BS: Bush is a religious fanatic

Subject: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:49 PM

The New York Times Magazine section has an article on Bush's Calvinism and his adherence to extremist religious reactionary ideas. Ron Suskind's article reveals Bush's penchant for a Mid-East scorched-earth policy based on his personal beliefs which have nothing to do with reality. His aide said to Ron Suskind, "We're an empire, now, and when we act we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality-judiciously as you will- we'll act again."

Next stop, Iran and/or Syria. Bush supports Sharon's West Bank grab.
The nutcase Evangelicals want Israel to conquer the Middle East and establish the Temple Mount to fulfill a crazed Bible "prophecy" to "bring it on", the Rapture, that is. Then Jesus will come back and burn up Jews who don't convert to Christianity. This is Bush country and it's difficult to believe that Sharon would fall for it. As a matter of fact, many Israelis support Bush because they believe he really cares.

Check the article.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Greg F.
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 06:12 PM

No, no, no! -American Radical Christian Fundamentalist Terrorism is perfectly acceptable.

Just them Eye-Rack- ee's and fiendish Musselman's that're up t' no good.

And if you think Dumbya is a nutcase, you need to read up on John Ashcroft....

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 06:24 PM

I have read the piece in the NYT and it is truly fascinating and insightful. Granted, the writer comes with a certain perspective, but his profile seems quite on the mark, given all the utterances by W and venues that he deigns to attend---and those he does not. That part is also noteworthy.   

His debating skills are minimal---but his crowd pleasing is, sadly, reminiscent of other fanatics--one, comes to mind who also rigged things---we go back here to 1930s here.

Although Roth does not claim that his newest book is a parable for today--The Plot Against America--it surely can be read that way. Great read by the way. Well worth getting it---if you are of a certain age and of a certain area you will appreciate his imagination and description. If you are from another area it can truly be read as a parable for today. Sadly---just change Lindbergh for Bush.


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 06:49 PM

Vote and be damned

Without a Doubt

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 07:50 PM

Bruce Bartlett, a domestic policy adviser to Ronald Reagan and a treasury official for the first President Bush, told me recently that ''if Bush wins, there will be a civil war in the Republican Party starting on Nov. 3.'' The nature of that conflict, as Bartlett sees it? Essentially, the same as the one raging across much of the world: a battle between modernists and fundamentalists, pragmatists and true believers, reason and religion.

''Just in the past few months,'' Bartlett said, ''I think a light has gone off for people who've spent time up close to Bush: that this instinct he's always talking about is this sort of weird, Messianic idea of what he thinks God has told him to do.'' Bartlett, a 53-year-old columnist and self-described libertarian Republican who has lately been a champion for traditional Republicans concerned about Bush's governance, went on to say: ''This is why George W. Bush is so clear-eyed about Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalist enemy. He believes you have to kill them all. They can't be persuaded, that they're extremists, driven by a dark vision. He understands them, because he's just like them. . . .

''This is why he dispenses with people who confront him with inconvenient facts,'' Bartlett went on to say. ''He truly believes he's on a mission from God. Absolute faith like that overwhelms a need for analysis. The whole thing about faith is to believe things for which there is no empirical evidence.'' Bartlett paused, then said, ''But you can't run the world on faith.''

Excerpted from Without a Doubt

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 07:58 PM

''This is why he dispenses with people who confront him with inconvenient facts,'' Bartlett went on to say. ''He truly believes he's on a mission from God. Absolute faith like that overwhelms a need for analysis."

Gee, I can think of a few non-Bush supporters here who would qualify....

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 08:05 PM

I dunno who you are thinking of, BB, but I don't know anyone on this forum who believes he is downloading his action plan from God almighty.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 08:16 PM

P.S.


I urge you to read the whole of the above article called "Without a Doubt". It reflects on a lot of why we are having a hard time agreeing.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 08:34 PM

"''This is why he dispenses with people who confront him with inconvenient facts,'' Bartlett went on to say. ''He truly believes he's on a mission from God. Absolute faith like that overwhelms a need for analysis."

Gee, I can think of a few non-Bush supporters here who would qualify.... "

And if you're right, that doesn't make Bush smart, does it? It just makes them dumb and smug.

