May 15, 2002
During Bush's campaign he assured the voters that he would not raid the Social Security fund except in cases of war, recession or national emergency. Shortly after 9/11 it was reported that Bush commented to Budget Director Mitch Daniels, "Lucky me, I hit the trifecta." I cannot imagine a context where a remark like that could be interpreted in any way other than callous and insensitive.
Unfortunately, Bush doesn't see it that way. Bush has been using "I hit the trifecta" to this day. He repeated it at a fundraiser in Ohio and got this response from his crass supporters - laughter. Bush considers 9/11 a stroke of luck for him. He and his supporters find this amusing. I find it appalling.
9/11 was one of the most disastrous days in American history and our President finds the event not only politically fortuitous, but worthy of public attempts at tasteless humor. I can only imagine the moral outrage had Clinton uttered some comparable comment following the bombing of the embassies or USS Cole. The morality police of the Right would be all over this, calling the remarks immoral and inappropriate. With Bush they find them witty.
3000 Americans died on 9/11. We cried, mourned, raged and attempted to heal. 9/11 brought war, recession and a national emergency. Lucky Bush, he hit the trifecta, as he gleefully continues to remind us. When is someone going to publicly call him on this? Remarks like this should not be ignored because they reveal the true nature of the man making them. Bush has used 9/11 for political gain and no one seems to be paying attention.
Jo-Anna
Pippen
Albany, CA
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