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Opinions expressed in articles posted to the "From our readers" section do not necessarily reflect those of WEAC. If you would like to contribute to this page, please send your e-mail to OnWEAC Editor Bill Hurley at hurleyb@weac.org. Not all articles submitted to OnWEAC will be posted, and some may be edited for length.
To the Editor:
I have been a proud Wisconsin teacher for over 26 years. I have enjoyed
many of the articles in the WEAC publication and have used many of the
ideas presented. I feel that I represent many of my collegues in the
ideals and goals of education.
However, I do not feel that the WEAC publication represents a balanced
picture of the ideals of its members. Specifically, I am referring to
the article in the December 2003 edition and the spin of Bob Wodward's
speech.
Woodward correctly stated that "9-11 shaped the Bush presidency."
He also stated that the "Bush White House had many shortcomings
and failures" relating to the 9-11 threat. Why is this logic faulty?
President Bush took office in January 2001. He subsequently met with
George Tenet, the CIA director from the Clinton administration. How
smart of President Bush to keep Tenet as the CIA director in order to
keep the flow of information accurate. At this meeting in January 2001,
Tenet warned the president of the threat posed by Osama bin Laden and
the al Qaeda network. Would it have been prudent to mount a full offensive
on Afghanistan in February of 2001? Would Mr. Woodward have supported
this? Does anyone think that this "serious threat" was not
known the previous eight years? Does anyone honestly think that this
warning was not given to Bill Clinton? Does anyone think that Bill Clinton
successfully addressed those warnings? Only naivete would result in
one thinking that this warning was new or that it had been addressed
by the previous administration. I find Woodward's insinuation quite
ironic that less than one month after taking office, this warning by
Tenet was something new to be dealt with. I find Bush's response, "My
blood was not boiling about bin Laden, and it should have been,"
refreshingly honest.
There are many WEAC members who strongly support our president and are
proud of the work he is doing. He is a leader we can look up to with
high standards for himself and his cabinet members. President Bush sets
a tone for the entire country from executives to laborers. We no longer
have to wonder what the definition of "it" is. Now students
look to the job of president as one of honor. Since WEAC is a political
voice for its members, it would be nice if the WEAC publication would
offer a voice for those of us who support our administration. Remember,
education is open to all points of view. A balance of ideas would give
an honest picture of who WEAC members really are.
Respectfully,
Terry Hemschik
Dousman