Bush in Church..Where does Kerry go??

Published on July 16, 2004 By ShadowWar In Politics

Subject: Bush in church, Very interesting

I'm at the 8:00am service at my church, St. John's Episcopal, at Lafayette Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early because I was going with Alice and Brent for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Manassas.) Much of the service was uneventful--nice, but uneventful--until it comes to the part of the service when the priest says, "Greet one another in the name of the Lord."

I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was was on the other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around to say hello to the person behind me. The person behind me was our 43rd President George W. Bush. I am not kidding.

A small crowd was forming around him, and not wanting to delay the church service or bother him by waiting to shake his hand, I turned back around and sat down and talked to Amy. About 30 seconds later I felt a hand on my left shoulder and turn around to see President Bush with his hand extended. "Peace of the Lord, " he said and held my hand with both of his. "Peace of the Lord," I replied, and held both his hands and smiled at him.

I turned back around and was remarkably calm about the fact that the most powerful person in the world was sitting two feet behind me. I could hear him flipping through his bulletin as the priest made the announcements. I loved the idea of him thinking, "Oh, there's a covered dish next Sunday." We perched and when I stood up to go to the communion rail, he got up and walked down the aisle behind me. We passed a little old lady who said, "Mr. President, I pray for you every day." To which he said, "That's a very special gift. Thank you so much." We got to the communion rail and there were two spaces, one in front of us and one around the side of the altar. We both surmised for ten seconds and then I started off around the corner. He stopped me and whispered, "No, no. I'll go around" and motioned for me to take the closer spot. The only exception made in the entire service was that the President was allowed to leave first and then the rest of the congregation followed.

With all sincerity, and partisanship aside I tell you: This is a special man! There is a peace and a Godlinessabout him. It radiates from him. It is the only reason that I was able to remain calm. It was more than the adrenaline I've felt when I've met other famous people. A goodness flows through this man. He has more than my vote in November. He has my respect, my prayers, and my gratitude. Whatever your political affiliation, and whether or not you agree with his decisions, you should take comfort in the fact that--despite recent press attacks--this is a man of integrity who makes decisions because he believes that are RIGHT, not popular. He makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer.

I don't mean to go on, and on, but I truly believe this was a blessing from God that should be passed on.

Laura Lefler
Office of Senator Lamar Alexander
302 Hart Senate Office Building
202-224-4944
fax: 202-228-3398

This letter/memo was written by the above Aide for her friends. She did not expect it to go throught the internet. Guess Bush is a "practicing" Christian. Kerry?? I don't know but would like to.

Comments

historyishere

on Jul 16, 2004

This letter/memo was written by the above Aide for her friends. She did not expect it to go throught the internet.

Office of Senator Lamar Alexander

I am highly doubt that this was actually written as a missive between friends and it wasn't expected to go through the internet. It seems more likely that it was a cynical attempt to use the power of internet to make people ask the very same (though important) question that you are asking yourself without actually accusing Kerry of the same thing. Its an easy and cheap way of casting doubts with a high degree of deniability. It is a very good stroke too.

kingbee

on Jul 16, 2004

the text below is excerpted from an essay entitled "the politics of piety" by rick pearlstein (author of "Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus") as published by the la times, july 11, 2004

But apparently Kerry is supposed to be something more: more than a former altar boy who once considered the priesthood, more than a weekly churchgoer (Bush rarely goes to church), more than a man possessed by the deeply Catholic conviction that actively supporting political programs that advance compassion count as much in God's eyes as the faith one holds in one's heart. Link

dubz

on Jul 16, 2004

i dont give a crap about bush. he did wrong things. you dont vote for someone cause hes good to be around. we need jobs and we need a better america. i wouldnt feel great having him as out defensive strategy. he is so negative especially in his advertisements. cant say or do anything positive. kerry is at least giving out to people. bush is crooked and its all true in fahrenheit 9/11. moore offered 1 million dollars to someone who can prove him wrong. nobody can cause he looked closely at things.

kerry gives us a chance and more diversity rather than old rich white republicans. yes bush has put african americans in high positions but its not helping the african american community with his policies. Kerry gives a more diverse way even though he has a few white people, he gives respect and will give people better choices and definetly reach out to minorities. And kerry comes from a lot more diverse party. Bush, sure he helped you out but think of what he did to many people. He might have that attitude to get votes but then fall off like he did before and not care about anybody.

Angloesque

on Jul 16, 2004

"kerry gives us a chance and more diversity rather than old rich white republicans"

Right. Kerry, a career politician, courting the votes of the NAACP (avowed Bush haters), from Mass. from a "prominent" (read blue-blooded) family, gies us a chance with more diversity. I think that's a bunch of crap.

I think Moore is full of crap, too, but clever crap.

stevendedalus

on Jul 17, 2004

There's a world of difference between an Episcopalian and a Texas Evangelical--what was he doing there other than political reasons--and receiving communion no less!

shadesofgrey

on Jul 17, 2004

With all sincerity, and partisanship aside I tell you

What partisanship? Alexander is a Republican.

Regardless, I don't base my vote on who goes to church--that's the joy of separation of church and state.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jul 17, 2004

What partisanship? Alexander is a Republican.

Excellent point, and a "lock in step" Bushie as well.

This goes on to further cast doubts on its place as a "private" email.

One thing I won't do where either politician is concerned, though, is disparage their faith. Faith is a personal issue and it shouldn't be a campaign issue, IMO. What this brings to mind, actually, is the 1996 presidential election. While Bob Dole and Bill Clinton had both gone to the same Methodist church, Dole switched churches before the campaign began because his advisors didn't want the two to be linked.

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