Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

I’m writing in response to Chris Britt’s political cartoon which appeared in Thursday’s edition. The picture depicts a menacing ISIS figure holding a knife and a diminutive figure of former President George Bush with the caption “TA-DA!!! And you’re welcome!” and a small sign with the words “Bush Wars and Legacy”. 

The cartoonist wants you to believe that ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), a terror group that recently beheaded U.S. journalist James Foley, have killed thousands of Syrian and Iraqi civilians, and are now crucifying Christians if they do not convert to their radical brand of Islam, is somehow President’s Bush’s fault (A president that has been out of office for almost six years). Chris Britt’s premise is a lie and dishonors the thousands of brave men and women of the U.S. military that gave their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq fighting to keep America safe by taking the battle to our enemies. The reason ISIS is now a growing threat and is so brutal in their tactics that even al-Qaeda disavowed them, entirely rests with President Obama and his foreign policy of disengagement, detachment, and dithering. ISIS has metastasized in Syria and Iraq these last few years after President Obama and his VP Biden failed to secure a Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq prior to removing all our troops by Dec. 31st, 2011. 

Obama said he tried but Iraq would not negotiate; another lie. To know the truth, read Max Boot’s informative article “Obama’s Tragic Iraq Withdrawal-The president says we’re leaving because of Iraqi intransigence — but he never took negotiations seriously” which was published Oct 31, 2011. I, like most people I suspect, enjoy political cartoons that get readers to think seriously about an important issue, get a deeper understanding, and possibly persuaded to change your opinion. Chris Britt’s cartoon does none of those things and is basically a bash Bush, bash America hit piece. Readers should review some of his other material heavily bashing police. I would encourage the Manteca Bulletin to look for other cartoonists that submit material with a measure of truth and encourage debate.

Paul Banicki

Manteca