In a "nuanced" speech at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi today, President Bush described Iran as "the world's leading state sponsor of terror" and warned Tehran that the United States is "rallying friends around the world to confront this danger before it is too late."

But while the Iranian government, among its numerous other crimes, "seeks to intimidate its neighbors with ballistic missiles and bellicose rhetoric," Bush comforted the assembled dignitaries by reassuring them that "our nations have a weapon more powerful than bombs or bullets. It is the desire for freedom and justice written into our hearts by Almighty God."

Now, it's one thing to hear this kind of rhetoric from, say, a civil rights leader engaged in a difficult struggle against apartheid. But when hearing it from self-described "war president," a lily-white plutocrat who has claimed a divine inspiration for his presidency, the words take on another tone - less about justice and more about imperial arrogance and smug self-righteousness. Perhaps even apocalyptic fanaticism.

As he told James Robinson,

The American people might have done well to consult with Annie Lennox's mother before going into their voting booths in November of 2000, but I suppose it's too late now.

Nor did our apparently divinely-guided leader elect to forgo the amenities in order to issue his clarion call to liberty.

Apparently human rights violations by our friends are not an issue. Tehran might want to take note of that. Oh, wait - it seems they've just forgotten which side to be on. Oh, well.

Perhaps God will sort it all out. Or perhaps that's been the problem.