day. Should we celebrate President Bush's legacy? I think not.

If you think you have no involvement in this folly because you have no family members in this war, guess again. Where do you think our current economic problems came from? Ten billion dollars a month that you and your children will have to pay for sooner or later to support a war that should never have happened. Soldiers walking our streets with mental problems from the horrors they saw, wounded soldiers dependent for the rest of their lives on us. You and yours will be paying for this also.

It's time to think about the reality of Bush's time in office, the military and economic mess he got us into and hold him responsible for it.

Warren L. Henthorn,
Choctaw, OK

[Lora Davis]

Well said, Mr Scripsick. I too am sorry for your loss.

I'm an Okie, and I know if I went to Woodward for any reason on the 4th of July, I would wear a surgical mask. The town is going to be full of stupid and it just might be catching.

[hutchcroft]

An excellent letter. John speaks as a true American, not impressed with false flag waving patriotism, but with honesty and a real feeling for what America should be. His subtle sarcasm is artfully used to expose the Bush administration for the tragedy of Iraq. We should all speak out to prevent a continuation of horrible errors in Afghanistan.

[violadamore2]

Mr. Scripsick, Thank you for saying in unvarnished language what is wrong with America's foreign policy. It''s in bed with some very unsavory characters named Bu$h and Cheney.

[Lizziewho]

Thanks for the excellent summation of the previous 8 years--and all the things that his minions would like to lay on the current administration which is having to clean up the mess. The pain, the endurance and for some the absolute inability to endure is heart rending. You have been through hell and back and have stood tall to defend the honor of your son and the true character of what I'd call real Oklahomans. While many in Woodward will bask in their glory, many will still grieve the deeds of the past 8 years.

[OneActivist]

Thanks for writing such a wonderful letter John! I'm proud to say I know you and have protested Bush and Cheney with you several times. Sorry we couldn't get them impeached but it wasn't for not trying.
You can bet I'll never give up trying to make them accountable for what they did to our country, including our brave men in uniform!
Mark Manley

[billtmore]

There is not much I can say except well said...ano­ther Okie had a similar view
right here

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=62&articleid=20090702_62_A12_hUnwel676943

[darlajane]

thank you for posting!

[darlajane]

Thank you for the excellent letter. I'm so so sorry for your loss. It is great to have someone speak out about such a heartbreaking situation. I know it must be terribly hard, but if you can spare another family, even one, from going through the pain that you and your family has endured, then it is well worth it.

[okiegal]

As another Okie, I am just gonna hang my head in shame that our State is the one where President Bush feels he can come and continue to spout his garbage, especially in an area where most people lack health insurance.

If it wouldn't waste my 4th of July, I would go protest. But, he isn't worth it. Pretty sad, really. Dubya isn't worth me wasting my time to protest. I will spend it instead trying to help register voters who hopefully will realize that being called 'Dumb Okies' is not a good thing after all..

[PepperzMom]

John,

Sorry for your loss due to the Bush decisions. Enjoy your 4th of July holiday in OK.