Letter: Parachute jump was attempt to obscure son’s legacy (June 26, 2009)
I found the article on President Bush’s birthday celebration disturbing (“George-onimo,” June 19).
Bush’s chief of staff, Jean Baker, said this was not the first time the president has parachuted from a plane – the first time was World War II. What was left unsaid was that he jumped out of a plane he flew that went down in the Pacific, and was rescued, the only survivor. This was not just another example of his expertise in jumping out of planes. Men died. Is this sorry event something to be used as an example of parachuting practice?
In addition, it’s distasteful to see yet another instance of a Bush family member showing up in a flight suit. Does the president wish to cloud our recall of ‘Mission Accomplished’? These military-style antics encourage comparisons with his son’s own less-than-exemplary military record, not to mention forcing us into war.
It’s necessary to keep history in perspective. What happened during George W. Bush’s term was no war game. Presidential showmanship always make a splash, but we have a lot to remember in our country. We are still at war in the world and we went there because false information was reported as fact. It’s as important as ever to keep our record straight and our recall clear.
If President Bush, Sr. wanted to leave an enduring legacy, he could do something that doesn’t reopen a wound to our national conscience. If President Bush, Jr. can swear off golfing during the duration of the war, perhaps Bush, Sr. could stop rubbing his devil-may-care attitude in our faces. When can we consider this town a stunt-diving free zone?
If the Bush family really wished for us to ‘jump for joy’ as their banner in Dock Square proclaimed, Bush, Sr. could contribute something that showed respect for the residents – and the country. It’s insulting to be used as a ready-made audience for his personal vainglorious self-promotion.
Our country is still at war. Unfortunately, this parachute drop served as a sorry reminder. Focus on ending the war, sir. That would be something about you to truly celebrate!
Laurie Dobson
Kennebunkport
It is necessary to keep this skydive in perspective. Mr. Bush has made several in the last few years, and as I understand it, he intends to make at least one more.
Skydiving has a sport application in addition to a military application. The United States Parachute Association has 30,000 members, and 3 million sport skydives are made in this country each year. Will you tell all skydivers that each jump they make is a stunt that "reopens a wound" or is that special for Mr. Bush?
You seem to have brought far more meaning to Mr. Bush's fun jump than is reasonable. You also put far more of a burden on him than anyone should be required to bear. You have no idea how bizarre all this sounds to anyone who has ever made even one skydive.
Perhaps you can work on your theory to account for this:
http://www.heloise.com/press.html
There are many, many more.
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