Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008
Shoddy journalism in George W. Bush case? Plus: Blaming Apple for geological events; "Law & Order" spin-off's salacious camerawork.
Oct 26, 1999 |
Book: Bush was arrested for cocaine in 1972
BY SALON STAFF
(10/19/99)
and
Publisher halts George W. Bush bio
BY DARYL LINDSEY
(10/22/99)
As much as I would like to believe this story, simple cultural history would seem to contradict it. Why would such an obviously conventional thinker, social conformist, fraternity member yearning for acceptance and approval, use a drug in 1972 which would not become conventional, social or fraternal until the disco era of the late-'70s/early-'80s? Could these cocaine rumors, desperately looking for a vessel, have been mistakenly placed in a vial of a punitive "community service" which actually has another account? I suspect so.
-- L.J. Van den Berg
I am amazed that you would give such credence to a book that bases all its information on speculation. I guess Salon has now decided to put itself in a category with the National Enquirer. The Harris County district attorney at that time was asked about this supposed incident and emphatically stated that such an event never happened. What is the investigative background of J.H. Hatfield? It sounds like he is still writing science fiction, except that now he is beginning to blur the lines of reality.
-- Brad Hedges
George W. Bush may actually have done cocaine some 30 years ago, but you are just going to have to do better than just say that "the author believes them to be true." This is irresponsible journalism. All the sources for the most controversial part of the book are anonymous? How convenient.
-- David Partain
There appears to be something quite sinister about the way any allegation that might taint Dubya's campaign is so quickly censored and suppressed. Strings were pulled to keep Dubya out of the Vietnam War. Dubya denies it, end of story. When similar allegations surfaced about Clinton, it lasted for months and months. The number of stories linking Dubya with the white powdery stuff multiplies almost daily, yet this book has been pulled from the shelves.
Whether this particular author has written other books does not change the fact that the accusations clearly ring true here. Investigate the charge, not the charger, please!
-- Edward Klein
If it turns out to be true that J.H. Hatfield misrepresented himself, expect the story to get far more attention from the corporate news media than the little matters of Bush's waffling on his past drug abuse, his getting into the National Guard during the Vietnam War through favoritism, his corrupt business dealings and his influence-peddling as Texas governor. The spin will be that poor George is a victim of "sleaze."
Born-again but still cocky George is going to "restore the dignity of the presidency" when he strolls into office in his cool cowboy boots and opens up the federal treasury so it can be raided by his corporate sponsors. After all, didn't he set things right by stiffening penalties for drug abusers in Texas? He's putting young people in prison for first-time offenses because he just hates to see them make the same mistakes he "may or may not" have made in his youth.
-- Walter Risley
Columbus, Ohio
Let's say the allegations are true. What does this say about the war on drugs? "We will haunt you for 25-plus years if you've ever indulged, especially if you're a Republican." Is this what the "war on drugs" has brought us? It's a real shame that every generation of America has to have its crucible, its scapegoating, its finger-pointing. America should be ashamed of itself.
-- J. Hay
Atlanta
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