To the editor:

Bush has forever managed to fool nearly half of the people, most of the time. No matter what fiasco, insult, ineptitude or carnage he inflicts upon American citizens – the budget, the environment, the United Nations, the Constitution, Iraq or other countries – at the end of the day, he just does that smirk, gives a thumbs up and goes on his merry way.

His staff/PR machine is in continual smoke and mirrors mode, quickly re-creating reality, shifting focus, smearing truth-tellers and promoting friends and loyal acquaintances regardless of their dark or insubstantial backgrounds. Last week, he probably thought, “Just give it a few days like always, eh, eh, . . . people will forget.”

Not this time. The reality of the hurricane response leaves little room for opinion. And the nearly half who until now supported him are finally cracking. But it took the biggest, most destructive and swirling wind on the planet – no, not Rush Limbaugh – to outdo the Bush spin machine.

One more thing: I hope all those who fought to keep Terri Schiavo alive have tripled their efforts since Katrina hit, with so many in mortal danger, unquestionably conscious, suffering badly and in no one’s care.

Christy Kennedy,

Lawrence