Letter: Republican presidents took gifts, too

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001 | 12:04 p.m.

After all, where were these jerks when the elder George Bush pardoned Casper Weinberger, who was involved in the Iran-Contra affair, which was a far more serious transgression than tax evasion which is done every day in a legal but unethical way by almost every rich guy in the country.

Want to talk about gifts? How about the thousands Bush received from the Emir of Kuwait in thanks for saving his rear end at the cost of dozens of American kid's lives?

How about Ronald Reagan, who was involved up to his ears (probably called the shots) in Iran Contra, accepted a brand-new mansion from supporters upon leaving office and, most egregious, took $2 million from Japan for a 20-minute speech. Now the Japanese don't give away that kind of money for nothing, so what was the quid pro quo here? I repeat -- get over it.

DAN OLIVIER

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