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 Rankles George W. Bush White House Press Corps Dean Trashes 'Faith Based' Plan Tells Bush that He's 'a Secular Official, Not a Missionary' |
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Compiled by GayToday
Thomas, often referred to as the "Dean of the White House Press Corps," grilled Bush about the plan during the president's first press conference yesterday. The Hearst Newspapers columnist suggested Bush has little appreciation for church-state separation. "Mr. President, why do you refuse to respect the wall between the church and state?," Thomas asked Bush. "And you know that the mixing of religion and government for centuries has led to slaughter. I mean, the very fact that our country has stood in good stead by having the separation -- why do you break it down?" Bush began to respond, saying, "Helen, I strongly respect the separation of church and state..." when Thomas interrupted to say, "Well, you wouldn't have a religious office in the White House if you did." Bush attempted a brief defense, arguing the constitutionality of his Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, including a muddled reference to "the line between the separation of church and state."
"I think Helen Thomas was speaking for millions of Americans yesterday when she reminded the president of the importance of church-state separation," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "After seeing Bush's priorities unfold in recent weeks, I think he may need additional reminders that he was elected the nation's president, not preacher." |
