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Bush & Religion

Xerxes apologizes for the quality of this transposition from the Financial Times, but I believe the interest of this piece makes the tedium of the format acceptable.

George W. Bush is a deeply religious man and the US remains a veryreligious country. In February 2004, Luis Lugo, director of the PewTrust's Religion Programme, wrote that in a recent poll, "Eighty- five
\'fairly\' important in their lives, and nearly 60 per cent reported\that they attend religious services at least once or twice a month."\\If religion matters in general, the particular religion that President\Bush avows matters all the more. Bush and many of his closest advisers\are Evangelicals, a variant of Christianity that non-Americans\scarcely comprehend, and Americans in the large urban centres rarely\encounter.\\According to The Economist in its "American Survey" of November 2003,\Evangelical Christians make up the largest single religious group in\the US, larger than Roman Catholics. Thirty per cent of all Americans\in 2003 (up from 24 per cent in 1987) belong to the group, which,\according to Professor George Marsden of Notre Dame University in\Indiana, includes "holiness churches, Pentecostals, traditionalist\Methodists, all sorts of Baptists, Presbyterians, black churches in\all these traditions, fundamentalists, pietist groups, Reformed and\Lutheran confessionalists, Anabaptists such as Mennonites, Churches of\Christ, to name only the most prominent types". In spite of this\bewildering variety, Evangelicals generally agree on the absolute\authority, and literal truth, of the Bible, the redemptive power of\Christ, the importance of missionary work and the centrality of a\spiritually transformed life.\\George Bush became an Evangelical in 1985 by being "born again". Being\born again transforms the believer. As the Gospel According to St John\puts it, "Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot\enter into the kingdom of God" (John, 3:5). Bush makes no secret of\the fact that God transformed his life in just that way. Asked at a\televised debate during the Iowa primary in 2000 to name his favourite\philosopher, he said, instantly, "Christ" - explaining how, through\Christ, he had become a new man.\",1]
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per cent of respondents stated that religion was either 'very' or'fairly' important in their lives, and nearly 60 per cent reportedthat they attend religious services at least once or twice a month."If religion matters in general, the particular religion that PresidentBush avows matters all the more. Bush and many of his closest advisersare Evangelicals, a variant of Christianity that non-Americansscarcely comprehend, and Americans in the large urban centres rarelyencounter.According to The Economist in its "American Survey" of November 2003,Evangelical Christians make up the largest single religious group inthe US, larger than Roman Catholics. Thirty per cent of all Americansin 2003 (up from 24 per cent in 1987) belong to the group, which,according to Professor George Marsden of Notre Dame University inIndiana, includes "holiness churches, Pentecostals, traditionalistMethodists, all sorts of Baptists, Presbyterians, black churches inall these traditions, fundamentalists, pietist groups, Reformed andLutheran confessionalists, Anabaptists such as Mennonites, Churches ofChrist, to name only the most prominent types". In spite of thisbewildering variety, Evangelicals generally agree on the absoluteauthority, and literal truth, of the Bible, the redemptive power ofChrist, the importance of missionary work and the centrality of aspiritually transformed life.George Bush became an Evangelical in 1985 by being "born again". Beingborn again transforms the believer. As the Gospel According to St Johnputs it, "Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannotenter into the kingdom of God" (John, 3:5). Bush makes no secret ofthe fact that God transformed his life in just that way. Asked at atelevised debate during the Iowa primary in 2000 to name his favouritephilosopher, he said, instantly, "Christ" - explaining how, throughChrist, he had become a new man.
Here, too, he shares his identity with a very large number of his\fellow citizens. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, about\35 per cent of Americans have been "born again". In a survey carried\out in April 2004 for the Public Broadcasting Service, 71 per cent of\Evangelicals polled said they would vote for George W. Bush if the\election were held at the time of the poll. No wonder the White House\calls them "the base", that bloc of voters in "Middle America" whose\unstinting loyalty to the Republican party and willingness to turn out\to vote gives the president a built-in core of support, a support\strengthened by the way the Electoral College magnifies the\distribution of votes in the south and south- west, areas of\Evangelical predominance.\\Thanks to some recent books, we know quite a lot about the governing\style - and the fervent faith - of the president. Both Paul O\'Neill,\the treasury secretary fired by bush in 2002 (profiled in Ron\Suskind\'s The Price of Loyalty) and Richard Clarke, the former White\House counter-terrorism officer and author of Against all Enemies,\noticed Bush\'s refusal to consider alternatives. Bush told O\'Neill\that, "I will not negotiate with myself," when the then treasury\secretary questioned the wisdom of vast tax cuts. Clarke heard him\say, "you are either with us or against us" and wrote that the\president "looked for simple solutions, the bumper-sticker description\of the problem".\\Bob Woodward, in Plan of Attack, writes that when he asked the\president whether he consulted his father, Bush seemed surprised by\the question. "There is a higher father that I appeal to." And, when\replying to a question about the failure to find weapons of mass\destruction in Iraq, Bush said to Woodward: "But you run in different\circles than I do. Much more elite."\\The remark pulls you up short. Bush - the son of patricians on both\",1]
