George W. Bush is less overtly religious in his public pronouncements than many of his presidential predecessors. Yet the MSM often portrays him as a zealot who sees himself on a mission from God.
Pundit Norm Ornstein perpetuated the stereotype on this morning's "Good Morning America". ABC senior national correspondent Jake Tapper narrated a segment on Pres. Bush's impending announcement of a surge of troops into Iraq. The thrust was that W is making his decision despite bi-partisan opposition. Not only are virtually all Dems opposed, but, as Tapper put it, "even some Republicans are expressing serious doubts about the proposed surge." To that effect, an excerpt was played of Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell's appearance on yesterday's Fox News Sunday stating: "I think there will be some who will and some who won't [support the surge]."
That's when Ornstein popped up in a brief clip, stating:
"George Bush believes he's answering to a higher authority. And George Bush believes the stakes on this are too high to respond to political pressure."
So . . . with his provocative statement was Ornstein trying to burnish his reputation as King of Quotes, or in his own mind was he simply being, you should excuse the expression, frank?
Honorable Mention to reader 'bigtimer' for discovering the hidden pun!
Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net





















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Yeah, the higher authority is
January 8, 2007 - 09:58 ET by kathleenirishYeah, the higher authority is the interests of the United States of America, as opposed to the appeasers in the all-powerful media establishment and Congress.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
"George Bush believes he
January 8, 2007 - 10:05 ET by rimsky"George Bush believes he's answering to a higher authority."
This is some kind of super quote? Whatever!
We should all be thankful that our President asks for God's guidance, through prayer. This.. quote.. seems to be trying to portray Bush as being in regular conversation with God, or that God speaks to him. Sorry pal, wrong dispensation.
I'd hate to think what the Ms
January 8, 2007 - 10:15 ET by Eric TurnerI'd hate to think what the MsM would have said about many of our founding fathers who professed to seek guidance from God.
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"Perpetual itching without benefit of scratching to the enemies of America." - July 4th toast during the Revolution
Not "just" our founding Fathe
January 8, 2007 - 10:18 ET by Warner Todd HustonNot "just" our founding Fathers, but nearly EVERY president SINCE! Even the supposed atheistic Thomas Jefferson made his appeals to God.
No, I sure wasn't attempting
January 8, 2007 - 10:21 ET by Eric TurnerNo, I sure wasn't attempting to exclude the others, particularly Abraham Lincoln. Could you imagine that (not praying), during the midst of the Civil War, when the Republicans were trying to free the slaves from the democrats? And look at us today...still trying to free the "slaves" from the democrats!
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"Perpetual itching without benefit of scratching to the enemies of America." - July 4th toast during the Revolution
Name that President!
January 8, 2007 - 14:29 ET by UnsaneQuick! Name a President who did NOT end his oath with "...so help me God."!
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???" - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Franklin Roosevelt, was in
January 8, 2007 - 14:44 ET by MightyMouthFranklin Roosevelt, was in a hurry and forgot.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
I'd hate to think what the Ms
January 8, 2007 - 11:18 ET by Conservative in the ArtsI'd hate to think what the MsM would have said
They deny that our Founding Fathers were Christians. They downplay any prayer in written record. They try to rewrite history to fit their viewpoints.
The "higher authority&qu
January 8, 2007 - 10:39 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe "higher authority" is, of course, Karl Rove. And his mind-control machine.
But you all already knew that...
And don't forget his weather
January 8, 2007 - 15:59 ET by HypocriteHaterAnd don't forget his weather machine, too!
"Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong." - Ronald Reagan
I have just on request of Mr.
January 8, 2007 - 10:07 ET by Warner Todd HustonI have just on request of Mr. onionstien:
PROVE it, jerk.
Nothing new
January 8, 2007 - 10:37 ET by cvgbuckeyeAll believers should be greatful for the responses that will occur here. BUT, there is nothing new here. Been going on for a little over 2000 years now.
The clothes have changed but the Pharisees remain the same.
What we CANNOT allow to repeat is the Three Time Crowing of the Rooster Following Our Denials.
