Tony Snow and Chutzpah

Dear editor:

Tony Snow, speaking for President Bush, has stated that the Democrats, especially the Clintons have a lot of “chutzpah” talking about the amnesty granted to Scooter Libby, based upon the pardon by President Clinton at the end of his term to Mark Rich. For those of you who don’t know everyday Yiddish let me explain that the word means “brazen gall” or “effrontery.” Funny, I didn’t know Tony was Jewish and spoke the language. And if anything, Mr. Snow comes off like the little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and justified it by crying out “but Bobby next door did it.” Childish? You bet.

Let’s get a few things straight. Even though the pardon shouldn’t have happened, Mark Rich served time in prison before being pardoned. Scooter will not serve a day. Bill Clinton turned to the Justice Department and attorney Scooter Libby for advice. Mr. Bush didn’t turn to anyone for advice except, we can assume, Dick Cheney, Scooter’s boss and mentor.

And if Tony Snow wants to use Yiddish, the everyday language of Jews, he should realize his boss, Mr. Bush with his actions the last six years is “nischt a mensch” (not an upright, honorable, trustworthy person.) And his excuses for his boss places him in the same category.