Former German Leader Takes Bush To Task

In Memoir, Gerhard Schroeder Tells Of Suspicions Raised By U.S. President's Mix Of Politics And Religion

(AP)  Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, whose second term was marked by vehement opposition to the war in Iraq, described in an advance copy of his memoirs how he was suspicious of U.S. President George W. Bush's constant references to his Christian faith.

In an excerpt of his book, "Decisions: My Life in Politics" published in the German weekly Der Spiegel Saturday, Schroeder discusses the key political choices that marked his seven-year term in office, including the decision to call early elections and his split with U.S. President George W. Bush over the Iraq war.

"I am anything but anti-American," Schroeder told Spiegel in an interview to accompany the excerpt of the more than 500-page book that is to go on sale Thursday.

In it Schroeder, who led the Social Democrats to power in 1998, recalls the tears in his eyes as he watched television footage of people jumping from the burning World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

He knew Germany would have to react, he wrote, adding, "It was important to me that Germany fulfill its requirements as an ally" of the U.S.

"It was also fully clear to me that this could also mean the German army's participation in an American military mission," Schroeder wrote.

Several months later, during Bush's 2002 visit to Berlin, Schroeder wrote that he was surprised at what he described as the president's "exceptionally mild" speech to the German parliament.

While meetings with Bush at that time were friendly, he wrote, Schroeder said he could not reconcile himself with the feeling that religion was the driving force behind many of the President's political decisions.

"What bothered me, and in a certain way made me suspicious despite the relaxed atmosphere, was again and again in our discussions how much this President described himself as 'God-fearing,'" Schroeder wrote, adding he is a firm believer in the separation of church and state.

"We rightly criticize that in most Islamic states, the role of religion for society and the character of the rule of law are not clearly separated," Schroeder wrote.

"But we fail to recognize that in the U.S.A., the Christian fundamentalists and their interpretation of the Bible have similar tendencies."

Schroeder won a second term in office campaigning against joining the U.S. in Iraq, in 2003, but called early elections last year, after his Social Democrats suffered a series of setbacks at the state level he felt would weaken their chance to push through badly needed economic reforms.

His party narrowly lost the election to the Christian Democrats, and although it remains in power as part of a left-right coalition, Schroeder lost the chancellorship to Angela Merkel and stepped down as party leader.

[pendragon679]

Actually, only the King James version of the Bible (not the best translation) and those based on it state, "Thou shalt not kill." The actual commandment is, "Thou shalt not commit murder." There's a difference.
Having said that, I have to agree with Mr. Schroeder here. I've frequently been disturbed by King Dubya's constant invoking of God to justify and/or rationalize his actions. He seems not to realize that the Islamists we're fighting against use the exact same rhetoric to justify their own actions. Dubya's abuse of his "Christian" faith to justify the wanton slaughter of 3,000 Americans and thousands more innocent Iraqis seems horidly reminiscent of the idea, "If God is with us, who could possibly be against us?" Trouble is, the Islamists are using the same faulty reasoning.

[agnim]

jh6379

It doesn't take a high school grad to make a 'good point' with respect to our 'born again' (but still brain dead -- from alcohol) leader. LOL

[agnim]

"Hey apwmel, what's with the multiple posts? You think we didn't get it the first time?"

Geneius

That post is as funny as hell. LOL

Anyway, sometimes the system doesn't always register the post difinitively. That may lead some to 'try posting again', hence the multiples.

Refreshing the browser before trying to post again seems to do the trick.

[Geneius]

Hey apwmel, what's with the multiple posts? You think we didn't get it the first time?

[bunnyday-2009]

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's anti-intellectual and anti-capitalistic domestic policies crashed around his ears and he only won re-election by dint of refusing to support American policy in Iraq (in lock step with our friends the French). In the end America bashing wasn't enough to save his political career. In his personal life he has been married four times leading to much derision among the German electorate. Schroeder is Bush bashing to sell books and we shouldn't support him in this. I have no idea if Bush's politics are run by his religious belief but I wouldn't take Schroeder's word for it as he is the lowest sort of politician.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[apwmel-2009]

Bush is not a Christian. God said in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Kill. It didn't say Thou Shall Not Kill but after 9/11 you can kill all you want. Bush also signed more death warrants in TX than any governor in history but he claims to be pro life. Where are the Pastors in America to stand up for what the Bible says in full and not picking and choosing certain passages that fit there point of view.

[emhawks]

I don't know much about former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder & his beliefs/outlook on government & life in general. To me, he has made a very good point about Bush. Bush & Cheney have shown by their actions that they do not fear God & that they are not Christians.
As someone said earlier @ this site, for Bush(or Cheney) to call himself a Christian, is to insult Christians everywhere.
God will not be mocked.

[Geneius]

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious."
Aristotle

[grazinggoat]

But we fail to recognize that in the U.S.A., the Christian fundamentalists and their interpretation of the Bible have similar tendencies... Quote from German Ex-Chancellor Schroeder.
Big part of Europe see US as another Iran (with some distinctions obviously). So are we waging a religious war against Islamic countries? Did the US citizens elect another pope (George-II) by voting for him?

[itchybrain]

To condone torture is to go against every precept this country was founded upon. It is un-American and a disgrace to our country. It is a testimony to the inherent evil of the people in power in this country today, Republican and Democrat. We have lost our moral authority and we have become as our enemies.

For the president to call himself a Christian is to insult Christians everywhere. If I were the him, I'd fear God, too.

[tank611]

The Muslim insurgents/terrorists in Iraq are torturing and MURDERING hundreds of innocent Iraqis every month.

Oh yeah,it's only torture if the United States is 'accused' of it,not when Muslims are torturing other Muslims.

[grazinggoat]

Janem4, what's wrong showing the wrong doing of this administration? Republicans have theirs and must be made public on every opportunity. The coming elections is crucial and public has to be well informed. Why would not CBS news talk about it? Are you imposing silence on media?

[book54552134]

It's amazing the degree of bloodlust that come out of elements of the Extremist Right when they comment on stories like this. Their point of view is that War Crimes are acceptable only when agents of the US commit them under the auspices of the current corrupt regime. They seem to have a lot of trouble understanding the fact that War Crimes are unacceptable regardless of whom is responsible. However, it would appear that, because of recent actions taken by Republicans & spineless Democrats in the Senate, that those responsible for commiting these War Crimes will never be held accountable for anything they've done. One thing is indisputable. The US is now a nation which sometimes tortures prisoners under it's purview & will undoubtedly continue to do so for some time to come.

[tiger_fairy9]

Hmm...Now we're bring Germany into this now huh? I actually believe the reports that Germany is putting out:If they say so, then it's probably true.

And unless the Americans are starting to put bunkers underneath that Germany base, then I really doubt that they'd have the ability to slip terriorists into the country without any of the German people asking "What the heck is going on?"