A copy of Lt. Col. Butler's letter

The following is the letter to the editor written by Lt. Col. Steve Butler who was serving as vice chancellor for student affairs at the Defense Language Institute when he wrote the letter, published in The Herald on May 26.

Butler was suspended from his duties at the Monterey language school following publication of his letter, which could constitute a violation of Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Article 88 bars any commissioned officer from using "contemptuous words" about the president, Congress and various other officials. The matter, which is now attracting national attention, is under investigation by the Air Force.

The letter follows as originally published:

It's about time conservative idiots like Steve Kelly and Rod Musgrove got a dose of reality. Of course President Bush knew about the impending attacks on America. He did nothing to warn the American people because he needed this war on terrorism. His daddy had Saddam and he needed Osama.

His presidency was going nowhere. He wasn't elected by the American people, but placed into the Oval Office by the conservative supreme court. The economy was sliding into the usual Republican pits and he needed something on which to hang his presidency.

For them to accuse Democrats of being "sleazy" is laughable. Isn't it ironic that Kelly begins his inane babble with a reference to Monica Lewinsky? How many people died because of Monica Lewinsky? And for Musgrove to call the assertions "contemptible" is another joke. Funny how he manages to make disparaging remarks about President Clinton, as well.

Face it people, Bill Clinton was a great president. This guy is a joke. What is sleazy and contemptible is the President of the United States not telling the American people what he knows for political gain. The Democrats asking pertinent questions is their duty as public servants.


Steve Butler