On Monday afternoon, Bush flew to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on his way to Asia for the Olympics.

He went out of his way to salute Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who was in attendance, even though he’s been charged with seven felony counts dealing with corruption and lack of disclosure of corporate gifts.

“The United States military has had no better supporter and stronger friend than Senator Ted Stevens,” Bush said. “Thank you for coming.”

Once he was done with the formalities, Bush got down to the essence of his speech, which was the usual gratitude to the troops, regurgitation of bromides (“it is best to defeat the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here in the United States”), and religious pitch.

As in many of his speeches post-9/11, Bush again invoked God as a justification for the Iraq War.

Speaking to troops who will soon be going to Iraq, Bush said: “I believe there’s an Almighty, and I believe a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman, an child on the face of the Earth is freedom.”

Implying that he is doing God’s will, he said, “It’s in our national interest to help others realize the blessings of a free society.”

This is Bush the messianic militarist.

By combining nationalism, religion, and militarism, he has thrown our country into one quagmire after another.

And it’s appalling that he keeps ladling this stuff out to the troops, and sprinkling benedictions upon them and this country like the Tim Robbins character Bob Roberts.

“May God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America,” Bush said.

Bush’s rhetoric should come with a warning from the Surgeon General.