Dear President Clinton,

I am deeply troubled by how my profession is easily manipulated as was evident last week when the GOP launched a withering attack on John Kerry. Rough-and-tumble politics don’t bother me. In fact, if the Democrats were rougher, they wouldn’t tumble as far as they usually do Election Day.

I was embarrassed last week to see the national media serve as little more than political stenographers. Not only was the public treated to a well-orchestrated production characterized by lie after lie, re-runs were featured all night on C-SPAN. The complete texts of speeches were available on line within hours and even computer illiterates could read the transcripts in the following day’s newspapers.

To be fair, the Democratic National Convention in Boston was accorded the same saturation. The difference, however, was that the Democrats were so intent on showcasing a “positive” image that they neglected to vigorously attack Bush’s record.

It was not so much how Republicans attacked Kerry but the level of deceit they deployed to tarnish him. And that’s where the media failed miserably. Sure there were the obligatory stories contrasting rhetoric with reality, but in the main stories, the media were accomplices in the hijacking of truth. They were weapons of mass destruction.

My plan was to expose the lies.

For example, Vice President Dick Cheney said of Kerry: “He declared at the Democratic Convention that he will forcefully defend America after we have been attacked….”

Kerry said no such thing. Rather, he said the only justification for going to war is “to protect the American people, fundamental American values from a threat that was real and imminent.”

Even George Bush knows that imminent does not mean afterwards.

Sen. Zell Miller, a Republican in everything but name, said: “Kerry has made it clear that he would use military force only if approved by the United Nations.”

This is what Kerry actually said: “I will never hesitate to use force when it is required. Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response. I will never give any nation or international institution a veto over our national security.”

My plan to expose these brazen lies changed after I learned that on Monday of this week, you were undergoing a quadruple bypass. That’s when I decided to forgo recounting the Republicans transgressions and instead write you this letter. Seven years ago, I underwent a triple-bypass operation. It was a shock to learn that my coronary arteries were clogged. After all, I was a former college athlete and I didn’t drink or smoke. That didn’t prevent my chest from being cut open from neck to breastbone so that my rib cage could be parted for the surgery. You had the same operation and I am writing to let you know how fortunate you are. Yes, fortunate. You’re only 18 months older than I am, we’re both Southerners and enjoyed anything but model diets.

We’re blessed to be alive. Reginald Henderson, one of my first-grade classmates back in Tuscaloosa, Ala., died several years ago of a heart attack. Other schoolmates and friends have died of heart attacks, strokes and other disorders, all before reaching the age of 60. And if I hadn’t gone to the hospital after experiencing chest pains – just as you did – I might not be around to write you this letter.

Talks with doctors can be overwhelming and sometimes you may need to talk to a lay person who has gone through the surgery and recovery period. Joseph Boyce, a former writer and editor for the Wall Street Journal, served that role for me. Joe assured me that my life would be better after the surgery because my heart would be receiving more blood and oxygen than in its corroded state.

Joe told me about the recovery period – it will be a while before you will regain your strength – and how imperative it will be to exercise on a regular basis and quit eating all of those foods that were never good for us anyway.

I’ll close by telling you what Joe Boyce told me – your recovery will be just fine. You’re not going to have a speedy recovery, so I won’t waste time wishing you one. Those of us who have been where you are now look at our chests and see the zipper-like marks that serve as perpetual reminders of our surgery. So, we welcome you into the Zipper Club. It’s a unique organization. Membership is limited. And God has given every member a second chance at life.