In Bush We Trust - A Good Read!
In Bush we trust
by John David Rose
Newsweek's recent cover story, "Bush and God," described how both his domestic and foreign policy is based on a simplistic view of the world.
People who agree with him are good, those who don't are evil.
Really simple-minded, but then, we ain't dealing with the brightest bulb on the string.
Because he finally kicked booze with prayer, and after losing the election saw divine intervention in a one-vote Supreme Court win, he believes he's God's man on Earth - selected to save the world for wealthy, white Anglo-Saxon, anti-abortion, tax-hating, deficit-loving, evangelical Christians.
"The United States was called to bring God's gift of liberty to every human being in the world," he told a meeting of religious broadcasters in Nashville.
Even if we have to kill them to accomplish it?
One listener noted, "I couldn't imagine Jesus delivering a message of war to a cheering crowd, as I just heard the president do."
In most circles, assuming the mantle of Messiah would land one in the loony bin. But according to the Gallup Organization poll of March 7, support for Bush was significantly higher among more religious Americans, with support from "born-again" and "evangelical" Christians highest.
Does this mean born-again Christians support a preemptive attack on Iraq? Yes and no. "They are, by far, the strongest supporters of a war - unilateral if need be," says Newsweek.
Yet, "Except for the Southern Baptists, virtually every church body in the U.S. that has spoken on the war question has concluded it would not be a 'just war,'" writes Ethics Daily's Robert Parham.
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America wrote in an open letter to the president: "Do not attack Iraq -- war is not the answer!"
Well over 60 percent of Americans are against attacking Iraq unless the United Nations gives the OK. But the opinion of the American people appears not to matter. Bush is going to force Hussein to obey U.N. sanctions even if the United States has to disobey the U.N. to do it.
The sad part of religious folk's faith in Bush is his dishonesty with them in all of this.
A senior diplomat revealed to the Washington Post that the White House, in trying to get smaller countries on board at the U.N., told them the decision for war had already been made. Either get on board or forget foreign aid.
Despite all his protestations of hoping for peace, Bush and his advisers decided to take us to war months ago.
The March 6 press conference was "totally unbelievable," according to Newsweek. Bush could care less about disarmament or weapons of mass destruction. He wants Hussein to commit hari-kari on primetime TV. Then he might call off the attack.
Bush can't let the inspections continue. Troop morale will wither while opposition to the war grows stronger.
He can't back away from war because his Christian evangelical base will desert him. Attack Iraq without U.N. approval, however, and he loses the support of 60-plus percent of the American people.
Fact is, he's already lost the next election. Reporting on a nationwide survey, Newsday noted that, if the election were held now, 48 percent of the people polled would vote for a Democrat - any Democrat -- while only 44 percent would vote for Bush.
Pray that we can survive that long. |