Who did you have in mind?

clint

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: shadygrove
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 09:09 PM

If Bush is a religious fanatic, then even more so were the Founding Fathers of this country, among whom I count my ancestors on my father's side. And why is religion only bad in the view of many only when it is of the traditional variety? Just the other night, during the last debate, Kerry spoke of his 'faith' and his altar-boy background; is he a 'religious fanatic'? By maligning all those of a religiously conservative background, one dismisses the many, many Americans in the Bible belt, whose music and culture are presumably so celebrated here on this forum.
And since when is the New York Times an unimpeachable, unbiased source on political matters?
I know my views are very unpopular, to say the least, here, but sometimes it's hard not to speak up.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 09:21 PM

There seems a pretty strong streak of Elmer Gantry in Mr Bush's "religious" stance. Maybe he's a True Believer, maybe he's just putting on the style:

Preacher in the pulpit shouting with all his might
Glory Hallelujah, puts the people in a fright
You might think that Satan's coming up the aisle
But it's only preacher putting on the style.

"By their fruits you shall know them..."

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 10:09 PM

Bush is a power fanatic. Nothin' else. Just power.

You wanta hame a relgion after power, fine. He religious...

He's no more a Christain than the left rear hubcap on my ol' Toyoter...

(Sorry, Mr. Hubcap. I know you have some spiritual qualities...)

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Arkie
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 10:20 PM

Bush has some of the rhetoric of the Christian right wing, but he is far more akin to a totalitarian dictator than he is to conventional Republican conservatism or fundamental Christianity. He needs the war to get people scared enough to put their trust in his leadership. The tactic of branding dissenters as traitors and the practice of using deception to pass legislation as well as the use of the Orwellian "doublespeak" to describe legislation and environmental initiatives are the trademarks of a dictator not a republican or democratic leader. The Bush faction has also played more heavily to the fears and prejudices of the citizenry than we are accustomed. Many of us in America expect public figures to lie and misrepresent facts, but Bush has redefined the political lie. Whether Bush is the threat, or whether he is a front man for a diabolical group of business leaders, is not that clear at present, but there is a dangerous force on the horizon. The political state of America has gone beyond the typical rivalry of Democrats and Republicans and the country has been polarized by the inflammatory use of terms like conservative and liberal. This is certainly one of the most critical elections in the history of this country.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 10:31 PM

Arkie, Shadygrove, Its plain that you haven't read the article. You may want to, its very informative.

Frank, If "Without a Doubt is the Article you refer to, I have to disagree with the premise of you thread title. The article doesn't say he is a religious Fanatic. It says that he is overconfident because of his religion and that he is unfit to be President because he hasn't learned how to deal with criticisms.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: dianavan
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 10:54 PM

beardedbruce - Some mudcatters (including myself) have probably thought at one time or another that God was directing their actions but heh, cmon, I'm not the president of the U.S. Besides that, my God doesn't tell me to kill or rob anybody. What kind of God is directing him anyway?

I think Billy Graham just counselled him to play the game so that he could maintain his wealth and status. Someone should tell him that Billy aint God and that not all of Americans are fundamentalist Christians. I hear even the Catholics detest Bush and the Jews better smarten up if they think Bush is their friend. If they think they have trouble in Israel now, just give Bush another four years. Wonder what they'll say when he proclaims himself as the Messiah.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 11:03 PM

This is my favorite part of the article from Ron Suskind:

"Can the unfinished American experiment in self-governance -- sputtering on the watery fuel of illusion and assertion -- deal with something as nuanced as the subtleties of one man's faith? What, after all, is the nature of the particular conversation the president feels he has with God -- a colloquy upon which the world now precariously turns?

That very issue is what Jim Wallis (an evangelical pastor) wishes he could sit and talk about with George W. Bush. That's impossible now, he says. He is no longer invited to the White House.

''Faith can cut in so many ways,'' he said. ''If you're penitent and not triumphal, it can move us to repentance and accountability and help us reach for something higher than ourselves. That can be a powerful thing, a thing that moves us beyond politics as usual, like Martin Luther King did. But when it's designed to certify our righteousness -- that can be a dangerous thing. Then it pushes self-criticism aside. There's no reflection.

