Reference Missing 2

2005-10-27 13:33:00

Adrian apparently did some research and came up with the most supporting quote toward Johan's point of view. (Thanks for bringing this to my attention.) This was from the Guardian, a strong anti-Bush paper that prodded (and possibly paid) a Palestine delegate to come forward. It says:

"God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq."

Since this subject of Bush quotes came up I have done a little research and have been amazed at the number of quotes from him that are either completely fabricated or are impossible to verify.

If one anti-Bush piece does a parody of Bush giving some fictional quote or hearsay that quote is multiplied by the thousands and taken seriously by his enemies.

I did a search on this particular quote and got 138,000 hits from Google. Even with this great number in circulation the quote is so spurious that even the anti Bush papers in the United States are not using it.

This quote has no audio and no way to verify that it is any more than hearsay. It comes from Nabil Shaath who was one of several delegates who met with Bush. Other delegates, the article says, are "reluctant publicly to acknowledge its authenticity."

When asked about the quote White House press secretary Scott McClellan said "No, that's absurd. He's never made such comments."

An examination of more of the quote itself reveals it is not accurate. It reads:

"I am driven with a mission from God," Shaath quotes Bush. "God would tell me, 'George, go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan.' And I did. And then God would tell me, 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq.' And I did."

"And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, `Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East.' And, by God, I'm gonna do it.'"

I have followed Bush closely over the years and never heard him speak with this kind of dialog. It's just not the way he talks.

The funny thing is his enemies claim that he is in their face proclaiming what God has told him, but the only quote they can find was from a questionable private conversation. What one says in private cannot be said to be flouting an "in your face" attitude to the world.

Let me clarify my challenge to find any quote that would support Johan's claim. To have any credibility there should be some audio to support it. Any public statement Bush makes is also recorded.

I believe that the Hierarchy gave Bush the impression to go to war with Iraq to create a beginning of democracy in the Middle East. It is possible that he related such in a private conversation.

My point is that Bush is not making any public claim that he receives instructions from God and anyone quoting such a thing is quoting a fabrication.

If one has a disagreement with another why not take views and words that we know are accurate with which to argue? Why argue with something that the accused speaker claims does not exist? If you do this you are arguing with yourself.