Wednesday, November 17, 2004

AlterNet: Election 2004: The Christian Right's Humble Servant

AlterNet: Election 2004: The Christian Right's Humble Servant

This is an interesting and somewhat disturbing look at the forces that have shaped--and continue to shape--the Bush presidency. While I think it is somewhat alarmist in its tone and tends to overstate the power of fundamentalist Christianity, and consequently not serious enough in its focus on the neo-conservative ideologues (i.e., the PNAC) who are guiding Bush on a daily basis, it offers a fascinating analysis of this President, this GOP, and this election.

An Excerpt:

Only a few days after 9/11, a shaken George W. Bush invited a small group of evangelical leaders to the White House to offer him spiritual counsel. There, they quietly discussed Scripture and the implications of 9/11 for a few moments. Then former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president James Merritt turned to the president with a few words of encouragement.

"Mr. President, you and I are fellow believers in Jesus Christ," Merritt said.

Bush shook his head affirmatively.

"We both believe there is a sovereign God in control of this universe."

Bush nodded again.

"Since God knew that those planes would hit those towers before you and I were ever born, since God knew that you would be sitting in that chair before this world was ever created, I can only draw the conclusion that you are God's man for this hour," Merritt stated.

It was then that Bush lowered his head and cried.

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