August 31, 1992
"In
1991,
President Bush bristled at a flurry of news accounts that questioned the business ethics of three of his sons. "The media ought to be ashamed of itself for what they're doing," Bush complained. "They [the boys] have a right to make a living, and their relationships are appropriate," added a White House spokeswoman in June 1992.
Since George Bush has raised
"family value$" as a campaign issue repeatedly, though, it seems only fair to take a look at his
own family.
Instead of criticizing reporters,
the president might more wisely begin listening to those in government who have watched his sons with mounting worry. A year ago, I sat across a desk from
a Secret Service agent who had been assigned to Bush-family security.
I rattled off the names of a half-dozen questionable characters who had found their way into bu$ine$$ deal$ with the Bush boys. How had these characters been allowed to get even close to the president's sons?
The agent slumped back in his chair and sighed.
"We warn them," he said in a whisper.
"But that's all we can do. We can't stop these kids from associating with someone they want to be with. All we can do after warning them is to sweep these guys with metal detectors when they come around."
