Question: Do you think there is a political motivation behind the Bush administration pushing a war with Iraq with the November elections coming up?
Charles Falarara, Miami Beach, artist, 36
“Of course there is. We didn’t even get Osama Bin Laden yet. They’re escaping the fallout for what they failed to do. They haven’t delivered on their responsibilities
relating to September 11, so they’re creating another crisis. It’s typical. Like father, like son.”
Gabe Perez, Miami, flight attendant, 51
“Of course there is. Bush’s popularity is so high since 9/11. He’s capitalizing on that. The Iraq war is taking attention from the economy going to #*@%. Bush is
caught in the same political bind as his father, and the solution is going to war. The reason he’s popular is that people are bamboozled into thinking that if you don’t agree on
Afghanistan and Iraq you’re un-American.”
Walter Kelley, Jr., Norfolk, VA, attorney, 47
“I think it has evolved naturally. There’s naturally a sense of urgency to prevent another 9/11. If I recall, the talk about war with Iraq began in the late spring,
and has evolved in stages. It’s definitely not an ‘October surprise.’ It’s not just a pre-election gambit.”
Curtis Shaw, Miami Beach, “I’m a dad, right now,” 40
“I totally believe that the election has something to do with it. It’s just a general feeling that Bush and his administration are tied to big business. It’s like he’s
their public relations guy. There are problems with Iraq, but it seems that the pieces just don’t fit together. When I read what Nelson Mandela said about our invading Iraq, that
made me think about what we are doing.”
Kristin Powell, Patchogue, NY, purchasing agent, 32
“It sounds terribly cynical, but I can’t rule it out. Part of me has a suspicion that’s the case. I would hope not. It’s unpopular, but I’m not a Bush fan. I don’t
really trust what he says or does. I hope he deserves t the benefit of the doubt.”
Randall Pettit, Patchogue, NY, social worker, 52
“I don’t think this is politically motivated, because George Bush isn’t that smart. (I’m just joking.) I think ever since he became president he’s wanted to do what
his father didn’t do, because his father had a chance to topple the Saddam Hussein regime and didn’t.”
(photos & interviews by Tony Guzman)
