Can We Talk?
By Peter Fredson
March 26, 2006
The other day I wrote a blog on "Reassessing George W. Bush." And I received a serious comment from a Bush supporter.
Usually the comments are vituperation, insults, invitations to accept Jesus, fervent declarations of Christian Love, simple denials implying my brain is missing, long dissertations on religious beliefs, inarticulate defense of Bush actions, indignation at my "treasonous" criticism, or assertions that I am helping the terrorists by undermining Bush efforts, or that somehow I will get our `brave boys' killed.
But here is one serious answer to my finding that George Bush is the worst President we have ever had:
"Where I come from, Bush is very well liked and believed. There is nothing that the man has done or is doing that contradicts what my town folks believe in. He is a man of God and a good Christian, and he is doing what Christianity tells him to do with non-believers."
"Yes, oil and free elections are a benefit of the Iraqi war and it is good for America. Our standard of living is the best in the world and we are deserving of it -- we lead good, clean, Christian lives. And yes, we believe God talks to him because he is acting like a saint. I do not understand this statement that he is anti-Christian."
http://bellaciao.org/...
I take this comment at its face value. I believe this person is sincere, although I do not fully understand where he is coming from. He seems to be living in a bubble of isolation like Bush himself, secure, safe, religious, without curiosity, ignorant of any history except that in his Bible, reading only Biblical literature, listening only to fundamentalist evangelists, circuit riders, hallelujah sermons, gospel music, guitar folksingers and Republican politicians someplace in the Deep South.
He might be living in a small town with ten churches to every bar or night club, with a social life revolving around church holidays, Sunday school, cake walks, spaghetti suppers, bingo.
His schools probably have official prayers, pledges of allegiance under his God, Ten Commandments posted on the wall. His home probably has a picture of Jesus, perhaps a small shrine with candles, and his car may have some sort of religious motto or medallion on the window.
All I have said is largely from my imagination regarding the commentator, but I live in a small town with about one church for every couple hundred population, and I observe people daily behaving as I have described.
I have no doubt that he feels safe in his home and church. In his heart he may fear that infidels are lurking everywhere, and that the terror Bush frequently mentions may come into his life, but this is mainly for rhetoric to defend the Bush murders of Muslims.
I am sure that he feels no remorse nor pity for the hundred thousand dead Muslims that Bush is responsible for murdering, or that our "brave boys" are daily destroying Iraqi lives, homes, industries, infrastructure, and dignity by imposing a harsh tyranny that nevertheless arrogantly boasts of bringing "Democracy and Freedom" to Iraq.
The fact that Bush usurped Iraqi sovereignty and imposed a puppet kind of colonial administration is of no concern. I'm not sure if the plans of Bush to invade Iran and Syria bring any sort of alarm. I don't know if the neocon strategy of aggressive action, preemptive strikes, with Shock and Awe, elicit the slightest unease.
I don't know what apocalyptic expectations he has of Bush, but it is common knowledge that Bush supporter's beliefs include expecting him to help bring about the Rapture, and that he was been told by his God to invade Iraq.
They believe his simplistic claim that he attacked Saddam Hussein because he was "evil." This excuses everything, and validates his claim to sainthood as a champion of Christianity.
The fact that Bush has shown contempt for our Constitution and our laws may not bother this person. It probably is fine that Bush spies on our own citizens, arrests people without warrant, has secret jails abroad, finds "rendition" a democratic solution, and may secretly believe that torture and abuse, even leading to death, is warranted because those people hate democracy and intend to do us harm.
For him, Bush can do no harm to our democracy by installing a neoconservative corporate theocracy. This does not affect his life or his church. And the executive action by Bush of destroying the separation of Church and State was probably hoped for and praised.
There are thousands of televangelists, faith-healers, and self-proclaimed preachers to reassure the commentator that everything is coming up rosy.
I'm sure his home-town radio station bleats out anti-abortion, anti-gay, and anti-evolution crap by the carload while advocating school prayer and harsher judges for evil doers.
But I am grateful to the commentator for letting me into some of his thought regarding our Imperial President. I can see how it is possible to live and work in our country without being aware or alarmed of the actions of our leader.
Like I said, living in a bubble can be very comforting in a world of rapidly shifting change. Being ignorant of exterior conditions is also comforting, unless and until reality suddenly intrudes on the scene.
I really don't know the commentator, had only a glimpse into his thought or beliefs, so I may be wrong in all of my assumptions. At least it was a refreshing change from the usual insipid, thoughtless, insulting, or bible-quoting commentators.
So, whoever or wherever you are, stay the course, and you will receive a nice marble headstone with a carving of an angel on it as your reward for supporting Bush.