First Page Of New Harry Potter Book Takes Swipe At Bush

Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince | 7/16/05

[Williams]

Well the new Harry Potter book has arrived and I can report the first page of the first chapter contains an obvious jab at our president. The book begins with the British Prime Minister awaiting a phone call from the "President" of an unnamed distant country, and wondering when the "wretched man" would call.

As a fan of the books and for that matter of Rowling's personal story and success, I'm saddened that liberal madness had to invade this children's classic. The first chapter was otherwise perfectly enjoyable.

I'm not saying anything else in the chapter was intentionally connected to current events, but I had to draw the comparison with what has ended up in British headlines at the same time as the book release. In the book, the Prime Minister is dealing with unexplained events, at least some of which could be terrorist like. Indeed, they are the work of sinister forces. Whereas I'm sure in this book series, ultimate help will come from the wizarding world, in reality Britain needs the support of the leader J.K. Rowling refers to as that "wretched man." How sadly misguided.

[Revolting cat!]

Lennon+Lenin!

[fatima]

OK,I am lost.:)

[Oztrich Boy]

Why would a REAL historical figure, especially Blair, be put into a book that is obviously fanstasy? You assume a lot.

I'm assuming the "Presidemt", if an American President, is Jeb Bartlett. Maybe JK Rowling doesn't like The West Wing.

[TheStickman]

The author could have been referring to the President of France, no?

[Echo Talon]

i guess.. I don't know i didnt read the book or make the claim. :D

[Accygirl]

So going by this timeline, Harry (if he lives) is two years older than me.

BTW, it's pretty interesting how they figured out the dates (Nearly Headless Nick's deathday), but some people have WAY too much time on their hands. (And this is coming from a lady who spent the last ten hours reading a children's book).

[willyboyishere]

tell Williams that I just talked to JK Rowling, and , indeed it WAS President Bush she was talking about in
the book. CASE CLOSED.

[onja]

And... how are we to know. Why would Rowling answer YOUR question out of the probably thousands(or hundreds os thousands)? I don't believe you(unless you're joking).

[onja]

Sorry. I realize you were joking. But with everything people have been saying it sounded real at first. My apologizes.

[fortheDeclaration]

Amen!

[Mad Mammoth]

Your contentions regarding Joseph, Moses and Jesus are basically based upon their interpretations of the events in question. Your belief that these are "the real McCoy" cannot be substituted for evidence that that is the case.

From the Gospel of John, Chapter 20:

...But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples said unto him, "We have seen the [resurrected] Lord."

But he said unto them, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them.

Then came Jesus, the doors being shut and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be unto you."

Then said he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing."

And Thomas answered and said into him, "My Lord and my God."

Jesus saith unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believeth."

[Junior]

You are using a book to confirm the veracity of that same book. That would be like using the witnesses of the Riders of Rohan to prove that Gandalf the Gray had arisen.

Do you understand the logic behind this? You are confusing your faith in the words in a book for proof that book is accurate.

[Mad Mammoth]

Well Junior, you either have faith, or you don't.

I suppose we know which column to chalk your name into.

So does God.

Have a nice life.

[Junior]

I suppose we know which column to chalk your name into.

Another idiot who wants to read into my words that which is not there. I swear, logic and debate are no longer taught in schools. You have absolutely no clue as to my beliefs, which, by the way, are really not that much different from your own. However, I NEVER confuse my faith in the Almighty with proof of his existence.

The fundamentalist mind is evidently incapable of holding anything more complicated than an either-or concept.

[Taft in '52]

Harry Potter is probably a Democrat.

[Jedi Jake]

Sometimes a story is just a story. If you read Shakespeare enough, I'm sure you'll find he took a stab a Bush too.

Get over it.

[pa mom]

I manage to have both. And honestly, Harry Potter is there for the hours I read it. Jesus is there forever and always.

[pa mom]

Glad someone has a sense of humor!

[pa mom]

I was reading the end of the fifth book last night so I'd be caught up. I was taken by the discussion of HP's attack by V when Harry was a baby. V tried to kill him as an infant because he knew he would grow to challenge his power.

Herod, anyone?

[Mad Mammoth]

The fundamentalist mind is evidently incapable of holding anything more complicated than an either-or concept.

Once you come to the acceptance of the fact that there is no 'grey area' where one may comfortably reside without making a moral stand one way or the other, you will realize that life IS an "either-or" concept.

Jesus said: "You are either for me, or against me. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no"

And Junior, it doesn't get any more "either-or" than that.

Your argument is not with me, it is with Almighty God.

Good Luck.