George H. W. Bush (Terrorist Connection, Conflict of Interest, Carlyle Group, 911)

FACT: The New York Times reported back in March 2001 that ex-President Bush was touring Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Carlyle Group, using his political contacts to further his business interests. According to Judicial Watch, the bin Laden family has a substantial investment in the Carlyle Group, and have met with George Bush Sr. on several occasions. The Bin Laden family is currently under investigation following the September 11 attacks. The FBI subpoenaed their bank records to find out whether they're funding Osama or not. 

COMMENT: As of this point, George Bush Senior is still working for the company. 

George W. Bush (Lack of Leadership, Coward, Lies, Profiteering, 911) 05/2002

FACT: According to the GOP, the infamous Bush-9/11 exploitation photo they were hawking for cash demonstrated "the gritty determination of our new president." But in an interview last week for German television Bush revealed what was really going through his mind as he sat safe and sound on Air Force One. "I was concerned about things like, is my wife safe? You know, I was worried about that. I was worried about things such as my parents. I was worried about my [twin] girls....I mean, I was trying to get out of harm's way." 

George W. Bush (Lies, 911) 

FACT: Last week a House committee was pressured by the White House to vote down a measure which would have provided billions of dollars to help New York rebuild. So while big business is suddenly reaping the reward of massive government handouts, New Yorkers will have to find another way to recover from the September 11 attacks. 

COMMENT: Now, remember when Bush took his bullhorn up to the top of that pile of rubble at Ground Zero and told emergency workers, "I hear you.". Apparently he only "hears" people during photo ops and elections.

George W. Bush (Hypocrisy, Punishing the Impoverished, Corporate Interests, 911)

FACT: In the winter of 2001, Bush refused to release $300 million earmarked to help the poor pay their heating bills, citing the possibility of a milder winter this year. Cold weather state lawmakers are trying to encourage Bush to release the funds.

COMMENT: In addition, the number of people seeking heating assistance will rise this year, due to layoffs following the September 11 attacks. All this while Bush gave the airlines $14 billion. 

Bush (Bush-Bin Laden Link, Corporate Interests, Criminal, Despicable behavior, 911) 

FACT: According to the BBC, Bush halted all ongoing FBI investigations of ties between the Bin Laden family and international terrorism. Bush's father and the Bin Ladens are in business together at the Carlyle Group, a private investment house. 

George W. Bush (Lies, Punishing the citizenry, 911) 

FACT: New Yorkers were disgusted to learn that Bush has effectively slashed $5 billion from the promised $20 billion of aid for 9-11 related costs. It was revealed last week that the administration would simply steal $5 billion from the victims' compensation fund, so that federal funding would only need to provide $15 billion. Unfortunately New Yorkers had been led to believe every step of the way that the two funds would be kept separate. "It was repeatedly made clear that these dollars were not to be included as part of the $20 billion - and we're not going to let that happen," vowed Sen. Chuck Schumer. "This verges on a breach of faith." 

COMMENT: The Bush budget will include a series of cuts to important New York programs, "ranging from Head Start and Drug Free Schools grants to community-development block grants," according to the New York Post. Also, Bush's plan nearly-eliminates the COPS program, which has allowed the hiring of 7,000 new NYC police officers over the years. And don't forget that Bush, without hesitation, promised and delivered $15 billion in aid to the Airlines whose penny pinching on security was at least partially responsible for the 9-11 catastrophe.

Ari Fleischer (Lies, 911) 05/2002

FACT: According to the Associated Press, Ari claimed that, "information was passed to the airlines and airports more than once last summer." However, the Fox News revealed, "no warnings indicated that a Sept. 11 scenario was credible or possible," "we’re not aware of any warnings or notifications of any specific threats," and "we were not notified by the federal government," according to spokespersons from United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and the Massachusetts Port Authority. 

Republicans (Lacking leadership, 911) 

FACT: Senator Tom Daschle gets a letter laced with anthrax but it’s the House Republicans who abandon the capitol. The Democratic Senate (which is where the anthrax was discovered) decided to stand tall, stay and continue to do the work of the people; meanwhile Dennis Hastert and the Republican House chose to throw government out of the window and head for the hills. All this of course, while George Bush (from the relative safety of China) is unconvincingly attempting to reassure the country that it's safe for everyone to go about their business.