To The Editor:
Shavana Abruzzo, I was amused by the spurious analysis of your column (“Questions loom about Bam’s blood ties,” A Britisher’s View).
If we were to take seriously your argument that political leaders are controlled by their family ties, then what happened to Presidents Reagan, Carter, and Bush?
Reagan’s son Ron is gay and yet the president opposed gay rights legislation. Carter’s brother was an alcoholic and engaged in controversial dealings with Libya (Billygate scandal). President Carter did not become an alcoholic, or change US policy towards Libya.
President George W. Bush has a brother, Neil, who had a role in creating the Savings and Loan scandal of 1980s; daughters Barbara and Jenna, who have acted like wild drunks; a nephew, George P., who broke into his girlfriend’s house; a niece Noelle who has been arrested several times for drug and alcohol charges and then went to jail; as well as a nephew, John E., who was arrested for public drunkenness and resisting arrest.
While President Bush did sow his wild oats in his younger years, he has, as far as we know, stayed clean while in office and, except for the little matter of an illegal war, has not committed any crimes. You get the idea.
A relative does not determine what a president will do in office. Your analysis is specious, biased, and amounts to character assassination.
Jose R. Sanchez
Associate Professor of Politics
Long Island University
