TODAY'S TOP FIVE: The Machine Rages On.
A Christian in the White House I have long maintained that George Bush's avowed religiosity is merely a pretence to fool the rubes, and this excellent article points out something I have long suspected but never seen discussed: George W. Bush, who called Jesus his favorite political philosopher and who believes he is God's appointed messenger on earth, does not attend church, nor does he belong to one.
The Persistence of Shaky Memory A mountain of evidence exists to prove that Al Qaeda and Iraq had no substantive contacts: congressional reports, CIA dossiers, the testimony of captured Iraqi officials. No serious observer has ever suggested that Saddam Hussein had any role in planning the attacks of September 11. And yet, day after day, event after event, Vice President Destro Cheney continues to make these absurd claims. One wonders: What will cause him to stop, short of a fifth heart attack?
Pat Robertson: The Greatest Friend the Jews Have Ever Had In a truly weird moment, Pat Robertson has warned that if Bush ever "touches" Jerusalem (presumably meaning that if Bush ever supports the notion of Jerusalem as a dual city governed by Israel and Palestine), evangelical Christians will form a third party based around Zionist revanchism. This is during an annual celebration of thousands of evangelicals in Israel, who march in support of the government. Note well: They march in support of Israel because they believe it is the obliteration of Israel that will usher in the Second Coming of Christ. You know, that's the kind of support Israelis can probably do without.
The Daily Mayhem: Iraq Edition Car bombs exploded in Baghdad and Mosul today, killing at least 26 and wounding more than 100. Meanwhile, more airstrikes were launched against Fallujah, and militants released a video tape depicting the beheading of an Italian and a Turk.
Next Time, Matt, Don't Help Matt Drudge is a loathsome man. If he fell into a ditch, the ditch would spit him out in disgust. But his latest foible is funny for showing how often he gets it wrong: Drudge posted video on his site that he claimed showed Kerry "cheating" at the debate by taking a pen out of his pocket. But if you look at the video, it actually shows BUSH taking a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolding it! I would use the term "hoist by his own petard" here if I didn't think it would turn Drudge on.
-Consider Arms
