Morning browsing

From a review of three books about the president, by Joseph M. Knippenberg, professor of politics at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

The Claremont Institute: A President, Not a Preacher: "In his post-9/11 speeches, President Bush has developed what could almost be called a theology of history, beginning from the proposition that '[l]iberty is...the plan of Heaven for humanity,' or, in other words, that liberty is 'the right and the capacity of all mankind.' America was attacked because 'we are freedom's home and defender.' 'America has no empire to extend or utopia to establish. We wish for others only what we wish for ourselves...safety from violence, the rewards of liberty, and the hope for a better life.' The president assures that we shall prevail in this contest because, variously, '[t]he current of history runs strongly toward freedom,' 'our cause is just,' people the world over 'want their liberty pure and whole,' and, finally, 'the author of freedom is not indifferent to the fate of freedom.' If indeed 'the calling of our time' is 'the advance of freedom,' and if America is 'freedom's home and defender,' with a 'special calling to promote justice and to defend the weak and suffering of the world,' then it is perhaps easy to understand how President Bush can speak so confidently of a conflict between good (us) and evil (them). Even so, to act on behalf of the good is a burden and responsibility, not an entitlement."

The link is from one of my favorite sites, Arts and Letters Daily.
I notice that they also picked up the Kierkegaard piece and the Drezner piece,both of which I already mentioned. Link Link
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