''Where people often get lost is on this very point,'' he said after a moment of thought. ''Real faith, you see, leads us to deeper reflection and not -- not ever -- to the thing we as humans so very much want.''

And what is that?

''Easy certainty.''"

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:04 AM

reminds of a bumper sticker a woman got at her church:

When Jesus said "love thy enemies" I'm pretty sure he didn't mean kill them

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:39 AM

I'll agree that it's begininng to look like we can't govern ourselves. Getting real sad here....just what do the secession laws say? (not that Repb. Wyoming would agree--Switzerland is looking real good just now)

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: dianavan
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 03:35 AM

katlaughing - When Jesus said "love thy enemies" I'm pretty sure he didn't mean kill them.

Excellent!


d

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 04:36 AM

I'm glad this subject is being discussed again. Several months back I had posted an article on this, and got shot down big time. I was accussed of promoting far-out ideas that weren't supported by facts because of the writer in question. If I can track down that thread, I'll blue clicky it here.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:11 AM

Yes, a lot of this article is far out, and again, as I said when I began that thread back in March, I don't say I necessarily agree with what was written, but I found it interesting, and now that some of what was written then is coming back out of the mouths, and from the pens of extremely reputable people, it may be worth a read again.


http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=15261

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 08:48 AM

For what is perhaps a more wholesome kind of religious commitment, try this thread and this site.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 09:20 AM

I think everybody knows that this great country was founded by religious fanatics with guns... the issue is, haven't we grown up since then? Even the Founding Fanatics were for freedom of religion, not for imposing their religion on everybody else... that is why they had fled Europe, after all.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 12:20 PM

Bush's view of religion was definitely not that of the Founding Fathers.
They would be aghast at his unilateral mission and Crusade. Ben Franklyn and Thomas Jefferson would probably have laughed at Bush's narrow view of Christianity. These views came in the John Darby, a nineteenth century fundmentalist who created the views of the Rapture, "dispensationalism" and the sadistic idea of Jesus returning to destroy the world. This is not traditional Christianity but a distortion based on a warped view of a patriarchal society that places violence and punishment over the true love of Jesus.

The so-called Bible belt is really not reflective of the majority of citizens in the South. There are a lot of religious fanatics around, but there are many clear-thinking responsible Christians in the South that don't subscribe to the Evangelical Wrong-Wing reactionaries.

Kerry was very clear on his religious commitments and his faith.
Bush thinks he is God.

Frank


A Just the other night, during the last debate, Kerry spoke of his 'faith' and his altar-boy background; is he a 'religious fanatic'? By maligning all those of a religiously conservative background, one dismisses the many, many Americans in the Bible belt, whose music and culture are presumably so celebrated here on this forum.
And since when is the New York Times an unimpeachable, unbiased source on political matters?
I know my views are very unpopular, to say the least, here, but sometimes it's hard not to speak up.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Chris Green
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 12:26 PM

It's a hoary old chestnut, I know, but when you look at all the wars organised religion has started, it's not surprising that Bush's claims to have a one-to-one with God spook a lot of people. Don't know if anyone remembers but in the days immediately after September 11th the buzzword from Dubya wasn't "war against terror", but "crusade against terror."Crusade" meaning to Muslims approximately what "jihad" means to us. To be fair, though I still thinks he'd be just as incompetent, cack-handed and dangerous if he were an atheist.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 12:27 PM

Jack the Sailor,

Bush's confidence is predicated on an unreasonable assumption
that God is telling him what to do. He offers no flexible view of
imperfection which is telling. He makes no mistakes. This in my view can be interpreted as being fanatic. The fact the author didn't use that word doesn't mean that it's not a valid assumption based on the information that Suskind presented.

A true Christian is humble and knows that he is capable of error and
strives to improve. The fact that Bush shows no humility whatever
indicates that he is disturbed and is missing the most important ingredient for a thoughtful compassionate human being, that he
is not God but can make errors. This is irresponsible. The fact that Bush will not allow free speech to take place in his cabinet is also indicative of a form of fanaticism and dictatorship.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Peace
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 12:34 PM

Bush is a fanatic who uses religion for his purposes.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 12:39 PM

This country was not exactly founded by religous fanatics with guns, at least in the structural sense. A number of colonies were started that way, but this country as a nation was built by rationalist architects in a series of drawnout discussions and debates called the Constitutional Convention.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 01:42 PM

"Even the Founding Fanatics were for freedom of religion, not for imposing their religion on everybody else... that is why they had fled Europe, after all."

