President Bush's speech on intolerance in America, as reported in the Salt Lake Tribune May 5, 1991 certainly qualifies him to add "hypocrite" to the dark side of his credentials. The president, in an address at the University of Michigan, said Americans should be "alarmed at the rise of intolerance in our land." Taken at face value, and without the benefit of perspective, the president's remarks seem noble indeed. However, an incident on August 27, 1987, will add perspective.

George Bush, who was then vice president, made a campaign stop in Chicago, where he held a news conference. Reporter Rob Serman inquired of Vice President Bush, "Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists." Mr. Bush replied, "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."

If Vice President Bush had aimed these remarks toward any other ethnic, religious or social group, he would almost certainly not be president today.

Intolerance of atheists is the last vestige of bigotry in America and our president is leading the way. Polls show that about 6 percent of Americans, or about 15 million, are atheists. By way of President Bush's logic, 15 million U.S. citizens are not really U.S. citizens at all.

Furthermore, America is not one nation under God, despite what Mr. Bush says. America is one nation under the U.S. Constitution. Belief in a deity is not a prerequisite for U.S. citizenship.

--Kent Griffiths