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Here, too, he shares his identity with a very large number of hisfellow citizens. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, about35 per cent of Americans have been "born again". In a survey carriedout in April 2004 for the Public Broadcasting Service, 71 per cent ofEvangelicals polled said they would vote for George W. Bush if theelection were held at the time of the poll. No wonder the White Housecalls them "the base", that bloc of voters in "Middle America" whoseunstinting loyalty to the Republican party and willingness to turn outto vote gives the president a built-in core of support, a supportstrengthened by the way the Electoral College magnifies thedistribution of votes in the south and south- west, areas ofEvangelical predominance.Thanks to some recent books, we know quite a lot about the governingstyle - and the fervent faith - of the president. Both Paul O'Neill,the treasury secretary fired by bush in 2002 (profiled in RonSuskind's The Price of Loyalty) and Richard Clarke, the former WhiteHouse counter-terrorism officer and author of Against all Enemies,noticed Bush's refusal to consider alternatives. Bush told O'Neillthat, "I will not negotiate with myself," when the then treasurysecretary questioned the wisdom of vast tax cuts. Clarke heard himsay, "you are either with us or against us" and wrote that thepresident "looked for simple solutions, the bumper-sticker descriptionof the problem".Bob Woodward, in Plan of Attack, writes that when he asked thepresident whether he consulted his father, Bush seemed surprised bythe question. "There is a higher father that I appeal to." And, whenreplying to a question about the failure to find weapons of massdestruction in Iraq, Bush said to Woodward: "But you run in differentcircles than I do. Much more elite."The remark pulls you up short. Bush - the son of patricians on both
most aristocratic, secret society on the Yale campus, former governor\of Texas, president of the United States of America - does not run in\elite circles?\\But the alcoholic, upper-class, Episcopalian playboy Bush no longer\exists. The reborn Bush is a Texas Evangelical Christian, a Methodist,\who feels at home among ordinary folks at the Midland Men\'s Community\Bible Study Group in Midland, Texas. He has, in effect, become one of\them. He talks like they do and believes what they believe: the Bible\is the literal truth. Good and Evil oppose each other. There can be no\middle ground. Hence, when Woodward relates how he asked the president\whether he had ever doubted his course of action in Iraq, the\president replied: "Yeah... I haven\'t suffered any doubt." "Is that\right?" Woodward asked. "Not at all?" "No. And I\'m able to convey that\to people." To those who had lost sons or daughters in the conflict,\he said, "I hope I\'m able to convey that in a humble way."\\To doubt his policy would be to doubt his God-given calling. Shortly\after the State of the Union Message of 2002, in which he had called\Iraq, Iran and North Korea "the axis of evil", Bush addressed an\audience in Daytona Beach, Florida. "We\'ve got a great opportunity,"\he said. "As a result of evil, there\'s some amazing things that are\taking place in America. People have begun to challenge the culture of\the past that said, \'If it feels good, do it.\' This great nation has a\chance to change the culture."\\In the State of the Union address of January 2003, President Bush\repeated his theme of moral transformation: "Our fourth goal is to\apply the compassion of America to the deepest problems of America.\For so many in our country - the homeless and the fatherless, the\addicted - the need is great. Yet there\'s power, wonder-working power,\",1]
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sides, educated at Andover and Yale, a member of Skull and Bones, themost aristocratic, secret society on the Yale campus, former governorof Texas, president of the United States of America - does not run inelite circles?But the alcoholic, upper-class, Episcopalian playboy Bush no longerexists. The reborn Bush is a Texas Evangelical Christian, a Methodist,who feels at home among ordinary folks at the Midland Men's CommunityBible Study Group in Midland, Texas. He has, in effect, become one ofthem. He talks like they do and believes what they believe: the Bibleis the literal truth. Good and Evil oppose each other. There can be nomiddle ground. Hence, when Woodward relates how he asked the presidentwhether he had ever doubted his course of action in Iraq, thepresident replied: "Yeah... I haven't suffered any doubt." "Is thatright?" Woodward asked. "Not at all?" "No. And I'm able to convey thatto people." To those who had lost sons or daughters in the conflict,he said, "I hope I'm able to convey that in a humble way."To doubt his policy would be to doubt his God-given calling. Shortlyafter the State of the Union Message of 2002, in which he had calledIraq, Iran and North Korea "the axis of evil", Bush addressed anaudience in Daytona Beach, Florida. "We've got a great opportunity,"he said. "As a result of evil, there's some amazing things that aretaking place in America. People have begun to challenge the culture ofthe past that said, 'If it feels good, do it.' This great nation has achance to change the culture."In the State of the Union address of January 2003, President Bushrepeated his theme of moral transformation: "Our fourth goal is toapply the compassion of America to the deepest problems of America.For so many in our country - the homeless and the fatherless, theaddicted - the need is great. Yet there's power, wonder-working power,
\Non-Evangelicals will not recognise "wonder-working power", but the\"base" does. It comes from the refrain of a famous revivalist hymn,\composed by Lewis E. Jones at a campfire revival in 1899, "There is\Power in the Blood": "There is power, power, wonder-working power / In\the blood of the Lamb."\\The White House, the cabinet and the Congress of the US all contain\strong supporters of Bush\'s Evangelical crusade. Bush appointed a\devout Pentecostalist and member of the very conservative Assemblies\of the Church of God, John Ashcroft, to be attorney- general. Michael\Gerson, the president\'s speech writer, graduated with a degree in\theology from Wheaton College in Illinois, a leading Evangelical\institution. Bush\'s electoral strategist, Karl Rove, whom many\consider the most important member of the entourage, received an\honorary degree in May 2004 from the controversial Evangelist, the\Reverend Jerry Falwell, at his Liberty University, for his "commitment\to conservative ideas". And according to Peter Singer, in his recently\published The President of Good & Evil: The Ethics of George W. Bush,\the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay of\Texas, has said: "Only Christianity offers a way to live in response\to the realities that we find in this world - only Christianity." By\this, DeLay means "a biblical world view" that rejects the teachings\of Charles Darwin. DeLay believes that the shootings at Columbine High\School took place "because our school systems teach our children that\they are nothing but glorified apes who have evolutionised out of some\primordial mud".\\Exit polls in 2000 showed that 55 per cent of those who voted for Bush\placed moral reform as their highest political objective. All the\so-called "hot-button issues" of this campaign - conflicts over gay\",1]
