[Ornery - Frodo]
I think the Arab street, especially, DOES have to have this sinking feeling that God is on America's side.

I suggest the power of America is: peaceful, voluntary, human associations.
In economics, this is free trade and companies/ corporations.

Since they're run by humans, all the human evil is still possible in them -- but all the image of god good is also possible.

There is also an "objective" measure of sustainability - profit (unprofitible companies are NOT sustainable).


Most Americans do feel that God is on the side of the US (or quality this with "if he exists"). I think many Muslims will now question whether the US is really the great Satan or not. And the US must control the reconstruction of Iraq enough to insure it is successful, so the fundamentalist anti-American rant will not include references to it.

Bush as Isildur is excellent, too -- and that is prolly the fear of most anti-Bush folk. Though Bush/ America as Sauron is a related fear.