Posted on 01/21/2005 4:19:45 AM PST by Mikmur
PEGGY NOONAN
Way Too Much God Was the president's speech a case of "mission inebriation"?
The inaugural address itself was startling. It left me with a bad feeling, and reluctant dislike. Rhetorically, it veered from high-class boilerplate to strong and simple sentences, but it was not pedestrian. George W. Bush's second inaugural will no doubt prove historic because it carried a punch, asserting an agenda so sweeping that an observer quipped that by the end he would not have been surprised if the president had announced we were going to colonize Mars. A short and self-conscious preamble led quickly to the meat of the speech: the president's evolving thoughts on freedom in the world. Those thoughts seemed marked by deep moral seriousness and no moral modesty.
The president's speech seemed rather heavenish. It was a God-drenched speech. This president, who has been accused of giving too much attention to religious imagery and religious thought, has not let the criticism enter him. God was invoked relentlessly. "The Author of Liberty." "God moves and chooses as He wills. We have confidence because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind . . . the longing of the soul."
And yet such promising moments were followed by this, the ending of the speech. "Renewed in our strength--tested, but not weary--we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." This is--how else to put it?--over the top. It is the kind of sentence that makes you wonder if this White House did not, in the preparation period, have a case of what I have called in the past "mission inebriation." A sense that there are few legitimate boundaries to the desires born in the goodness of their good hearts.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
actually if you leave God out of it {even though our founders didn't}, encouraging freedom and supportiing it and warning tyrants we are watching, is not a bad thing. It is pretty idealistic but also pragmatic. I think GWB truly believe God is involved and exacts certain things from us for our incredibly free country. But even if not inspired by God, what vision he is embracing and leading this country toward is without doubt the most idealistic decent thing I have seen here in years. At least you have to admit he isn't encouraging rampant hedonism, narcissism and isolationism. I can support his vision of our place in the world, think it is worthwhile and good whether I accept his idea about its origins or not. You don't have to be a Christian to think the 10 Commandments are a pretty good idea.
Don, we are so in sync it is scary.
Sorry, but unless I've gotten her mixed up with someone else - little eastern state middle aged, blond, nasal talking lady - (which could be possible) I distinctly remember her "holier than thou" Look down her nose attitude, right wing or not.
And just because someone says they're a Christian, doesn't mean much (Remember Jim & ol Tammy Fay Baker?) And of course the REVEREND (puke) Jesse Jackson.
Again, I could be wrong, but if it is the one, she rubs me wrong. God bless all
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
" Personally, I have never understood those who think the sun rises and sets on Peggy Noonan. "
World News Tonight was gushing over Noonan's trashing of GW's speech.
Jennings lauded Noonan for her trashing of President Bush's speech.
He included her picture and " over the top " description in quotes-but, he took that quote out of context.
Peggy has been out of step a few times of late, I don't think she can recover from this misstep.
Maureen Dowd better watch her back , Peggy may be gunning for her job.
I should try to find some actual writings by E. Burke; I've just found a few quotes here and there. I have read that his writings and philosophy were an inspiration to many of the founders of this country. I don't know that I have the intellect to read more than a paragraph or few at a time. It's concentrated wisdom.
I am uneducated so whatever little I know is quite spotty.
In my mind, it was a very well delivered speech with a sentiment I share, though not necessarily one I wish to act upon.
I beg to disagree,,with the economy, communication and travel having become global, we cannot be isolated, not even if we wanted to.
Besides having a powerful and anointed singing voice and narrative ability, he's got a mighty sweet spirit. I love hearing him.
Thank you Mrs Noonan, you are absolutely correct!
Shalom.
Ah, I finally figured it out, but thanks. I don't have TV, so I didn't see the address.
And I've been *very* busy and the old laptop is fractious, so I haven't been on FR that much lately.
Very good line.
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