ybnormal

Oh, Amie, I do believe you're chiding our people for a fixation on the word "God".

Care to speculate just how fixated your people would be tonight had Bush NOT mentioned the word "God"?

And would that fixation be "really unfortunate" too?

Amie

"My people"? I can only speak for myself and had he not brought God into his speech I really could have cared less.
If I were to get angry over the fact that he did not bring God into it, well yeah I would say that would have been unfortunate.

ybnormal

Well, you said "some people" were fixated on it. That's all. Those people certainly were not xians... it just follows... and I said nothing about anger. Was that a slip?

Godbert

The proper analogy would be if the president used your family's death as an occasion to profess his atheism and turned half the eulogy into atheist propaganda.
Would you approve of that?

Amie

I dont think he used anyone's death as some type of agenda. Jesus H. Christ, 7 people were killed and he said what he felt were comforting words. Cope!

Godbert

So now you know what he felt? I was only commenting on what he actually said.

lisarea

He probably did think those would be comforting words, and that's exactly the problem. He's an idiot. Idiots tend to project. That is, in large part, what makes them idiots.

Normally, this would be OK, because it is not a crime to be stupid. However, this person is the president of the US. He makes policy decisions, he speaks for our nation, and when he says something idiotic, it has gravity. He is not some well-meaning schmuck sending an ill-conceived sympathy card. He is the fucking president. His dismissive and selfish statements are broadcast around the world. And he chooses to use this spotlight to blather like a distraught housewife.

I learned something recently as a result of my slutty reading habits. In James Watts' wifes' book, she discusses some of the conflicts that arose around him while he was in office. Everything from his initial recommendation for Secretary of the Interior to his infamous remark that he had "two Jews, a woman, a black, and a cripple" on a committee. She moans and wails throughout the book, asking WHY people are so upset? How can anyone oppose his nomination when he hasn't even had a chance to do the job yet? Why do people take his words out of context, and use them to vilify him? He meant well, after all. (Her understanding of the problem with the infamous phrase was that he used the word 'cripple,' rather than saying something like 'a handicapped.') And you know what? I believe her. I honestly believe that that woman is really just that stupid. I believe James Watt was that stupid. I believe Ronald Reagan was that stupid, and I believe that George W. Bush is even stupider than that. I believe that he is honestly and sincerely TOO STUPID to understand why someone would take offense to him 'comforting' them with his religious beliefs.

However, while I don't think that the statements were necessarily calculated to be offensive and dismissive, I can certainly see how others might think they were--particularly those without my morbid curiosity about stupidity and its many aspects. This man has consistently marginalized non-Christians, and shows absolutely no signs that he can even begin to understand why that is a problem. This is because he is practically retarded. Again, not a crime, but not appropriate for someone in his position. His dismissive behaviors are certainly within his rights, but those rights should be exercised in some more appropriate venue, such as from behind the register at a convenience store, or perhaps to a fellow strip club patron or parishioner.

Infinity Lover

You'll encounter people who grow their toes way too fucking long no matter where you go, or who you are.

I say if Bush didn't mean to rub atheists the wrong way, don't make such a big fuss, if he did, don't grant him the pleassure.

Huginn

Why not?

Infinity Lover

For the same reason I'm not going to waste my time or energy on explaining why not.