Having just stepped down from the most powerful political position in the world, he likened himself to an ancient monarch who had also been a benefactor of an ancient nation as it reestablished itself in its traditional homeland. Who were these two great leaders?

zbeckabee

While the word "great" is a bit misleading: In Stone's version of Bush's presidency, the White House becomes a frat house, where discussions about going to war sound like bets on a baseball game. Bush, as portrayed by Brolin, says 'Guantanamero' instead of 'Guantanamo', compares himself to Moses - 'He wasn't a very good speaker' - and agrees with Laura, his wife, that the musical Cats is 'one thing I'll stay up late for'. http://www.ask.com/bar?q=george+bush+compares+himself+to+moses&page=1&qsrc=145&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fculture%2Ffilm%2F3562496%2FJosh-Brolin-on-playing-George-W.-Bush-in-Oliver-Stones-new-film.html May 13 09, 3:56 AM

queproblema

Good try, Zb, but this incident is entirely historical. Some people may indeed disagree with applying "great" to one of them, but still, the position was great. Start by identifying the ancient nation. May 13 09, 10:23 AM

Baloo55th

Well, the ancient monarch would be Cyrus the Great, who allowed whichever of the 'captive' Jews wanted to go back to Jerusalem to depart. (Quite a lot were happy where they were.) This is according to the Bible, but the chronology is disputed by experts - as usual... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_(Bible) I don't tend to take a lot of notice of the sayings of American Presidents - assuming Qp means this office (I don't take much notice of the drivellings of UK politicians either...) so someone else can look into them. I do rule Kennedy out... May 13 09, 11:04 AM

queproblema

Yes, Cyrus the Great was undeniably great, and he sponsored the Jews' return from Babylon to Eretz Israel. They lost the land again, though, and we all know in which century they again returned.... May 13 09, 11:30 AM

Datsmeharse

Harry S Truman, who was the spearhead to the U.S. recognition of the new State of Israel, responded "What do you mean 'helped to create?' I am Cyrus." when introduced to a Jewish Theological Seminary as the "man who helped create the State of Israel" He was referring to Cyrus the Great, whose Edict of Restoration allowed enslaved Jews return to their homeland if they wished. Truman Reference: http://britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joCyrus.html Cyrus the Great: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/JERUSALEM_TOUR/postexile.htm May 13 09, 12:25 PM

queproblema

Yes, President Truman exclaimed, "I am Cyrus, I am Cyrus!" http://books.google.com/books?id=jmoab5xc9ogC&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=truman+i+am+cyrus+nov+1953+moshe+davis+eddie+jacobson&source=bl&ots=bskEgTitle&sig=Ibsil7QMqA9UgEDntIt52Keyzmo&hl=en&ei=iygLSsn1NqP4tAP724DkCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#PPA189,M1 One minor correction: the returning Jews had not been enslaved, but exiled. "However, a mere handful chose to accept Cyrus' offer and return to Judah; most of the exiles preferred to remain in Mesopotamia where they had established businesses and farms." (From Datsme's second reference.) May 13 09, 2:10 PM