Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Bush Sr Years (1989-1992)

From his holiday retreat in Vermont, Alistair Cooke muses on the benefits of getting away from it all, ponders the plight of the snowboarder and discusses the right to die.

The Mayor of Los Angeles' attempt to eliminate gender-specific terminology, Betty Friedan’s 'The Feminine Mystique' and the conclusion of the trial of Michael Milken.

The disproportionate amount of African Americans serving in the US military, and the Harris poll revealing a gender split in the opposition towards military intervention.

The attack on Pearl Harbour, Congress and President Bush's conflict over the power to take the country to war, and Dick Cheney's objections to sanctions against Saddam Hussein.

The American perception of Margaret Thatcher and the effect of the recession on air travel during Thanksgiving, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.

President Bush sends more troops in to the Gulf, the public confusion around the reasons for intervention, and the effect on Bush's approval ratings.

In the week after the 1990 mid-term elections, Alistair Cooke compares the predictions and the results of the vote, and discusses the failure of the Democrats to find a leader.

A press conference by the Iraqi Ambassador in Washington and American scepticism surrounding the allegations of a CIA and Kuwaiti conspiracy, as detailed by Alistair Cooke.

President Bush's difficulty in finalising proposals for the national budget, and garnering support for the American presence in the Gulf.

President Bush and the Senate struggling to agree on a national budget, the workings of the federal system, and the 1990 Congressional elections, as detailed by Alistair Cooke.

The Columbus Day parade, the closure of National parks and museums due to the end of the fiscal year and the start of a new budget, and the appointment of Justice David Souter.

The role of women in the armed forces, the life and work of Lady Astor, the fourteenth amendment and equal access to locker rooms.

The Soviet foreign minister denounces the action of Saddam Hussein to the United Nations, and the first, and last, unanimous vote reached by the Council in June, 1950.

The cultural makeup of New York, ‘The Melting Pot’ and plays of Israel Zangwill, and the separation of Irish, Jewish, black, Italian and Puerto Rican communities in NYC.

The lessons learned from Chernobyl, the hesitation in Congress over the Star Wars defence program, and the motivations of American doctors conducting clinical trials abroad.

Secretary James Baker's questioning by the Senate foreign relations committee on Iraq; the presence of Russian military advisors working with Saddam Hussein on advanced weapons.

President Bush's meeting with leaders from around the World to discuss Saddam Hussein's move in to Kuwait and the path towards American intervention.

The economic growth in California since 1967, the work of Henry Kaiser to bring a military shipbuilding industry to the state, and the closure of Yosemite National Park.

Today's immigrants to New York and why they don't speak English, and the invitation to black players to join the Augusta National golf club in 1990.

The resignation of Justice William J Brennan and the appointment of David Souter, and the process of appointing a new judge to the Supreme Court, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.