Dean makes it clear what this campaign is really about: the triumph

[milkyway]

of Reason over Faith. This has been a fundamental human conflict for centuries, and a very bloody one. The Bush presidency in some ways is a reaction against the ascendancy of Science in the 20th century. Bush uses Faith like a weapon, and not just Faith in God, but Faith in Bush. Ignore the evidence and believe in what I say.

Dean made several references this morning that he is a doctor and a scientist, and derided Bush for making policy decisions based on theology and ideology. Dean has said before that when Bush has a theory and some facts come along that disagree with it, Bush throws out the facts and keeps his theory. As a Doctor and scientist, when Dean has a theory and some facts come along that disagree with it, he throws out the theory (of course, this would open him up to that damning charge of "flip-flopping"; how dare he!).

As science propels us ever more quickly into the 21st century, this conflict between Faith and Reason can get a lot worse. Radical Islamic fundamentalism is to me a reaction and a rebellion against the modern world. Like Bush, they want to turn back the clock on human progress to a world where we don't question, we just believe. Howard Dean looks at a problem like a scientist: questioning, examining the evidence, and developing solutions. He sees things as they clearly are.

Howard Dean believes that the human condition can be improved by people themselves. Bush believes that the best way for a person to solve their problems is to get on their knees and pray.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I don't think Bush believes at all

it is political expediency on his part to milk the Far Right. He just uses religion as a tag to push his conservative agenda.

Dean, on the other hand, is straightforward in his talk, and has shown that he is pragmatic and realistic. He is also obviously a lot smarter than Shrub.
I really hope Dean comes back and wins. He'd make a wonderful President.

[mopinko]

2. the more howard talks, the more i love him

this (of course, this would open him up to that damning charge of "flip-flopping"; how dare he!) is the big reason that religion is more appealing to so many simple minded people- no gray area, nothing fuzzy, just clear, decisive, comforting. this is something that HAS to be countered with sanity and reason.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I think it can be

liberal religions, like my order of Sufis, acknowledge and applaud the role of science in discovering more of the One. We don't see the world in black and white, but in various shades of grey, depending on one's spiritual evolution. There are other liberal faiths that look at things in a similar fashion.

The poor souls who are trapped in fundamentalism are kept there by their own fears, I believe.

[milkyway]

7. Cool! I didn't mean to apply the same brush to all religions...

I was born a Catholic, but I'm not a practicing one. When people ask me my religion, I tell them secular (this really confuses some people--they think I'm a Moonie or something!)

I've heard a little about Sufis, and it always seemed interesting. I know some about Buddhism, and have found it to be a truly great religion. Unlike western religions, Buddhism not only is not in conflict with modern science, Buddha seemed to anticipate the discoveries of modern science. The fundamental principle that really appeals to me is Buddha's idea that you should not have faith. He emphasized that each person must discover for himself what the true nature of reality is, and not just take it as a matter of faith from authorities. (Sounds a bit like Howard Dean's closing line in his stump speech:" People like me tell people like you that I can solve all your problems. The truth is, the power is in your hands, not mine." I never realized until writing this post how compatible this thought is with Buddhism.)

[Frances]

3. You have summarized the difference in a nutshell

The founding fathers were from the Age of Reason which came after the Age of Faith.

They knew that the Age of Faith had produced kings and aristocrats. The kings claimed that their power came from God and that they were the representatives of God on earth. Therefore, anyone who questioned a king was questioning God. Of course, Bush wants to go along with this theory because it says that anyone who questions him is questioning God.

The founding fathers said that the head of the U.S. should get their power from the people. If the people didn't agree with the president, then the people had the right, even the duty, not to reelect the president.

[Southsideirish]

4. The cream will always rise to the top. Iowa was an aberration.

Howard is, was and always will be the finest candidate that the Democrats have to defeat bush because he has the courage, superior intellect and "fire in the belly" to do so. He is the only candidate one with all three of these qualities.

[wryter2000]

6. I do love Dean

No matter what happens, Dean changed the conversation. I heard Kerry yesterday say we need to get our democracy back. (Thank you John Kerry!) No one would be saying this if Howard Dean hadn't shown that the Chimperor was naked.

[milkyway]

8. I heard him say that yesterday too. I nearly gagged! He lifted it

almost word-for-word from Howard Dean. Kerry right now is running as Dean Lite. Once he wins the nomination, will he then change to Bush Lite?