Bush Manipulated by Rumsfeld using Religion?

GQ Magazine published some startling cover sheets for President George W. Bush's top-secret briefings that were prepared by Rumsfeld. Each one features a photo from the Iraq war, with a biblical quote superimposed, suggesting that the war against Iraq was more of a Christian jihad than a war of liberation or to protect American security. With no further insight into who prepared them and why, they're chilling, un-American, unpatriotic, and show a shocking ignorance of the history of colonialism and Islam in the Middle East. If those cover sheets had been leaked during the heat of the Iraq war, there's no telling the damage that would have been done to America's image (that is, if it was even possible for it to get any lower).

But it gets worse. Frank Rich of the New York Times wrote a startling accusation three days ago:

As Draper writes, Rumsfeld is not known for ostentatious displays of piety. He was cynically playing the religious angle to seduce and manipulate a president who frequently quoted the Bible. But the secretary’s actions were not just oily; he was also taking a risk with national security.

Anyone with a brain realized seven years ago that George W. Bush was not in charge of this country; he was too empty-headed. Instead, if Frank Rich is correct, the triumvirate of Cheney, Rumsfeld and Ashcroft found in George W. Bush a man who was electable and who could be manipulated through smooth words and religion. Apparently, Rumsfeld cynically and deliberately used Bush's simplistic religious views and gullibility to further Rumsfeld/Cheney/Ashcroft's unwarranted and immoral war.

Once again, religion proves to be the tool of evil men. Over 150,000 civilians killed by American bombs, over 4,200 American soldiers killed, and for what? Nothing. And all thanks to a President, conditioned by decades of brainwashing to believe the irrational and conflicting "truths" of the Christian Bible.