use the relevant one. "Nevertheless, in my case I pray that I be as good a messenger of his will as possible," Bush told Woodward. I never claimed (or suggested or even thought) you were the only one disturbed by the religious aspects of Bush's comments. For one, we weren't discussing Bush's comments; we were discussing Woodward's characterization of those comments. The quote above, if it's accurate, was one I hadn't heard before, and it was the one we were discussing yesterday, i.e. whether Bush saw himself as a messenger of God. Even the above quote, however, doesn't convince me, an atheist, that Bush is induly influenced by his religion with respect to his policy decisions. Does he think God talks directly to him? Did God send him a message for him to carry out? Did God issue him an order? Are his deeds done in the name of God? Yes answers to these questions are what would disturb me. There's little chance of separating a man from his belief in God. Those who believe, believe. Those who don't, don't. Bush is more vocal about it than most. Again, I find it rather funny that the Arab world -- home to the most fanatic religious followers -- takes the greatest offense. (Ralph Nader is a close second. Man, of all the people the article chose to quote, why him? The guy is a consumer advocate, and a bad one at that. Like most, he doesn't grasp the First Amendment. "Congress shall pass no law..." Doesn't say anything about the President not believing in God.) Perhaps it's the ultimate policy of freedom that resonates a chord within me. Securing individual rights -- freedom -- is the chief purpose of any just government. Seeking to free other people, while moral and just, isn't a duty of the president, unless not doing so puts the U.S. in harm's way. Saddam was a vicious man and a ruthless leader. Of all the freakin' people of this world, how can one not think that this man -- a guy who tortured his own people -- sought out WMDs? That we haven't found them disturbs me, but not for the same reason I hear stated. It disturbs me because I believe they're still out there. Iraq, not our current situation over there, is the true quagmire. As is most of the Middle East, parts of Africa, and parts of South America. While we have blazed forth into the 21st century, many of these countries have gone nowhere or backwards. Their technology is largely -- if not solely -- our technology. They still don't grasp freedom, that it must be fought for not wished for. Our friends in Iraq don't seem to want it, which is a shame. Unfortunately, it's not surprising. Not many people want it the way people of Western culture demand it. Until they do, it likely won't stick.