Jim Wallace (God's Politics) on first encounter with Bush the Lesser

[keopeli]

I was in attendance at a lecture presented by the Washington Association of Churches this evening at which Jim Wallace, author of http://www.harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060558288">God's Politics, gave an account of his first meeting with, to use his words, "President-select" Bush. The discussion focused on poverty.

In a candid moment, Bush asked a question of Wallace: Jim, help me understand poverty. I've never been poor or lived with them. How can I relate with them?

Wallace responded: You've got to listen to them and the people that work with them. And, you've got to walk among them.

Wallace believed the next leader of the US was really listening and absorbing what he said. But, he adds, September 11 changed all that.

In a second and much more formal setting some time later, Wallace recounts that Bush was focused on terrorism and stated that eliminating terrorism was our number one priority.

[Lindacooks]

1. President Clinton tried to tell the chimp about bin Laden and

terrorism and the chimp was bored stiff. He didn't latch on to terrorism as his focus (as much as he CAN focus) until 9/11. He ignored terrorism until then. And he's not doing much to prevent it now.

[Tom Joad]

2. That is Jim Wallis.

And he is known to be a bit deluded.

He really thought bush was listening to him?

[keopeli]

3. Yes, he did. I thought it was odd, too.

But he was at a Religious Convention whose focus was on eliminating poverty, so it was certainly the topic at hand. It was an easy conversation to have with the president-select at that time.

I will have to say, though, that Wallace was very uneasy about the topic. It seemed to me he was trying his best to say something nice about Bush and that was the best he could do.

I did not come away with the impression that he had any affinity for the man.

Still, it was a different time. I remember those months. Things were very different. Nobody new how bad Bush would be (although I think it was predictable) and trying too coo the favors of the boy who would be king regarding the poor isn't a bad position in my opinion.

More importantly, I believe, is the narrative of the reign of Bush the Lesser as it unfolds in these comments.

Bush was unpopular. He was selected. He needed an image boost. And, the man had finally achieved his dream (no matter how he did it). He was trying to roll-out his "faith based initiatives" and was talking to religious leaders.

The man was lost. His agenda was non-existent. Those who knew what they were doing (Cheney and others, some of whom are pardoned criminals and others about to be indicted) did all the thinking for George.

Our predicament now is no different. The man makes decisions based on current events. He has no vision. He never has.

Faith in King George the Lesser has lost the moral highground that once had. History suggests she will not regain it.

But, hope keeps us alive. And a better day could be coming.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[MissMarple]

4. I think that is an accurate assessment.

Jim Wallis is a decent guy, George is a lost soul.

[opihimoimoi]

6. George The Lessor Has Been a model of What Not to let in the Nations

Oval Office.

He is an Infection causing America serious Health Problems. The Source of the infection comes from the GOP/Pubs/Master who claim Bush, Photo Op'ed him to what we see today.....

To Break the Fever we must cleanse the infection with massive doses of awareness and reaction... we learn of the skills needed to overcome SPIN and BS

[1932]

5. He is known to be a bit deluded? By whom?

He is known to be very insightful and to have his finger on the pulse of an important, growing culture of liberal christianity.

[keopeli]

7. kick