Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Attention Deficit Disorder... The Guardian has an interesting collection of letters directed to George W, entitled While We Have Your Attention, Mr President...  Naturally, most of them make a point of opposing Bush's policies in Iraq and elsewhere, and seem none-to-keen on having him darken their doorsteps.  There's also a few favorable ones strewn about, but they're rather boring.  Here's a couple that caught my attention: Dear President Bush, I'm sure you'll be having a nice little tea party with your fellow war criminal, Tony Blair. Please wash the cucumber sandwiches down with a glass of blood, with my compliments. Harold Pinter Playwright Dear Mr Bush, Two years ago, shortly after the 9/11 atrocity I was arrested in the early hours of the morning at the home I shared with my wife in Colnbrook. At the time we were happy and looking forward to the future. I was studying to convert my US commercial pilot's licence to a European one and Sonia, my beautiful wife, had recently had a promotion at work. As the anti-terrorist branch officers stormed into our home, our life died and the nightmare began. The front page headlines around the world reported the US and their representatives as saying that I was the "lead instructor" of four of the pilots responsible for the hijackings and that I would in time be charged for "conspiracy to murder". I faced extradition and the death penalty. The proceedings against me lasted seven long months. Millions of pounds and dollars were spent on what the crown prosecution service described as the biggest investigation ever in the UK. The result was that the US case against me was thrown out of court by a UK judge who said that there had been "no evidence whatsoever" to support the allegation that I was involved in terrorism. I spent five months of hell in Belmarsh prison where threats were made on my life. My dream of a career as a pilot is over. The money spent on my training is wasted. My wife and I are unemployed. Many people will now always think of me as a terrorist. Because the US won't admit they were wrong and withdraw the warrant I can't travel out of the UK except to visit Algeria. I can't even visit my in-laws in France. The "war on terror" has moved on but my life and family are still in pieces. Lotfi Raissi The pilot falsely accused of aiding the September 11 terrorists Dear Jorge, Look out! Behind you!! Hahahahahahahaha, only kidding. Love, DBC Pierre Novelist Dear George Bush, I address you, George, in your capacity as the world's leading terrorist fundamentalist. Secure in your multimillions of dollars and your helpfully reinforcing pieties, I doubt you will see any reason to be interested in what the rest of the world makes of you. Thankfully, an increasing number of Americans are beginning to see you through the eyes of the rest of the world, so your reign could be shortlived. Truthfully, George, you are a disaster. You have managed, in a few short months and years, to identify the first part of the 21st century as the time when a voracious new American empire burst upon the world. In the world outside the US, nobody believes in your calls for democracy. You stole your own election. You try to strangle democracies, like Venezuela, which do not deliver pliant regimes. And everywhere the ordinary people of the earth, the overwhelming majority, will pay the price for your corrupt adventures. Nearer your home, hundreds of men rot in Guantanamo Bay without access to justice. Thousands have "disappeared" on the US mainland. You preside over the worst witch hunt in public life since Senator McCarthy. Poverty, unemployment, racism are all on the rise. Like most "emperors", you poison your homeland while trying to devour the resources of the world. We live in a world, George, where we have to live together, to find common solutions to the huge problems that afflict us. The horrific irony is that there are answers to poverty; to war, racism, disease and ignorance. You, in the name of your god and your country, are deliberately drowning out those answers in your patriotic and bellicose clamour, because as you know they imply a world without you or your kind. Imran Khan Human rights lawyer Dear George, Welcome to Grate Britten. We haven't been introduced before, but my name is Adam of the Reduced Shakespeare Company and I'm Californian. I'm sorry that my state voted Gore, but there you go... I'm writing because in my work as an expatriate Shakespearean vaudevillian, I spend a lot of time reading ancient Buddhist texts, and I have a suggestion for you regarding policy direction. I think you should model your administration on Asoka, Beloved of the Gods, the great Buddhist emperor of India (3rd century BC). Although he was initially warlike and bloodthirsty (think Dick Cheney with a scimitar), he converted to Buddhism and began governing according to principles of tolerance, compassion and non-violence. And even though he was totally peaceful, neighbouring countries never took advantage of him because he was so cool. So when you get back to the US, if you could do that for me, I'd be much obliged. Also, could you send over some Oreo cookies? You can't get 'em anywhere here. Thanks. Love, Adam Long Director and female impersonator, the Reduced Shakespeare Co, UK PS: If you've got a free afternoon while you're here you should come over to my house. I've got the director's cut of Dude, Where's My Car on DVD. PPS: The word "fanny" means something completely different over here, so don't use it in polite company. 11:57:05 PM    comment []

© Copyright 2003 nick ring. Last update: 12/3/03; 5:48:53 PM. This theme is based on the SoundWaves (blue) Manila theme.