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in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people."Non-Evangelicals will not recognise "wonder-working power", but the"base" does. It comes from the refrain of a famous revivalist hymn,composed by Lewis E. Jones at a campfire revival in 1899, "There isPower in the Blood": "There is power, power, wonder-working power / Inthe blood of the Lamb."The White House, the cabinet and the Congress of the US all containstrong supporters of Bush's Evangelical crusade. Bush appointed adevout Pentecostalist and member of the very conservative Assembliesof the Church of God, John Ashcroft, to be attorney- general. MichaelGerson, the president's speech writer, graduated with a degree intheology from Wheaton College in Illinois, a leading Evangelicalinstitution. Bush's electoral strategist, Karl Rove, whom manyconsider the most important member of the entourage, received anhonorary degree in May 2004 from the controversial Evangelist, theReverend Jerry Falwell, at his Liberty University, for his "commitmentto conservative ideas". And according to Peter Singer, in his recentlypublished The President of Good & Evil: The Ethics of George W. Bush,the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay ofTexas, has said: "Only Christianity offers a way to live in responseto the realities that we find in this world - only Christianity." Bythis, DeLay means "a biblical world view" that rejects the teachingsof Charles Darwin. DeLay believes that the shootings at Columbine HighSchool took place "because our school systems teach our children thatthey are nothing but glorified apes who have evolutionised out of someprimordial mud".Exit polls in 2000 showed that 55 per cent of those who voted for Bushplaced moral reform as their highest political objective. All theso-called "hot-button issues" of this campaign - conflicts over gay
that. All those issues grow out of what Evangelicals call "secular\humanism" - a movement which, they believe, has debauched American\life in the form of feminism, moral relativism, bible criticism,\Darwinian evolution and, worst of all, abortion. US representative\Mark Souder of Indiana, who accepts the Bible as literally true, told\the interviewer for "The Jesus Factor", an episode of a PBS\documentary on Evangelicals and politics: "I believe that the\fundamental change in America was the legalisation of abortion."\\For conservative Christians, the election of 2004 represents the\ultimate struggle between good and evil in American life. Republican\Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma told supporters that a vote against\George Bush was a vote for Osama bin Laden. He later strengthened that\to comparing it with a vote for Adolf Hitler.\\Evangelical Christianity holds Jews in special regard and works toward\their conversion as a necessary stage for the Second Coming of Christ.\As early as 1711, German Pietists, the ancestors of many modern\American Evangelicals, founded an Institutum Judaicum in Halle to\train missionaries to the Jews. Today, Evangelical Christians regard\the state of Israel as a wonder wrought by God, a stage in the great\epic of redemption. These attitudes have immediate political\implications. The Pew Trust\'s public survey of September 10 2003\concludes that "fully 44 per cent of Americans believe that God gave\the land that is now Israel to the Jewish people", while a substantial\minority (36 per cent) think, "The state of Israel is a fulfilment of\the biblical prophecy about the second coming of Jesus." White\evangelical Protestants and, to a lesser degree, African-Americans\accept both of these propositions.\\One powerful source of Evangelical support for Israel is "pre-\millennial dispensationalism". Dispensationalists believe that the\",1]
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marriage, abortion, guns, feminism or stem-cell research - reflectthat. All those issues grow out of what Evangelicals call "secularhumanism" - a movement which, they believe, has debauched Americanlife in the form of feminism, moral relativism, bible criticism,Darwinian evolution and, worst of all, abortion. US representativeMark Souder of Indiana, who accepts the Bible as literally true, toldthe interviewer for "The Jesus Factor", an episode of a PBSdocumentary on Evangelicals and politics: "I believe that thefundamental change in America was the legalisation of abortion."For conservative Christians, the election of 2004 represents theultimate struggle between good and evil in American life. RepublicanCongressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma told supporters that a vote againstGeorge Bush was a vote for Osama bin Laden. He later strengthened thatto comparing it with a vote for Adolf Hitler.Evangelical Christianity holds Jews in special regard and works towardtheir conversion as a necessary stage for the Second Coming of Christ.As early as 1711, German Pietists, the ancestors of many modernAmerican Evangelicals, founded an Institutum Judaicum in Halle totrain missionaries to the Jews. Today, Evangelical Christians regardthe state of Israel as a wonder wrought by God, a stage in the greatepic of redemption. These attitudes have immediate politicalimplications. The Pew Trust's public survey of September 10 2003concludes that "fully 44 per cent of Americans believe that God gavethe land that is now Israel to the Jewish people", while a substantialminority (36 per cent) think, "The state of Israel is a fulfilment ofthe biblical prophecy about the second coming of Jesus." Whiteevangelical Protestants and, to a lesser degree, African-Americansaccept both of these propositions.One powerful source of Evangelical support for Israel is "pre-millennial dispensationalism". Dispensationalists believe that the
before the "Time of Tribulation", a crisis that will lead to the\rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the conversion of the Jews and\the Second Coming of Jesus.\\Is it far-fetched to see Bush\'s acceptance of Sharon\'s plan for\withdrawal from Gaza as partly Evangelical faith and partly electoral\calculation? Among the best-selling books in America are the Left\Behind series by Tim LaHaye, a dispensationalist theologian, and Jerry\Jenkins. The 12 novels describe the world after "the Rapture", when\the godly are plucked bodily from this world of sin and disappear.\Those "left behind" are to be ruled by the forces of evil. The books\have sold an estimated 45 million copies. According to The Economist\(April 17 2004), the core buyer is a married evangelical woman with a\college degree, who attends church weekly.\\Like their president, conservative Evangelicals accept a peculiarly\American version of Christian rebirth. They rarely mention Christ\'s\command: "Sell all that you have, and give to the poor" (Mark, 10:21).\American Christians in general have never obeyed that command. As\early as 1648, the Puritan preacher Thomas Shepard claimed that the\New World was the Kingdom of God, a covenant between God and the\colonists. In today\'s mega-churches, that message is known as\"prosperity preaching". As a disillusioned Evangelical told The\Philadelphia Inquirer on May 9 2004, "Prosperity preaching tells us\that God wants us all to be super- rich right now." Poverty still\exists in America, as Bush argued in the State of the Union address of\2003, because the poor fail to find true Christian charity among their\neighbours. Hence his "compassionate conservatism" requires\"faith-based initiatives" by local churches and not progressive\taxation.\\In a survey like this, nuances get flattened. My account of\",1]
