Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Logically anyone voting for a second term for George Bush, with the knowledge that the Iraq War was based on misinformation must bear a measure of responsibility for the continuing horrifying death, destruction, and debt taking place every day.

This accountability factor has a strong Biblical basis.  And fundamentalist Christians who claim to believe the Bible represents God's word should seriously consider the biblical concept of accountability.

In words to this effect, it is biblically stated, "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, it is accorded a sin."

Biblical believers believe the Ten Commandments were actually written by the finger of God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" is as applicable in 2006 as it was in ancient times.

Modern current international law forbids going to war unless a nation faces imminent threat.

No other nation in the world, except sadly the U.S.A., has openly and daringly declared they have the right to conduct a preventive war.

There is no logical way the U.S. can justify such a barbaric policy.

When individuals apply for job, the extent of education is included in the resume.  "No child left behind" was a Bush educational mandate.  This policy was created to insure definite education standards are met.

That being the case, the question must me asked is this:

"Why isn't a definite educational background demanded on congressional leaders?"

For example, Tom DeLay's background as a pest exterminator is not to be held against him if he wants to become a member of Congress.

Likewise Dennis Hastert's background as a high school teacher and wrestling coach must not be held against him if he wants to become a member of Congress.

However, qualifications for a pest exterminator or a high school teacher and wrestling coach do not represent qualifications for Congress by themselves.  They need to be enhanced with education in history and foreign affairs.

Did Tom DeLay's or Dennis Hastert's backgrounds include historical knowledge of the Middle East?  Were their ethics above reproach so their word can be accepted as truth?

How many congressmen have a provable knowledge of the Middle East as well as current foreign affairs?  Knowledge of nations they are voting to go to war against is essential.

Were Bush, Cheney, or Rice sufficiently grounded with the historical background of the Middle East to make such far-reaching decisions as to launch a war against Iraq?  This rush to war has put the U.S. on the verge of bankruptcy.

Ronald Reagan had a background as a radio sportscaster as well as a motion picture and television actor along with serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild.  How this qualified him to become California's governor and later president of the United States may have rested primarily on celebrity status.

What educational background on foreign affairs did Ronald Reagan possess qualifying him to make such far-reaching decisions as helping launch a war in Afghanistan on the side of one of the most repressive political/religious systems on the planet?

When Bush became president, the U.S. launched another war in Afghanistan to throw out the very Taliban regime we had previously fought the Soviets to take over.

Why this turnaround?  It was claimed that the Taliban was not sufficiently guarding those valuable pipelines carrying oil across Afghanistan to the sea, where ships could carry the oil to the U.S.

Put simply, the U.S. decided the time had come for the Taliban to go.  Those precious pipelines carrying treasured oil must be guarded at all costs, so a new regime must take over.

What John Kerry was saying is exactly what scores of others have been also saying, namely, "If Bush had the educational background on Middle East history, he would never have gone into Iraq."

To take this logical statement and twist it into claiming that Kerry was denigrating the intelligence of U.S. troops by insulting their educational levels reveals just how low the Republicans will sink.

The Chicken Hawk Brigade, desperate for power, went to work as fast as lightning.  They failed to mention how many times Kerry had praised the troops in Iraq.  That would not suit Republican propaganda purposes.

Education can prove illuminating to the dark corners of an ignorant mind.  Even the slightest knowledge of religious wars of Sunnis and Shiites would alert a thinking educated mind to never, never inflame religious wars.

In the U.S.A. there are two topics considered most unwise to get into, those being politics and religion.  Why?  History tells what hideous events occurred when the dark ages era closely linked politics and religion.

Torture is well documented - burning at the stake or the rack tearing unbelievers' bodies apart.  In ancient times and even today in some nations stoning and stabbing are done, all in the name of God.

That is why the entire world looks on Iraq in "shock and awe" for what the U.S. is doing there now.

John Kerry was in reality tremendously kind to suggest it was Bush's lack of education that was somehow responsible for Iraq.

A Hague war crimes trial for this Republican Administration's leaders might not be so kind in judging motives for this disastrous Iraq War debacle.