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Re: Amnesty
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charvakan
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Nov 24 14 4:09 PM
The end of language is communication. I thought you knew that, Iowan. Using Biblical references in this society is eminently justified whatever one's political orientation if you want to get a point across. When the point is just "I'm a Christian like you" it's merely pandering. You seem determined to make more of these things than is warranted. I thought I was the one who was supposed to get upset on this subject, but apparently it's you.
Let me explain to you the difference between what Obama said and what Bush said. The Exodus line reminded the Hebrews that they were once immigrants (foreigners), so they should not mistreat others who are in the same position they were once. That's a sentiment that can stand on its own, but the Biblical reference reinforces it with some people.
This is the Bush statement
I referred to:
Did Mr. Bush ask his father for any advice? "I asked the president about this. And President Bush said, 'Well, no,' and then he got defensive about it," says Woodward. "Then he said something that really struck me. He said of his father, 'He is the wrong father to appeal to for advice. The wrong father to go to, to appeal to in terms of strength.' And then he said, 'There's a higher Father that I appeal to.'"
Beyond not asking his father about going to war, Woodward was startled to learn that the president did not ask key cabinet members either.
So, either Bush is offhandedly saying "Don't blame me, blame God," or he really believed that the correct course of action in Iraq was revealed to him divinely. This does not seem healthy to me in any sphere, but especially when the lives of so many hang on the decision. The result of his decisionmaking process does not reflect well on that higher Father.
So, the difference here is that Obama made a decision for earthly reasons, some noble and some merely expedient, and justified them on policy and moral grounds, throwing in a line from Exodus in the process. Bush made a decision based on what he thought God told him, and justified it with a bunch of convenient lies supplied by Uncle Dick. Perhaps you'll say you still can't see a difference, but I know you're not that dumb.
I'm not a Szasz fan; I just like the quote. Voices in our heads are not usually thought of as a good thing. Seriously, anyone who thinks Allah/Jehovah or Vishnu is speaking to him is deluded and bears watching. He might fly a plane into a building or start a war.
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