Hughes appeared as one of the pilgrims satirised by Mark Twain in his 1869 book Innocents Abroad, on his trip on the Grand Holy Land Pleasure Excursion. "None of us had ever been anywhere before; we all hailed from the interior; travel was a wild novelty... We always took care to make it understood that we were Americans - Americans!"
Hughes's simple, sincere and unadorned language reveals the administration's inner mind. Her ideas on terrorism and its solution are straightforward. "Terrorists," she said, "their policies force young people, other people's daughters and sons, to strap on bombs and blow themselves up." That is: somehow, magically, these evil-doers coerce the young to commit suicide. If only they would understand us, the tensions would dissolve.
"Many people around the world do not understand the important role that faith plays in Americans' lives," she said. When an Egyptian opposition leader inquired why Mr Bush mentions God in his speeches, Hughes asked him whether he was aware that "previous American presidents have also cited God, and that our constitution cites 'one nation under God'."
The Pledge of Allegiance since 1954 has contained "under God", and that is the source of "one nation under God".
The Constitution does not contain the word God.
But when you're a fundie idealogue, why let the facts get in the way of a good story? Pledge of Allegiance recited by school children, Constitution that has governed this country for its entire existence, uh, what's the difference?
And then there's that stupid book Hughes is holding during her Turkish photo op. On the cover, 4 American Presidents: Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, and .... George W. Photo Op. Pathetic.
In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
H. L. Mencken
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