International Mail Call

Feb. 13, 2006 issue - Bush in the Bubble
Our Dec. 19 cover story on Bush's world led readers to lash out at the president's isolation. "Is he a king?" asked one. Another hated "his play-by-my-rules philosophy"; a third loathed his "imperialism."

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The Isolated President
What is wrong with this picture? The Bush sources in your report "Bush in the Bubble" (Dec. 19) "refused to be identified for fear of antagonizing the president"; "[spoke] anonymously so as not to complicate relations with the president"; "declined to be identified for fear of giving offense"; "asked not to be identified for fear of offending the White House"; "wouldn't be identified talking about his boss," and "did not want to be identified criticizing the president." Do we have a president or a pompous king? Do we have public servants, or are they the king's servants who are so frightened of antagonizing him?
Debbie Riga
Astoria, New York

Every thinking person in the world knows that it is not "true believers" but true criminal interests that put George Bush in the U.S. presidency and turned him into a criminal by his complicity. Bush and company despotically scorn international law, and think nothing of ruining the environment, violating privacy and civil rights, abetting torture and maintaining an unwarranted invasion of Iraq. They are true believers in U.S. supremacy over the world—what in other times was called "imperialism."
Maria-Soledad Cervantes-Ramirez
Mexico City, Mexico

Your story speaks of a guy who plays by his own rules, disregarding others who might have something intelligent and worthwhile to contribute. Surrounded by manipulators, cronies, hangers-on and sycophants, he preaches his play-by-my-rules-or-else philosophy. Who would believe a grinning, smirking man discussing the scandalous torture of prisoners? The bubble may burst so padded cells for him and his followers should be on order.
Robert Bauerle
Sindelfingen, Germany

According to "Bush in the Bubble," the president is one of the few people not concerned about his being completely isolated from any negative news or advice. Therefore, your cover illustration showing him looking worried about being trapped in his "good-news only" bubble is inappropriate. It would have been more accurate to show Bush happy in his bubble and the rest of us looking frightened.
Marilyn Gildea
Mountain View, California

So, let me get this straight. Jack Murtha's outburst about the need to withdraw from Iraq was because, by his own admission, the president didn't talk to him about his ideas for the war. This is less a sign that Bush lives in a bubble than that many in Washington think more highly of themselves than they deserve to. A onetime Democrat, I trust Bush's instincts on Iraq, which is more than I can say for Democrats, who aren't sure what they think of the war in any given week.
John Sponauer
Southington, Connecticut

As you mention in your cover story, virtually all White House officials quoted refused to be identified for fear of antagonizing the president. Over and over again, throughout the article, attribution is given to anonymous sources painting a disturbing portrait of the president as a boy-king who "does not like dissonance" or to hear bad news. It is astounding and so very unsettling to think that a man as intellectually uncurious and out of touch as President Bush is our leader in these troubled and turbulent times. (Or perhaps he is, at least, partly the reason for these times being so troubled and turbulent?) It is unconscionable given all the bad news in Iraq and in our own Gulf region (not to mention all the other problems we face) that none of these unidentified aides and friends, unlike Rep. Jack Murtha, can muster the strength of character to stand up and speak the truth to our commander in chief.
Michael Accordino
Teaneck, New Jersey

Your Dec. 19 cover doesn't correctly depict Bush in his bubble. It looks as if he wants to get out of the bubble, when in reality I think he prefers to be there. He is happy and feels safe there. Instead, your illustration should show him as content. Probably his greatest fear is that the bubble might burst, exposing him to the real world.
Mary Rhode
Roseville, Minnesota

The attributions in your story about the foundering Bush presidency were just as interesting as the actual narrative. In virtually every paragraph, there was a quote from someone—legislator, official or diplomat—requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation from the White House. The George W. Bush who emerges from the story is not just isolated, but also arrogant, petty and vindictive. Small wonder that he finds himself in such a slump.
Jonas Bjork
Indianapolis, Indiana

I found your cover photo, its title and the article outright offensive. I voted for Bush both times and as far as I am concerned, he's not isolated nor does he need to change. I think he's got it right-on and you are the ones that are isolated. Why don't you try writing about all the good things taking place in Iraq? Most soldiers I know tell me we see a very skewed view of what's happening over there in our media, all negative and nothing positive.
Mark W. Peterson
via internet

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