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world has reached the sixth age, or "Church age", the final stagebefore the "Time of Tribulation", a crisis that will lead to therebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the conversion of the Jews andthe Second Coming of Jesus.Is it far-fetched to see Bush's acceptance of Sharon's plan forwithdrawal from Gaza as partly Evangelical faith and partly electoralcalculation? Among the best-selling books in America are the LeftBehind series by Tim LaHaye, a dispensationalist theologian, and JerryJenkins. The 12 novels describe the world after "the Rapture", whenthe godly are plucked bodily from this world of sin and disappear.Those "left behind" are to be ruled by the forces of evil. The bookshave sold an estimated 45 million copies. According to The Economist(April 17 2004), the core buyer is a married evangelical woman with acollege degree, who attends church weekly.Like their president, conservative Evangelicals accept a peculiarlyAmerican version of Christian rebirth. They rarely mention Christ'scommand: "Sell all that you have, and give to the poor" (Mark, 10:21).American Christians in general have never obeyed that command. Asearly as 1648, the Puritan preacher Thomas Shepard claimed that theNew World was the Kingdom of God, a covenant between God and thecolonists. In today's mega-churches, that message is known as"prosperity preaching". As a disillusioned Evangelical told ThePhiladelphia Inquirer on May 9 2004, "Prosperity preaching tells usthat God wants us all to be super- rich right now." Poverty stillexists in America, as Bush argued in the State of the Union address of2003, because the poor fail to find true Christian charity among theirneighbours. Hence his "compassionate conservatism" requires"faith-based initiatives" by local churches and not progressivetaxation.In a survey like this, nuances get flattened. My account of
reform above social reform, but not all Evangelicals today, nor in the\past, have done so. African-American churches share the theology but\not the politics of the white churches. Not all white Evangelical\churches accept "consumerist forms of worship". Professor Tony\Campolo, an evangelical Baptist minister, told an interviewer in the\PBS documentary on Evangelicalism that he had counted some 2,000\references in the Bible that command us to help the poor. The main\body of Evangelicals ignore that. They have apparently forgotten their\long history of radical protest against the evils of this world, their\campaign against slavery, or for prison and social reform.\\Just as the president sees nothing wrong with his Iraq policy, he\can\'t accept the view that his tax cuts are immoral. Bush is not\disturbed by the huge transfer of wealth from poor to rich. He\believes returning moral choice and economic liberty to individuals\matters more than any obligation on the rich to help the poor. He was\entirely consistent when he urged his fellow citizens to react to\September 11 by going shopping.\\Today\'s American Evangelicals are descendents of the radicalism of the\"dissenters" in Britain. They believe the state takes away the liberty\of the Christian believer and relieves the taxpayer of the moral\responsibility of stewardship. Moral choice requires moral freedom.\When the president repeats the mantra, "it\'s your money", he\reiterates too that very American, individualistic morality that makes\each of us the architect of our own salvation. The state stands for\alien power and, in the black-and-white morality of Conservative\Christians, it - together with the United Nations - shows the power of\the Antichrist.\\Whereas in traditional sacramental Christianity (Roman Catholic, Greek\Orthodox or Anglican), the priest, the church, the sacraments and the\",1]
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Evangelical Christians concentrates on the majority who place moralreform above social reform, but not all Evangelicals today, nor in thepast, have done so. African-American churches share the theology butnot the politics of the white churches. Not all white Evangelicalchurches accept "consumerist forms of worship". Professor TonyCampolo, an evangelical Baptist minister, told an interviewer in thePBS documentary on Evangelicalism that he had counted some 2,000references in the Bible that command us to help the poor. The mainbody of Evangelicals ignore that. They have apparently forgotten theirlong history of radical protest against the evils of this world, theircampaign against slavery, or for prison and social reform.Just as the president sees nothing wrong with his Iraq policy, hecan't accept the view that his tax cuts are immoral. Bush is notdisturbed by the huge transfer of wealth from poor to rich. Hebelieves returning moral choice and economic liberty to individualsmatters more than any obligation on the rich to help the poor. He wasentirely consistent when he urged his fellow citizens to react toSeptember 11 by going shopping.Today's American Evangelicals are descendents of the radicalism of the"dissenters" in Britain. They believe the state takes away the libertyof the Christian believer and relieves the taxpayer of the moralresponsibility of stewardship. Moral choice requires moral freedom.When the president repeats the mantra, "it's your money", hereiterates too that very American, individualistic morality that makeseach of us the architect of our own salvation. The state stands foralien power and, in the black-and-white morality of ConservativeChristians, it - together with the United Nations - shows the power ofthe Antichrist.Whereas in traditional sacramental Christianity (Roman Catholic, GreekOrthodox or Anglican), the priest, the church, the sacraments and the
