Bush: I'm God's Delivery Boy

March 16, 2004
Bush: I'm God's Delivery Boy

Bush's messianic militarism was on full display on March 11, when he addressed, via satellite, the National Association of Evangelicals Convention in Colorado Springs.

First, acting as pastor in chief, he said, "You're doing God's work with conviction and kindness, and, on behalf of our country, I thank you."

Separation of church and state, anyone?

Bush charged right through that wall, citing religion as his basis for opposing stem-cell research, abortion, and same-sex marriage.

He also ignored the wall when he returned to his favorite, post 9/11 theme: that God is calling America to free the world, and Bush himself is heeding that call.

"America is a nation with a mission," Bush said, not afraid, in this crowd, to connote the crusade he is on.

"We're called to fight terrorism around the world," he said, intentionally using the religious term "called," a term he has repeatedly invoked over the last two and a half years.

"As freedom's home and freedom's defender, we are called to expand the realm of human liberty," he said. Viewing himself as the Great Liberator, he said, "By our actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, more than 50 million people have been liberated from tyranny."

And then he laid the religion on thick: "Yet I know that liberty is not America's gift to the world-liberty and freedom are God's gift to every man and woman who lives in this world."

Follow the logic here: If God's gift is liberty, and if Bush has liberated millions, then he is God's delivery boy.

Now while Bush may invigorate himself by aligning his policies with the presumed wishes of the Almighty, there is something deeply offensive about foisting this theology on our constitutionally secular government.

And the tautological conviction that whatever he is doing he is fulfilling God's will defies democratic discussion and debate.

With his messianic strivings, Bush may not be satisfied believing that he has liberated 50 million people. He may feel it is his religious duty to liberate 22 million more living in godless North Korea.

The President told Bob Woodward in "Bush at War" that Kim Jong Il's massive prison complex "appalls me." He added: "It is visceral. Maybe it's my religion, maybe it's my-but I feel passionate about this." Toying with the idea of toppling Kim, Bush said, "I just don't buy" the argument that we need to worry about the financial burdens South Korea might have to assume if North Korea collapses. "Either you believe in freedom, and want to-and worry about the human condition, or you don't," he said.

The problem with such black-and-white thinking is that it could lead Bush to make a rash decision to attack North Korea.

The toll, according to the Pentagon's own war games, would be astronomical, perhaps as high as a million. But notice that Bush did not count the casualties of the Iraq War or the Afghan War. Everyone there was liberated, according to his speech, even the dead.

-- Matthew Rothschild


http://www.progressive.org/webex04/wx031604.html

Bush is Bush. He's a.....he's him.

I didnt vote for him. He'll be gone soon.

The question is will he be gone soon enough ?
The more I learn about him, the more he scares the hell out of me. This guy is just nut's enough to plunge us into a third world war before he leaves office.
To quote Bill Hicks "Tell me when lord, TELL ME WHEN!"

Rachel said:

The question is will he be gone soon enough ?
The more I learn about him, the more he scares the hell out of me. This guy is just nut's enough to plunge us into a third world war before he leaves office.
To quote Bill Hicks "Tell me when lord, TELL ME WHEN!"

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I couldn't agree more!!

You all want him gone so bad. But tell me will Kerry be THAT much greater?

By the way if you do not live in the U.S. what have you to worry about?

If Kerry gets in office (the damage of war has been done) without Bush to follow up what he has started with his pro-militant actions, how will the U.S. fair with an anti-militant leader?

Ask yourself do you want the U.S. to stay safe? or be unsafe with a better economy than everyone else? A lot of people being anti-Bush are not looking into the whole picture, especially the half that includes Kerry. As his past, and history are not that fulfilling as the anti-Bush'ers want to so quickly throw into the white house.

I tell you, look at the whole picture, not 1 persons article or topic. People these days are more blinder than a bat in broad daylight. But as long as people have a say so in topics that decide the future, there will never be agreement EVER, because everyone is like a little kid that lives next door to a toy shop, they look into the window and want, want, and want, that 1 toy more then anything else, and all their other toys suck so bad (which they wanted so bad before they got it) and even when they get that 1 toy they wish for they still are not happy.

