What really gets their gourd

When interviewed about the Foley scandal and its potential impact on their vote, many Republican evangelical Christians said that it was a personal moral failing of Foley's and not an issue with Republican leadership. More to the point, several commented along this vein: "I do not believe in homosexuality."

Note to fundies: soliciting sexual favors from minors is not the same as being gay.

A blessing for secularists

In today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, George Will had a really insightful look at Christian fundamentalism in America. He notes that Christian fundamentalists love to play the martyr, acting as though their way of life and values are constantly under seige by rogue government, judges, and secularists. You may have heard about it during Christmas, where many conservative pundits complained that Christmas is being cleansed from public spaces.

Well, apparently some of these would-be martyrs have realized that while many Americans share Christian values, they don't care to have religion stuffed down their throats. Even President Bush admits that, "If you choose not to worship, you're equally as patriotic as somebody who does worship." How generous of him.

I will wrap myself in the warmth of that presidential benediction for the rest of the day.