These strange Debates

by Robert Thompson

For us simple folk in Europe a debate is an exchange of views directly between two or more parties, but we were told that the two carefully scripted television shows, the first starring Mr Bush and Mr Kerry and the second Mr Cheney and Mr Edwards, would be classified as debates. We would have thought of such programmes as being double monologues, which for us rather detracted from their appeal.

It was however a delight to see the obvious discomfort of Mr Bush when facing comments on his mistakes, and his "body-language" was most eloquent. In contrast, the Vice-President, who is definitely not as intellectually challenged as his chief, clearly showed his sharp (and even vicious) nature. Mr Kerry's address was interesting and showed a surprising degree of simplicity and directness, which should for ever have banished the accusation that he tends to be vague and aloof. Mr Edwards, clearly an excellent advocate, whose ability as such I can appreciate from my long years in the same field of activity, scored heavily against a highly articulate and crafty opponent by bringing in Mr Cheney's very shady corporate connections.

Mr Kerry and Mr Edwards seem both to have understood that their best chance lies in doing everything possible to bring out the truth about the events before, during and since the hideous attacks on 11th September 2001. After all the untruths which have become the hallmark of the Bush team, we can only hope that they will continue to work in the cause of bringing out the truth surrounding the shambles arising directly from the errors and stupidity of the present administration.

Commentators seem divided as to what the effect of these broadcasts will be on the electorate, and many of us worry over the fact that so many voters in the U.S.A. seem to prefer simple and easily digested lies to the complicated and difficult to understand facts which constitute the truth. We can only wish you well in freeing your country from the network of lies in which it is currently entangled. As a simple soul, trying hard to live as a Christian, I feel that I shall never manage to understand the hold which ferocious extremists who claim to be "Christian" have come to have over vast swathes of the electorate in the U.S.A. Their lack of willingness to accept a loving, compassionate and merciful God shocks me, and I can see signs of this rejection in the behaviour of both Mr Bush and Mr Cheney. The first merely looks and sounds lacking in comprehension, but the second goes further and looks and sounds vicious.

It seems that we can look forward to another broadcast by Mr Bush and Mr Kerry, and we must hope that the truth breaks through to illuminate the words and appearance of both men, and reveal all the inconsistencies in the behaviour of Mr Bush and his régime since his inauguration.

Robert Thompson - Robert.Thompson@wanadoo.fr is a retired French Avocat (Attorney) living in a small village in Northern France Read other articles by Robert Thompson