Where has America gone?

The Japan Times: June 19, 2004

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The Europeans fear that the contempt for human rights is not just confined to a few soldiers or civilian interrogators but represents the ethos of the current U.S. administration.
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The London Economist has called for U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to take responsibility and resign. Bush apparently puts loyalty to his appointees over America's reputation in the world and, instead of dismissing Rumsfeld, has re-affirmed his support for him. It also seems that Bush has attempted to gloss over U.S. flouting of the Geneva Conventions.

Many ask how the president can square apparent condoning of torture with his Christian principles. The present tarnishing of the image of America also tarnishes the image of democracy and of U.S. aims in the Middle East. If he wants to preserve his place in history and his reputation, Bush should take action to categorically re-assert America's reputation in the area of human rights and ensure that anyone who tries to justify human-rights abuses within his administration is thrown out with the contumely deserved.

It is unfortunate that the extent to which Bush is opposed by U.S. advocates of human rights and democracy is not fully appreciated in Europe. American policies in the Middle East may not change as radically as many Europeans hope if there is a change of administration in the U.S. as a result of the November election. Nonetheless, while it is likely to be counterproductive for Europeans to attempt to influence the outcome, there are many Europeans who belong to the ABB (Anybody But Bush) group.

(Hugh Cortazzi, a former British career diplomat, served as ambassador to Japan from 1980 to 1984.)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?eo20040619hc.htm

the rest of the World thinks.

is one that is in denial about their own fascism.

To understand Bush's acceptance of torture (his denials not withstanding), one only has to look at his actions to see the lack of faith in his own religious principles. At no time since becoming President has he even attempted to put into practice those beliefs he touts. Even before his becoming President, this was a part of Bush's makeup. Bush has always been an individual with a mind set that the end justifies the means and not a religious person let alone a person of faith. He does not wear his religion on his sleeve as his apologists ascribe; but, spews the hollow words from an orifice in his face. Words so hollow that they should be from an orifice far lower.
The Fundamentalists claim that those who cannot see Christ have scales on their eyes to blind them when the truth is that it is they who have the scales so as not to see the truth of their "anointed by God" President nor see the truth of their own behavior. Such blindness is not surprising given their blind acceptance as literal the words in a single book. Like Bush, many, if not all, do not practice what they preach. So quick are they to use lies, half truths, and deception that one wonders if there are any of "Gods tools" that they have faith in for they have as yet to put any into practice.
It is said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions; however, there are no good intentions here. The road to Hell is being paved by soulless individuals whose only drive is lust for power and not religious purity though the latter be the excuse to retain power via claiming a "moral authority" they do not have.
So deep seated is their hatred for outsiders that they cannot be distinguished from their enemy by those who view them from outside of their circle. The very hatred that they accuse of being in others is well rooted within themselves. So much so that they cannot see their own ugliness which reaches to the very core of their being. It is that manifested ugliness that raises the question of ethos within the Administration. A question answered with there is no ethos to be had.

with his Christian principles" . . .

Bush has no Christian principles . . . his claiming to be a Christian is nothing but political theater . . . since Americans don't elect drunks to high office unless they've repented and "found Jesus", George figured that was what he had to do . . . but true Christians don't bomb foreign countries to dust for personal and political gain, killing thousands of innocent people in the process . . . not what Jesus would do . . .

actually, I find it odd that the religious right are always talking about "finding Jesus" . . . I didn't even know he was missing . . . these folks just can't seem to keep track of the guy . . . which helps explain why they're so screwed up, imo . . .

that have trouble finding their own ass, with both hands, are so good at finding Jesus.

They find Jesus by looking outside from themselves and not from within. They read the words; but, do not comprehend that which they read. Blinded by tunnel vision, they see only what is directly before them and there stands no mirror to reflect back on them. Little thought is given to that which is around them or the implications of their actions on what they cannot see nor wish to see. For them to find their ass, they have to look at themselves and that is what they cannot do. They cannot do this for they cannot face the horror of who they are nor the ugliness that resides within. As a result, they have found Jesus and hold him at bay rather than let him into their hearts and souls if either they have at all.