In February, I received a call from my father one day, “The president of the United States just mispronounced your name on national television.” With a little digging, I soon learned that at the end of an interview with C-SPAN the president was asked what he had read lately, and he said the following:
Well, I just finished a book called “Abraham,” by a guy named Feiler. And it’s a really interesting book that studies the prophet Abraham from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim perspective. And the lesson is, is that if you — you can look at Abraham as a unifying factor. In other words, all three of our — all three of those religions started from the same source, which means it’s possible to reconcile differences. And I was impressed by his writing. I really enjoyed the amount of study he did on the subject. And I appreciated his lessons that sometimes as each religion appropriated Abraham to suit their own needs, but, ultimately, we could view Abraham as a way to find a common God. [To hear a clip of the quotes, click here.]
The president made the not uncommon mistake of pronouncing my name “Feeler” instead of “Filer.” Also, it should be said that this occurred at a time when he was particulary under the gun for the war in Iraq and his pending decision whether to talk with Iran. Sill, the Leader of the World had read my book, and, more to the point, had gotten it. I was impressed by how dead-on his summary was. It was better than my flap copy. No matter your politics, this is a dream every writer shares.
And speaking of dreams. Through a series of events I don’t entirely understand, I got a call last week inviting me to come to the Oval Office this Friday. This news managed to make it onto the front page of the Savannah paper on Friday. It was the talk of the beach on Tybee Island this weekend, where I had taken my twin daughters, Eden and Tybee, for the weekend. And my mother and wife are frantically discussing what they will wear (and what I will wear).
But I’ve also been getting a lot of advice about what I should say to the president, in the event I get the chance. One friend quipped of the oval office: “You should ask where the corner is?” The reporter from the Savannah News-Press, picking up on the theme of pronunciation, said I should needle him on the way he says “nuclear” (though Georgia had its own recent president, who did the same). A friend of my father’s sent along a 15-page ancestral chart for the president showing he has multiple relatives from Savannah. Are we related? One of his ancestors, I know from work on my new book, was a Hebrew scholar in New York in the early 19th century. There’s also the matter of Iraq, specifically the damage to the archaeological heritage. Having traveled there during the war and written widely about its biblical sites in WHERE GOD WAS BORN, I feel the American government can do more. But then there’s the opportunity to talk about interfaith relations, which is the theme of the book in question and something I’ve devoted a lot of my recent life to.
The fact that this all occurred on the eve of launching Feiler Faster on Beliefnet seemed like an opportunity that was too good to pass up. So, thoughts? What should I say to the president?
(The above photo, which is posted on the White House website, shows the George W. Bush Oval office in December 2001, exactly the time I was in the Middle East researching ABRAHAM.)
posted July 24, 2007 at 8:10 pm
So, what’s your point, exactly?
posted July 24, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Dear Bruce:
It is so easy to be flattered and seduced by this coverage but please try not to be.
As someone who’s been very disappointed by Bush, I truly question whether he in fact read your book or was briefed to respond that he did. He doesn’t strike me as much of a reader. How I wish you had the guts to ask him about his reading habits in general and how it is that if he does read so much, why does he suffer from such an infantile command of the English language, not to mention an inexcuseable lack of curiosity about people and culture in general.
posted July 24, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Ask him:
1) Is the United States more secure as a result of invading Iraq?
2) Why the job in Afghanistan was left unfinished before moving on to Iraq?
3) If he feels Iran would be behaving in such a blatantly antagonist fashion if Saddam was still in power?
4) What the fall-back position is, if and when the U.S. pulls back the troops and full-scale anarchy reigns in what was Iraq?
5) What affect oil prices of over $100.00 a barrel are going to have economically and politically? (Think Russia.)
That’s a good start.
posted July 25, 2007 at 12:42 am
Please ask President Bush why he pardoned Libby and not the two border guards (Ramos & Copeana, I may have the spelling incorrect) that were doing their job of protecting our borders from thugs and drug runners not to mention illegals from hostel countries bringing in only they knows what to try and destroy us.
posted July 25, 2007 at 1:51 am
I’m praying for you. Just be who Source made you, and let him know that many of us see all people as our brothers, so we want him to treat other nation’s citizens with as much compassion as our own.
posted July 25, 2007 at 6:29 am
I agree not to be disheartened by his interest and hopefully it is not just another ploy to win his case for the war in Iraq. Are we safer? What about Afganastan? and now Pakistan? and now threats here in America? Does Bush think he will change these people to go back thousands of years ago through war and killing? I don’t think that’s what the powers that be had in mind. We need to bring our troops home now and take a more peaceful approach.
posted July 25, 2007 at 10:40 am
Ask him why he lied about WMDs.
