[Cicero]

I agree with you that Allah is not the same as the God of the Jews and the Christians.

But Bush isn't a theologian, he's the President. He has to say what will be best for the country he leads. It would be wrong for him to gratuitously offend a billion Muslims and draw them together against us. Better to pretend that Islam is really a nice religion, which will tend to split them.

[A. Pole]

It would be wrong for him to gratuitously offend a billion Muslims and draw them together against us. Better to pretend that Islam is really a nice religion, which will tend to split them.

You could be right. Especially that offending Christians is not so risky. They will turn the second cheek instead of smashing your face. :)