*Statement by Joseph Hough
Joseph Hough, long time activist, Christian minister, ethics
professor and a leader in theological education has said:
“I have been very critical of this (Bush) administration in
several areas:
1. His cuts in programs for the poor and tax cuts for the rich
are in direct opposition to Christian teaching. As such I view his actions as
totally immoral and a sin against God.
2. His reckless unilateral plunge into a war with no clear
plan for the aftermath has made my country one of the most feared and hated in
the world. Far from being a beacon of freedom, we are now the ruthless war
machine that threatens and bullies any national leader who dares to confront
Mr. Bush and his administration (except, of course, those nations possessing
nuclear weapons). The carnage unleashed in this unprecedented pre-emptive war,
is in total violation of even the most conservative interpretation of the “Just
War” tradition, the mainstay of Christian moral thinking about war.
3. His fiscal policy has created the largest national debt
in American history, a catastrophic situation, the effects of which will fall
on my grandchildren and yours.4. His response to Katrina has been as disastrous as his war
policy. There was not, nor is there now, a coherent response from our President
to the enormous damage and suffering that Katrina caused our fellow Americans,
and this disaster has affected disproportionately those who are poor and black.5. He has repeatedly lied to the American people and
practiced a cynical kind of “bait and switch” style of leadership. For example,
his “leave no child behind,” a federal program that was trumpeted as an educational
reform, has never been adequately funded, leaving the financial burden of the
program on the state. In addition, his “greatest expansion of Medicare in
history” has been a big reward to the large pharmaceutical companies and confused
those who are the alleged to be the beneficiaries..6. He has violated international and national law with
impunity, justifying torture of prisoners of war and spying on the American
people. The indiscriminate recording of personal telephone calls is at the very
least a threat to privacy and the Fourth Amendment and may indeed be a
violation of this oath of office.
In summary, George Bush has been the most inept and deceitful
President of the United States
in my life time.”
*Joe Hough
*Note: The above is a personal statement and does not
necessarily reflect the views of any institutions or associates with whom the
author works or to which he belongs.