Ask him why he pardoned Scooter Libby.
Ask him why he continually appoints incompetents (“Heck of a job, Brownie!” and Harriet Myers, etc.)
Ask him why he wants to kick gay Americans out of the Constitution.
Ask him why he shouldn’t be impeached.
Or, better yet, ask him to resign.
posted July 25, 2007 at 10:55 am
Worry not what you will say to President Bush, but instead be open to the Holy Spirit for the spirit wil guide you as well as the President. Know that all things happen for a reason, God blessed President Bush to be our leader, in fact he was created for this very reason and the same goes for you as well. President Bush has had a difficult time as being President, with the war, low approval ratings, and the divided Congress. Be reassured that God has planned this Divine Appointment for both the President and yourself.
posted July 25, 2007 at 12:21 pm
George W. Bush was not appointed by God to be president. He is not Mose nor Abraham. He was elected by the people and he serves by the grace of the people.
posted July 25, 2007 at 12:35 pm
To President Bush: “As a professed follower of Jesus, how do you apply his commandment to love your enemies?”
posted July 25, 2007 at 1:15 pm
The Holy Spirit also provides courage for us to recognize and question poor leadership and this ongoing betrayal of the constitution.
Does the holy spirit wish us to be blind to what is happening to our beloved country under the auspices of our present self-serving administration?
posted July 25, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Here’s my question to Mr. Bush: “How do you sleep at night?”
posted July 25, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Ouch! Tough Comments.
Why can’t we all just get along? Does loving your enemies mean enabling them to take advantage of the poor, the widowed, and to rule as ruthless tyrnats over their people?
Have you head the expression “To whom much is given, much is expected.”?
I would ask…How do you plan to serve the people of Iraq and at the same time serve the USA?
posted July 25, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Ask what he thinks are the attributes of a true leader — not a “great” leader, but a true leader.
Ask how he thinks leaders reconcile the lure of egomania with humility.
Ask what he thinks are the connections between knowledge and wisdom.
Ask what he thinks a supreme being would feel about us bombing Earth and our fellow humans.
Ask in what ways he thinks we can best use our gifts of speech and knowledge to solve problems.
Ask what he thinks is meant by “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Ask him in what ways the human race is on a precipice.
Ask him how he is rising to the challenge of making our world a better place.
posted July 25, 2007 at 5:03 pm
You could simply say ” I am so glad you enjoyed my book and you understood the point I was trying to make. That is the goal of every author.” Then perhaps you would be able to engage in a conversation about what concerns you. Since you have so much experience traveling in the Middle East, you have alot of knowledge to offer.
I realize this lacks the venom of the previous posts, but kindness is never a bad thing, even when you disagree.
posted July 25, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Ask him why he continues to claim that he is a Christian while he has little regard for the poor and no regard for human life. Ask him why he commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby but lets thousands of others rot in jail. Ask him why his stewardship of the land has been so poor, why he consistently favors the interests of big business over the environment.
Enough, I suppose, given that you won’t ask him anything disturbing.
posted July 25, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Tell him God speaks to you too, and God told you that the guy Bush is speaking to is a fraud.
Good luck, Bruce – you deserve it. But man, I’d be jamming pins in my palms to stop myself from ripping him to verbal shreds on so many topics.
posted July 26, 2007 at 4:20 am
A couple of questions occur to me – one tough, one “softball”:
1. Tough question: Mr. President, why is it so difficult for you to simply give the order to secure America’s borders — period? It is what the American people clearly want, and it is an essential component of the fight against terrorism on our shores – so why don’t you just do it? Why, as it appears, are you allowing partisan politics to prevent you from doing what must be done to stop illegal immigration?
