Andrew Roberts’ A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900 has given me the opportunity to discuss elements of the neocon narrative: its structure, itskey theme, and its emphasis on the will of a Great Leader to use American Power. The comments of those who attended the White House luncheon held in honor of Roberts has given me the further opportunity to explore some ofthe theological components of the neocon ideology, especially the Augustinian concept of the will.

Crossposted at ProgressiveHistorians

“History informs the present,” George W. Bush said at a luncheon he hosted for the historian Andrew Roberts, author of A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900. Indeed it does, or, to put it more precisely, the neoconservative idea of history informs the mind of George W. Bush.

In this series I have been discussing the neoconservative idea of history, more specifically the neocon historical narrative and its elements, using Roberts’ book as my starting point.

Crossposted at ProgressiveHistorians

One of the most effective weapons in the neocon arsenal is the historical narrative that they have constructed concerning America’s place in the world since the end of WW II. The British historian Andrew Roberts, in his book A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900, has constructed another such narrative. As the title indicates, his narrative covers the whole of the 20th century, but it has important points in common with the narrative of the American neocons.

Crossposted at ProgressiveHistorians.

On February 28th at the White House George W. Bush hosted a luncheon for a select and luminous group of conservative intellects. The purpose of the gathering was to honor, and learn from, historian Andrew Roberts, author of A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900. The proceedings were faithfully recorded in two articles that appeared soon after in The Weekly Standard, the first by Irwin Stelzer, the second by Michael Novak. With his usual insight, Glenn Greenwald commented on the proceedings and especially on the advice liberally dispensed to Bush by his illustrious guest.

OK, if you think that you can reason with Bush, if you believe that he has the best interests of the United States at heart, I beg you to read Glenn Greenwald's column in Salon, found by way of Attaturk's post at Atrios' blogspot: Well there's one thing we know Bush sure loves him those historians

Glenn Greenwald's article: The president receives "lessons" from his neoconservative tutors

Greenwald demonstrates that Bush's mind is closed to common sense and the will of the American people. Bush is the creature of the neocons, and welcomes the poison they continue to pour into his ears. Greenwald uses several different accounts of a "literary luncheon" written by the neocon attendees to prove that Bush is lost to the real world, and that the danger to the world is incalculable.

Glenn Greenwald today provides a chilling review of an account of a White House dinner honoring pro-Imperialism "historian" Andrew Roberts.  It was a neo-con all-star event with superstars like Norman Podhoretz, Gertrude Himmelfarb, Mona Charen, Kate O'Beirne and Paul Gigot.  Bush's unpopularity doesn't matter, according to this august group, because the Big Guy upstairs is on his side.

The most critical priority is to convince the President to continue to ignore the will of the American people and to maintain full-fledged loyalty to the neoconservative agenda, no matter how unpopular it becomes.

To do this, they have convinced the President that he has tapped into a much higher authority than the American people -- namely, God-mandated, objective morality -- and as long as he adheres to that (which is achieved by continuing his militaristic policies in the Middle East, whereby he is fighting Evil and defending Good), God and history will vindicate him