manifestation on earth, Evangelical Christians of whatever\denomination emphasise the individual experience of God\'s love.\Doctrine or denomination play little part. A new life witnesses to a\new faith. It is a very individualistic, hence deeply American, faith.\\This version of the Evangelical message has substantial benefits for\Bush and the Republican party. Large corporations are delighted to\accept the Evangelical attack on the state. They like to see the\Federal Communications Commission relax regulations on media mergers;\the Federal Power Commission ease strictures on energy companies; the\Environmental Protection Agency modify air pollution regulations, and\the Interior Department condone logging in the national parks. Bush\easily raises record-breaking sums for his presidential campaigns from\all the biggest corporations, even though only a few have Evangelical\CEOs.\\September 11 added urgency to the president\'s sense of mission. The\subsequent reverses - the failure to find weapons of mass destruction,\the absence of a connection between Saddam Hussein and the al-Qaeda\terrorists, the failure of Iraqis to greet the Americans as\liberators, the mounting death toll among US servicemen and women, the\stories of abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the incoherent planning for an\Iraqi interim government - none of these has shaken George Bush\'s\faith in God\'s purpose, or the faith of the "base" in him. His public\justifications for making war on Iraq have, of course, changed, but\his religious zeal has not lessened. He has repeatedly described\Saddam Hussein in the blackest of biblical phrases. In the State of\the Union address of 2003, he asserted categorically of Saddam that,\"If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning."\\Fighting evil must be accompanied by doing good. In a recent press\conference, the president asserted that the real objective of the war\",1]
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liturgy are necessary for salvation because the Church is God'smanifestation on earth, Evangelical Christians of whateverdenomination emphasise the individual experience of God's love.Doctrine or denomination play little part. A new life witnesses to anew faith. It is a very individualistic, hence deeply American, faith.This version of the Evangelical message has substantial benefits forBush and the Republican party. Large corporations are delighted toaccept the Evangelical attack on the state. They like to see theFederal Communications Commission relax regulations on media mergers;the Federal Power Commission ease strictures on energy companies; theEnvironmental Protection Agency modify air pollution regulations, andthe Interior Department condone logging in the national parks. Busheasily raises record-breaking sums for his presidential campaigns fromall the biggest corporations, even though only a few have EvangelicalCEOs.September 11 added urgency to the president's sense of mission. Thesubsequent reverses - the failure to find weapons of mass destruction,the absence of a connection between Saddam Hussein and the al-Qaedaterrorists, the failure of Iraqis to greet the Americans asliberators, the mounting death toll among US servicemen and women, thestories of abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the incoherent planning for anIraqi interim government - none of these has shaken George Bush'sfaith in God's purpose, or the faith of the "base" in him. His publicjustifications for making war on Iraq have, of course, changed, buthis religious zeal has not lessened. He has repeatedly describedSaddam Hussein in the blackest of biblical phrases. In the State ofthe Union address of 2003, he asserted categorically of Saddam that,"If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning."Fighting evil must be accompanied by doing good. In a recent pressconference, the president asserted that the real objective of the war
woman in the world." The Philadelphia Inquirer, in its May 2 2004\edition, asked two theologians, one Evangelical and the other\Catholic, what biblical foundation there was for this doctrine.\Neither could find any. Greg Thielmann, former acting director of the\Office of Strategic Proliferation and Military Affairs in the\Department of State, observed recently that, "The main problem was\that the senior administration officials have what I call faith-based\intelligence. They knew what they wanted the intelligence to show."\\"Faith-based intelligence" abroad and "faith-based initiatives" at\home reflect the essence of the Bush administration. The president and\his Christian followers want nothing less than to transform the\domestic values and the international actions of the US. They know\that they have divine sanction for their policies. Hence neither\doubts nor uncomfortable complexities trouble them. They have\accomplished the first stage in their crusade. The next is to win the\presidential election of 2004 at whatever cost and by whatever means.\\As the Evangelical Centre for Christian Statesmanship in Washington DC\puts it, "Today, in our nation\'s capital, a new call is going forth.\It is a call to serve that invites us to embrace God\'s providential\purpose for this nation." That "new call" is how Evangelicals see the\administration of George W. Bush.\\Jonathan Steinberg is Walter H. Annenberg professor of modern European\history at the University of Pennsylvania.\\THE PRICE OF LOYALTY: George W. Bush, the White House and the\Education of Paul O\'Neill\\by Ron Suskind\\Simon & Schuster £17.99, 368 pages\\AGAINST ALL ENEMIES: Inside America\'s War on Terror\\by Richard Clarke\\Simon & Schuster £18.99, 320 pages\\PLAN OF ATTACK: The Road to War\\by Bob Woodward\\Simon & Schuster £18.99, 480 pages\\THE PRESIDENT OF GOOD & EVIL: The Ethics of George W. Bush\\by Peter Singer\\Granta £8.99, 252 pages\\LEFT BEHIND\\series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins\\Tyndale House\\© Copyright The Financial Times Ltd\\--\Glen G. Magnuson, Jr.\504.483.1660(Voice)\309.416.2720(Facsimile)\",1]
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in Iraq was freedom. "Freedom is the Almighty's gift to every man andwoman in the world." The Philadelphia Inquirer, in its May 2 2004edition, asked two theologians, one Evangelical and the otherCatholic, what biblical foundation there was for this doctrine.Neither could find any. Greg Thielmann, former acting director of theOffice of Strategic Proliferation and Military Affairs in theDepartment of State, observed recently that, "The main problem wasthat the senior administration officials have what I call faith-basedintelligence. They knew what they wanted the intelligence to show.""Faith-based intelligence" abroad and "faith-based initiatives" athome reflect the essence of the Bush administration. The president andhis Christian followers want nothing less than to transform thedomestic values and the international actions of the US. They knowthat they have divine sanction for their policies. Hence neitherdoubts nor uncomfortable complexities trouble them. They haveaccomplished the first stage in their crusade. The next is to win thepresidential election of 2004 at whatever cost and by whatever means.As the Evangelical Centre for Christian Statesmanship in Washington DCputs it, "Today, in our nation's capital, a new call is going forth.It is a call to serve that invites us to embrace God's providentialpurpose for this nation." That "new call" is how Evangelicals see theadministration of George W. Bush.Jonathan Steinberg is Walter H. Annenberg professor of modern Europeanhistory at the University of Pennsylvania.

