Dougherty Arts Center
A Divider, Not a Uniter
RECEIVED Fri., Aug. 27, 2004
Dear Editor,
Whatever happened to the "I'm a uniter, not a divider" slogan Bush used to use. He and his campaign certainly can't claim that the SBVFT ad against Kerry's service during the Vietnam War isn't divisive. It was a disgusting and dishonorable tactic used against John McCain in 2000 and Max Cleland in 2002, and this latest one against Kerry reeks even more. The largest share of money to finance the ad was provided by Bob Perry, one of Bush's richest supporters in Texas. Perry also bought influence (those are still called contributions in Texas, even at $50,000 and up) with most of the Republican-controlled legislature. And he kicked in heavily to buy the so-called "tort reform" Proposition 12. But of course SBVFT and the Bush campaign didn't coordinate the attack ads. That would be illegal, you know. Something tells me they can coordinate these attack ads almost telepathically now, since they use the same negative tactics over and over. Karl Rove must be so proud of how the Atwater school of negative ads has flourished under his tutelage. Keeping America stronger by keeping us divided. Come on America, we can do better than that.
Whatever happened to the "I'm a uniter, not a divider" slogan Bush used to use. He and his campaign certainly can't claim that the SBVFT ad against Kerry's service during the Vietnam War isn't divisive. It was a disgusting and dishonorable tactic used against John McCain in 2000 and Max Cleland in 2002, and this latest one against Kerry reeks even more. The largest share of money to finance the ad was provided by Bob Perry, one of Bush's richest supporters in Texas. Perry also bought influence (those are still called contributions in Texas, even at $50,000 and up) with most of the Republican-controlled legislature. And he kicked in heavily to buy the so-called "tort reform" Proposition 12. But of course SBVFT and the Bush campaign didn't coordinate the attack ads. That would be illegal, you know. Something tells me they can coordinate these attack ads almost telepathically now, since they use the same negative tactics over and over. Karl Rove must be so proud of how the Atwater school of negative ads has flourished under his tutelage. Keeping America stronger by keeping us divided. Come on America, we can do better than that.
Sonia Santana
