7/31/2012

July 31: George W. Bush Is Asked Whether The Iraq War Is The Start Of The Apocalypse

As I keep reading up on things apocalyptic, I'll use "empty" dates in this second half of the year for items I "missed" earlier. So today's entry is about March 20, 2006, when George W. Bush gave a press conference on the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. (per CNN transcript:)

QUESTION: Thank you for coming to Cleveland, Mr. President, and to the City Club.

My question is that author and former Nixon administration official Kevin Phillips in his latest book, "American Theocracy," discusses what has been called radical Christianity and its growing involvement into government and politics. He makes the point that members of your administration have reached out to prophetic Christians who see the war in Iraq and the rise of terrorism as signs of the Apocalypse.

QUESTION: Do you believe this, that the war in Iraq and the rise of terrorism are signs of the Apocalypse?

And if not, why not?

BUSH: Hmmm.

(LAUGHTER)

The answer is I haven't really thought of it that way.

(LAUGHTER)

Here's how I think of it.

First, I've heard of that, by the way.

I guess I'm more of a practical fellow. I vowed, after September the 11th, that I would do everything I could to protect the American people. And my attitude, of course, was affected by the attacks....

[Bush goes on to emphasize the seriousness of terrorism in its effect on small-business owners, and the need to bring terrorism to heel where it begins - in Afghanistan, for instance, or elsewhere preemptively - rather than fighting terrorists at home. He intimates that for this reason action could be needed against Iran.]

...I'm, kind of, getting off subject here, but not because I don't want to answer your question. But I guess that's what happens in Washington, we get a little long-winded.

(LAUGHTER)

But now that I'm on Iran, the threat from Iran, of course...

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel.

That's a threat. A serious threat. It's a threat to world peace. It's a threat in essence to a strong alliance.

I made it clear, and I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally Israel....

(APPLAUSE)

[Bush concludes his answer to the question by repeating some of his prior points about terrorism and the importance of protecting the American people.]