We ve learned President Bush is a hypocrite, so what?

This use of the word "hypocrite" is poor grammer, I think. What is really meant is that people sometimes change their minds. That is not hypocrite means.

My Websters Comrehensive Dictionary, International Edition, defines hypocrite as one who acts a false part or makes false professions. The Greeks called actors "hypokrites".

Hypocisy is defined as the feigning to be what one is not; extreme insincerity; dissimulation.

All this use of the word hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.

The elite media is the biggest hypocrite of all.

To set the record straight, and to let Pres. Bush get back to his job as President, I am willing to assume the mantle of the World's Biggest Hypocrite. Here are my qualifications:

Up until my 30's, all I cared about was my own hedonistic pleasure. Today, my pleasure is derived from being a husband and father to 3 great kids (two teenagers and a 5 month old). More and more energy is exerted to supervise a blossoming, and typically headstrong, 15 year old young lady.

As a younger lad, I thought pro-choice was a good thing. Today, I am ardently anti-choice on abortion.

As a young father, I agreed with my wife that we would never deliberately embarrass our children in public. Today, when they've exhausted my patience while we're out in public, I unabashedly do my 'Happy Dance', whereupon the two teenagers cower in mortified embarrassment.

Up until a few years ago, I barely paid lip service to the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me. Now I look forward to attending Sunday Mass with my family, and the other church activities that we participate in.

There it is. I've laid just a few of my qualifications on the table. Now can we let Pres. Bush get back to work?

"After months and MONTHS of hearing what a crook Bush is from the Dems and their friends in the media, they WILL believe it."

This is true, for the same reason that people are more afraid to fly after a plane crash or more fearful of shark attacks when a few are over reported one summer. Hearing it time after time, over and over, has an effect on the weak minded or those who only occasionally pay attention: the vast majority of voters.

It's all emotion. And just like how the politicians and talking heads can talk up or down the value of the stock market, they can support or damage a politician's reputation and standing in the polls. It just takes an issue that resonates and seems to make sense. It doesn't have to be true, only seem as though it could be true.

No matter that Harken has been investigated by everybody time and time again (or every time Bush seeks a political office), with the current belief about the market and poor economy, coupled with the historical belief about the tie between Republicans and the Corporate world, Bush's approval ratings have dropped some. The power of the press in action. Good thing the politics of personal destruction are over! Hardee har har.

White House nixes national ID notion

The White House won't pursue a national identification card system, despite renewed clamor from some people in government and industry for the idea after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. "We are not even considering the idea," said a Bush spokesman today.

The White House's chilly reception followed a recent surge of interest in the idea of national ID cards, including an offer this week from Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison to have his company bear software costs for such a system (see story).

from Computerworld, 09/27/01

-----------------------------------------------------------

Yesterdays reversal is just pragmatism, I guess.

Regards

J.R.

olliemb: "Paul as Saul went after the Christians with a vengeance but as St. Paul preached the word of God.Mary Magdalene a prostitute is now St. Mary Magdalene. Thank God people can change."

jimtorr: "Hypocisy is defined as the feigning to be what one is not; extreme insincerity; dissimulation."

These are also my thoughts. A changed mind, a changed heart, often comes through feeling guilty at what one has done wrong or seeing how it could have had bad consequences. In Paul's case, he clearly was convicted of his wrongdoing, even though, as he persecuted Christians, he believed what he was doing was honorable and right. After God showed Paul the error of his ways, Paul stopped the persecution and, instead, became a Christian. That was not hypocritical.

Bush's changed mind on certain types of business dealings/operations is also not hypocritical. He saw how what he, himself, previously did could (and has) afforded those with evil intents to defraud. In the current scandalous business climate of the corporate world, something must be done to protect the innocents from those with evil intentions.

This is not hypocrisy. It's called a change of heart, a willingness and desire to learn from past mistakes (made by oneself or others) or errors in judgment. It's realizing how certain actions could be perceived as dishonest or how those same actions could be used for dishonest gain by evil/corrupt people. These changes of heart, these learning experiences, these realizations, are things which all humanity should strive to achieve and not be persecuted for.

Bush is no hypocrite. He's a man of principle, who listens to God, and others, so he can improve the road upon which he travels, for himself and for those who follow. What more can we expect of any man?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.