Barack Obama: High Priest-in-Chief?
Ironically, the president’s Nobel acceptance speech reestablished many of the (flawed) Bush justifications for war. Are we, or are we not, in a religious war?
Republican Gomorrah Documents the Christian Right Takeover of the GOP
Despite resorting to demonization and dated paradigms, Max Blumenthal’s muckraking first book traces the fascinating history of the religious right and its web of gothic and aggressive conspiracy theories—making a convincing case that the Republican Party has been “shattered” by a right-wing religious movement.
The Legacy of Bush, Gambler of Other People’s Fortunes, Is Still With Us
A look at Bush’s gambling habit is instructive as Obama works to fix the problems of his predecessor with a team cut from the Bush administration cloth.
Beltway pundits like to think of themselves as impartial umpires representing all points of view in the spirit of “Niebuhrian humility” without realizing that their uncritical acceptance of all points of view is, at best, not very Niebuhrian.
Purchasing Morality: What Happens When “Buying Local” Itself is Marketed?
Buying locally reminds us that purchasing is a mythical act that cements us to community in some magical way. But what if the very morality of a “local” act is being marketed in its own right? Is it just as moral to help a Palestinian cultural center build community as it is to buy Cisco products whose ads promise the same?
The Defense Department Gospel and America’s Desert Crusade
Bush-era intelligence briefings featured cover pages subtitled with decontextualized and misunderstood scripture in deference to the piety of the administration. Where were the Christian and Jewish moderates, and why didn’t they denounce this extremism?
Obama’s civil religion, like JFK’s and Bush’s before him, emphasizes the connection between God and American ideals. But Obama spoke not of “endowed rights” but of “God-given promise.” Rights are inherent in the creature while promises are to be fulfilled.
Revelations from Family of Secrets (an addendum)
Bush connections to JFK, the Bay of Pigs, and the Saudi royal family are investigated by renowned journalist Russ Baker in his new book, hot off the press.
New Book Reveals How Faith is Like a Covert Operation for the Bush Family
A brand new investigation of the Bush family reveals a religious narrative that strays from the official story circulated to supporters and the press. How many conversions did George W. actually have and why? How did a blue-blooded Episcopalian family come to represent the evangelicals of America?