He was certainly my president. |
President George Herbert
Walker Bush had a lot of faults—he was, after all, human.
He also had a lot of
strengths. The following is one of
those: Bush’s resignation from the National Rifle Association is short, sweet
and to the point. It’s well worth
remembering during these divisive times:
Dear
Mr. Washington,
I
was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne
LaPierre, executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his attack on federal
agents as "jack-booted thugs." To attack Secret Service agents or
A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as "wearing Nazi
bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms" wanting to "attack
law abiding citizens" is a vicious slander on good people.
Al
Whicher, who served on my [ United States Secret Service ] detail when I was
Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi. He
was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to serving his country -- and
serve it well he did.
In
1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another dedicated
officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this honorable man, killed by
weird cultists, was no Nazi.
John
Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one of the most
principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the last to condone the
kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges. The same is true for the
F.B.I.'s able Director Louis Freeh. I appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench.
His integrity and honor are beyond question.
Both
John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President. They both now
serve in the current administration. They both have badges. Neither of them
would ever give the government's "go ahead to harass, intimidate, even
murder law abiding citizens." (Your words)
I am
a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with most of
N.R.A.'s objectives, particularly your educational and training efforts, and
your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns.
However,
your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own sense of decency
and honor; and it offends my concept of service to country. It indirectly
slanders a wide array of government law enforcement officials, who are out
there, day and night, laying their lives on the line for all of us.
You
have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre's unwarranted attack. Therefore, I resign as a
Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective upon your receipt of
this letter. Please remove my name from your membership list.
Sincerely,
[ signed ] George Bush
What’s your favorite memory of President George HW
Bush? Tell me in the comments below.
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