Bush Hails Pope as 'Hero for the Ages' (Reuters)

(This post-death ass-kissing makes me want to puke)

Bush Hails Pope as 'Hero for the Ages'

Sat Apr 2, 2005 05:12 PM ET

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush hailed the late Pope John Paul II on Saturday as a wise and fearless leader whose moral authority helped a democratic revolution sweep through Eastern Europe. "The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home," a somber Bush said in the White House residence, his wife, Laura, at his side. John Paul, he said, was "a hero for the ages."

The White House said it was waiting to hear from the Vatican on Sunday about funeral arrangements before announcing the U.S. delegation that will travel to the event. Bush was expected to lead the delegation.

As a mark of respect for the pope, Bush ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff at the White House and all public and military facilities until the burial of the pontiff. "Pope John Paul II was himself an inspiration to millions of Americans and to so many more throughout the world. We will always remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders," Bush said. Bush hailed the pope's contribution to the end of communism in Poland and elsewhere in Europe. "It shows the courage of one person can help change history," Bush said in a comment to White House spokesman Scott McClellan reflecting on John Paul.

Bush and the pope did not always see eye to eye. John Paul opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the Vatican was outraged by the prisoner abuse scandal at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. The pope raised the Iraq issue and the Middle East during the last of three meetings they held, a 15-minute, private encounter in June.
Continued ...

how perfect

From my reading of Revelations, and as a Christian myself, my conclusion is that the Burning Bush isn't smart, charming, or handsome enough to be the AntiChrist.

I will note that Bushies followers are already quoting insults and hatred posted on left wing newsgroups toward the Pope. But if memory serves me correctly, right wing Christians think the Pope was the AntiChrist and the Catholic Church the ones to implement his demonic plan, through peace and goodwill globally. You see, these end of time freaks actually believe goodwill toward all nations and people is a sign of the deceptive antiChrist's imminent warmongering.

M

I imagine Jesus was charismatic in the best sense of the word.

Bush's is about as far removed from the character of The Son of God and The Son of Man as it is possible to get.

And many of his followers will tell you just how amazingly charismatic Bush is.

>> who knows? <<


ed. for clarity

That is all I can say. I wish truly religious people were esteemed here; not politically pandering falsely religious fundies and born agains. They make me sick.

I always take particular note of the manner in which some 'bosses' recognize others. Some do it with humility, speaking for "all of us" and looking up (respecting) the person. Others condescend - in effect, reaching down or deigning to take the time to do so, showing little respect and instead behaving as if they, themselves, are the conferrer of honors out of their own generosity. Chimperor Codpiece does the latter. He's dismissive, condescending, and pretentious all at once. Never, ever does he demonstrate genuine respect. Never.

I hated Shrub as governor of my great state and I believe nothing that comes from that beast's mouth. His ilk have turned me against my own government. I sincerely can not wait until 2008.

Possibly learned it from his mom? He decided to abolish the traditional "Your Holiness" form of address when visiting the Pope, two different times. The Pope, of course, was classy about it and didn't make a fuss. Unlike the President himself, when people forget HIS title.

http://www.dubyaspeak.com/incidents.shtml


Not that he's any more respectful to less exalted dignitaries ....

I said you were a man of peace. I want you to know I took immense crap for that.
-- conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, as reported on Jun. 3, 2003 in the Washington Post


And I appreciate so very much the honorary degree you're conferring upon me today. I'm delighted that George Steinbrenner is receiving one as well. I guess we're both being honored as legends of baseball -- legends, at least, in our own minds.
-- Ohio State University commencement address, June 14, 2002

I'm honored that Governor Shaheen is here today. I appreciate her taking time out of her schedule to come and pay her respects to the Presidency.
-- Manchester, New Hampshire, Oct. 5, 2002

the guy is insane. A classic case of megalomania. "Legends, at least, in our own minds" indeed.

child molesters:puke:
NOT ONLY protected them, PROMOTED the bastards that covered it up.

Yeah, the voice of god, a saintly man...

war criminals aren't welcome at the funeral - that would exclude the chimp and Cheney. I hate the thought of either of those assholes getting facetime at the funeral.

oh crap!!!!. Reuters agrees with this?!!!!!!



.....But the two leaders had other areas of agreement, such as "culture of life" issues, including the case of the brain-damaged Florida woman, Terri Schiavo, who died this week 13 days after her feeding tube was removed over the objections of her parents.

Bush had rushed back to Washington from his Texas ranch last month to sign emergency legislation aimed at keeping the woman alive, an effort that ultimately failed.

"Throughout the West, John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of life in which the strong protect the weak," Bush said.........



"We're grateful to God for sending such a man, a son of Poland who became the bishop of Rome and a hero for the ages," Bush said...

