I like to think I know what is going on in our world and yet I find myself reading with skepticism, both the sites which share my point of view and those who challenge me. The war in Georgia, is a jumble of contradictions. It is far way, but the impact is right at home. We as Americans don't know much of the history or the present reality, but as Americans are represented by our leaders (CIA, military ad visors, and state departmentl.) and have worked behind the scenes in this situation. Did we attempt to prevent it? Do we feel powerless to stop it?, Did we provoke it? Are we using it to our advantage? Robert Scheer raises interesting questions in his article. www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080812_georgia_war_a_neocon_electi on_ploy/ Small kernels of truth embedded in the reporting from all sides, but how do you assemble a puzzle with pictures on both sides, missing pieces, and having never seen the box cover? This is the task facing the American citizen, justly outraged by this new outbreak of war, the unnecessary loss of life, and the political dangers it brings. It seems apparent to me, that we must individually as citizens work to break our cycle of growing world dominance, and empirical ambition. It is time to call for a nation of social responsibility, compassion, and environmental sustainability for our world and all its people, not just our nation and corporate friends. "Christian Nationalism" is a phrase which should be as quaint and obsolete as "Divine rite of Kings". It is time to consider the Biblical injunction to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. The few policy makers can not remain powerful, should the population become aware and committed to reform. Back in the pulpit I would call it a call not for reform but revival. We need it.

by chaplain on Wed Aug 13, 2008 at 10:40:51 AM EST

As a number of blogs have pointed out, the reason John McCain used the phrase was not that it expressed his feelings about the matter, but because he simply took all his information on Georgia from Wikipedia and since the phrase was there, he copied it.

Which gives me an opening to make a point I have been wanting to make for a while.  I think T2A has been making a mistake by assuming that they can impute Radical Right principles to John McCain.  This is as inaccurate as the commentators who have accepted his 'maverick' role.

As far as I can see, John McCain does not, and never has, demonstrated that he has any principles whatsoever -- not even bad ones.  He was a 'maverick' because that was the only 'open slot' in 2000, and he cozied up to the likes of Hagee because he thought he needed 'some preacher, any preacher' on his side.  I don't think he had any knowledge of what Hagee had said, or cared, as long as the man had an audience that he could reach -- and then 'oops.'

Part of McCain's problem as well has been his immense ego.  "I am JOHN McCAIN, and JOHN McCAIN doesn't need to check things out!"

by Prup aka Jim Benton on Wed Aug 13, 2008 at 12:00:25 PM EST