Whenever you people vote Bush out of office, I will laugh as I move out of the U.S. when you see the U.S. becomeing inferior and a smaller power, and give the efforts/money that Bush puts toward military, go towards welfare, foreigner funds, etc.. Tell me what other country besides us pays foreigners to live in their country? I know of none.

Anyways enough of my ranting, as long as we provide our country with military safety, other countrys will hate us because we "bully" everyone around. Americans will protest even the American Flag sales rise as they are burned.

Whats the difference?

Even with the opposite in office our country will have good economy, our military capabilities/actions will be decreased, other countries will still hate us because we are not helping them enough (kind of a contradiction there eh?). Flag sales still go up in annual income because they are still burned. But we will begin to see war take place on U.S. soil which I do not want to live to see.

Anyways, enough of my ranting. :relief:

I Think It's All A Toss Up Between Who...

gets U.S. into the most trouble, President, Congress, or
the Court system. Most of our countries problems seem
to be spread out among all of the above, not just one!

Frank

One thing's for sure, everyone: American politicians like George Bush today are making the world a worse place to live, instead of the other way around. If there are any exceptions to this, they will be drowned away by what has happened here. Good article.
Just to go off on a tangent a bit (I believe I mentioned this before, but) if it weren't for the Green Party coming into the forefront, I wouldn't be voting anyway. It would be so easy for me to vote Democratic if America knew the Republicans were choking America of its image as one of the best countries in the world. But I personally feel there are other options.

Here's the real kicker; I dont even vote. Which is why I wont complain.

I dont think Kerry will do any better than Bush, but thats because I understand that for the most part, the presidency is to gain office. What is the presidents first goal, after winning election? Well its to aim to win the next. Gain support, gain fundings, backings. Its not really to run the country, thats a myth. Its to stay in 'power'.

If you cant tell, playaa, I'm targetting you and your post.

I'm not an anti-Bush protestor, anti-war, pro-whatever else is out there. In fact I supported Bush when he came into office, mainly because my family work directly under him in the White House. No...not like people working under Clinton...anyway...

My point is, nothing will change from president to president to sway away from the inevitbale fall of the American Empire in time. It wouldnt matter if Jesus came back from his throne in heaven and ran for presidency, he'd have the exact same agenda all presidents have, and thats not to change society for the good of the people, or run a govt to the best of their ability; its to stay in office and keep getting big checks.

Its the rule of the game, no way around it. But I've said it once, I'll say it again, it really is going to change when I run for office and change the system.

Let us not forget ...

In George W. Bush's First year in office he:

1. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops.
2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.
3. Cut $35 million in funding for doctors to get advanced pediatric training.
4. Cut by 50% funding for research into renewable energy sources.
5. Revoked rules that reduced the acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water.
6. Blocked rules that would require federal agencies to offer bilingual assistance to non-English speaking persons. This, from a candidate who would readily fire-up his Spanish-speaking skills in front of would-be Hispanic voters.
7. Proposed to eliminate new marine protections for the Channel Islands and the coral reefs of northwest Hawaii (San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 2001).
8. Cut funding by 28% for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks.
9. Suspended rules that would have strengthened the government's ability to deny contracts to companies that violated workplace safety, environmental and other federal laws.
10. OK'd Interior Department appointee Gale Norton to send out letters to state officials soliciting suggestions for opening up national monuments for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and foresting.
11. Appointed John Negroponte -- an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure to the post of United Nations Ambassador.
12. Abandoned a campaign pledge to invest $100 million for rain forest conservation.
13. Reduced by 86% the Community Access Program for public hospitals, clinics and providers of care for people without insurance.
14. Rescinded a proposal to increase public access to information about the potential consequences resulting from chemical plant accidents.
15. Suspended rules that would require hardrock miners to clean up sites on Western public lands.
16. Cut $60 million from a Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America program for public housing.
17. Proposed to eliminate a federal program, designed and successfully used in Seattle, to help communities prepare for natural disasters.
18. Pulled out of the 1997 Kyoto Treaty global warming agreement.
19. Cut $200 million of work force training for dislocated workers.
20. Eliminated funding for the Wetlands Reserve Program, which encourages farmers to maintain wetlands habitat on their property.
21. Cut program to provide childcare to low-income families as they move from welfare to work.
22. Cut a program that provided prescription contraceptive coverage to federal employees (though it still pays for Viagra).
23. Cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in public housing.
24. Appointed Otto Reich -- an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure -- to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs.
25. Cut Environmental Protection Agency budget by $500 million.
26. Proposed to curtail the ability of groups to sue in order to get an animal placed on the Endangered Species List.
27. Rescinded the rule that mandated increased energy-saving efficiency regulations for central air conditioners and heat pumps.
28. Repealed workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health and safety.
29. Abandoned campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide, the waste gas that contributes to global warming.
30. Banned federal aid to international family planning programs that offer abortion counseling with other independent funds.
31. Closed White House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.
32. Nominated David Lauriski -- ex-mining company executive -- to post of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
33. OK'd Interior Secretary Gale Norton to go forth with a controversial plan to auction oil and gas development tracts off the coast of eastern Florida.
34. Announced intention to open up Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest to oil and drilling.
35. Proposes to re-draw boundaries of nation's monuments, which would technically allow oil and gas drilling "outside" of national monuments.
36. Gutted White House AIDS Office.
37. Renegotiating free trade agreement with Jordan to eliminate workers's rights and safeguards for the environment.
38. Will no longer seek guidance from The American Bar Association in recommendations for the federal judiciary appointments.
39. Appointed recycling foe Lynn Scarlett as Undersecretary of the Interior.
40. Took steps to abolish the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
41. Cut the Community Oriented Policing Services program.
42. Allowed Interior Secretary Gale Norton to shelve citizen-led grizzly bear re-introduction plan scheduled for Idaho and Montana wilderness.
43. Continues to hold up federal funding for stem cell research projects.
44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.
45. Refused to fund continued cleanup of uranium-slag heap in Utah.
46. Refused to fund continued litigation of the government's tobacco company lawsuit.
47. Proposed a $2 trillion tax cut, of which 43% will go to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.
48. Signed a bill making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for bankruptcy, even in the case of daunting medical bills.
49. Appointed a Vice President quoted as saying "If you want to do something about carbon dioxide emissions, then you ought to build nuclear power plants." (Vice President Dick Cheney on "Meet the Press.")
50. Appointed Diana "There is no gender gap in pay" Roth to the Council of Economic Advisers. (Boston Globe, March 28, 2001.)
51. Appointed Kay Cole James -- an opponent of affirmative action -- to direct the Office of Personnel Management.
52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.
53. Helped kill a law designed to make it tougher for teenagers to get credit cards.
54. Proposed elimination of the "Reading is Fundamental" program that gives free books to poor children.
55. Is pushing for development of small nuclear arm to attack deeply buried targets and weapons, which would violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
56. Proposes to nominate Jeffrey Sutton -- attorney responsible for the recent case weakening the Americans with Disabilities Act -- to federal appeals court judgeship.
57. Proposes to reverse regulation protecting 60 million acres of national forest from logging and road building.
58. Eliminated funding for the "We the People" education program which taught School children about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and citizenship.
59. Appointed John Bolton -- who opposes nonproliferation treaties and the U.N. -- to Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.
60. Nominated Linda Fisher -- an executive with Monsanto -- for the number-two job at the Environmental Protection Agency.
61. Nominated Michael McConnell -- leading critic of the separation of church and state -- to a federal judgeship.
62. Nominated Terrence Boyle -- ardent opponent of civil rights -- to a federal judgeship.
63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.
64. Nominated Harvey Pitts -- lawyer for teen sex video distributor -- to head SEC.
65. Nominated John Walters -- strong opponent of prison drug treatment programs -- for Drug Czar. (Washington Post, May 16, 2001.)
66. Nominated J. Steven Giles -- an oil and coal lobbyist -- for Deputy Secretary of the Interior.
67. Nominated Bennett Raley -- who advocates repealing the Endangered Species Act -- for Assistant Secretary for Water and Science
68. Is seeking the dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex slaves during WWII.
69. Earmarked $4 million in new federal grant money for HIV and drug abuse prevention programs to go only to religious groups and not secular equivalents.
70. Reduced by 40% the Low Income Home Assistance Program for
low-income individuals who need assistance paying energy bills.
71. Nominated Ted Olson -- who has repeatedly lied about his involvement with the Scaiffe-funded "Arkansas Project" to bring down Bill Clinton -- for Solicitor General.
72. Nominated Terrance Boyle -- foe of civil rights -- to a federal judgeship.
73. Proposes to ease permit process -- including environmental considerations -- for refinery, nuclear and hydroelectric dam construction. (Washington Post, May 18, 2001.)
74. Proposes to give government the authority to take private property through eminent domain for power lines.
75. Proposes that $1.2 billion in funding for alternative renewable energy come from selling oil and gas lease tracts in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.
76. Plans on serving genetically engineered foods at all official government functions.
77. Forced out Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck and appointed a timber industry lobbyist.

