Our Father, Who Art in Washington

[Geee]

American Thinker:

Images can be powerful. We have all seen films of the Nuremburg rallies. The torchlight processions, the banners, the chanting crowds: all purposely staged to elevate one man to a status as something more than human, a benevolent leader who promised fairness and payback against the evil enemies of the people. All things were possible through him. The trains would run on time, the capitalists and bankers would pay for taking advantage of the people. Social justice would finally be achieved if only the people would pledge themselves to him.

Juxtapose those images with a 2008 party rally in a Denver stadium. The Greek columns, the giant television screens, the laser light show: all dedicated to elevate a man who promised the wars would end, the earth would heal, and the oceans would halt their rise. Peace and justice at last. He was the one we were waiting for. Goebbels would have been proud.

Il Duce's portrait was ubiquitous in 1930's Italy. The stolid face with the up thrust chin, looking down over the nose became symbolic of Mussolini's fascism. "All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state." "State intervention in economic production arises only when private initiative is lacking or insufficient, or when the political interests of the State are involved. This intervention may take the form of control, assistance or direct management." Does any of this look or sound familiar?

Some images are meant to be powerful. From the works of master painters, to stained glass, to the inexpensive, gilded frame picture in many homes, Christ is frequently depicted with a halo. From background lighting, to a campaign symbol, to the presidential seal, a certain public servant is also frequently depicted with the appearance of a halo. Can we guess what image the latter's halo is meant to convey?

Words can be powerful, too, either spoken or written on paper. "Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" Some words are even carved in stone. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." What were the Jesuits at Georgetown thinking?