George Bush has been described as the closest thing to an Ayatollah in 'western' politics. would you agree?

Question

And if you agree or disagree why?

Barbara farl, the comparison was made by Jonathan Miller, A British philosopher/ academic, it doesn't make him right, but it's not exactly kiddie circles :D

There are many differences between George W and an Ayatollah. America is not a theocracy (yet), and the president’s mandate does go beyond the Christian Right that moulded him. He is accountable at some level to his electorate. However I think he shows creeping similarities to certain aspects of religious fundamentalism in the Middle East. George’s religious beliefs place him on the fundamentalist wing of Christianity, coupled with American Republicanisms propensity to wrap itself up in the flag, this makes for a curious and potent mix of religion and nationalism, which I think moves the US closer to the regimes of the middle east and further away from other Western governments.
Are there some echoes of Clerical\religious rule in the way the president is able to use his ‘Faith’ to influence the judiciary, the school syllabus, to restrict scientific research and as a factor in his foreign policy (God told him it was ok)? He's no Ayatollah yet, but he's gettting there!

Answer 1

I don't think that the true Ayatollah would be happy with that description.

Its very easy to bash Bush, he makes himself a very easy target. But in all honesty can he really be desribed this way? Probably not.

Do I agree with his policies, no.

Do I think he started all this, no.

Could he handle things better, hell yes.

I don't think he inflames hatred to the middle east the was recent Ayatollah's have towards the west. I think he seems to be more on their side if anything by giving them more reasons to hate the US. I don't think he realises this yet though (lets face it he's not the biggest sandwich in the picnic).

Answer 2

Not at all, the Ayatollah was faithful to his religious beliefs. Bush uses his to get what he wants. He's a phony, a liar and swaggering egotist.
His pandering to the evangelicals, the Jerry Falwells, Pat Robertson and the like on 'morality' issues, pro-life, anti-stem cell research , anti-gays, etc put him over the top in some states Even at that, the Supreme Court had to give him the election. Now, they even want to re-interpret the Constitution. .
George Bush, a warmongering hoax. A divisive and destructive influence for the entire USA. Worse than the Ayatollah!

Answer 3

Not really, more Adolf Hitler i'd say, didn't he try to conquer the World one country at a time. As Italy was to Germany in World War II , the UK is to USA now, stick close to the big guns. Every British PM has been the same regardless of whether we agree with them or not. It makes me cringe when Blair and Bush meet and put on that fake smile, the whole world can see its Bulls..t! Trying to force Western policies down the throats of the Middle East was always going to be a recipy for disaster in an area where Religion comes first. We should leave well alone, these countries have been at war with each other for as long as i can remember, they have never threatened us or any Western countries, they feud with one another. We shouldn't have got involved and its our involvement that has bred todays Terrorists. Hate to say it but we've bought it all on ourselves. Needless to say, any terrorist captured should be executed because it is cowardice. It they want a fight attack at Millitary Base, not a State Building full of civillians or a bus/train.

Answer 4

No.

Liberals tend to demonize the opposition.. They did it with Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, and Bush Sr. Nothing has changed.. it's the same old tired rhetoric of DC politics and the sheep that buy the liberal line of crap.

Bush for all the ill will should let lose the hounds of war.. This playing PC politics in a time of war is ludicrous.

I think Bush domestically acts like drunken democrat domestic spending is beyond the pail. And a complicitly drunken spending congress won't complain as long as they can take moneys back to their state for bridges to nowhere and idiotic LBJ style medicare plans..

A lib is a lib whether Republican or Democrat.

in all likelihood you don't remember that the worst president in history was around to all the Ayatollahs come to power in Iran. Jimmy "Himey" Carter hates the jews and does everything in his power to promote the petty tyrants of the world in the name of his good will. Slick Willy is right in there with him. At least Bush isn't doing that.

Answer 5

If you take many of Dumbya's statements about the evils of Islamofascists, and just substitute "right wing christianist" you see they are just two sides of the same coin. So do that with any Dumbyabot friends you might have and hope for the best for an awakening. Down with Dictator Dumbya!!!

Answer 6

I agree. Little by little he has eroded our freedoms. He constantly uses scare tactics to panic many lazy citizens. If we do nothing we will be in the same position as the U>S>S>R in the 60's. We (I) will be unable to think or do anything independantly. Shades of 1984.

Answer 7

No. Ayatollahs are supposed to be learned in Islamic texts and experts in Islamic studies. I don't see how the term can apply to Bush in any way.

Answer 8

No, he is not a religious freak. Bush has took a lot of **** but I believe any president would have in the given circumstances. I am glad the US are aggressive in dealing with world fanatics (Remember Hitler - shame someone didn't stop him in his tracks) - unlike us at times - f u c k i n g pussycats who put human rights before human life. I support the US in lots of the views including capital punishment. The US may not be perfect but it does put its citizens first and has the courage of its convictions unlike us the soppy British.

Answer 9

That and more I do not think the Ayatollah attracted the USA did he? bush is out to attack any country that disagrees with him.

Answer 10

No, he's the closest thing to George Washington, because he believes in the country.

He's the closest thing to being a real president since Clinton was elected.