The Divine Calm of George W. Bush: Iraq's a mess, half the country hates you - just keep praying!

Village Voice ^ | May 3rd, 2004 9:30 AM | Rick Perlstein

[Mo1]

It doesn't bother me that he has strong faith. It's the way he uses that faith that bothers me. I like how Jimmy Carter uses his strong faith. And Martin Luther King. And the Berrigan Brothers. And Ganhdi. etc. etc. etc.

And how did Jimmy Carter use his faith???

BTW .. I couldn't help notice how you left Clinton off your list

[Howlin]

Did you miss ohioWFan's first post where she said he wrote THIS article after reading our thread about the last press conference?

[dirtboy]

He has never tried to hide the fact that he is an unabashed liberal that does not agree with Bush. Not to speak for Perlstein, but I think he appreciates the intellectual give and take around here.

However, he has been singularly unwilling to admit to the mistakes he has made in this article, nor has he responded to the reasoned counter-opinions. That's hardly give-and-take - it's more troll-and-roll.

[onyx]

I've never denied I have an anti-Bush agenda. It's called democracy. I don't work for the mainstream press, I'm a commentator for the alternative press.

Serious question.
Rather than bash-Bush during war time,
does your side not have a positive agenda?
Where are your grand ideas?

Bush is an honest man, and likeable.
It's impossible to trip-up an honest man;
and that, Mr.Rick Perlstein,
is a fact, yall can't seem to comprehend.

[Tamzee]

I did give you an example in the post you replied to... not all Christians believe that God deliberately put Bush in office or is micromanaging our country and foreign affairs through him.

I do say that a website that claims 2.8 million members represents its own agenda with a picture of George W. Bush with a halo emitting from his head.

There you go again, making sweeping statements based on a few individuals... and you misunderstand those individuals in this particular case anyways. The only members here I've seen posting pictures like that are doing so with a glint of merriment and fondness in their eyes, not with any serious thought that Bush is a deity.

[VRWC_minion]

It doesn't bother me that he has strong faith. It's the way he uses that faith that bothers me

As long as God agress with you, his adherents are okied dokie. When you disagree with God, then you don't like their faith. At least its consistant.

[Miss Marple]

JIMMY CARTER!!!!! You think Jimmy Carter is a good example???!!!!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

[dirtboy]

Pay attention: this was the part in which I was criticizing other liberal writers for NOT STICKING TO THE FACTS!

Except that you never used the word "liberal" once in that passage - just "some commentators". And it's a silly argument anyway, that because someone associates with someone else, they must share that belief system. Using those arguments, because Bush was buddy-buddy with Ted Kennedy for awhile, he should have drove his car off a bridge as a result.

[onyx]

Stick around.
Why run off?

[Petronski]

By all means, stay. But staying means defending your views and your latest scrawl--not answering questions with questions.

Frankly, I don't think you're smart enough to survive among some of the minds around here (I don't mean me), though certainly you see yourself as a superior deigning to fish for the plebeian vox populi.

[Petronski]

BTW .. I couldn't help notice how you left Clinton off your list...

You too? LOL

[Perlstein]

Redlipstick makes a smart point. But ultimately, I'm right.

In his autobiography, he backs off from other accounts he has made of this story. See, for example, the account cited in Mansfield's The Faith of George W. Bush, where Bush's words make it much clearer that, while he may have believed the pastor was talking to "all of us," he also told his friend Pastor Robison that he believed God was speaking to him through Pastor Craig. I can give multiple sources for this, in addition to the fact that he called people after that service and said God wanted him to run for president.

I didn't have space to explain all that.

[VRWC_minion]

Frankly, I don't think you're smart enough to survive among some of the minds around here

Shhh. The correct response is "We are not worthy".

[onyx]

Why do you hate POTUS?
Is it his politics or more personal?
IOWs, are you a donkey democrat?
A spoiled leftie preppie?
A red diaper baby?
You get the picture...

[Perlstein]

Please, please, please, please everyone go read my post 47, and get it through your heads: I did not admire Clinton.

[bondjamesbond]

Is praying an impeachable offense these days? Can't be too careful...

[Petronski]

...he also told his friend Pastor Robison that he believed God was speaking to him through Pastor Craig.

Most listeners in the congregation who derived some meaning from the Pastor's words would say the same thing. Those words don't impart the exclusivity that you imply.

[Miss Marple]

I happen to own The Faith of George W. Bush. I am, however, at my son's home now. I will look at the account when I get home and see if I agree with your interpretation.

[Mo1]

I just like getting in political discussions, the hotter the better. What's the harm?

Well that's obvious

The problem is in your honesty of facts

You don't have to like this President .. and having a debate about issues is fine .. but at least try to be honest with the facts

You may not realize it .. but by taking the president's words out of context, adding your interpretation of events that happen as though you were there .. and then ridiculing his faith ... you are also insulting the rest of us who have a strong faith

Even a catholic like myself is sick and tired of hearing from the liberals that religion is a bad thing and is not allowed

[Petronski]

The correct response is "We are not worthy".

Indeed, we are not. We need to get that through our heads!