Got a call from the Editorial page editor. My letter's in....

[Pacifist Patriot]

Sounds like this will be printed in Florida Today soon.

Everyone deserves answers to these questions:

- Why did Bush tell Diane Sawyer on September 1, 2005 he didn’t think anyone anticipated levee breaches? Aside from official reports, Popular Mechanics (2001) and the New Orleans Times-Picayune (2004) published articles about the threat.

- Why did Bush fire Michael Parker, head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when Parker predicted this disaster in 2002?

- Why did Bush cut funding for levee maintenance in New Orleans in June? He reduced the budget of the New Orleans Corps of Engineers by 44 percent after the worst hurricane season on record.

- Why did Bush repeal wetlands protection policies? He allowed developers to drain thousands of acres of wetlands protecting New Orleans.

- Why didn’t Bush return to Washington immediately? He celebrated VJ-Day two weeks late, attended a birthday party, appeared at fundraisers, and strummed a guitar while his constituents drowned.

- Why do gas prices take six weeks to drop following a decline in the price of oil but six hours to rise following a hurricane? Last quarter big oil had record profits.

- Why would looting surprise anyone? 35% of the LA National Guard is in Iraq, the Navy didn’t deploy ships for days, poverty-stricken people believe they have nothing to lose, and a profligate administration and corporate looters have already established the moral tone.

President Bush did not cause the devastation, but his policies have contributed to making it far worse.

I know I'm going to be pissed when I see how they butcher it in editing, but I'm glad at least something of it will end up in print.

[Dr.Phool]

1. I know what you mean about editing.

The last couple I had printed in the Tampa Tribune were edited with a chainsaw.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. Keys to getting LTEs published:

Brevity on. Rant off. Stay on topic. Be factual.

I'd guess right now that your last three bulleted points get spiked, and maybe the tag line.