The US Open 2004

This tournament provides with the unofficial close of Summer. It always seems as if it begins in heat and ends with some cool Autumn breezes. The US Open 2004 - Grand Slam Tennis - Official Site by IBM

Kerry & The War

One would think that this election would be Kerry's to lose. The Spectator.co.uk

Good Weekend

May everyone have a pleasant weekend. We need to rest up for the drama to be unfolded in New York next week!

Prospect - Britain's Intelligent Conversation

This September issue has two articles of particular merit. The lengthy piece on John Kerry is well worth the time. The piece on Graham Greene is most absorbing. Prospect Magazine - Britain's Intelligent Conversation

New Home!

Live Opera at Rail Station

Here's an idea that truly makes sense. I really bemoan the disinterest shown by today's youth in Classical Music. It wasn't so long ago that a person could not claim to be truly educated if he or she did not have some appreciation and knowledge of the Classical repretoire. Currently symphonies, opera companies and other badges of civilization are dying for lack of interest and funding. Tant Pis as the French would say. Well leave it to Mother Beeb to come up with the notion of playing opera in the tube stations. A wonderful idea of introducing the classics to all. Now if we could just get everyone to put away their iPods for a while. Guardian Unlimited %7C Arts news %7C BBC on track for live opera at rail station

Trains and Destinations

I had reason this week to experience what is left of the American passenger train. I was delightfully surprised by both the accomodations and the service aboard the "Sunset Limited" between New Orleans and Houston. The unfortunate part of the trip is that the train averaged about 34 miles per hour. It was one hour late and the journey took about twice as long as an automobile would take. I had the cheapest seat but it was in a clean and cool coach with wide reclining seats and even a footrest. There was a full dining car -- a bit pricey, I would say but there was also a comfortable lounge car with a snack bar. The train had a National Park Ranger on board who gave periodic commentary on the passing scene. One can freely move about. There were attractive sleeping accomodations with showers for those whose journey would be overnight. All-in-all a most pleasant, if somewhat nostalgic trip. Trains and Destinations

Darfur exposes trait of Arab politics

The trajedy unfolding in Darfur would be shocking if it were not a repeat of other acts of pure genocide. That the "first" world ignores this problem speaks to a massive breakdown in the mechanisms meant to prevent these atrocities. This would truly be a place for "pre-emptive" action. London Free Press - Opinion%2FColumnists Salim Mansur%3A Darfur exposes trait of Arab politics

Xerxes Back!

Due to overwhelming demand, Xerxes is returning to his post. Since our last posting we have done some time in hospital, taken the train West and set up a new camp. The New Yorker%3A Shouts and Murmurs

Good Bye

I will be taking a break from verbumlogos for a while. I have enjoyed it and I hope to be back soon.

Virtual Bubble Wrap

Tense? Need to work off some nervous energy? Try bursting this virtual bubble wrap. Virtual Bubble wrap - Bubble Wrap e-Card - send the gift of virtual bubblewrap

Modigliani :: The Jewish Museum

My daughter, whose taste is impeccable, whose artistic judgement is superb, highly recommends the current showing of Modigliani's work at the Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue in New York. It is startling to think that this is his first retrospective since 1951. Welcome to The Jewish Museum New York

Alzheimer's : Use It or Lose It

An article in this week's Nature suggests that one way of preventing the onset of Alzheimer's Disease is to maintain steady mental stimulation. It seems that the more taxing the activity, the more likely that the mind will function without impairment. news@nature.com�-�Alzheimer's linked to lowbrow jobs

Our Readers

Clearly a superior group of our erudite readers perusing the latest postings. In fact this is a photograph taken of the English National Opera's production of Handel's XERXES, produced in 1995 and available on both CD & DVD.

American Dream :: Segway across America at 10 MPH

As noted earlier, four intrepid fellows are Segwaying across America from Seattle to Boston. If you haven't been following them, check out their website. Great interviews and photos. American Dream :: Segway across America at 10 MPH

Should Europe work more, or America less?

In France, the workweek is thirty-five hours; there are twenty-two paid holidays and a six-week vacation. There is universal health care fully paid by the State. This pattern is found in most of Europe, save Britain, and the newest members of the EU. Before you apply for your work permit in Toulouse, be advised however, that the French equivalent of FICA exceeds forty percent and hence French employers will do almost anything to not employ workers but rather they bring them in as contract labor. As a result only about half of French workers are 'employees' for the purpose of enjoying legislated benefits. Economists fret over how to measure true productivity and then compare various countries to each other, but these efforts are not considered very accurate, and the question remains -- which system is better? The IHT takes a stab at an answer. As for me, I'll return to the question after my six weeks in St. Paul de Vence. IHT: Should Europe work more, or America less?

Dayna Kurtz

Looking for somebody new to download? Try Dayna Kurtz -- a singer who is quite hard to categorize, but is very pleasant to hear. She has two CD's -- Beautiful Yesterday and Postcards from Downtown. She has a deep, rich and sexy voice and her repretoire is wide. You can listen to her here on NPR. NPR : Dayna Kurtz, Finding Herself in a Lost Era

Stem-Cell Science/ Gallilei Redux?

Here is a splendid review of the state of stem cell research and how it relates to moral philosophy. This article from the latest HARVARD MAGAZINE is particularly timely because the question of stem cell research promises to emerge as a key issue in the upcoming Presidental election. Stem-Cell Science

RELAX!

Summer is almost over. Time to relax and reflect.

Apathy and Irony

When you left Farenheit 9/11 were you motivated to be an agent for change or did you see the film as simple confirmation of how the world works? An interesting piece examines the feeling of futility that is emblematic of many young persons today. Sad if true. The Globe and Mail

Why we're addicted to diets

This entry as well as the one that follows may suggest, gentle reader, that your Xerxes is concerned about his avordupois. Right you are. This piece from the FT suggests why eating less and exercising more has so little appeal. Perhaps because it makes sense and it works. FT.com / Home UK - Why we're addicted to diets

Are we what we eat?

Food, glorious food is more than the name of a New York caterer. So what is food to us? To the millions who go to bed hungry each night, it is precious fuel without which life will cease. To the great chefs of the world, it is a pure art form. The vegetarian uses food a way of making a statement about respect for life. Prior to the nineteenth century food was medicine -- a way of bringing the body's humours into balance.

