The Holy and Anointed One

Every once in a while, my aunt in San Diego forwards to me some email and/or web site she's received from one of her friends. Her friends skew older and more Republican than the crowd I hang with, so I am grateful for the window she offers into the dark soul of Right-wing America. (Although, to be fair, she forwards material from all points of the political spectrum.)

A few days ago, my aunt sent me an article by a guy named Bruce Vincent. It seems Bruce got himself an audience with the current occupant of the Oval Office, and he felt moved to share his experience with us. He was there to have his photo taken with George W. Bush. But he says he came away with a lot more than just a photo and a handshake. The heart of Vincent's story is that Bush actually prayed with him.

It's been a long time since I have read such a heavy-handed, over-the-top puff piece. I don't know where this guy learned how to write, but I'll say this for Bruce Vincent: this guy sure knows how to put the jism back in journalism!

This piece is so transparently partisan, so brazen in its puffery of the Good, Honest, Noble, Humble, Pious Christian Bush, that it's hard to believe that it's actually meant to be taken seriously, but apparently there is no irony in Bushtown, nor is there any depth of obsequiousness which is too deep. Doesn't anyone reading this consider that it's plain old good PR for the president to meet and greet the peasants, and even pray with them? Yet, judging by my aunt's reaction, people do take it seriously.

At one point in the narrative, Bush is reported to say "...there are those in the nation's capital that would rather see the nation dismantled than work together to achieve a common good." You know, the Republicans dominate all three branches of the federal government. Democrats are literally locked out. Now, who would be those bad people who would rather "see nation dismantled than work together" (Those bad, bad, people!) Would those be -- maybe -- would those be Democrats? I don't know. It's a real head-scratcher.

If the President prays, then good for him. I'm glad he prays. And if you're one of those dumbasses who thinks that God has picked Bush to be President, then I suppose it makes you comfortable to know he prays. (To your God.) I find the concept that God put Bush in the White House not only repugnant and profoundly anti-democratic, but blasphemous as well. I also happen to remember from Sunday school what Jesus might have said about this article:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

So fine, if the President prays, that's great. Personally, I'd rather have a President who doesn't lie.

PS: Selling the President as good and pious is a big part of his strategy this year. See Ashley's Story, where a girl who lost her mom in the World Trade Center attack (which Bush failed to prevent) gets a hug from Bush. Doesn't that just melt your heart? For a more realistic story, see Brooke's Story. Her brother died in Iraq looking for the WMDs that Bush lied about, and then Bush joked about the missing weapons. Make sure to take a look at both of these sites before you go to vote on Tuesday.