All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings

by George H. W. Bush

  Dear George:

  On Friday, January 12th, in Cincinnati, I met with a Mrs. Sandra Rouse. Her son, PFC James Markwell, was a paratrooper and a medic trained, as he said in his own words . . . “to kill and to save.”

  Markwell wrote the attached letter on December 18th.5 He was killed on the first day of battle.

  At our meeting, Mrs. Rouse was courageous and strong; her faith in God sustaining her. She cried. I put my arm around her shoulder.

  I thought—I sent her son into this battle and here she is telling me with love about her son and what he stood for. She said, “You did the right thing.”

  PFC Markwell died, I’m told, as he attended to a wounded man. Yes, he was taught to kill and to save.

  Markwell’s letter will give you a glimpse into the thinking of a special, courageous, patriotic young man.

  But there are others like him. Bar and I saw this in the wards of two San Antonio military hospitals.

  On my desk, as I write, is a flag given to me by a Ranger severely wounded in Panama. One leg had been amputated. He is paralyzed. He handed me a little American flag and said he wished he were back there, in Panama, with his unit.

  Each member of the Joint Chiefs and our able Chairman, Colin Powell, says these are the finest, best trained kids we ever had. They have all volunteered.

  Back to Markwell. His mom told me he had a chance to go to West Point, a chance to go to college, but he wanted to be a Ranger. He desperately wanted to serve his country.

  I just wanted to share all this with family. Please do not let this get out of your own hands.

  When I mourn our dead and wounded, when I think of their families and loved ones, I also think of the courage of our troops.

  I expect I’ll remember PFC James W. Markwell as long as I live. I’ll remember a loving mother’s grief but also her pride in one young, courageous, and patriotic soldier.

  Devotedly,

  Dad

  I had gotten to know the president of Finland, Mauno Koivisto, quite well during the vice presidency. He was especially helpful on giving us insight into Soviet affairs.

  January 23, 1990

  His Excellency Mauno Koivisto

  President of Finland

  Helsinki

  Dear Mr. President:

  I have read and re-read your good letter of January 9. First, let me thank you so much for sending it along. As you know by now, I truly value your advice, your insights, and your judgment.

  I, too, have a feeling of “uneasiness.” Recent events inside the Soviet Union have been very difficult for Mr. Gorbachev. In my view, he is handling things well, but the recent use of force will, undoubtedly, cause ongoing problems. I don’t know what he could have done differently, however, given the tremendous ethnic violence.6

  At Malta I was amazed at how little Gorbachev really knows about Free Market economics. The Soviets have enormous economic problems, far greater than most of the world realizes. . . .

  Yes, we will push forward on arms control talks. I think Gorbachev wants to see both START and CFE7 treaties signed at our summit which comes up this summer. We may have a chance to get even further reductions in both Soviet and U.S. forces deployed in Europe.

  I am not sure I agree with you that “the West must be prepared to give more and quicker assistance.” I think some more serious reforms are needed before financial assistance will really help. I do think we can do much more in helping with suggested basic reforms in the Soviet Union, just as we are trying to do with Poland. Shevardnadze, himself, said, “we don’t want to be bailed out” (a paraphrase).

  I was interested in your thoughts on the Soviet Union “turning inwards.” There is evidence of this—particularly when one considers recent comments by Gorbachev about Lithuania. Who would have dreamed there would be even talk about autonomy or independence of the Baltic States, without drawing Soviet threats of force.8

  I will continue to signal to Gorbachev that we want to see him succeed. I really have great respect for what he has done—great understanding for the enormous problems he faces. Yeltsin is now giving him some grief and those old guard types like Ligachev still fire a few salvos, but Gorbachev keeps on trying to keep perestroika moving and to keep glasnost alive.

  Thanks again for that fine letter.