In no way was my post above targetted to show Bush as a perfect president, nore saying he has done no wrong things. Agreed he gives us a bad reputation but even with him out of office.. NEVER will other countries not hate the U.S., Simply because history never dies and people who were not even alive and had no part in what may have happened keep it close and ramble about it.

Also.. I do not want war, but what has to be done needs to be done, sure I give you Bush is living by his fathers agenda's and is a Texas madman bent on doing what gets him by, as to say if he needs oil he doesn't care how or what consequences may be taken as long as he gets his oil.
He doesn't understand importance of treaties, or even to keep forestation around to keep us alive. He votes to separate state and church, yet he is a "christian man".

Anyways, this debate will never end. There is no answer to the world problems, so people will always look down on the U.S.'s government and Winter is right offices are only for the money these days... But tell me, what isnt?

More on Bush ...

The New York Times
OP-ED COLUMNIST
March 14, 2004

* The Politics of Self-Pity

By MAUREEN DOWD

WASHINGTON -- Republicans relished their philosophy of personal responsibility last week with John Belushi's famous mantra: Cheeseburgercheeseburgercheeseburger.

When the House passed the "cheeseburger bill" to bar people from suing fast food joints for making them obese, Republican backers of the legislation scolded Americans, saying the fault lies not in their fries, but in themselves.

"Look in the mirror, because you're the one to blame," said F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, home of brats and beer bellies.

So it comes as something of a disappointment that the leader of the Republican Party, the man who epitomizes the conservative ideal, is playing the victim. President Bush has made the theme of his re-election campaign a whiny " not my fault. "

His ads, pilloried for the crass use of the images of a flag-draped body carried from ground zero and an Arab-looking everyman with the message, "We can fight against terrorists," actually have a more fundamental problem. They try to push off blame for anything that's gone wrong during Mr. Bush's tenure on bigger forces, supposedly beyond his control.

One ad cites "an economy in recession. A stock market in decline. A dot-com boom gone bust. Then a day of tragedy. A test for all Americans."

Mr. Bush's subtext is clear: If it weren't for all these awful things that happened, most of them hangovers from the Clinton era, I definitely could have fulfilled all my promises. I'm still great, but none of my programs worked because, well, stuff happens."

It's as if his inner fat boy is complaining that a classic triple cheeseburger from Wendy's (940 calories and 56 grams of fat, 25 of them saturated, and 2,140 milligrams of sodium) jumped out of its wrapper and forced its way down his unwilling throat, topped off by a pushy Frosty (540 calories and 13 grams of fat, 8 of them saturated).

Mr. Bush has been in office over three years. It's time to start accepting some responsibility.

