9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
James Sturcke
Friday October 7, 2005
A senior White House official has denied that the US president, George
Bush, said God ordered him to invade Afghanistan and Iraq.
A spokesman for Mr Bush, Scott McClellan, said the claims, to be broadcast
in a TV documentary later this month, were "absurd".
In the BBC film, a former Palestinian foreign minister, Nabil Shaath, says
that Mr Bush told a Palestinian delegation in 2003 that God spoke to him
and said: "George, go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan" and also
"George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq".
During a White House press briefing, Mr McClellan said: "No, that's
absurd. He's never made such comments."
Mr McClellan admitted he was not at the Israeli-Palestinian summit at the
Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in June 2003 when Mr Bush supposedly
revealed the extent of his religious fervour.
However, he said he had checked into the claims and "I stand by what I
just said".
Asked if Mr Bush had ever mentioned that God had ordered him into
Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr McClellan said: "No, and I've been in many
meetings with him and never heard such a thing."
The claims are due to be broadcast in a three-part BBC documentary which
analyses attempts to bring peace to the Middle East.
Mr Shaath, the Palestinian foreign minister in 2003, claims Mr Bush told
him and other delegates that he was spoken to by God over his plans for
war.
He told the film-makers: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I'm driven
with a mission from God. God would tell me, George, go and fight those
terrorists in Afghanistan. And I did, and then God would tell me, George,
go and end the tyranny in Iraq... And I did.
"'And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, Go get the Palestinians
their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the
Middle East. And by God I'm gonna do it.'"
The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, who attended the June 2003 meeting
as well, also appears on the documentary series to recount how Mr Bush
told him: "I have a moral and religious obligation. So I will get you a
Palestinian state."
Mr Bush, who became a born-again Christian at 40, is one of the most
overtly religious leaders to occupy the White House, a fact that brings
him much support in middle America.
"History is littered with examples of people doing the most bizarre and
sometimes wicked things on this basis," said Andrew Blackstock, director
of the British-based Christian Socialist Movement. "If Bush really wants
to obey God during his time as president he should start with what is
blindingly obvious from the Bible rather than perceived supernatural
messages.
"That would lead him to the rather less glamorous business of prioritising
the needs of the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalised in his own
country and abroad.
"When we see more policies reflecting that, it might be easier to believe
he has God on his side. And more likely that God might speak to him."
The TV series, which starts on Monday, charts recent attempts to bring
peace to the Middle East, from the former US president Bill Clinton's
peace talks in 1999-2000, to Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this
year. It seeks to uncover what happened behind closed doors by speaking to
presidents and prime ministers, along with their generals and ministers,
the BBC said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1587122,00.html
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| User: "Woodswun" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 09:37:16 AM |
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Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
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| User: "Doc" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 09:56:24 AM |
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"Woodswun" <woodswun@tepidmail.com> wrote in message
news:wQQ1f.33418$7b6.28611@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
They haven't denied the following story. It was confirmed by Bush buddy,
James Robison, in subsequent interviews with the Texas evangelist. Of
course, many of us liberals and moderates have known this to be true for
years. This latest revelation simply adds one more log to the already
roaring fire. Hitler was fond of mentioning "providence" was helping him
and Germany achieve greatness...which lasted a scant 12 years.
Doc
Bush says God chose him to lead his nation
Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are
entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair
Paul Harris in New York
Sunday November 2, 2003
The Observer
President George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas
Christian youth centre last week, and told them about being 'born again'
as a Christian.
'If you change their heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,' he
said, referring to his own conversion, which led to him giving up
drinking.
Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of
Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has
become deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could not
have been stronger.
Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book
has lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will
stir up controversy at a time when the administration is keen to portray
its 'war on terror' as non-religious.
The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he is
on a direct mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who claim
Bush's administration is heavily influenced by extremist Christians.
Bush is already under fire for allowing the appointment of General William
Boykin to head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks at
evangelical Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a fight
against Satan, and also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was bigger
than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol.'
Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal
government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60
billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups
will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One group that
benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled
inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in return for
Christian counselling.
Now Bush is likely to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of George
W. Bush, was written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It details
numerous incidents where Bush's faith has been shown to be at the centre
of his political thinking.
Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair
have prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has
previously denied this.
Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were
left in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer: 'There
is no question they have shared scripture and prayed together.'
The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for
the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition
of some form of national disaster happening.
Bush said to James Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for
President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me.
Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my
family, but God wants me to do it.'
In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year,
Bush was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air
Force One and seemed to be destined to miss church.
However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials
suggested they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials were
crammed into the plane's conference room. The service was led by National
Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by close Bush
aide Karen Hughes.