  Most sincerely,

  George Bush

  I wrote this note to Mexican president Carlos Salinas:

  Feb. 3, 1990

  Sat. A cold rainy day

  My Dear Friend,

  . . . I’m told that there was a recent TV Program here that offended many in Mexico.9 I have not seen it. As for me, I will continue to say that Mexico, under President Salinas, is giving us great cooperation in the anti-drug fight.

  I realize that Panama has caused some heartburn in Mexico. I hope that has lessened now; and I hope you personally know that I had to protect American life. I am gratified that the Panamanian people supported our action by over 92% at one point. I’m also pleased that Democracy has a chance now—a real chance there in Panama. In any event I do understand Mexico’s predictable response just as I hope you understand I have not lost my determination to work closely with you and other democratic leaders to our South.

  My respects to your family and with high esteem my warmest, friendliest personal best wishes to you—

  George Bush

  February 13th

  Ranger was up in the middle of the night outside. I heard him barking, and I had to go out and bring him in at 2:00 am with my pajamas on and overcoat, much to the giggling and not consternation but enjoyment of the Secret Service . . . I heard their [radio] message—“Timberwolfe is on the White House lawn; Timberwolfe is out.”10 . . . The agents tell me that he was on the tennis courts, so we go off looking for him. . . . Out of the ivy toward the tennis courts charges Ranger, happy to see me, and wagging his tail. I take him up to the third floor where Marvin is asleep with Marshall in two twin beds, and Margaret is off in another room with Walker.11 Fortunately, I stuck him in with Marvin and said, “He’s your dog.”

  What a fantastic dog he is, and what a great lovable dog Millie is. She no longer sleeps on the foot of the bed—say nothing of her in her basket—it’s right up between Bar and me on the head. We have two kinds of round pillows, very hard, and I stick them about half way across the bed as a “barrier”. She has to stay on her side of the “barrier” and now she knows, but her head comes across and she’ll nudge me. She’ll turn over in the middle of the night, and while my hand is reaching over for Bar, I’ll find Millie’s legs in the air and I’ll give her a scratch under her arms, and she falls asleep. . . .

  On February 15 I went to Cartagena, Colombia, to attend a drug summit. The drug lords were waging a guerrilla-like war against the Colombian government and there were huge concerns about security at the summit.

  February 14th

  It’s 9:30 on Wednesday night. I decide to come out to Air Force One and climb on the plane now rather than wake up in the middle of the night [to leave]. We first go out to dinner with George, Marvin, Laura, Margaret and Bar, who’s just had a cancer removed from her lip. She’s obviously worried about her stitches and the way she looks, but we have a wonderful Peking Duck dinner joined by the Burt Lees.

  I feel a certain tension about our trip to South America, a certain anxiety, but nobody wants to talk about it. I go into the restaurant, and people clap, and when we walk out, they say, “Go safely, we’re praying for you.” And at the end of the line going out, I found myself choking up. I don’t think it was the martini or the white wine or the Peking Duck—it was the genuine warmth and affection of the people.

  . . . I can tell John Simpson12 is nervous, and I wonder, “Why don’t I feel nervous,” and I think maybe it’s because of World War II when every day you got up, you went into combat, saw your friends going into combat, or knowing your assignment was to go into combat. I’m convinced we can hold the line. . . .

  We go back to the White House aft
er this marvelous dinner at Peking Duck, and then we hear the helicopter. I can tell Bar is nervous. It worries me a little, but I give her a hug and she worries about my going. I hate to leave her when she needs somebody to have their arms around her and lift her up . . .

  In any event, it’s 9:40 PM, the night of the 14th, and in another six hours, they will be pulling this plane out of this great big hangar; and in another seven hours we’ll be on our way to Cartagena [Colombia]. I know it’s the right thing to do, and I’m not afraid; and yet, I worry that some journalist might get zapped or somebody else (not us) might get hit. We’ll get the blame, so then we’ll wonder—why did they do this? . . . And then I think Barco13 is risking his life for the kids in Chicago and Texas every single day, so we’ve got to do it. Sometimes you’ve got to do what you think is right.