Steven Shapin has crafted a review of the South Beach Diet and the Doctor Atkins Revolution into a wide ranging social history of the role of food in our lives. The author does not reflect well on today's gluttonous eating habits, especially as they are manifested by the low carbohydrate diet craze. Diet and self disipline are related notions. Read this and fast! LRB | Steven Shapin : The Great Neurotic Art

(We'll Always Have) Paris Review

Last year, before he died, George Plimpton published (eBay - Paris Review, Antiquarian Collectible, Fiction Books, and Magazine Back Issues items at low prices )THE PARIS REVIEW BOOK OF HEARTBREAK, MADNESS, SEX, LOVE, BETRAYAL, OUTSIDERS, INTOXICATION, WAR, WHIMSEY, HORRORS, GOD, DEATH, DINNER, BASEBALL, TRAVELS, the ART of WRITING, and EVERYTHING ELSE in the WORLD since 1953. It marked the fiftieth anniversary of the first issue. The title only begins to suggest the breadth of interests of Mr. Plimpton. (See, my previous entry on his fascination with fireworks, July 2004) The Paris Review has always eschewed criticism in favor of original work. I refer you to the above website from ebay because it provides easy access to the many splendid back numbers of the publication. Hard on the heels of the fiftieth anniversary book, they have a new one out. It is divided into four sections depending on how much time the reader can devote to a particular piece. It is called THE PARIS REVIEW BOOK FOR PLANES, TRAINS, ELEVATORS and WAITING ROOMS.

Airline Meals & KEILLORFEST!

Deadly boring Saturday night? Yeah, me too. I did find this perfectly ludicrous site proudly and soley devoted to airline meals. Airline Meals.net - Airline catering * largest site about airline catering and nothing but that... :-)

On a more serious note, today is the 62nd birthday of Garrison Keillor. (Xerxes likes people like Mr. Keillor who are older than he is -- a particular favorite being Mick Jagger). Many happy returns Mr. Keillor. You have brought us so much joy, wisdom, poetry, music and a great sense of how to cope with this complicated world. For Lake Wobegon, The Duct Tape Council, The Sons of Bernie, Guy Noir, The Literary Almanac, The Shoe Band and so much more we thank you. You have enriched our lives, opened our eyes and made us think. So tuck into an extra large piece of rhubarb birthday pie-- you have earned it! This site reflects Keillor's address to this year's Harvard PBK's. Google Image Result for http://www.commencement.harvard.edu/images/keillor.jpg

FT.com / Arts & Weekend

This is an unpaid advertisement. I believe that one of the best and least read newspapers is the Saturday (Weekend) edition of the FT.com / Arts & Weekend FINANCIAL TIMES. There is a review of the weeks news but the real meat is in the second section. It is full of book reviews, art reviews, theatre news and it typically has several feature articles each of which is usually notable. This week features a comprehensive article on the current politics of Greece, a thorough analysis of Fukuyama and many other well-written thoughtful pieces. It is amazing to me that the edition enjoys such low circulation. Read the pink lady. You might never go back to grey. It even suggests the food and wine to enjoy with it.

Moribund Classics?

ArtsJournal: Critical Conversation This is the result of the "Aspen Group's" discussion of the future of classical music. The blog is long. Many interesting points are made, but the result is clear -- the classics just don't seem to matter anymore. Xerxes will be allright as long as Andante and La Scena continue to cover the area, but the general diminution in interest is sad to behold.

Some still like us!

Whenever I see a Europeon lending some praise to America these days I think of Sally Field at the Oscars, when in accepting her award, she blurted 'you like me!'. Mr. Freedland provides some reason to enjoy ourselves these days.The Spectator.co.uk

There will always be...

Telegraph | Expat | Look miserable to help the war on terrorism British applicants for passports have been ordered to hold a "neutral, closed mouth expression" for their passports. There is a method here. The biometric identifier apparently needs the mouth to be closed in order to complete an identification. Still......

Anniversary

The Coolest New Toy

According to David Pogue at the New York Times, the Sidekick II is the answer to every metrolectual's dream -- phone -- camera -- and web browser all in one neat package for $300. He is very high on the device but disappointed that it is only offered by T-Mobile with a $60 monthly package. Pogue claims that Verizon offers vastly superior coverage (but crappy instruments). Oh well, you can send mine to my home, thanks very much! The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > State of the Art: Another Try at Inventing Superphone

Islam

If you are as confounded about Islam as I am, then I suggest you read Malise Ruthven's marvelous review of four new books on the subject in this week's Times Literary Supplement. Before September 11 Huntington, Said, Fukyama and Bloom could discuss the clash of civilizations -- pc for judeo/christians vs. the muslims -- in high degrees of abstraction. Now it is a direct threat to us. Terror has made its mark. Ms. Ruthven's rather brief but elegant review puts much in perspective. She lays the foundation of the religion; expounds on its many cultural accomplishments and explains the extraordinary fashion in which political and economic problems have found their current voice within radical Islam. A superb brief review of an enormously complex matter Weekly book reviews and literary analysis from the Times Literary Supplement

Cheer Up!

Michael Hanlon tells us worrywarts to look at the bright side. Forget about problems of the environment, health, political strife. We live in the most blessed of times. Well, Pangloss he may be, but he can take you mind off your troubles for a little while. Give this a read. The Spectator.co.uk

Elizabeth George

Still looking for an engrossing beach read? Try any of Elizabeth George's thrillers. She is from Laguna Beach but all of her novels are set in England. All of them involve the same characters as detectives and there are plenty of rather profound psychological insights to be found in her work. Highly entertaining and superbly written. Elizabeth George Web Site

Segway across America at 10 MPH

American Dream :: Segway across America at 10 MPH This ought to be interesting and fun to follow. These people are going 4700 miles from Seattle to Boston by Segway. We will be able to follow their progress and catch photos on this website. Godspeed to them!

