November 3, 2000

Letters to the Editor, Times Picayune, 3800 Howard Ave, New Orleans, La. 70125, Fax no. 826-3812

Dear Editor:

Revelation of Mr. Bush's DUI conviction is disturbing. More disturbing is his reaction to the news. His response is to shift the blame and the issue. With absolutely no evidence, Mr. Bush blames the disclosure on the Democrats.

If Mr. Bush thinks that the issue of substance abuse is not relevant in the public evaluation of the person who will next man the nuclear arsenal, then he has not the intelligence to hold this mighty office. We all know, of course, that Mr. Bush's drinking and drug problems are behind him -- he's gone to the waterfall.

He may have stopped using, but he still clings to the classic ploy of the substance abuser -- shift the blame.

Edward H. Booker (fax, November 2, 2000).