Guest Editorial
Bush's Brain
by Helen Bourgeois

Friday, Sept. 22, 2000 (AmpolNS) -- I watched a network review of Bush and Gore family histories last week.

In Bush, I was shocked to see a bright-eyed, articulate young man running for office some years back -- pronouncing his words clearly and responding appropriately. I believe he was running for office in Midland at the time. The contrast with the Bush of today was astounding. I know the GOP has tried to excuse his slurred speech and mangled words as lapses into a Texas drawl, but this clip verified that at one time he was well spoken and fairly sharp.

What happened? Could drugs and alcohol have done this to him? What explains the "deer caught in the headlights" demeanor now? Does he know all too well that he's damaged goods?

I stll think he may be dyslexic and suffer from ADD as well, but could a life of drink and drugs have exacerbated a subdued tendency into a full-blown disability? I just can't imagine that normal aging would have caused such a profound decline.

This would explain why the Bush family is in denial of such a problem. If they remember him as a bright and capable young man, they wouldn't recognize a decline. Sometimes getting off drink and drugs isn't the end of it. He may be suffering residual effects. One expert adviser to Gail Sheehy even suggested his symptoms resemble that of a stroke victim.

Of course, I'm a Democrat, and no explanation is good enough to cause me to vote Republican. However, this Republican has some serious problems that cause me to question his mental and emotional ability to function in ANY job.