Spring Break
The Bush think tank: A giant Trojan horse among the Ponies?
Andrew Weaver and George Crawford, Contributing Writers
Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Opinion
The United Methodist Church has been under attack from a comparatively small neo-conservative think tank called the Institute on Religion and Democracy for 25 years, which spends about half million dollars a year relentlessly bashing the UMC for its social conscience. Yet President Bush told Time Magazine in 2005 that the founder of IRD and present board member, neo-conservative Catholic priest Richard John Neuhaus, is a trusted advisor (4).
When President Bush met with religious journalists in May 2004, the religious authority he cited most often was not a fellow United Methodist or even another Protestant. It was a man the president affectionately calls "Father Richard" who, the President explained to Time in 2005, "helps me articulate these [religious] things." A senior administration official confirmed to Time that Neuhaus "does have a fair amount of under-the-radar influence" on such policies as abortion, stem-cell research, cloning and the defense-of-marriage amendment (4).
Imagine what IRD and other neo-conservatives could do with $500 million and the ex-president's continued support at SMU!
Southern Methodist University's mission statement says "The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage. Those who have been loyal to SMU and the United Methodist Church deserve to have an open and comprehensive debate about the Bush project over the next several months before any formal agreement is approved."
About the writers:
Andrew J. Weaver, Ph.D., is a United Methodist minister and research psychologist living in New York City. He can be reached at aweaver747@aol.com. He is a 1978 graduate of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He has co-authored 12 books including: Counseling Survivors of Traumatic Events (Abingdon, 2003) and Reflections on Grief and the Spiritual Journey (Abingdon, 2005).
George W. Crawford, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, SMU, 1963-1992, Professor Emeritus teaching one course per year, 1993-2005. Elected to serve on the Methodist Board of Christian Social Concerns (now Church and Society) from 1960-72. Long time member of Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas.
References:
(1) W library in record book $500M center would be priciest for a Prez by Thomas M. DeFrank, nydailynews.com/front/story/ 475052p-399492c.html.
(2) Dubya's Tower of Babel by Bill Berkowitz, mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=171.
(3) Battle Tanks: How think tanks shape the public agenda. Center for Media and Democracy by Bob Burton, prwatch.org/prwissues/2005Q4/battle-tanks.
(4) Neocon Catholics target mainline Protestants by Andrew Weaver, mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=142.
When President Bush met with religious journalists in May 2004, the religious authority he cited most often was not a fellow United Methodist or even another Protestant. It was a man the president affectionately calls "Father Richard" who, the President explained to Time in 2005, "helps me articulate these [religious] things." A senior administration official confirmed to Time that Neuhaus "does have a fair amount of under-the-radar influence" on such policies as abortion, stem-cell research, cloning and the defense-of-marriage amendment (4).
Imagine what IRD and other neo-conservatives could do with $500 million and the ex-president's continued support at SMU!
Southern Methodist University's mission statement says "The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage. Those who have been loyal to SMU and the United Methodist Church deserve to have an open and comprehensive debate about the Bush project over the next several months before any formal agreement is approved."
About the writers:
Andrew J. Weaver, Ph.D., is a United Methodist minister and research psychologist living in New York City. He can be reached at aweaver747@aol.com. He is a 1978 graduate of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He has co-authored 12 books including: Counseling Survivors of Traumatic Events (Abingdon, 2003) and Reflections on Grief and the Spiritual Journey (Abingdon, 2005).
George W. Crawford, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, SMU, 1963-1992, Professor Emeritus teaching one course per year, 1993-2005. Elected to serve on the Methodist Board of Christian Social Concerns (now Church and Society) from 1960-72. Long time member of Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas.
References:
(1) W library in record book $500M center would be priciest for a Prez by Thomas M. DeFrank, nydailynews.com/front/story/ 475052p-399492c.html.
(2) Dubya's Tower of Babel by Bill Berkowitz, mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=171.
(3) Battle Tanks: How think tanks shape the public agenda. Center for Media and Democracy by Bob Burton, prwatch.org/prwissues/2005Q4/battle-tanks.
(4) Neocon Catholics target mainline Protestants by Andrew Weaver, mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=142.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Andrew Baker
posted 1/18/07 @ 11:56 AM CST
So...you agree with SMU's dedication to academic freedom just as long as it is not based in conservative thought? Hmm...interesting.
Suzanne Quillian
posted 1/18/07 @ 1:58 PM CST
On the matter of the proposed Bush Library, I feel I can rather accurately reflect the opinion of former Perkin's dean Joseph Quillian, were he alive today, for we often spoke of the responsibilities of leadership and the crucial need for honesty and integrity among our leaders. (Continued…)
Tom Wrenn
posted 1/18/07 @ 2:56 PM CST
Bushie, as my family call him, has let down both his family and extended Conservative base across the country. This administration is in serious decline and really has been since the declared war on Saddam or Sad Sack Hussein. (Continued…)
Al
posted 1/18/07 @ 11:42 PM CST
The city of Dallas should be embarassed if this plan follows through. They will not only be known as the city that assinated a president but now the city foolish enough to build a $500 million terrorist target in the center of it. (Continued…)
Jeff Kaye
posted 1/19/07 @ 8:19 AM CST
Freedom of Speech?? Only if it reflects kindly on Liberals! Hypocrits!! As an alum, I want the library and think tank.
Jacquelyn Harrison
posted 1/19/07 @ 2:44 PM CST
Truly conservative thinking for an American is not dishonest contortion of facts for personal aggrandizement, nor obliteration of opposing views to claim attention or prominence. (Continued…)
g
posted 1/19/07 @ 4:35 PM CST
Not only will the $500M fiasco called the Bush Library be a terrorist target, but the house he is building in the middle of Highland Park will also be a target. (Continued…)
Steve Savage
posted 4/25/07 @ 1:17 PM CST
I for one am frustrated that these so-called "Think Tanks" are plopped on college campuses in a cynical bid to give them some sort of legitimacy. Why not have them build their Ministry of Truth on its own land and affiliate it proudly with its donors, mostly wealthy Saudis, neoconservative hacks, and political pundits. (Continued…)
William H. Mee
William H. Mee
posted 4/11/08 @ 4:44 AM CST
A nationwide class action lawsuit should be started to seek an injunction from breaking ground and spending any money from the Bush Foundation. The funds should then seized to compensate families of GIs that have lost children in the internationally illegal Iraq War started by G. (Continued…)
Vince Gonzales
posted 5/10/08 @ 9:32 AM CST
Mr. Mee, I agree with ost of your statements, HOWEVER, Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, not College Station. It is an affront of near equal proportions to place us in the home of the Texas Aggies as it is to place the Bush Library at this campus. (Continued…)
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