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Bush Chooses Cash Over Compassion

Ignores Families of Soldiers Killed in Iraq While Lining Pocket's with Campaign Dollars in Their Cities

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Tony McHale

BUZZ -- According to the headlines in today's Washington Post -- "Bush Bests His Own Fundraising Record;" and the Cincinnati Post -- "Bush Hopes To Leave Town With $1M", it would seem Dubya is right on target to head into to '04 election with more money than Saddam. In Chicago, Bush raised more than $5 million and then went on to raise another $1 million in Cincinnati. Not a bad day's "WORK."

But I wonder if this "compassionate conservative" ever thought about making time to visit the family of Private First Class Brandon Ramsey from Calumet City near Chicago. This 21-year old was killed August 8. Or did Bush even think to place a phone call to the family of Private Matthew D. Bush (how ironic -- KIA 8/8/03)) from East Alton.

While he was collecting all that money, maybe he could have spared a moment to call the family of Specialist Corey A. Hubbell (KIA 6/26/03), a 20-year old soldier from Urbana, who perished in Bush's War. Maybe he could have atoned to the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Andrew Pokorny (KIA 6/13/03)from nearby Naperville, or the family of Marine Lieutenant Timothy Ryan (KIA 5/19/03) from Aurora, just outside Chicago.

Maybe while he was collecting all that money, he could have given a "Compassionate Conservative" thought to the family and friends of Marine Lance Corporal Nicholas Kleibocker, age 19 (KIA 5/123/03) from Irvington, or Marine Lance Corporal Jakub Kowalik from Schaumburg; or Staff Sergeant Lincoln Hollinsaid, 27, (KIA 4/7/03) from Maiden, and Marine 1st Sergeant Edward Smith from Chicago (KIA 4/5/03).

The list goes on. But then...when Bush and his entourage had collected what they could from the rich saps in Chicago...well, they headed to Cincinnati to collect more. They just can't get enough, can they?

But the family and friends of Army Chief Warrant Officer Brian Van Dusen never got a phone call or a message or even a "Hug" while Bush was in town collecting another $1 million. The grief of the family of 23-year old Army PFC Marlin T. Rockhold from Hamilton (KIA 5/8/03) wasn't shared by the Bush Machine. And just up the road in Cleveland are the families and friends of Army Pfc Brandon Sloan (age 19 KIA 3/23/03) and Army MSGT Robert Dowdy (KIA 3/23/03). Once again, the list of KIAs from Ohio where this Pretender is so pleased to raise millions of dollars goes on.

These young men are dead in the prime of their lives. And lest someone think this is just Another "Liberal"...think again. Sometimes a Nation has to go to war to defend itself against all enemies foreign and domestic...even if it may be the wrong cause (Viet Nam for example). These compassionate conservatives are about as phony as one can get. If Bill Clinton had done this, the Republicans would have demanded a Congressional Inquiry -- perhaps even a lynching.

Raise campaign money in the home towns of heroes who have fallen in this faked war..have they no shame? Has any Republican Member of Congress said to the Bush Administration -- "Maybe, while we are burying our dead, this is not a good time to be raising campaign money?" I served my Country during Viet Nam and I cannot think of a more despicable activity than going to all the home towns of dead American soldiers and gathering money from fat cat donors who expect favors in return.

For those of you in Nashua, NH, Topeka, KS, Casper, WY, Hagerstown, IN, Hammond, NY, Ganado, TX, Philly, Canton, Michigan, and all other places where you have sacrificed your sons and daughters...all over this Nation -- reject this Administration. When they ask for your money, ask for your children to return to you. Ask why this AWOL former Air Force Officer should be the Commander in Chief? Ask your Republican Representative or Senator why they continue to support this failed policy and why they should be re-elected?

Bush has not acknowledged one American soldier's death (more than 360), not one American soldier's wounds (more than 6,000), no misery, no sacrifice. But what could one expect from some one who while pledging his oath to America, sought to avoid actual combat service.

Someday soon Bush will come to Florida to collect more dirty money and I hope the families and friends of Marine Corporal Armando Gonzalez (Age 25 KIA 4/14/03) and Army Corporal John Rivero (Age 23 KIA 4/17/03) or Marine Lance Corporal Andrew Aviles (Age 18, KIA 4/7/03) or Army Sergeant First Class Paul Smith (Age 33 KIA 4/4/03) will remember. I hope they will remember that while their sons were dying to secure Bush's oil, he was more interested in raising money for a reelection which he does not deserve.

And for all those families of their loved ones who have perished in this phony war, I pray for you...The Bush Administration doesn't have time to pray for you...they're too busy raising money to continue this travesty against the American Constitution.

And for those of you who still don't get it, this Administration embodies the "evil-doers" against whom GW Bush railed so ineloquently. WAKE UP AMERICA...

Tony McHale

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY