Dear Sir:
Peggy “A Thousand Points of Light” Noonan clearly needs a refresher course in presidential speechwriting. In her commentary, (“Way Too Much God,” Jan. 21) she criticized President Bush’s inaugural address for not being “more securely grounded” and lacking “specifics.” Of all people, the speechwriter for the president’s father should know that the point of an inaugural address is to portray a vision that may seem impossible today but achievable tomorrow when the conviction and determination of the American spirit are brought to bear. As Mr. Bush himself said, “The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it.” And what greater mission than spreading freedom and democracy, “even to the darkest corners of our globe.” The president’s speech inspired hope and celebrated the ideal that unites us – the cause of freedom. He set out a vision, not just for the next four years, but for a generation. Details will come in the State of the Union address. Sadly, Ms. Noonan was herself “over the top” in her criticism.
Grace-Marie Turner
President
Galen Institute