Kerry displays credentials

Two unusual factors in this election have surfaced. One is the almost universal support for Kerry that has come from foreign leaders. Robert Lane Greene points out in this week's New Republic tnr.com=greene080404 that it is most unusual for these leaders to take such a position. FT.com / World / US - Kerry displays business credentials in swipe at Bush The other factor is the unusually high number of business leaders who have taken early public positions for Kerry as noted in today's Financial Times. In both instances the risks would seem high since both groups and especially those most vocal will have to work with the President whether he be Bush or Kerry.

Dufy for a Summer's Day

Apple/PC

Old Xerxes started with an IBM 386, then turned to Mac for a year in France and is now seeing his Gateway slowly sink into the sunset. Yes, I need a new desktop. I use it for the web. I need an office suite. I want to store and organize my still photos and I want to be able to play and re-write both CD's and DVD's as well as download to an iPod.

Help me out! I really love the Mac. I like Apple. But will they be around? Any opinions are most welcome. Apple .Mac Welcome

Protests in New York

Doomsayers are predicting more than just the usual chaos and shenannigans when the Republicans congregate in New York in the week before Labor Day. In retrospect, their choice to hold their convention in New York as close to the 9/11 anniversary now seems a poor one, but I believe that New York of all cities has the capacity to handle protest and not see a return to the debacles of 1968 Chicago or the WTO fiasco more recently in Seattle. New Yorkers do not suffer fools gladly. Your Call Archive

South Park

Elections in November face a new comedy threat by “ Team America:World Police”. The movie, made by “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is due in theatres just two weeks before the presidential election.The Independent writes audiences should be prepared to “imagine theThunderbirds fighting the war on Terror. Or, if you prefer, a Jerry Bruckheimer action-fest recast as a musical.” First peeks on the internet show Osama bin Laden adorned by naked nymphs, Mount Rushmore hiding the secret headquarters of “Team America” and Michael Moore covered in mustard with half eaten hot dogs in his hands.The Independent writes “that the most serious issues facing the White Houseand the world will be treated to a heavy dose of utter irreverence and gleeful comedy.”

Wag the Dog?

Just reading this piece of news summary from Harpers raises most serious questions about the Harpers.org bona fides of the current terror alert. If particular buildings have been isolated for attack, wouldn't it be prudent to increase security without telegraphing to the world our security plans?

Let the Games Begin

The Smithsonian Magazine provides an historical view of the Olympic Games that makes the current games seem quite dull in comparison. Let the Games Begin

To Be Human

ENOUGH This is a truly remarkable work. I put it with Bill Bryson's SHORT HISTORY as a must read. Bill McKibben has written largely on environmental matters in the past. This book, however, goes into what the parameters of being human constitute. There are some remarkable insights here from genetics and nano technology. I read this over the weekend and I intend to give it a second read. Very thought-provoking stuff. Bill McKibben - Home Page

August

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY!
BE SURE TO TAKE ONE!

David Remnick

The New Yorker: The Talk of the Town Here is David Remnick's rather eloquent take on the DNC. It is interesting that the early post-convention polls show no discernable 'bounce' for Kerry. CW is that his focus was on National Security, the one area in which GB43 seems to have an edge. Remnick focuses on the micro-management of the speeches by the Kerry staff. The result was bland oratory until Kerry himself attacked Bush on Thursday. I thought that Kennedy's speech was excellent, despite his difficulty in delivering it. Sharpton was mesmerizing. Obama was truly remarkable.

Observer | Censored

It occurs to me that this election has not yet found its watershed issue. I strongly believe that the stem cell business may yet rise to the occasion. There seems to be an underlying desire in the American electorate to find some moral compass upon which to judge their candidates. Morality in broadcasting may be just the issue that the Reds can convert to their own use. It is just shallow and incendiary enough to do the job. See what our UK friends think. Observer Censored

According to a widely-cited article from Capitol Hill Blue, Nancy Reagan's spokesperson said, "Mrs. Reagan does not support President Bush's re-election and neither do most members of the President's family." Other reports indicate the GOP is going full-tilt to woo Nancy to the podium... with little success.The stumbling block: stem cell research. Stem cell research could provide means of curing Parkinsons and Alzheimers, which killed Ronald Reagan. Reagan's son Ron spoke in favor of the research at the Democratic convention. George W. Bush opposes it, citing the use of aborted fetuses to harvest the cells.Nancy's reportedly out to block the Republican National Committee from using Ronnie's images at their convention. If we tune in and see a conspicuous absence of Reagan-worship, take it as a sign -- the Republican Party's "big tent" may well be about to collapse.

Democrats vs. the GOP: Do the Math

Democrats vs. the GOP: Do the Math Michael Kinsley has some interesting statistics to share here. BTW, since he has left SLATE and Gates has put it up for sale, if anyone out there wants to purchase SLATE, I would be pleased to edit it for you.

View from New Hampshire

For his typically unconventional views, I submit the always intriguing Mr. Steyn. The Spectator.co.uk Mark Steyn is nothing if not provocative. Check out his latest in the Specie. Though his audience is largely British, he speaks from New Hampshire. I am amused by those who are surprised or off-put by the fact that a political convention would be propaganda. What other purpose does it have than the advancement of it's party's positions and candidates. What was fascinating about this DNC was the almost total sublimnation of anything that might be termed controversial. The totalitarians won. Platform fight on NAFTA? (SIT DOWN!). Does anyone here want to continue the war in Iraq? (SHHH!). Can we appear to be to the right of the Republicans? (PASS THAT LARGER FLAG OVER HERE!).

But why should we be shocked. Kerry was not selected because he was the popular choice of the Party. He was chosen because it was perceived that he could win. So, let the games begin.

From the way this campaign has commenced, it might be useful just to divide up the party election budgets amongst the Ohio voters. I am sure they would appreciate the direct subsidy rather than having to endure the speeches and ads.