To the Editor:
After reading the editorials in The Poly two weeks ago, specifically Ken Girardin’s editorial, “Kerry keeps flip flopping,” I spent a good hour contemplating the meaning of “stapled to the closet door.” Call me liberal, but I prefer candidates using facts to back their arguments and ideas. Girardin referenced three sources: his own humble opinion, himself, and “anyone.” The first two of these sources are arguably the same, and the third is certainly not reliable. When I decided to write a response, I thought it would be responsible to research the subject further than Girardin, so I downloaded and watched the debate again.
I watched closely, paused, rewound, and took notes, but at no point did I hear Senator John Kerry express that he thought that Americans are stupid. Furthermore, Girardin said Kerry’s plans for his presidency were a mystery, and the only thing Americans could count on is “that he can successfully sneak a tax hike on Americans.” I’m not sure which debate Girardin was watching that night, as Kerry clearly outlined his plans for health care, the economy, and education among other issues. Surprisingly, there wasn’t any evidence of the devious Senator’s theory for sneaking in tax hikes. He did talk about doing away with President Bush’s tax cuts, but only those for Americans making over $200,000 each year. This doesn’t sound very sneaky to me, but Mr. Girardin, I will count on it.
Perhaps one of the last words I would use to describe President Bush is eloquent. Girardin thought otherwise, and quoted the president saying “a plan is not a litany of complaints,” which is Republican for “I have no response to my opponent’s statement of well known facts which are a sore spot to my campaign.” Had Mr. Girardin listened to the rest of the debate, he would no doubt have known the facts of Kerry’s health care plan. Criticizing Democrats for complaining is hardly a strong argument for Mr. Bush. Americans have a right to complain. We have been lied to by the administration on several issues. The war in Iraq, and further and the so-called “War on Terror” are perfect examples. Approximately $150 billion and 1,100 dead Americans after we entered Iraq we still have seen no weapons of mass destruction or any links between the former Iraqi government and Al-Qaeda.
Although there are several issues pertaining to the state of the nation and the current administration’s incompetency that I could discuss in depth, I really want people to be aware of what they are reading. Girardin’s editorial was clearly a statement of opinion, as it contained no facts. Unfortunately for The Poly’s readers, his style walks a thin line between zealot-like enthusiasm and statement of “facts.” Personally I am disgusted that anyone, especially students of this university, could form such strong opinions without considering the facts. Mr. Girardin, I hope you did not vote in a swing state.
Tom Downes
PHYS ’06
