The American Spectator

p> RED IN THE FACE br> Re: “That’s Why the First Lady…” letters in Reader Mail’s How Funny Was She? and Wlady Pleszczynski’s Milking the Horse : /p> p>The most striking feature of all the angry mail prompted by Wlady’s criticism of Laura Bush’s blue stand-up routine (other than the goofy, endlessly repeated talking-point-like use of the phrase “lighten up”) was the anger itself. What we had on display here was a parade of conservatives heavily invested in Laura Bush the Good who knew in their heart of hearts that she’d [messed] up royally. They bitterly hated Wlady daring to state the obvious, as it made them feel like fools for having made such a poor investment choice. And who among us likes to play the part of the fool (other than me)? No one. Hence, the lashing out at Wlady, who, judging by his record of writings, possesses more cool-dude attributes in his pinky than all the outraged “lighten uppers” have in their entire bodies combined. br> — Rich Smith br> Yucca Valley, California /p>

Please add my boos and hisses to those who panned Laura Bush’s talk. The whole purpose of the Correspondents Dinner, is to take the opportunity to speak with tongue planted firmly in cheek. One of the most enchanting parts of both the Bushes personalities is their ability to make fun of themselves. It makes them human and helps to put Joe and Jane American on a par with them.

To those who compared them to the Clintons; my God! To compare these two, who are so comfortable in their own skins that they can tease each other in public, with the other two is nuts. You have cold Hillary and affable Bill, but can you really recall anytime at these dinners them doing anything but taking potshots at their critics under the guise of humor?