2. “Softball” question: What do you see as your greatest successes (and your biggest disappointments) as President, and for what do you hope your presidency will be remembered?
posted July 26, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I would like to know why it is that we as Free Americans have to be careful not to speak of God in our Schools or say the Pledge Of Alligence. Christians should never be made to keep silent about Gods Love & Mercy & Salvation. Today we can’t say The Lords Prayer in Schools or Say anything which might represent God in many places. We have always had IN GOD WE TRUST ON OUR MONEY> We used to say THE PLEDGE EVERY DAY IN SCHOOLS.
But now that God has been taken out of schools look at the killings that have happend. When I grew up I would have never been scared that a fellow student would come & kill other students! May God Bless The President & Give him Courage TO STAND!!!
posted July 26, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I would ask him if he thought his policy decisions have brought Christians, Jews and Muslims closer together or farther apart and how. I might ask him what we can do in the future to improve ecumenicism between the Abrahamic faiths. I would ask him what his plans are for leaving Iraq and how many more American soldiers will die before we leave. Finally, I would ask him if he knows how many Iraqis have died and how many have become refugees since his invasion of the country. I would ask him if he thinks it has been worth the costs.
posted July 26, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I feel it a unique experience to be invited to a personal Presidential meeting. I apologize for not knowing the content of your book but it must have left an impact to have caught the attention of a man who has the responsibility of the free world, and then some, as a job.
I think I would be wondering what he found so interesting in my work. That would be a good place to start. More than likely the conversation will carry itself from there.
Unlike a great many of people, I don’t believe the President is lacking in intelligence, nor is he ill informed. You’ll likely have an enlightening conversation, even if it’s not always in total agreement with you views (which as I previously stated I am unaware). I just hate to hear a person shot down particularly in an area that I don’t believe there’s much public knowledge.
So many of the questions suggested, although valid, have been answered. I wouldn’t suggest you waste such an opportunity beating a dead horse.
Have a good time and congratulations for the recognition.
posted July 26, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I have not read your book nor what I would ask the President.
Oh, sure, I could think of a few things, like what does he seem to have against Pagan Americans, including Native Americans, how come he hasnt said a thing about our power company increasing the rates 40% at the begining of the year in Illinois, what the hell is with the price of gas, and a few others.
Yet, having reacently married the man and love of my life, as we start our new family with his 15yr daughter and 12yr son, I worry about what kind of world will they encounter when the leave high school.
What kind of Goverment will they have to deal with which seems to favor all things Christian? (We’re non-Christian, Pagan and Native American),That favors the rich? What kind of life will they be able to make for themselves when they leave college? I have no assurances this country’s goverment has their best interests in mind.
Nor does it seem to favor my ailing Mother, living off her social security of just over $1200 a month, with barely enough to put food in the fridge when the rent, uttilities and medical bills are paid. With Medicare a disorganized diasaster -twice they screwed up and dropped Mom’s coverage leaveing her pay full price for pills (9 different pills, one being over $250 for a 30 day supply) for an entire month, and caused her to lose her secondary drug coverage for Medicare trumped them all. Medicare’s lastest stupidy of updating thier system this past May had Mom as unisured since the beginning of the year. Once again, no coverage for an entire month. Thank the Divine I had extra to help out. She should not have to go through such crap.
To be honest, I have no faith in Medicare, or the goverment. which seems to have absolutely no clue how most of the country has to do to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.
More and more I find ourselves looking for camping supplies and ways to live off the land for that may be what we’ll have to do to survive if the goverment officals dont pull their collective heads out of their buttocks. I really think all politcians from the local library to the President should earn the same as the losest paying job in the USA to keep them real. I dont think anyone in the goverment has a clue how it is down here on the streets of this country. Try living off an income flopping Whoppers and making ends meet for four years and get back to us.
Questions for the President?
I guess it could only be: What is it you are doing to insure my kids and my Mother will not have to want for anything?
What are you doing for them?
Good luck on with your visit, Mr. Feiler.
Peace,
~jj
posted July 27, 2007 at 6:07 am
Mr. President, with all due respect, could we talk about what Jesus himself would do given your level of authority.
posted July 27, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I’m sure he would have self-serving answers prepared for all the questions above (remember the 2000 campaign?). My question to you, Bruce, is, will you give us an honest appraisal of your discussion?
I remember people used to come out of meetings with Reagan and say, “For the President’s privacy, I can’t tell you what we talked about”.
My guess is, nothing of substance came from those meetings or will come of this one.
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