When comparing Truman and Bush ...
Re “The Truman myth,” Opinion, June 14
When comparing presidents Truman and Bush within the context of conflict, start at the very beginning -- their actual war service: Truman was an exemplary commander under fire during World War I; Bush opted out of the Vietnam War. Next consider them as war leaders: Truman made his mark fighting supplier corruption; Bush seems to encourage it at every turn. When Gen. Douglas MacArthur failed to follow orders, Truman fired him. Bush only fires people who disagree with him; performance has nothing to do with it. Finally, Max Boot recalls all of Truman’s unilateral actions. He fails to point out that the world was still recovering from World War II. No one else was available to act.
TOM STROUD
Overland Park, Kan.
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This is no myth. Truman had a sign on his desk that read, “The buck stops here.” The buck in the Bush administration is pushed on the backs of low-ranking military personnel.
DANUTE V. HANDY
Santa Barbara
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