Peter,

you know, i think the thing with bush is that he's led a blessed life...not that everything he touches turns to gold but that things have usually had a way of working out for him...until now. his ego and (over)confidence got in the way of a more rational approach to how to handle iraq. that's the simple answer. the longer answer would involve whether or not i believe that God actually speaks to us...and i do. for me it's not a voice i hear; it's more a moment of clarity where no other options are as worthy as the one being considered. unlike bush i don't have all sorts of people around me trying to influence my decisions in life so for me when i feel God is trying to tell me something i think i'm more prone to hear it. with bush i'd have to believe that it's possible that even God's own attempts to communicate can get drowned out amongst the din of all the other voices and suggestions...i don't know. it seems to me that most of the old testament prophets who actually received direction from above were guys who led isolated lives...not that God can't get through to anyone at any time.

if bush really did receive guidance from above it would probably be best if he kept that to his inner circle. it's not at all uncommon for people of faith to understand that people actually do look to God for direction...and because bush is simply a man it's also possible that he made more of a perceived message from God than was really there if it was ever there at all. i used to see footage of clinton leaving church on sunday mornings with his bible in hand. i don't know if he ever said anything about asking God for direction but i wouldn't fault him if he did...i would hope that he did/would. it's all a part of the world of faith...you either buy into it or you're a skeptic...not that some people don't try and hedge their bets by embracing a bit of both.

kevin g