To the editor:

A recent letter to the editor, among several, has blamed President Bush for aspects of the disaster unfolding in New Orleans. The writer claimed that President Bush had deployed the Louisiana National Guard to Iraq/Afghanistan when they were needed at home. The writer further claimed that President Bush slashed funds from projects that would have strengthened the levees protecting New Orleans.

The writer betrays himself in these accusations.

First, numerous National Guard units/personnel have been deployed to Iraq/ Afghanistan. The units/personnel were selected based on skills/capabilities needed, not on where they were from. Further, such unit assignments are made months in advance. Even further, for the writer’s claim to be valid, President Bush must possess the clairvoyance needed to accurately predict the occurrence and path of a hurricane. Because that suggested ability is absurd, the writer must truthfully be venting his hatred of George Bush via his diatribe.

Second, regarding the levees, President Clinton cut those projects long before President Bush took office. President Clinton did so claiming that such projects should be handled by the local state/city government and not the federal government. Additionally, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in an article in the Chicago Tribune stated that the levee projects for New Orleans had already been completed before Katrina showed up. Thus the writer’s second allegation is shown to be a blatant attempt to blame Bush and politicize this disaster.

Shame on you, sir!

Brent Garner,

Lawrence