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An Open Letter to President Bush

(This article first appeared in the September/October 2005 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Sept. 11, 2005
George W. Bush, President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

I hope this letter finds you and yours well. Please say hello to your father and Barbara.

I am writing today to offer a friendly reminder about some recent events on the world stage. It has now been four years since OSAMA BIN LADEN pierced the consciousness of our nation.

Here is what so many of us have since learned about OSAMA BIN LADEN:

OSAMA BIN LADEN was responsible for the November 1995 bombing of a U.S.-operated Saudi National Guard training center in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia. Five American servicemen were killed.

OSAMA BIN LADEN was responsible for the June 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers apartment complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, which housed U.S. military personnel. Nineteen U.S. servicemen were killed.

OSAMA BIN LADEN was responsible for the U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998 that killed 224 people and injured another 5,000. OSAMA BIN LADEN was responsible for the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole, which killed 17 U.S. sailors.

And, of course, OSAMA BIN LADEN — not Saddam — was responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on U.S. soil, which killed more than 3,000 U.S. citizens.

Unlike OSAMA BIN LADEN , the vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving, law-abiding citizens of the world.

However, we all know that radicals exist in the shadows of all religions — you need look no further than to the English-speaking Protestants and Catholics of Northern Ireland, whose religious conflicts have led to thousands of deaths over the last four decades.

OSAMA BIN LADEN has become a symbol to some radical Muslims. Many believe that his ability to evade capture proves that his actions must be pleasing to God. Despite his blows against the “Great Satan,”when the “infidel”armies were marching in Afghanistan to capture OSAMA BIN LADEN, these same radicals probably believed that the “Hand of God” Himself instead steered the armies toward Saddam — who, incidentally, had a sideline specialty in oppressing radical Muslims.

OSAMA BIN LADEN must not be allowed to die of old age. Just as Saddam is finally being brought to stand trial in Iraq for atrocities against his own people, I believe that you, President Bush, must fulfill your pledge to bring to “justice those who were responsible for 9-11.”

But this cannot happen until OSAMA BIN LADEN is standing before a judge in New York City! There’s no question that, four years after 9-11, it should have happened already. Your secretary of defense recently went to Iraq and suddenly there was talk of bringing troops home from Iraq. This is wonderful enough, except that “mission accomplished” cannot be claimed until OSAMA BIN LADEN is captured. If need be, send more troops to Afghanistan. Don’t let the speeches still echoing in our ears since 9-11 ring hollow. The souls of thousands of Americans cry for justice. Do not allow OSAMA BIN LADEN to remain an inspiration to terrorists.

Just one citizen’s thoughts,

Clifford J. Guffey

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