  They say I live by the polls and want to be popular . . . well, Panama might not have gone down well, and certainly this isn’t the popular decision, and clearly China wasn’t popular, so you’ve got to do what you think is right, take the heat, and that’s what I’m trying to do.

  [The summit was successful in that it renewed our determination to cooperate on the drug problem. Everyone got home safe and sound without incident.]

  February 24th

  . . . The concern about a unified Germany has intensified . . . Thatcher now has much more concern about a unified Germany than about a Soviet threat. We’re in this fascinating time of change and flux. . . .

  [Brian] Mulroney14 points out, “You’re the only one to lead this alliance—you must do it.” Kohl, I think, recognizes the key role of the United States, and I think we have a disproportionate role for stability. We’ve got strong willed players—large and small in Europe—but only the United States can do this . . .

  I told Jim and Brent yesterday that I don’t want to move to isolation, but I don’t want to see us fettered by a lot of multi-lateral decisions. We’ve got to stand, and sometimes we’ll be together with them; but sometimes we’ll say we differ, and we’ve got to lead, so we should not be just kind of watered down, picking up the bill, and acquiescing in a lot of decisions that might hurt us . . . I’ve got to look after the U.S. interest in all of this without reverting to a kind of isolationistic or stupid peace-nik view on where we stand in the world.

  Who’s the enemy? I keep getting asked that. It’s apathy; it’s the inability to predict accurately; it’s dramatic change that can’t be foreseen; and its events that can’t be predicted like the Iran-Iraq war. . . . There are all kinds of events that we can’t foresee that require a strong NATO, and there’s all kinds of potential instability that requires a strong U.S. presence.

  March 9, 1990

  Mr. Dan Jenkins15

  Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32983

  Dear Dan,

  Your article came in two days after I decided to take up golf again. It all happened when I got 3 fairway short irons off the turf without sticking my pick in the turf. The long putter paved the way. I don’t sink putts now but the long one has given me confidence to follow through, thus avoiding the automatic 4 putt greens. Now there is light at the end of the short-game tunnel. I’m not ready for a guy that shoots 77 or ever shot 77. Here’s my sports game plan—Keep throwing ‘shoes’—try to improve. Tennis—keep playing doubles but recognize that the kids of mine, by tying their shoes when I say “let’s hit,” are sending me a clear message that I better think “phase out”. Golf—more of it. Fishing—bitch more at the schedulers around here demanding more fishing time. quote Isaac Walton a lot “Time a man spends fishing should not be deducted from the time a guy spends on earth” (something like that). Baseball—watch it as much as possible pointing out to the scheduling dynasty that The National Past-time demands A President’s respect.

  Skeet and Quail Hunting—beg for time. Jogging—stay with my current 3 times a week, 2 miles at about 9 minutes per. Hips and knees hurt more now so keep phasing in with cycles, stairmasters, fast walk up hill, tread mills etc. So there it is—My life its ownself. . . .

  George Bush

  March 10, 1990

  Marlin—

  Having bitched about Day-in-Life-of by Brokaw16 as it was being born; and having now a week or so to look back on it—

  I now salute your decision—Reviews good—all clicked—your staff did good work.

  What’s next—

  Roseanne Barr & me going tummy to tummy?

  George Bush

  March 15, 1990

  Mrs. Peggy Say17

  Cadiz, Kentucky

  Dear Mrs. Say:

  Barbara and I were deeply moved by your eloquent and profoundly sad letter to us.

  We share your great sorrow at the approach of the fifth anniversary of Terry’s abduction. As you so poignantly expressed in your letter, the tragedy of your brother’s merciless imprisonment exists in his missing the simple enjoyments of watching children born and growing up. So much has changed in the lives of his family and indeed, in the world as he knew it five long, lonely years ago. Yet so little has really changed for your brother.

