Last week The Times magazine ran an article on the town of Midland, Texas. It’s where George W. Bush and his wife live, or I suppose will live after the elections next Autumn. Not sure I want to go visit however.
A lot of people there seem to be quite zealous about religion. They’re waiting for the Rapture to come. When asked what the Rapture was, “there is reluctance among the most seriously committed to spell it out.” But at a local cemetary,
“Well, there’s Laura Bush’s father buried over there,” she says, pointing blithely past tasteful and titanic statuary. “Suppose the President and his wife were to come here this afternoon and the Rapture happens. There’d be bodyguards and press people and stuff. Most of them would be left behind, especially the press people.” She speaks through barely parted lips. “But where the Bushes had been there’d just be piles of clothes on the ground and that pin he wears. They’d be gone – into the air. That’s what we believe.”
Hmm, I’d hate to see Bertie Ahern running around naked without his clothes because I can’t imagine he’d disappear in the Rapture! 😉
In related news, the Sunday Times published an extract from John Edwards’ biography last week. The account of losing his son was heart-breaking and although I don’t agree completely (who sees eye to eye with any politician?) I wish the Democratic Party luck in the coming election.