Moonshadows

by DarkSyde [courtesy of Daily Kos]

Finally, a traditional media outlet reports on some of the nefarious activities of Mr. Sun Myung-moon and his association with political sidekick and shadow, George H. W. Bush. Kudos to Rick Casey at the Houston Chronicle:

This isn't the first time Bush has appeared with Moon. He gave a series of speeches in Japan in 1995 at Moon's behest and appeared with him in 1996 in Argentina and later in Paraguay. Last year he spoke at a Moon event in Washington. And as reported here two years ago, the Washington Times Foundation (Moon is founder and owner of the Times) covertly donated at least $1 million to the Bush Library.

Shadowy Moonie fronts cleverly disguised as mainstream groups are well versed in deceiving lawmakers and celebrities into attending cult functions. Their goal of course is to use those appearances as tacit endorsements, and as a bipartisan veneer in the event they are exposed. But George Herbert Walker Bush knows exactly what this guy is all about and Bush can't plead he was deceived by a front group. Hell, he's been appearing right beside Moon, sharing a stage with the guy!

One thing that's important to understand about Bush's acquiescence to the "True Father" is that Moon uses these appearances to establish and maintain credibility. Because of Bush's cooperation, Moon is able to recruit new cult members into a lifetime of servitude. There are consequences, there are victims:

Bad Moon Rising -- Years ago, Moon was widely considered a dangerous madman, the next Jim Jones. He inspired TV specials with names like "Escape From The Moonies." His cult separated college students from their families, put them out on the street selling flowers, paying for Moon's mansions and yacht. Moon's control over their lives was so total, he even chose spouses for them.

Bush et al of course simply love the good Reverend's money and they're willing to compromise the judgment and integrity of themselves and the Same Old Party to get it. Moon loves the cred and the thought of wallowing in a pile of faith based government cash. It's an ugly, two-for-one parasitic relationship with We the People serving as unwilling hosts.

What little we know of Moon has come from independent investigators like John Gorenfeld. Considering the scope of his operations, we're probably just seeing the tip of the iceberg. Moon's tentacles branch out and reach deep into the conservative infrastructure and indeed around the world. When it comes to this obscene lunatic and his right-wing pals, there are almost certainly award winning stories yet to be written by any intrepid reporter willing to take the challenge.