With God On Our Side

Sign me up for the Sarah Palin fan club.  Unlike a Dem poser at a candidates debate in 2004, our next Vice President knows her Lincoln and knows who is on whose side in wartime.  Here she is with Charles Gibson:

Sarah Palin on God:

GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, "Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God." Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN:  You know, I don't know if that was my exact quote.

GIBSON:  Exact words.

PALIN: But the reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincoln's words when he said -- first, he suggested never presume to know what God's will is, and I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words.

But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side.

That's what that comment was all about, Charlie.

For non-link followers, the poser at the Dem debate was John Kerry; John Edwards actually nailed the Lincoln connection.  So there you go - on this topic anyway, Sarah Palin is at least as prepared for the Vice-Presidency as John Edwards.

I'll post the exchange and my snideries after the break.  [The Gateway Pundit has the accurate Palin quote which Gibson misrepresented:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

For folks with an actual nose for news, the question about expanding NATO to include Georgia and the Ukraine is interesting.  Presumably Ms. Palin is simply defending McCain's approach here (which is to expand NATO to include both), and Gibson asks the obvious follow-up:

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine, definitely, at this point and I think that we need to -- especially with new leadership coming in on January 20, being sworn on, on either ticket, we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members.

We have got to make sure that that is the group that can be counted upon to defend one another in a very dangerous world today.

GIBSON: And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.

PALIN: What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against. We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries.

And we have got to be vigilant. We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to.

It doesn't have to lead to war and it doesn't have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.

His mission, if it is to control energy supplies, also, coming from and through Russia, that's a dangerous position for our world to be in, if we were to allow that to happen.

Her "perhaps" was accurate and Gibson was wrong about the US incurring an obligation to go to war - that's odd, since Gibson had prepared the question.  I am not an authority on our NATO treaty obligations, but Article Five looks like the relevant paragraph:

Article 5

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.            

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

OK, that includes but does not require an armed response - I'll score one for Palin's briefers and smite the ABC News prep team.  Geez, maybe Palin is ready to be Vice President and maybe she's not, but is ABC qualified to interview Vice Presidents?

In the closing scramble of the Democratic candidates debate, John "Coin-toss" Kerry manages to come down on both sides what should have been an easy question from Elisabeth Bumiller of the NY Times:

BUMILLER: Really fast, on a Sunday morning, President Bush has said that freedom and fear have always been at war, and God is not neutral between them. He's made quite clear in his speeches that he feels God is on America's side.

Really quick, is God on America's side?

KERRY: Well, God will -- look, I think -- I believe in God, but I don't believe, the way President Bush does, in invoking it all the time in that way. I think it is -- we pray that God is on our side, and we pray hard. And God has been on our side through most of our existence.

Man, is this guy a long-time, big-time professional politician, or what?  Memo to Kerry staff:  The questions will get progressively more difficult; if your candidate is intent on having an authentic moment, let him shout something like "Yankees Suck!", and hope that Hillary! will help repair the damage.  However, if he really has doubts about God's positioning vis a vis the USA, he had best keep them to himself.

There is an easy answer to this question.  Johnny On the Spot Edwards had his hand up, and was called on immediately; George Bush has heard this before, from Edwards, and was paying attention; Ronald Reagan knew it, and folks familiar with wars other than Vietnam, such as the Civil War or WWII, also knew it.  Let's go to Senator Edwards:

BUMILLER: Senator?

EDWARDS: Well, there's a wonderful story about Abraham Lincoln during the middle of the Civil War bringing in a group of leaders, and at the end of the meeting one of the leaders said, "Mr. President, can we pray, can we please join in prayer that God is on our side?" And Abraham Lincoln's response was, "I won't join you in that prayer, but I'll join you in a prayer that we're on God's side."

Not a trick question.  But not easy, if you haven't thought about it.  We serve God's plan, not vice versa.

Comments

[Mustang0302]

Also,

Europe has made its own choices. Including that of deciding against self-defense from either internal or external threats.

[kim]

You maunder on about 'theocrats', Michael, but tiptoe around Obama's perverted religiosity.

But, I had not realized Iceland's parliament was that old.
======================================

[Mustang0302]

Michael lives under a "theocracy", while worrying about the rise of one in the U.S., while ignoring the insidious advances of radical islam in Europe, while pretending that Iceland is a completely self-contained island of tranquility.

Michael has an overdeveloped need for drama.

[Mustang0302]

Michael,

One guess why Iceland has no fear of ever being invaded again?

[Mustang0302]

Q: What would suck more than being Russia's newest, largest "aircraft carrier"?

A1: Being a galley slave trying to row an island.

A2: Gracefully admitting you were wrong.

A3: Admitting that Sarah Palin poses no threat of imposing "theocracy".