Republicans have a bad habit of laying down rules for other people to follow while excluding themselves. Look how they beat up Bill Clinton for messing around with a young woman, while many top Republicans were doing the very same thing.

Mr. Bush's whingeing was infectious. The very House Republicans who greased the skids for the cheeseburger bill got in a huff over John Kerry's overheard comment to some supporters in Chicago that his Republican critics were "the most crooked, you know, lying group" he'd ever seen.

These tough-guy Republicans, who rule the House with an iron fist, were suddenly squealing like schoolgirls at being victimized by big, bad John Kerry. J. Dennis Hastert, the House speaker, said Mr. Kerry would have his "upcomeance coming." Tom DeLay sulked that the public was getting "a glimpse of the real John Kerry." The Hammer was talking like a nail.

Marc Racicot, Mr. Bush's campaign chairman, accused Mr. Kerry of "unbecoming" conduct and called on him to apologize.

Oh, the poor dears. The very Bush crowd that savaged John McCain in South Carolina, that bullied and antagonized the allies we need in the real war on terror, that is spending a hundred million dollars on ads that will turn Mr. Kerry into something akin to the Boston Strangler; these guys are suddenly such delicate flowers, such big bawling babies, that they can't bear to hear Mr. Kerry speak of them harshly.

Mr. Bush is not believable in the victim's role. He and Dick Cheney have audaciously imposed their will on Washington and the world.

We are not yet sure who is behind the horrendous bombings in Spain, but they have already underscored how vulnerable our trains and subways are. And they have reminded us that the administration diverted resources from the war on terror and the search for Osama to settle old scores in Iraq, building a case for war with hyped and phony claims on weapons.

In an interview with The Guardian, the weapons sleuth David Kay said it's time for Mr. Bush to take personal responsibility: "It's about confronting and coming clean with the American people. . . . He should say: `We were mistaken and I am determined to find out why.' "

In other words, Mr. Bush, look in the mirror.

....

Satori said:

Let us not forget ...

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Wow ! That looks like he had planned his one-evil a day list well before getting elected, or I admit being mistaken about him - he does have a fertile imagination to come up so quickly with all that !

playaa said:

Agreed he gives us a bad reputation but even with him out of office.. NEVER will other countries not hate the U.S., Simply because history never dies and people who were not even alive and had no part in what may have happened keep it close and ramble about it.

Click to expand...

Not quite sure about that. Personally, my image of the US was much better when Clinton was there. Of course some issues remains (death penalty, guns, support to Israel against Islamic countries...), but Clinton was trying to do something to improve things, while Bush was a stubborn defender of death penalty, Christianity and petrol and "class-discrimination" (more money for the rich), so that I knew perfectly that if he was elected there was going to be a war with Iraq (no a big prediction) or that he would give a bad international image to the US. But it even surpassed my expectations. :sorry:

Anyhow, my point is that Bush did a lot to deteriorate - almost on purpose - the image of the US and bring international indignation. So, yes, I sincerely think (and hope) that Kerry will improve the situation. Unfortunately, the most fanatic enemies of the US (never France, as some Bushist may think) among Islamic fundamentalist will probably not stop so soon the terrorist movement launched by Bush's election. If the US took a few drastic steps such as separating government and religion, or stop supporting Israel in their "war" against their neighbours, I am pretty sure that terrorism would suddenly come to a halt.

European countries don't care so much about this, but like criticising other Western countries (or each other) for not doing what they think is expected from any civilized nation (i.e. no death penalty, reducing crime and violence by banning guns, increasing social security, etc.). So the passage from Bush to Kerry would provide enough satisfaction to stop criticism. Europe has never been the enemy of the US. Actually, the same kind of squabble as between France and the US over Iraq happens quite frequently inside the EU. But it's nothing like the hatred from some Muslim fanatics, just a little teasing between brothers and sisters.

Winter said:

I dont think Kerry will do any better than Bush, but thats because I understand that for the most part, the presidency is to gain office. What is the presidents first goal, after winning election? Well its to aim to win the next. Gain support, gain fundings, backings. Its not really to run the country, thats a myth. Its to stay in 'power'.