Not exactly true. Some of them just wanted to be in the driving seat when it came to persecution, for example of Catholics or even the wrong sort of Proitestrant, such as Quakers.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:10 PM

The early colonists in what is now New England (the Pilgrims) were not the same people as the "Founding Fathers". In the case of the Pilgrims, religion was their main reason for being here, and McGrath is right. The Pilgrims were separatists. They wanted to be separate from people whose religious beliefs differed from theirs. They fled to The Netherlands from England to escape religions persecution, but they fled to North America from The Netherlands to get away from people they considered to be sinners.

The colonies in which the "Founding Fathers" were concentrated (what are now the mid-Atlantic states) really were more economically driven than religiously motivated.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Nerd
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:45 PM

People misunderstand many Jews' reactions to Bush. Those Jews who support Bush don't think he really cares about them, and don't care if he cares. They think he will pursue policies that are in their interest, meaning

1) support Israel
2) cut taxes for the wealthy

(Most Jews for Bush are of the wealthier sort, I believe).

Does Bush support Israel because he wants to bring on the Rapture, which incidentally will kill all the Jews? Well, maybe. But Jews don't believe in the Rapture, so they think they're getting the better of the deal. It's a classic (though weird) win-win situation: both sides get what they want from the other, and underlying motivations matter very little.

Still, in all, i don't think the Jewish community by and large supports Bush. I think there are some Jews for whom the security of Israel is THE most important issue, and among those Jews there are some who believe Bush is the better candidate for Israel. That subsection of the Jewish vote will go to Bush. There are also Jews who are well-off and who vote for their economic interest (ie upper-income tax cuts) and THAT section of the community will also vote for Bush.

I think there are far more Jews who are annoyed by his anti-intellectualism, a bit frightened by his fundamentalism, and/or naturally liberal or progressive, and they will vote for Kerry.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:50 PM

Frank I agree wholeheartedly with what you just said, but it seemed to me that the thread was turning into a debate about the premise of whether or not Bush is a religious fanatic. I realize that there is a very limited amount of space in a thread title but I hope you will agree that the article makes a much more profound and human point about the 43rd President. I was hoping to turn the subject back to the case made in the article, which I think is perfectly summed up in the paragraphs quoted by CarolC ...17 Oct 04 - 11:03 PM ... A point you seemed to be making in your initial post. Please note that I am a Christain and I'm trying to point out that not all of us are religious fanatics. Many of us are in the "reality based world" that the Bush aid so distains in the article. I'm sorry if it looks like I was trying to belittle what you have said. In fact, I'm very greatfull that you have started this thread.

Thank you Frank.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:55 PM

I don't understand Jews who support Kerry over Bush because of support for Israel. Isn't Kerry, whose blood is 1/4 Jewish, dedicated to Israel's security. What is the difference between them? The support of Wolfowitz, Kristol and Perle? Haven't those people shown the world how inept and niave that they are?

I find the whole thing puzzling.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Chris Green
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 04:41 PM

Israel appears to be quite good at maintaining its own security. However, its policy of alienating all of its neighbours sadly means that it will continue to be obliged to do so for the foreseeable future.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Peace
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 04:49 PM

duel . . .

The neighbours aren't exactly friendly either.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 04:59 PM

The US gives Israel billions of dollars every year in military and other financial aid. Whether or not Israel could do a good job of maintaining its security without that money is maybe not such a sure thing, and I think that the people Nerd is talking about who vote according to which candidate they think will be best for Israel probably have that question in mind (along with some other questions such as UNSC vetoes, and Middle Eastern 'balance of power' equations) when they make their decision.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Chris Green
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:08 PM

I'm not disputing that. My worry, however, is that Israel seems to have abandoned any effort to come to any agreement or understanding with the countries that surround it. We all know what happens when throw up a sodding great wall round your property and try and pretend your neighbours don't exist!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:11 PM

The wall might be ok if it actually followed the Green Line. But it doesn't. It cuts deeply into the West Bank. And therein lies much of the problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:36 PM