[Michael J. Clarke]

countries that decided against self-defence in the last war did quite well considering-Sweden and Switzerland. At least they were not invaded.

The insidious rise of Islam in Europe is mostly third generation British nationals looking for a sense of identity. Fueled by that impostor socialist public school born again idiot Blair and his ridiculous love affair with GWB. However I must admit that they get a bit too much freedom of expression.

[Michael J. Clarke]

We've been the USA's aircraft carrier for over 50 years, make a nice change.
Sarah Palin poses no threat if the democrats get in.
I am never wrong.

[Captain Hate]

British food is mostly terrible, but Icelandic is wonderful and healthy!

Healthy as in you don't gain weight because it's not very appetizing? Sorry but I've been there and the food just isn't good. Maybe we just have different standards.

[Mustang0302]

Michael:

Who enforces international law?
(Hint: it's not the UN or NATO)

Is self-defense a right or an obligation?

Why did the U.S. leave Keflavik?

Why are you so eager to wear the chains of Russian (welcome change?) or religious oppression?

Sarah Palin is no threat to you, in or out of office (join a gym and start working out, she's what, 110lbs soaking wet?)

[Michael J. Clarke]

Food not good in Iceland? where did you eat, Macdonalds or KFC?

US left Keflavík because they assessed the threat to have disappeared from Russia. Despite it being called "The Iceland Defense Force" it proved what I always expected it to have been "The United States Defense Force" whose only interest was stopping Russian planes on the way west.
Self-defense is a right. The existence of a foreign army base made Iceland a nuclear target in the cold war. That danger has been removed.

"No chains" is better than shackles.
Sarah Palin is a threat to the whole world-
because taking Ukraine into Nato will start a nuclear war!

[Captain Hate]

where did you eat, Macdonalds or KFC?

Is it true you moved to Iceland to avoid non-paleskins?

[Michael J. Clarke]

I moved to Iceland becaue it is a great place, with real freedom, space, and an excellent social medicine system.

[Mustang0302]

Michael,

There are many here in the U.S. who share your views about Palin. They are actually helping to ensure her election by their vitriol (hear any conservatives bitching about Biden?). Thanks for helping, whether you know it or not.

How's your visa application coming? I know you're looking forward to casting a consequential vote for "whirled peas".

- How's that Russian threat looking these days? I can't tell, do you think it has "disappeared" or are you terrified of the threat of nukular war? (Don't worry...we'll defend you, appreciated or not)
- When the U.S. left Keflavik, did that render its runways and facilities useless/non-targetable? How about the GIUK gap?
- Which is more provocative...strength or weakness?
- What could Sarah Palin do, as VPOTUS or as POTUS, to establish an official state religion in the U.S.? What effect would that have on you in any case? (you were and remain wrong about this! Checkmate, old boy!)

[Mustang0302]

"excellent social medical system"

Michael, are you not well?

[Mustang0302]

"real freedom"

How about that "official state religion"?

Unbearable oppression, according to you!

[Mustang0302]

Michael,

Have you ever heard the phrase,"The flogging will continue until morale improves?"

How's your morale?

Buck up, old boy, things are looking up! Why so miserable?

[Captain Hate]

I moved to Iceland becaue it is a great place, with real freedom, blah blah blah

I had a great time while I was there, no doubt, and everybody was very friendly albeit a bit reserved which is fine by me. I'll take your word that they have real freedom although I'm not sure how that differs from what I enjoy; because I'm sure you're trying to make a snarky point.

[Mustang0302]

I'm just glad to be free from that "oppressive official state religion" that Michael so compliantly suffers under while obsessing about Sarah Palin "theocratizing" the U.S.

You started this Michael...want some more?

Thos. Jefferson indeed.

[Michael J. Clarke]

Ihave leukemis-iwould be dead in Uk or Usa as the drugs I got are only availble to the rich.

They worked fine on me and am in great health.

The official state religion only oppresses me in thtmy lesbian daughter can obly get blessed in church here, not married.

It does not oppress me as it has no other juradsiction over me.
Freedom is being able to go anyware, without fear.

[Mustang0302]

May you be well, Michael, and rich, and free...wherever you choose to live. Your daughter as well.

Get to know some of us gun-totin', bible-readin', redneck Americans. We're the last people on Earth you need to fear.

[Michael J Clarke]

A parting gift to you all:

http://www.beaueden.com/MC-Cain--Palin.jpg

[Mr. Jinks]

Well, here's an exact quote...and exactly how I feel:

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side.

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

-Bob Dylan

[Mr. Jinks]

Well, here's an exact quote...and exactly how I feel:

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side.

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

-Bob Dylan

[sophy]

I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy habbo gold .