"We haven't become divided because of Bush? "

That's mostly correct.

"You just basically accused me of not having the ability to come up with opinions on my own by saying that my thoughts on Bush are a result of swallowing up the Dems spin. Give me a break. I happen to possess my own abilities to size up people and have been fiercely independent in my life. I abhor the platforms of both parties and pick and choose my own beliefs on issues."

Gosh, hmm.
Last nite I watched the Rep platform committee on CSPAN. I was pretty impressed with it overall. I even seriously considered joining the Republican party. But in the end, I think the notion of not encouraging them too much is not a bad idea. I will say that it appears the Republican Party has definitely "arrived" as the the Majority Party [which also includes all the "good and bad" associated with this].

"George Bush is an idiot to me because of the people in my life I've met and experienced that have the same traits he exhibits, not because of something the Dems or Michael Moore or Moveon.org say about him."

That's good, because Michael Moore is a complete scumbag- who is only interested in make a buck. He's a con man. And it's only a sign of the depth of depravity in general that anyone buys his snake oil.

"My morning news comes from an extremely conservative newspaper which I read voraciously."

Well, maybe that a problem. I prefer to get all prospectives I can and don't waste any time with "extremely conservative newspapers". If I looked at "extremely conservative newspaper" is would be for the entertainment value- same reason I would look at a Lefty newspaper.
[Sometimes there is a nugget or two- but mostly it's wading through a cesspool of foolishness]

"I look at articles on the internet with an open mind and try to find balanced views of each issue. When I hear a news anchor on television giving a story I always analyze in my mind what part of that story could be their own bias."

And of course, there is the "normal" news bias of if it "bleeds it leads" & the "man bite dog story" stuff. I will say that in some respects the news has improved- we get less of the "Crossfire" type stuff, the very lame attempt at "providing THE Two sides" and filling the air space with filibustering.

"My other experience in life has been that people that tend to pidgeon-hole others as you're doing, are basing their bias on their own failings. Are all of your thoughts only influenced by the spin of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly? I try not to believe that but if you somehow think that of people on here that don't like Bush, maybe it's because of some defect in your own personality that you assume exists in everyone else."

I don't listen to Rush [too annoying]. But I haven't even tried to listen to him lately and maybe he has changed. I do enjoy listening to O'Reilly.
O'Reilly's attempt to have a No Spin Zone is a good direction. But he does get spun- probably needs a holiday so he can "despin":).

"I'm not surprised you discount my concern about political leaders that wear their religion on their sleeves. A desire to mix religion, values and public policy seems to be the irrationality that binds the conservative movement these days. It is based on a very narrow and incorrect view that the framers of our Constitution were deeply religious people. "

I don't like anyone wearing any religion on their sleeves. Preachers and politicans are very similar creatures. It seems quite natural to me that Martin Luther King, jr was a Baptist preacher. King talked constantly about religion, but you can't say he was wearing religion on his sleeves.

"There is strong evidence that the main movers and shakers of those times such as Jeffereson, Adams and Franklin were resolute about preventing the exact things the government is trying to do today. I've even read quotes from Lincoln that seem to indicate he held a huge disdain for religion. Who's buying the spin now?" "

Of course Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Lincoln would have a huge disdain for religion. But that in no way means they weren't religious.
First look at the obvious- this country is mainly Protestant. That alone should give you a clue.