Hmm... maybe it's just you that made progress. I still feel in the same position as I originally did.
we need to make the distinction from our political discourse and the religious discourse or they won't even engage us in the political one.
But that is not what Bush was doing. Bush was PLACATING - which means in essence, saying whatever, true or not, to avoid a confrontation.
If nothing else, he was highlighting for these Islamic leaders that their sheep over here are being brainwashed and they had better get them back on track.
While I know he is a devout Christian that doesn't mean he needs to comment, in his position, on Pat Robertson's rantings or anyone else's for that matter. I think him doing so makes it look as though Pat and his ilk have more sway than they do.
IMO he should just keep himself out of it as nanny and others have suggested. There is no way to bring up this issue in his position without being insulting to one side or the other so why not just keep quiet? Why then choose the side he has?
(Why?? because he's not afraid Christians will rise up and declare Jihad on America in response!)