I don't care whether he believes he is being steered directly by God (and therefore is delusory) or if he simply lets the ingenuous and vulnerable promote that impression for his benefit (and therefore is manipulative and a bit evil). The man needs to let go of that white building in D.C. and go back to the lawn tennis set he left behind in Crawford.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: red_clay
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 11:06 AM

you are sooo childish,Amos!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Chris Green
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 11:10 AM

Are you sure? None of the kids I teach use long words like that!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 11:14 AM

Red-Clay:

Hang around a while and figure out who's doing what to whom before you resort to infantile devices like ad hominem slurs. I'd say it is more childish to resort to name-calling than to indulge in a little pomposity. And find the right terms before you start slinging mud -- it is the least you can do to those who have been here longer than you have.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 01:43 PM

Jack The Sailor,

Agreed. My point is that Bush is not acting like a true Christian but through a warped interpretation of "Bible Prophecy". True Christians are compassionate, empathic, and here's a controversial idea, "non-violent". True Christians are taught to be humble, accept mistakes as part of the growth of their convictions,
loving, charitable toward the poor, cautious about the rich, question authority when it runs counter to these essential beliefs, and decry selfishness.

The punitive authoriarian view of Christianity comes later in the nineteenth century using earlier scripture to justify that view. Bush is the architypical
Manicheaen punisher, the Terminator, the Crusader who adheres to a dogma
that resonates with many in rural states. These are generally unquestioning
people who walk in lock-step not unlike those good Germans who lived in
Dachau, refusing to smell the smoke from the incinerators. These folks are imbued with "self-interest" projecting it onto the country.

Nerd, Sharon has made the uneasy pact with the aforementioned not much of a real win-win situation. You can't wall out terror. First it must be extinguished from inside. To be cliche, you can't fight fire with fire. Israel has nothing to be gained by accepting the Reactionary Republican Evangelism.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: red_clay
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 01:54 PM

i have news for you AMOS...i've been in here as a guest for over 4 years now so i know how you folks think,talk,write and try to control the universe with your liberal thinking minds!but,got news for you! ain't gonna happen to me!
so shove it!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 02:15 PM

Well, Red Clay, let me be the first to congratualte youon your courage in coming out under a handle after four years.

What is it that isn't going to happen to you, exactly? I would prefer your were thinking absolutely free from constraints.

If you were, you would have no need to resort to jeers and crude barbarian remarks, because free thought tends to seek to communicate.

Your use of these devices indicates that, rather than worry about being controlled by someone here, you should work on undoing whatever controls you are already imprisoned by.

That's my take on things, of course. So sorry if I misinterpret you, but you don't offer much to go on, beiontg so busy sticking out your wee tongue and constructively yelling "neener, neener".

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 02:35 PM

red_clay, you sound pretty hateful for someone who professes to be a Chrstian.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: DougR
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 02:52 PM

It's interesting how many Mudcatters post an article because it either (1) agrees with their point of view, or (2) because they are absolutely convinced that the writer gains his/her knowledge of the subject directly from a higher being.

George Bush is a Methodist, I believe. Methodism is not fanaticism! He is a christian. Being a christian does not mean you are a fanatic.

What's the next step, Guest Frank? Should christianity be banned?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Greg F.
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:13 PM

George Bush is a Methodist like Richard Nixon was a Quaker.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:21 PM

What makes on a fanatic, DOug R, has nothing to do with denomination and your rhetorical dervice is patently transparent. His fanatacism is marked by extreme, unreasoning persistance and adherence to a cause -- in this case a cause defined by myhological entities.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject"--Winston Churchill

I think Mister Bush qualifies because of the consistency with which his "I am God's choice" concept has been sprinkled through his discussions.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bush is a religious fanatic
From: frogprince
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:42 PM

Doug, I must say I find your "logic" to be kind of a leap; holding on to one idea, swinging on it, and trying to grab another idea. A whole lot of people aren't clearly defined by the denomination they belong to; that can be a bad thing or a good one, depending on all kinds of variables. I just realized that, as a Methodist, I had never realized what denomination Bush belongs to, and never cared. From the beginning of his first campaign, I saw him pandering to a religious element much more extreme than I have found to be typical of Methodists.