Letter: Saddam’s trial will mean more Bush propaganda

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003 | 9:09 a.m.

The capture of Saddam Hussein is a great propaganda piece for President Bush. It was particularly welcome for the president because the focus lately has been on the lack of weapons of mass destruction, the lack of a tie to al-Qaida, the troops we are losing each day and corporate profiteering.

With his programs of "Leave no billionaire behind," including the sellout of seniors with the prescription drug law, Bush has also been feeling political pressure domestically.

One would think that the American people could not be swayed by Saddam's capture, but Bush and his administration are masters of emotional propaganda. Remember the fear campaign that got us into Iraq? There was talk of 9-11, mushroom clouds, little vials of stuff that could kill millions, the smallpox vaccinations, duct tape and plastic and orange alerts. Then there was the hate propaganda. Hate the French for disagreeing. Hate the protesters for not being patriotic or supporting the troops and for aiding the enemy.

I suspect Saddam will go on a two-month trial, starting about Sept. 11, 2004. There will be plenty of gruesome evidence and all the major networks will cover it.

The American people may forget all about the Bush record. The Bush administration fooled us once. Shame on them. Will they fool us twice?

JERRY BITTS