The author also proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been
dismissed as false. Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who
had lost a hand in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked
down witnesses and a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed with
the man, ending by kissing him on the forehead and telling him he loved
him. 'For me, that sums up Bush's beliefs. He really believes Jesus is
taken up in his heart and soul,' Mansfield said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1076026,00.html
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| User: "Woodswun" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 10:30:52 AM |
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Doc wrote:
"Woodswun" <woodswun@tepidmail.com> wrote in message
news:wQQ1f.33418$7b6.28611@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
They haven't denied the following story. It was confirmed by Bush buddy,
James Robison, in subsequent interviews with the Texas evangelist. Of
course, many of us liberals and moderates have known this to be true for
years. This latest revelation simply adds one more log to the already
roaring fire. Hitler was fond of mentioning "providence" was helping him
and Germany achieve greatness...which lasted a scant 12 years.
Doc
Yes, well .... it's one thing to claim that God "chose" him in some
mysterious way, and quite another to imply that one is a prophet on the
basis that you are one to whom God speaks.
Woods
Bush says God chose him to lead his nation
Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are
entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair
Paul Harris in New York
Sunday November 2, 2003
The Observer
President George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas
Christian youth centre last week, and told them about being 'born again'
as a Christian.
'If you change their heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,'
he said, referring to his own conversion, which led to him giving up
drinking.
Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of
Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has
become deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could
not have been stronger.
Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book
has lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will
stir up controversy at a time when the administration is keen to portray
its 'war on terror' as non-religious.
The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he
is on a direct mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who
claim Bush's administration is heavily influenced by extremist Christians.
Bush is already under fire for allowing the appointment of General
William Boykin to head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks
at evangelical Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a
fight against Satan, and also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was
bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol.'
Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal
government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60
billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the
groups will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One group
that benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project that
entitled inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in
return for Christian counselling.
Now Bush is likely to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of
George W. Bush, was written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It
details numerous incidents where Bush's faith has been shown to be at
the centre of his political thinking.
Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair
have prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has
previously denied this.
Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were
left in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer:
'There is no question they have shared scripture and prayed together.'
The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for
the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a
premonition of some form of national disaster happening.
Bush said to James Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for
President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need
me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my
family, but God wants me to do it.'
In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year,
Bush was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air
Force One and seemed to be destined to miss church.
However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials
suggested they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials
were crammed into the plane's conference room. The service was led by
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by
close Bush aide Karen Hughes.
The author also proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been
dismissed as false. Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who
had lost a hand in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked
down witnesses and a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed
with the man, ending by kissing him on the forehead and telling him he
loved him. 'For me, that sums up Bush's beliefs. He really believes
Jesus is taken up in his heart and soul,' Mansfield said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1076026,00.html
.
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| User: "Doc" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 10:56:22 AM |
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"Woodswun" <woodswun@tepidmail.com> wrote in message
news:MCR1f.28918$K91.20700@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Doc wrote:
"Woodswun" <woodswun@tepidmail.com> wrote in message
news:wQQ1f.33418$7b6.28611@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
They haven't denied the following story. It was confirmed by Bush
buddy, James Robison, in subsequent interviews with the Texas
evangelist. Of course, many of us liberals and moderates have known
this to be true for years. This latest revelation simply adds one more
log to the already roaring fire. Hitler was fond of mentioning
"providence" was helping him and Germany achieve greatness...which
lasted a scant 12 years.
Doc
Yes, well .... it's one thing to claim that God "chose" him in some
mysterious way, and quite another to imply that one is a prophet on the
basis that you are one to whom God speaks.
Woods
I would think if you're a prophet of God, you're on the employee list.
Doc
Bush says God chose him to lead his nation
Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are
entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair
Paul Harris in New York
Sunday November 2, 2003
The Observer
President George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas
Christian youth centre last week, and told them about being 'born
again' as a Christian.
'If you change their heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,'
he said, referring to his own conversion, which led to him giving up
drinking.
Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of
Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has
become deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could
not have been stronger.
Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book
has lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will
stir up controversy at a time when the administration is keen to
portray its 'war on terror' as non-religious.
The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he
is on a direct mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who
claim Bush's administration is heavily influenced by extremist
Christians.
Bush is already under fire for allowing the appointment of General
William Boykin to head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks
at evangelical Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a
fight against Satan, and also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was
bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an
idol.'
Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal
government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60
billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the
groups will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One
group that benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project
that entitled inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers -
in return for Christian counselling.
Now Bush is likely to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of
George W. Bush, was written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It
details numerous incidents where Bush's faith has been shown to be at
the centre of his political thinking.
Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony
Blair have prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair
has previously denied this.
Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides
were left in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The
Observer: 'There is no question they have shared scripture and prayed
together.'
The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for
the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a
premonition of some form of national disaster happening.
Bush said to James Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for
President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need
me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my
family, but God wants me to do it.'
In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year,
Bush was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air
Force One and seemed to be destined to miss church.
However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials
suggested they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials
were crammed into the plane's conference room. The service was led by
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read
by close Bush aide Karen Hughes.