Liberals
January 8, 2007 - 11:35 ET by iveseenitallIn the world of the modern liberal, right is wrong, wrong is right. Only in their warped minds would praying be considered a "bad" thing. Only in their putrid lives would someone be condemned for turning to God for help. Only with their hellish thought processes would immorality be praised, while morality becomes fodder for scorn and ridicule.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
ArmyVet- I wonder too- I wond
January 8, 2007 - 14:54 ET by NazarethArmyVet- I wonder too- I wonder how they would have treated Roosevelt who led the nation in prayer in the mornings on his radio show. Our main stream media press has turned into a vile vindictive disrespectful agenda driven pile of crap I'm afraid.
http://sacredscoop.com
I believe there is no doubt o
January 8, 2007 - 14:50 ET by dvdaughtryI believe there is no doubt our President holds a Christian worldview. Thank God he realizes the danger of Islam's idealolgy, and is convicted to do something about it.
orenstein is likely correct
January 8, 2007 - 15:15 ET by tumbler_2007Here is an idiot who wishes to startle with this claim, posing it as a fault in George W. Bush; a deficiency in judgment unworthy of Ornstein et al, --since THEY are "thinking men". The insinuation is, a fanatic has become our President, incapable of serious calculations or good decisions.
The fact is, anybody can miscalculate and make stupid decisions. It may not even be a Christian or a fanatical Christian. And, Bush DOES answer to a higher power. Why shouldn't he? It won't be the cause of his failure. We see in many historical cases just the opposite. Our Christian forefathers, and people like Mother Theresa; going back farther, Joan of Arc, David vs. Goliath. It isn't as if Bush is following an empty wagon now. Nor is he a fanatic. God often intervenes in human affairs. Ornstein isn't prepared to accept this, but he isn't always right. We'll concede that twice a day a broken clock is very correct, just as Ornstein is. This time he's showing his stupidity.
Hillary Clinton channels Elea
January 8, 2007 - 16:28 ET by fosstenHillary Clinton channels Eleanor Roosevelt and that's okay, but Bush talks to God and that makes him the object of ridicule?
I feel like Alice through the Looking Glass.
Should I really take seriousl
January 8, 2007 - 16:50 ET by dscottShould I really take seriously a guy who resembles Woody Allen? This whole thing is a replay from those Palestinians that falsely claimed Bush said, God told him to invade Iraq.
Even more troubling is Mr. Ornstein's ethics in this matter, it's called religious intolerance. The only thing this accomplishes is to disqualify Mr. Ornstein as a journalist, a journalist reports, a commentator offers their opinion, a bigot spouts their intolernance of others. So Mr. Ornstein are you a anti-religious bigot or more specifically an anti-Christian bigot???
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
NOTE: An Honorable Mention t
January 8, 2007 - 16:53 ET by Mark FinkelsteinNOTE: An Honorable Mention to the first person noting the pun I painstakingly worked in this item and that no one has yet to notice!
Okay Mark, I think I got it..
January 8, 2007 - 17:09 ET by bigtimerOkay Mark, I think I got it....maybe,
'you should excuse the expression, frank?'
As in Frankfurter, and your inserted picture there with the 'WE answer to a Higher authority'
Close?
Nevertheless, I thought the whole thing was funny.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have
January 8, 2007 - 18:48 ET by Mark FinkelsteinDing! Ding! Ding! We have a win-ah!
Frankly, Mark....I am shocked
January 8, 2007 - 18:52 ET by bigtimerFrankly speaking, Mark....I am shocked! Shocked I tell ya!
I've never won anything before!
LOL!
Nobody else entered either...hehehee
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
No fair, Mark.It's Monday.
January 8, 2007 - 18:55 ET by Dave RNo fair, Mark.
It's Monday. My brain cells, the few I have left, anyway, don't kick in until at least 10am on Tuesday! :-^)
Now now Dave...All's fair in
January 8, 2007 - 19:04 ET by bigtimerNow now Dave...
All's fair in love and war.....and brain cells working on a Monday!
Don't be a democrat!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
I promise I'll give it up whe
January 8, 2007 - 19:16 ET by Dave RI promise I'll give it up when football season is over, and when I find out more about who this guy is that Arthur Blank just hired to coach the birds next year.
:-O