Saturday, July 7, 2007

It's Time to Go!!

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President,

Even in the isolated environment that you have designed for yourself, I am certain you are now aware of the passionate call for your resignation issued by Keith Olbermann on his Countdown show for July 3, 2007. While it is unlikely that you gave much consideration to it (except perhaps amusement at its futility), I am writing to suggest that such an action would very much be in your own self interest, and perhaps serve to forestall some very unpleasant consequences in your future.

While not a physician, and not having access to your personal records, your performance provides many indications demonstrating that, for many years, you have experienced the effects of brain damage, resulting from your long-term alcoholism, along with extended cocaine usage. There is certainly ample evidence of your addictions, to these drugs, and equally to the inevitable consequences resulting from their use.

But for the fact that you selected a sociopath, far more intellectually capable than you, as your Vice President, the evident brain damage which you display would have triggered the 25th Amendment, long ago. Your intractability with respect to the Iraq War, your support of politicalization of the Department of Justice, your disastrous mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina, your total disregard for the law demonstrated by the Libby commutation, individually and severally conclusively demonstrate your inability to hold the office of President of the United States.

What is particularly fascinating is your apparent total disregard for the views of your fellow citizens, and the media which report upon them. That none but a few show any support for any of your policies causes you not the slightest concern. Your serene movement through the swamp of contempt and disgust surrounding you is truly astonishing.

"...And yet Bush does not come across like a man lamenting his plight. In public and in private, according to intimates, he exhibits an inexorable upbeat energy that defies the political storms. Even when he convenes philosophical discussions with scholars, he avoids second-guessing his actions. He still acts as if he were master of the universe, even if the rest of Washington no longer sees him that way."

"You don't get any feeling of somebody crouching down in the bunker," said Irwin M. Stelzer, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who was part of one group of scholars who met with Bush. "This is either extraordinary self-confidence or out of touch with reality. I can't tell you which."

Since you have ample time to explore your interests, you might find it of interest to consider the end game for a man who must certainly rank among your short list of those you consider your heroes. Joseph McCarthy did his very best to use the tools then available, to foster the same kind of fear and loathing that has been the hallmark of your administration. His targeting of “Communists,” and the methods you employ to interrogate prisoners, stifle dissent, and wiretap American citizens have much in common. Yet, as you consider the end of McCarthy’s life, will you give even a passing thought to your life after January 20, 2009?

The senate investigations into the United States Army were televised and this helped to expose the tactics of Joseph McCarthy. One newspaper, the Louisville Courier-Journal, reported that: "In this long, degrading travesty of the democratic process, McCarthy has shown himself to be evil and unmatched in malice." Leading politicians in both parties, had been embarrassed by McCarthy's performance and on 2nd December, 1954, a censure motion condemned his conduct by 67 votes to 22.

McCarthy, who had been drinking heavily for many years, was discovered to have cirrhosis of the liver. An alcoholic, he was unable to take the advice of doctors and friends to stop drinking. Joseph McCarthy died in the Bethesda Naval Hospital on 2nd May, 1957. As the newspapers reported, McCarthy had drunk himself to death.

In his Special Comment calling for your resignation, Olbermann distinguishes your action from that of even Richard Nixon. He pointed out that once Nixon was finally convinced that impeachment was inevitable, he did the one final and honorable act that avoided the torture which the nation would have been put through; he resigned. While there is no indication that you have even the most passing interest in the lives of the citizens you govern, or the fate of the nation, it can be assumed that you have considerable interest in your own lifestyle once your cruel monarchy has ended.

The best future you have to which you can look forward is one of wealthy isolation. The nation and its media will wish to forget you as soon as possible. You can be certain there will be little, if any, demand for your gifted speech making abilities. Nor will there be a line at your door to seek your executive acumen being put to work as a director of many companies. Being left alone and forgotten is a best-case scenario for you.

If you have gotten this far, you are asking, “So, why should I resign?” The answer, George, is really very simple. While time, logistics, and pure politics make it unlikely that you will be impeached, there are a whole lot of people just waiting for the time you can be indicted for the many high crimes and misdemeanors you have committed during your two terms in office. How long do you think it will take either the new Administration or a petition from the public to convene a Federal Grand Jury, certain to indict you on any of a number of charges?

A solution to your problem looks something like this: Prior to resigning, you arrange with your crime partner, Cheney, to issue you a complete pardon, issued within hours of the time he takes office. Of course, he will shortly be impeached, but I’m sure with all the highly capable lawyers hanging around the White House, he can figure out a way to protect himself. After all, Spiro Agnew was able to walk away from criminal prosecution, and Cheney, all will agree is among the most gifted of criminals.