The Terrorists Would View A Bush Loss As Their Biggest Victory Since 9/11
This excerpt from the Iraqi Blog, “The Mesopotamian” is going to rankle Democrats even though everything in it is not just true, but painfully obvious to anyone who’s paying attention…

“In case President Bush loses the election there would be a massive upsurge of violence, in the belief, rightly or wrongly, by the enemy, that the new leadership is more likely to “cut and run” to use the phrase frequently used by some of my readers. And they would try to inflict as heavy casualties as possible on the American forces to bring about a retreat and withdrawal. It is crucial for them to remove this insurmountable obstacle which stands in their way. They fully realize that with continued American and allies’ commitment, they have no hope of achieving anything.

On the other hand if President Bush is reelected, this will prove to them that the American people are not intimidated despite all their brutality, and that their cause is quite futile. Yes there is little doubt that an election victory by President Bush would be a severe blow and a great disappointment for all the terrorists in the World and all the enemies of America. I believe that such an outcome would result in despair and demoralization of the “insurgent elements” here in Iraq, and would lead to the pro-democracy forces gaining the upper hand eventually. Note that we are not saying that President Bush is perfect, nor even that he is better than the Senator, just that the present situation is such that a change of leadership at this crucial point is going to send an entirely wrong message to all the enemies.”

George Bush is to terrorism what Ronald Reagan was to Communism: its greatest foe. And if he loses, make no mistake about it, the terrorists will view it as their greatest victory since 9/11. Maybe its impolitic to point that out, but it’s true….

John Hawkins

http://www.rightwingnews.com

In a way Andy – but its out by several thousand miles. Try Rangitoto. And I did go last night and it was beautiful. It’s been there from before I was born and will be there after I die – and some presidents will come and go during that time too. There’s a word-picture analogy for the discussion!

Isn’t it interesting to see John remove his religion from his rear and stick it on his sleeve during elections. All other times he behaves as a closet anti-religion, secularist, atheist. The President has always worn his faith on his sleeve, like he actually believes it. Like all other issues, Bush takes a stand and you know what it is, like it or not.

Please help defeat this shameless phony Kerry by going to the polls and convince two others to go with you. The experts say “It is all going to be about turnout”. Be sure to leave time for long lines. Many states allow you to vote early by absentee ballot on site, even if you have missed the deadline for absentee ballot return. For this option, call your County’s Registrar of Voters shown on information you received by mail, or do a google of your ‘town’ and ‘state’ and ‘Registrar of Voters’ to get the tel number.

I am very happy to see that you have joined our discussion!

Please forgive my impolite rhetoric, I am easily excited about these things. Perhaps I am over-reacting to some things you are saying that I assume incorrectly are the same as some opinions of others that sound the same on an initial reading.

There are two points I would like to respond to in your above comment. Since you have studied the Bible in a Reformed setting, I expect that my own errors will be exposed. But that is the best way to learn after all.

First, you quote WCF IX.1 and then the next sentence you say “Everyone has a free will…”. Perhaps I am mistaken, but that gives this reader the impression that you intend to say that one leads to the other. However context provided by WCF IX.2 and 3 make it clear that IX.1 referred to Man before the fall, and so does not directly describe us at this time. The citations given for IX.1 are also informative (especially Dt 30:19), because they show us that the focus of IX.1 is that the responsibility is ours for the consequences we see in the world, and that is because they result from our own choices. In addition, the word liberty does not mean the same thing as free as in free will. Dictionary.com gives one definition of liberty as “The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one’s own choosing.” I haven’t heard any Reformed claim that we don’t make own choices, it’s just that our choices are made through our will in accordance with God’s plan.

You point to WCF V.4, which is also very interesting because it draws the distinction between what God has created and the sin that exists in within that creation. The fact is that the same act, an abortion for example, can be both sinful and non-sinful. It is sinful to take an innocent human life, and yet God uses that act for some purpose, perhaps as a basis for the mother to come to God because of her suffering that resulted from that loss. God is the author of the latter, and not of the former, but they are the same act. That is what I think 1 John 2:16 means by saying sin comes from the world and not from the Father. Another example might be the upcoming election as described above by Jeannie. The election itself will come about through many sins (on both sides, regrettably), but the outcome will serve God’s holy purpose.

Now as you suggested, David, I went and re-read your post. One problem I have is you contrast free will with coercion. I find that phrasing unusual, because I don’t see God as coercing us. We are simply his creation. Perhaps you are drawing a distinction that is not the classical Arminian one. You then said “Where we differ from others is that we also say that man’s will is bound by his nature.” But you just cited WCF IX.9 which includes “neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature.” I hestitate to quibble, since I too make mistakes and change my mind, but I thought it worth pointing out.

I would be happy to move this discussion over to your blog, but the entry La Shawn cited is from June.

La Shawn, I hope you slept well while the blogosphere typed Godly discussion onto your website. Have a Happy Lord’s Day!

And, the Bible is pretty clear, that while Man cannot stop God’s soveriegn will, Man has free will…free will to cast or not cast a ballot; free will to choose for whom to cast the ballot.

As Christians, I believe our peace is supposed to come from the knowledge that our future is in God’s hands–not man’s. No matter who is president when–I’m going to be with Jesus upon my death.

So while I believe that my immediate physical safety would be better protected by another Bush term, as well as my economic prosperity or even stability; my source is the Lord as well as my protection. I will fear no evil…not even whiney, head-in-the-sand crybabies dressed as Democrats!

Five minutes away from the beach? Must be very nice.