To the editor:

The events of 9-11 happened to America — all of America. My heart goes out to those whose lives were forever changed because they lost a loved one in this horrible tragedy. Obviously, they were affected in a more direct and painful way than many others.

I don’t see that President Bush is taking advantage of this tragedy by including a scene in his election ad. He is our president and has had to effectively wade through uncharted waters since 9-11 in his attempt to make America as safe as possible again. My fear is that, as resilient, strong citizens of this great nation, we are able to pick ourselves up and go on — never forgetting but able to push this searing event somewhere within ourselves where it doesn’t hurt and anger so intensely.

President Bush deals with this issue daily and is entitled to tastefully, as was done, include it in his election ads. It is part of our recent past and will never go away. Frankly, I think we should have to look at it every day.

Ivy Brock,

Lawrence