Click to expand...

At least 2 conscutive times, since they can't be elected more than that - justly to avoid monopolising power and becoming a despot. So what do you make of presidents elected for the 2nd time ?

Maciamo said:

Not quite sure about that. Personally, my image of the US was much better when Clinton was there. Of course some issues remains (death penalty, guns, support to Israel against Islamic countries...), but Clinton was trying to do something to improve things, while Bush was a stubborn defender of death penalty, Christianity and petrol and "class-discrimination" (more money for the rich), so that I knew perfectly that if he was elected there was going to be a war with Iraq (no a big prediction) or that he would give a bad international image to the US. But it even surpassed my expectations. :sorry:

Anyhow, my point is that Bush did a lot to deteriorate - almost on purpose - the image of the US and bring international indignation. So, yes, I sincerely think (and hope) that Kerry will improve the situation. Unfortunately, the most fanatic enemies of the US (never France, as some Bushist may think) among Islamic fundamentalist will probably not stop so soon the terrorist movement launched by Bush's election. If the US took a few drastic steps such as separating government and religion, or stop supporting Israel in their "war" against their neighbours, I am pretty sure that terrorism would suddenly come to a halt.

European countries don't care so much about this, but like criticising other Western countries (or each other) for not doing what they think is expected from any civilized nation (i.e. no death penalty, reducing crime and violence by banning guns, increasing social security, etc.). So the passage from Bush to Kerry would provide enough satisfaction to stop criticism. Europe has never been the enemy of the US. Actually, the same kind of squabble as between France and the US over Iraq happens quite frequently inside the EU. But it's nothing like the hatred from some Muslim fanatics, just a little teasing between brothers and sisters.

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Perfect. My sentiments exactly. I couldn't have said it better!

Maciamo said:

Wow ! That looks like he had planned his one-evil a day list well before getting elected, or I admit being mistaken about him - he does have a fertile imagination to come up so quickly with all that !

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I think he was simply carrying out his dad's (and Reagan's) unfinished agenda. The present Administration was just chomping at the bit to continue that agenda. That's why I have always liked the photo I posted of Bush, Sr. with Bush, Jr. on his knee, otherwise known as "Mini Me," in the "Funny Bush Photos" thread: http://www.eupedia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4832 (Sorry, but the system wouldn't let me upload it again!) It's hilarious!!

And I always say, "Why settle for a lesser evil?" Vote for Cutethulhu this November!
You can sleep with the knowledge that neither Bush nor Kerry will send you cute nightmares for your pleasant screams

Maciamo said:

At least 2 conscutive times, since they can't be elected more than that - justly to avoid monopolising power and becoming a despot. So what do you make of presidents elected for the 2nd time ?

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Thats easy. Look at Clinton. When the second one comes around, its time to kick back and have a ball.

Its the time when hasty/poorly thought out/just plain bad decisions can be made without giving anything much thought. The beauty of this is the next president will be in charge of the 'recovery' or clean up of the mess the last made. Believe me, Clinton made a huge mess.

Something that has always angered me, is Clinton sold OUR Panama Canal to China. We built it, and he gave it away. Idiot.

Clarification...

Winter said:

Something that has always angered me, is Clinton sold OUR Panama Canal to China. We built it, and he gave it away. Idiot.

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You're mistaken on that. Actually, it was Jimmy Carter who set the tone for all this to happen. Clinton had to finish what Carter started. Carter, in this case, is the idiot here, and Clinton is who I would call the "idiot's puppet." See this source and this source.

playaa said:

Tell me what other country besides us pays foreigners to live in their country? I know of none.

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sweden... that's my country.. seems you ONLY know of what's with YOUR country and then you just sort of ASUME there are no others and use it as an argument?

why not just make up a few figures while you're at it and use that? '
"last year 2.000.000 anti-bushers shot up on blacktower heroine while screwing hookers... and they were not only unprotected, they also had wives and 5 kids at home!.. God is rotating in his grave, he is!"