Not all Americans believe that Bush is answering a “call” from God or history in the war on Iraq and other evildoers. Many believe that Bush is demanding a replay of history.

When Bush was running for President, there was an article in a Texas paper, the Houston Chronicle, about Bush's belief that he had a "call from God" to become President. There are those that believe that the sound he heard was the sale of weapons and the splash of oil as he raised the most money ever in the history of American politics.

Just weeks before the Bush State of the Union address, Karl Rove said that Bush was meeting the "call of history." Bush spoke of this "call" in the 2003 State of the Union address.

The war on Iraq and/or the war on terrorism have, as Bush sees it, provides the "opportunity" for America to lead the world to freedom as the hawks fly high. Bush has said: "seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many."

Some believe Cheney, Wolfowitz, and Rumsfeld have been seeking the "opportunity" that 9/11 presented well before Bush ever took the Presidency, the unfinished business of Bush, Sr.

Some even argue that an ostensible reason for the war in Afghanistan and Iraq were hoped for, if not planned, well in advance. The fact that Bush issued a "Top Secret" order (recently declassified) to the Pentagon on September 17, 2001, ordering the war in Afghanistan and ordering the Pentagon to start preparation for the war in Iraq, adds to that argument. The fact that Bush initially (and still) resisted getting the support of US Congress and the UN bolstered that concern for some.

Bush asserted, "Whatever the duration of this struggle, and whatever the difficulties, we will not permit the triumph of violence in the affairs of men -- free people will set the course of history." He went on, "And we go forward with confidence, because this call of history has come to the right country." The State of the Union concluded "trust in them, placing our confidence in the loving God behind all of life, and all of history."

The opportunity has come to the right country - the right man -the man destined by God and history to take a place at a table that may have been set before his arrival.

Some question whether the trumpets heard for the Bush war will wake up the world or provide him his solo encore on a quest for history: pitting theologies, as the modern messiah against the evildoers of the world in a battle of the Gods.

More questions need to be answered. Blind loyalty and fear of knowing the truth are fruits of the same tree. Each, if accepted, stifles discussion and the dissemination of information. Both lead to paths to war.

Things are not always what they seem to be. If truth is to have any sense of priority we must never stop questioning. This is especially true when a nation is faced with war against another nation. And even more so, if one nation is to attack another before that nation has attacked it.

A Path More Traveled

There are historic roadmaps for war. A general approach is to create the problem, orchestrate the opposition, and lead a country to an intended result. Germany and Rome provide a couple of examples that are worth note. Consider this quote from Hermann Goering, president of the Reichstag, Nazi Party, and Luftwaffe Commander in Chief:

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

Julius Caesar offered this:

“Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.”
 

Through a massive propaganda campaign, the Bush administration has convinced most Americans that the war on Iraq will eliminate "the" Iraqi threat, reduce terrorism and somehow make this a safer world. The role of evidence has been relegated to a very low status with misguided fear directed to Iraq as the primary reason for the war on Iraq. President Bush has all but said that we have to get even for 9/11 and implies that the war on Iraq is part of the pound of flesh.

In his speech last week Bush mentioned Iraq and 9/11 eight or more times. Bush accents an impression that Iraq had something to do with 9/11 and implies that the war on Iraq may be part of getting even. In a recent CNN/Gallop Poll, 51% of those polled believed that Iraq was involved in 9/11. There is no evidence that ties Iraq to 9/11. This presents questions as to how informed those are that support the war on Iraq.

Wolfowitz has announced that we are seeing the last days of the United Nations. That could mean we are seeing the beginning of the new American century. Many lives shall be given for a cause which does not have world interests in mind and which will not make the US or the world safer. History has a long memory and astute sense for detail. The truth of the day may be the lie of tomorrow.