Yesterday officially began the general election season with the debut of President Bush's television ad campaign. In two of his newly released ads, images of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are seen. His catch phrase? "Steady leadership in times of change."

President Bush, I have a small and simple request: Stop exploiting our fears. I'm from New York City, and I saw first hand what happened that day and felt what every other American did when the dust settled. The mourning, fear and disbelief that clouded my hometown for months after 9/11 are not your political tools. How dare you disgrace the 3,000-plus human beings who died under your watch. My friends and family did not die so that you could win re-election.

In all fairness, I know why his campaign is attempting to relive 9/11. When a child is scared, the first thing he or she does is run to parents for protection. If Bush can evoke our fears again and offer himself as the only source of refuge, he surely will win another term in office. This is the lowest of the many disgraceful political maneuvers the incumbent president has employed to keep his job.

Bush has divided this country on marriage, war, money, jobs and trade. The least he could do is leave my deceased friends out of it.