by James Glaser
August 17, 2005

Luke 7: 12 "Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and much people of the city was with her."
13 "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."

Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a Shepard; and he began to teach them many things."

Psalm 111: 4 "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion."

Compassion is the sorrow for the suffering or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help, deep sympathy, pity.

All through the Bible there are examples of God's compassion toward man. It cost us nothing to give compassion and it is always rewarding to receive it when you are in need.

Unlike Jesus Christ, George Bush can not bring back to life the troops killed in his war in Iraq, but like Jesus, George and those in his government, and the commentators on the Right, could all show some compassion for those Americans who are suffering their loss.

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of the dead soldier who is waiting to see the President on the road to his home in Texas, is not alone in her grief. There are many parents, wives, husbands, children who suffer the loss of a Soldier or Marine who has fallen in combat. These people need the President's help with their suffering. They want answers that he does not have, but he can give them a bit of his time and maybe they will use that time to yell and scream at him, or not, but if they do, then that is what they need right now.

George Bush can show the world that he is a man and a leader, who is trying his best to emulate the teachings of Jesus Christ. Ten minutes is all it would take, and I think George could handle a woman ranting and raving at him for that long, and maybe she wouldn't yell or scream at all, maybe she would just break down and cry. Remember she and those others with her are suffering the loss of a precious child. They need a demonstration of compassion from George Bush.

George has not been able to find the time or the compassion needed to attend even one funeral of the fallen, but Cindy Sheehan is giving him the opportunity to redeem himself of that mistake. Bush can show all of us that he knows what this war is costing so many Americans, and he can do that by giving just a few minutes of his time, so that everyone knows that he is that Compassionate Conservative, who he always talks about. Is that really too much to ask for, from a Christian President?