Letter: This is no way to run a democracy

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 3:41 a.m.

It's funny how enthusiastic Republicans were to get to the bottom of things during the Clinton administration. They left no stone unturned, spared no expense and conducted endless investigations to uncover nothing but tabloid trash about a blue dress. Yet they insisted we had a right and a need to know all about it.

We are now confronted with a real problem (terrorism), which does affect all our lives and, suddenly, the enthusiasm to get to the bottom of things is not there. The Bush administration is holding back requested documents and discouraging an independent investigation into 9/11. Dissent and commentary are stifled. Anyone who dares ask questions or presents a challenge to Bush is ridiculed. Epithets like anti-American and unpatriotic are used to shut them up and pressure them to back off. This is no way to run a democracy.

Even the press, who have a very important and vital role to play in a free society, are reluctant to ask tough questions so they don't appear unpatriotic. This is not good for America and allows Bush to escape the inquiries and scrutiny any president, war or no war, must face.

President Bush often reminds us we're fighting to protect freedom. Someone should remind him about the freedoms expressed in the First Amendment, which gives us the right to speak out freely, petition the government with our grievances and to question our leaders without intimidation and name-calling.

JOYCE SEGAL