I've never seen that damn Orwellian phrase used as an adjective before.

You think "culture of life" is Orwellian? How about His Burning Bushiness calling Ariel Sharon a "Warrior for Peace?" Or was that Clinton?

M

And on the exhausted faces of single parent mothers forced to work three jobs just to make ends meet in George W. Bush's world. The crowded and torturous prisons say more to the entire world about George W. Bush's 'culture of life' than any insincere, pretending holiness while lumping praise on one of his most vocal critics will ever do. Hey King George! The whole world isn't as stupid as you've been led to believe.

I don't agree with the church's position on a lot of things, but at least John Paul was reasonably consistent in his beliefs. Bush doesn't believe in any culture of life - nobody who really did would have invaded Iraq. Either he knew it was all based on a lie, and therefore couldn't have cared less about civilian life or he was persuaded by flimsy, laughable evidence which still indicates he couldn't care less about civilian life. Not to mention the lives of U.S. soldiers.

The Pope and the Emperor were completely in accord on abortion and life-support issues. They both believed that the life of the unborn and those in a comatose state must be protected.

The difference, of course, is that the Pope also believed that human life between those two stages also needed to be protected...

Bush on the other hand.

:shrug:

that it's just "lip service," of course 40% of Americans "Ain't that bright" and might not understand that.

When they forget the quotation marks, that's when it's time to start raising hell.:smoke:

"war criminals aren't welcome at the funeral - that would exclude the chimp and Cheney. I hate the thought of either of those assholes getting facetime at the funeral."

So do I. But the Pope met with all kinds of leaders, hated both on the left and the right. It would be against his spirit to ban the Burning Bush. The Pope set an example of humility, grace and forgiveness. Hopefully some of that humility will rub off on the Bush at the Holy Father's funeral. The Holy Father understood that evil can only be defeated with love and a true Christian example.

M

love and forgiveness, and he even met with the chimp, which must have been extremely distasteful. The Vatican wouldn't ban members of the BFEE for political reasons. But it doesn't mean they need to be very welcoming, either. Personally, I'd be happy if they sat him in the last row.

The chimp could be in the company of every saint ever cannonized and it wouldn't make any difference. The SOB is pure evil.

For the JP2, a bigoted, homophobic, idiot? ARGH!!!!

But, He IS our "so called" President, who made the guy who referred to the Geneva Convention as "Quaint", head of the "Department of Justice" :banghead: :mad:

The Pope was Head of state. The Vatican is its own nation. Half staff is proper for a foreign leader. It was also done for Princess Diana, to signify this ambassador of grace and dignity.

The separation of church and state works not because of eradicating religious symbolism, but from separation in actual governance.

A post at Free republic predicted liberals would whine about the separation of church and state. They know their extremist counterparts on the left.

M

that President Carter did the same. Yes, he was a head of state as well as a religious leader.

The Pope stood up to Bush's warmongering, but his followers couldn't say anything bad about the Holy Father. That's an accomplishment of the Pope's that hasn't been mentioned.

You see, the Pope followed Christ's example, unlike Bush. For those of you who think Christ is reflected in his right-wing followers, think again. Jesus outright refused to use His followers as cannon fodder. He overthrew Roman occupation spiritually, as the Pope overthrew communism spiritually. Bush doesn't have enough faith, or grace to overcome his enemies with love and a Christian example.

May the Holy Father rest in everlasting life with the Heavenly Father.


M

You make me sick.
:puke:

.
.
.

until a week goes by that another American hasn't died *for his country*

Bring 'em HOME DimSon!!

values. His papacy was full of contradictions.

To the world the pope was a true champion for social justice, world hunger and peace. However internally he did not honor those values. He opposed the rights of women to become priests, the acceptance of married priests, birth control, even the use of condoms to prevent aids. Gays are not accepted in their own right. He did nothing about the abuse of children by priests. Not even an apology.

By appointing primarily conservative bishops and cardinals he made the Roman Catholic church into a centralized authoritarian powerhouse creating a ridged climate. The progressive thoughts within church coming from Latin American theologians were suppressed.

He took great strides in bettering relations with Jewish leaders but little with other Christians for example Protestants and Roman Catholics can not take communion or break bread together.

RIP

the Whore of Babylon?
My own disowned MIL told me on the day of my mother's death that she went to hell for being Catholic...and she also votes repuke every election.
She's one of the crowd who thinks God sent us *.
Yer gonna piss off the rapturenauts again, chimpy!

Remember he started his 2000 campaign at Bob Jones University which hates anything not white protestant.

I don't know that one.

What a Bitch to say something like that, about your Mother.
:mad:

God would be my mother's judge. The fundie nut wouldn't even give me that.
Now instead of her coming here my wife goes and visits her.
Works for me!

He's just a poser.