  Let me assure you, your family and all the hostage families that securing the freedom of your brother and the other American hostages is a matter of great importance to me. We continue to call for the immediate, unconditional, safe release of the hostages. As a further signal of commitment to resolving this tragedy, I intend to keep open lines of communications with all parties, including Iran, who have influence over hostage takers. Please be assured that your government will take advantage of all legitimate opportunities to obtain the safe release of all of our hostages.

  Although I regret that I will be unable to be with you and the other families as you remember the tragic day five years ago when Terry was abducted, please be assured that Barbara and I think often of the hostages and their families. We pray for the speedy return of your loved one.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  P. S. I found the story in today’s [Washington] Post very heart warming, a tribute to your dedication.

  Without really meaning to, I announced to the world about this time that I did not like broccoli, that I had never liked broccoli, and now that I was President of the United States, I was never eating it again. It caused a huge stir, and I still hear about it today.

  March 23rd

  . . . The broccoli war is heating up. On March 21st, the Broccoli Association announces they’re sending a couple of tons of the stuff, but I’m sticking with my position that I hate broccoli. I think I’ll get Barbara, who likes broccoli, to go out and greet the broccoli caravan. I refuse to give an inch on this, and I so advised the press. I can’t stand the stuff; it smells up everything; and I’m against it. . . .

  March 22, 1990

  Mrs. Jane C. Schultz

  Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

  Dear Mrs. Schultz:

  Your letter has touched me deeply. Thank you for telling me about the thoughts and feelings that you have had since hearing my State of the Union Address. While I knew that your Thomas was among those killed aboard Pan AM Flight 103, I was not aware that you had also lost your only other child, Andrew, in a terrible accident. You and your husband have suffered great pain.

  I want to assure you that not a day goes by that I am not mindful that we have an obligation to the victims of the Pan Am 103 bombing to see that those responsible for their deaths are brought to justice. Our investigation into the destruction of Pan Am 103 is ongoing and is by no means completed. New and important information continues to be found. But the point here is, we have not forgotten and we will not forget. International investigations take a lot of time, but our various agencies are determined to get to the bottom of this horrible tragedy.

  Your letter was a cry from the heart and I have heard this cry. Perhaps I truly can understand your deep hurt, because as you point out, we did lose a child.

  When our beloved daughter was about to die another little child in the next room lost her life. The grieving pare
nts, heartbroken by their loss, turned on the doctors and nurses who had requested permission to perform an autopsy. They said, “Haven’t you done enough to our child?” The doctors and nurses who had labored to keep that child alive were deeply hurt; and yet they tried to understand the parents’ grief and they forgave the parents.

  We will continue to try to get to the bottom of this matter; and I will continue to care about your loss, and about those hostages you mention, and about those courageous soldiers who died in Panama, and about those victims of AIDS who feel that no one cares.

  Your letter helped me, in a sense, for it made me focus yet again on another’s sorrow. Perhaps I will be a better President. . . .

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  March 23, 1990

  Mr. Dick Sternberg

  The Hunting and Fishing Library

  Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343

  Dear Dick:

  I love those marvelous fishing books. They are now in my personal office at Camp David. The place I use to “think” fishing after my homework is done.

  My tip is a simple one, “If at first you don’t succeed, hang in there!”

  Last summer I had a run of ten days getting skunked looking for bluefish in Maine waters. Other boats were catching them, but I kept striking out. The Portland paper raised the stakes by printing a “no fish” sticker everyday.

  Finally . . . I broke the jinx—I kept the hook in the water. I refused to get too tense. Tense yes, “too tense,” no. I cast into every swirl I saw; I trolled ’til the sun had sunk. I changed lures and rods for luck; and finally on the second to last day as I began to troll, a good bluefish hit my diving Rebel (mackerel color).

  The press boats honked their horns, same for the Coast Guard and Secret Service boats. I knew great happiness.

  My fishing tips—“Keep the hook in the water. Never give up. Enjoy the contest even when the pressure mounts. But best of all, go fishing when there is no pressure, and relax.”