After reading Jessica Meyers’ column on George W. Bush I felt absolutely compelled to respond to her supportive statements of the president (“Bush is president - he deserves a chance,” SN 2/8).

First and foremost, to say Bush is the type of citizen who personifies the United States is absurd. Bush is a man who has been bailed out of trouble every time he has screwed up - is he really in touch with the rest of us? I don’t think he has any clue as to what most Americans have to go through day in and day out.

And you say it is not possible for something drastic to occur while he sits in the oval office. What about the loss of many rights women, gays, lesbians and minorities have so strongly fought for in the past? What about the relaxation on many environmental laws that have been established to protect the beauty and well-being of our environment, as well as our safety?

You then go on to tell us President Bush has the charisma to be a great leader. Does the fact this man clearly lacks many other qualities of a great leader, such as the faith of the people he is leading, not concern you? I read Meyers’ column, and I tried to abandon my negative thoughts toward Bush for a few short moments, only to be slapped in the face with the cold hard truth that this country actually put a man as stupid and ignorant as Bush into office.

I was in Washington on Inauguration Day to let him know he is not my president, and I hope he sees I am not the only one who feels the same way.

Drew Olson
no-preference sophomore