The author also proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been
dismissed as false. Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who
had lost a hand in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked
down witnesses and a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed
with the man, ending by kissing him on the forehead and telling him he
loved him. 'For me, that sums up Bush's beliefs. He really believes
Jesus is taken up in his heart and soul,' Mansfield said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1076026,00.html
.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 03:58:13 PM |
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It sure is a chuckle the fundies, saying they are not on the Hot line!
But for 2 self appointed groups claiming Divine guidance as their
flagships.
There can be only one outcome.
LB
Messianic Legacy:
.. If the 'spiritual' principles are distorted-, the potential for
destruction is, if anything greater that that of materialism. 'Spirit',
running amok, is far more dangerous than mere matter. ' war' can be the
most unholy war of all, whether it be waged by Islamic fundamentalists
in the Middle East or Christian fundamentalists in America.
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| User: "Marvin The Paranoid Android" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 10:06:53 AM |
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Woodswun wrote:
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
God told him to deny it.
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| User: "Doc" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 10:29:50 AM |
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"Marvin The Paranoid Android" <marvinparanoidandroid@hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:di8nbi$ouh$2@domitilla.aioe.org...
Woodswun wrote:
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
God told him to deny it.
Or Satan. Sometimes ya just can't be sure...
Doc ;)
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| User: "OzarkBilly" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
08 Oct 2005 01:01:06 PM |
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"Marvin The Paranoid Android" <marvinparanoidandroid@hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:di8nbi$ouh$2@domitilla.aioe.org...
Woodswun wrote:
Doc wrote:
9.45am
White House denies Bush God claims
Of course they did.
Woods
God told him to deny it.
ah was reckonin' about them sto'ies about ol' Dubya pickin' up messages
fum God an' all, ah reckon. It seems t'me thet th' President is jest plum
loco. ah reckon he comes fum a fucked up fambly. Thet ol' Mammy *****,
Barbaree, sho'nuff acks an' looks like a mean ol' sumo wrestler. ah
betcha' she slapped an' kicked lil' Dubya aroun' fo' years whiles he was
growin' up. He seems t'have suffered some serious brain damage along wif
th' kickin' an' slappin'. So, he's hallucinatin' about God talkin' t'him,
ah reckon, cuz he's gottao menny cracked marbles.
OzarkBilly
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| User: "clitteigh" |
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| Title: Re: White House Denies Bush God Claims |
12 Oct 2005 03:00:44 PM |
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That's okay. Karen Hughes is eminently equipped to spin this and other
efforts aimed at improving dumbya's and America's pathetic
international images.
The following is making the media rounds ...
"Karen Hughes Reprimanded for Incident Abroad"
Under secretary of state's Egypt dunking booth deemed 'over the top'
By Ling Guinni, TIC Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 30 - Karen Hughes, President Bush's
longtime confidant and newly appointed as undersecretary of state for
public diplomacy, reportedly was criticized by State Department
officials for several sensitive faux pas during her recent Middle East
tour. According to sources in the department, Hughes angered and
embarrassed Egyptian officials by sponsoring a dunking booth featuring
a person wearing a Bush mask and business suit being dunked by students
during a gathering at a middle school in Cairo.
Hughes's five-day trip also included Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
At first denying the Egypt incident, Hughes, who returned to
Washington on Thursday, admitted in a debriefing that the event, 'Was
merely an
attempt to show America is a nation with a sense of humor, that we can
laugh at ourselves,' according to one source. The individual who posed
as the president was not immediately identified.
Mahoud Mahahrim, a TV journalist with the Egyptian state controlled
station Hei'D'cairo, characterized the incident as "inconsiderate,"
poking fun at relations between Egypt and America.
"When I saw this Bush character splash into the tank after the
students hit the target with a ball, I cringed in shame, for both our
countries. This was way over the top. Like, what was the point?" he
said.
Another observer, who spoke in strictest confidence, said Hughes, a
former journalist, was "dressed down by top-level" department
officials.
Noting that Hughes was coaxed from retirement by Mr. Bush to help
repair America's shattered image abroad, another source who attended
the debrief said Hughes, weathering stern criticism from Mr. Bush's
staff, was ordered to revise the remainder of her diplomatic program.
"I do not believe her program had been vetted by State before she
took this trip," the source added.
According to another source, other facets of her planned future
international visits included: (1) Presenting a "GI Joe-type soldier,"
fully armed, with a Bush mask, to be introduced before a group of
generals in Indonesia; (2) Hughes herself clad in a clown suit
emerging from a porta-potty in Sudan; and (3) a Punch-and-Judy puppet
skit in which Punch bore a Bush likeness and Judy's face was that of
Kim Jong
Il of North Korea.
"No way would State rubber stamp this type of program," said a
witness. Bush, he said, was privately amused, but officially he gave
Hughes three days to come up with a new program that considers the
sensitivities of her audiences and her mission.
-- end --
Copyright TIC Reports
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