The final say

There are days when Bush’s rhetoric is so fuzzy, seems like a parody of Jon Stewart’s parody of him that it’s hard to focus on it. Which is the idea. Bush’s rhetoric is like the character described by Raymond Chandler: “From 30 feet away she looked like a lot of class. From 10 feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” Re-reading Bush’s statement about the Moussaoui verdict after reading Tristero’s discussion of it, yeah, Bush probably did intend to say in semi-coded form that the jury wimped out, showed a failure of will, cut and ran, etc. “The end of this trial represents the end of this case, but not an end to the fight against terror.” Meaning that this trial was a defeat in The War Against Terror (TWAT), justifying his decision not to let “terrorists” have access to the court system. Here’s the ending:

We have had many victories, yet there is much left to do, and I will not relent in this struggle for the freedom and security of the American people. And we can be confident. Our cause is right, and the outcome is certain: Justice will be served. Evil will not have the final say. This great Nation will prevail.

Very Protestant. Justice with a capital J, the outcome certain because our cause is right, i.e. God’s cause, but it is still a test of character, his character: “I” will not relent (like that jury did).