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Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it

I found this gem at Huffpo today:

In an interview with CNN's John King today, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele defended former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's recent comments that President Obama may hold a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview.

Speaking to the National Review recently, Gingrich wondered, "What if [Obama] is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]? That is the most accurate, predictive model for his behavior."

When King mentioned the comments to Steele on Wednesday, the RNC chair rejected the idea that Gingrich was "race-baiting or playing to the birther crowd" and said that because Obama's dad is from Africa, he is "of Kenyan, African descent":

KING: Former Speaker of the House, the man who is moving around as if he might run for president, said that the President of the United States has a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" view of the world.

STEELE: Who said that?

KING: Newt Gingrich.

STEELE: Okay.

KING: Is that an appropriate way to have this conversation, as a Republican leader and as a black man? Is that how you want to have this conversation

STEELE: I don't know what being black has to do with it, but --

KING: You don't think saying the President has a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview is perhaps trying to play to the lowest common denominator in politics?

STEELE: No, I don't think so, no. How do you make that stretch? Where's his dad from?

KING: What does that have to do with --

STEELE: He's of Kenyan, African descent. He has an African, continental descent. So I don't know where you're going with that. But let me just say --

KING: So you don't think it's race-baiting or playing to the birther crowd?

STEELE: No, I don't. I don't see that stretch. I know some folks out there want to, but I don't see that. I know Newt. I know that's not his mindset on that. He's talking about a worldview that comes from a different part, whether it's Europe, the African continent.

Now how in the hell does a robust 6’4” man in his early fifties, hale and hearty as they say, come to a point in his life where he has to stoop down and kiss the boots of The Newt?

This entire interview brought to mind an old play of yore by one known as Marlowe; which I bring to you in much abridged form:

FAUSTUS. Now that the gloomy shadow of the earth…
…Faustus, begin thine incantations,
And try if devils will obey thy hest,
Seeing thou hast pray'd and sacrific'd to them.

Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS…….

(Speaking to the devil’s rep, our hero Faustus tries out his new found strength of will)

I charge thee to return, and change thy shape;
Thou art too ugly to attend on me:
Go, and return an old Franciscan friar;
That holy shape becomes a devil best.

[Exit MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

How pliant is this Mephistophilis? (Ponders Faustus)

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS like a Franciscan friar.

MEPHIST. Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me do?

FAUSTUS. I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live,
To do whatever Faustus shall command,
Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,
Or the ocean to overwhelm the world.

MEPHIST. I am a servant to great Lucifer,
And may not follow thee without his leave:
No more than he commands must we perform.

FAUSTUS. Did not he charge thee to appear to me?

MEPHIST. No, I came hither of mine own accord.

FAUSTUS. Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee? speak.

MEPHIST. That was the cause, but yet per accidens;­
Nor will we come, unless he use such means
… Is stoutly to abjure the Trinity,
And pray devoutly to the prince of hell.

FAUSTUS. So Faustus hath
Already done; and holds this principle,
There is no chief but only Belzebub;
To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself.
This word "damnation" terrifies not him,

MEPHIST. Arch-regent and commander of all spirits.

FAUSTUS. Was not that Lucifer an angel once?

MEPHIST. Yes, Faustus, and most dearly lov'd of God.

FAUSTUS. How comes it, then, that he is prince of devils?

MEPHIST. O, by aspiring pride and insolence;
For which God threw him from the face of heaven.

FAUSTUS. And what are you that live with Lucifer?

MEPHIST. Unhappy spirits that fell with Lucifer,
Conspir'd against our God with Lucifer,
And are for ever damn'd with Lucifer.

FAUSTUS. Where are you damn'd?

MEPHIST. In hell.

FAUSTUS. How comes it, then, that thou art out of hell?

MEPHIST. Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it:
Think'st thou that I, who saw the face of God,
And tasted the eternal joys of heaven,
Am not tormented with ten thousand hells,
In being depriv'd of everlasting bliss?
O, Faustus, leave these frivolous demands,
Which strike a terror to my fainting soul!

FAUSTUS. What, is great Mephistophilis so passionate
For being deprived of the joys of heaven?
Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude,
MEPHIST. I will, Faustus.

FAUSTUS. Had I as many souls as there be stars,
I'd give them all for Mephistophilis.
By him I'll be great emperor of the world,
And make a bridge thorough the moving air,
To pass the ocean with a band of men;
I'll join the hills that bind the Afric shore,
And make that country continent to Spain,
And both contributory to my crown:
The Emperor shall not live but by my leave,
Nor any potentate of Germany.
Now that I have obtain'd what I desir'd,
I'll live in speculation of this art,
Till Mephistophilis return again.
[Exit.]

http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/cmarlowe/bl-cmarlowe-faust.htm

Posted from:  http://tpmaholics.blogspot.com/2010/09/faustus-man-of-steele.html