To our president’s supporter, Normal Mehl from Santa Maria, who supported W with shouts of the World Trade Center, $80 million being spent on war, and I quote, “no president has had to deal with a major attack on U.S. soil since the Revolution�:

Wow. You are a gem.

I honestly wonder how many other people in this country feel as you do, are as well informed as you are. Thanks, Norm, and here is my gift of knowledge to you:

Washington Post (Assoc. Press) Thurs., Nov. 25, 2004: “NATO will be handing over the peacekeeping mission to the European Union on Dec. 2, which means a withdrawal of most of the 700 U.S. troops currently in Bosnia. About 150 U.S. troops will stay. (U.S. Troops Mark End Of Mission In Bosnia, Page A19)�

How much do ya suppose those 700 — er, 150 — take out of the $80 million Norm? Furthermore, I don’t care for the way you de-emphasized the event that took place at 7:53 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941. Hawaii formally lost its sovereignty to the United States in 1898, taking effect in 1900. This annexed Hawaii, and I argue that made it an “extension� of U.S. soil. I know you are trying to make a point by pretending it wasn’t U.S. soil until 1959, but the problem with you and Bush supporters like you is that your only tool is three parts ignorance and two parts lies.

Ian M. Forbes

San Luis Obispo