Justice Dep't. appeals ruling striking down National Day of Prayer

By GottaLaff

A federal judge declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional just last week:

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.

"In fact, it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual's decision whether and when to pray," Crabb wrote.

Pfft to that, says the Obama administration. They're fighting the ruling, and the Justice Department is filing a "notice to appeal". President Obama has already made it clear that he'll recognize the big day on May 6th.

The injunction against the National Day of Prayer would not take effect until the appeals have been exhausted.

The case is Freedom From Religion v President Barack Obama, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle.

I'm with Judge Crabb on this one. Why must there be an official day designated specifically for prayer? Why is the government co-mingling with religion? Religion is a personal choice, praying is a personal experience, and I'm not sure why a day has to be set aside for engaging in something so private.

Maybe we should have a special day of not-prayer, too. That would make a few heads explode.

VIDEO- Countdown: Palin wants America to revert back to 1775

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This was one of my favorite segments last night, and not because Markos wore a color coordinated outfit. That was just a bonus.

See, Preachy McSoWrong? Even before video, there were these things called-- say it with me-- "doc-u-ments". Try reading the Constitution. Oh wait. She doesn't read.

Video- Special Report segment on Obama decision not to regularly attend a D.C. church includes graphic: "Commitment Issues"

They just can't stop. Via Media Matters.

It's Happening Here: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff


My impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about something very worrisome (read: scary) that he feels is happening to America before our very eyes. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

It Is Happening Here

Several months ago I wrote a Special Comment (“ It Can’t Happen Here”) about the growing hate I saw emerging at the Town Hall meetings and whether the foundation for a fascist type movement has begun in this country.

I’m sorry to report that the hate and militia groups are in full force and growing. Recently, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) published a report (Rage on the Right) that stated there was a 244% increase in the number of active Patriot Groups in 2009. Their numbers grew from 149 groups in 2008 to 512 in 2009, with 363 new groups in the past year.

There are 512 Patriots Groups in the country located in all fifty states and the District of Columbia, with the largest number being in Texas (52) and Michigan (47).

Those organizations in the Patriot Group include, The John Birch Society, Oath Keepers, Constitution Party, We The People, and We Are Change. Besides these groups, we have seen the re-emergence of the KKK, Skin Heads and other white supremacists groups.

We all know what drives the Birchers, KKK and skin heads: their hatred of African Americans, Catholics, Jews, gays, immigrants, and minorities in general.

The Oath Keepers is quite different from the other groups.

According to their internet site, Oath Keepers, consists of those currently serving in the military, reservists, National Guard, veterans and peace officers. Their oath is to defend the constitution, but they will not obey orders they believe are unconstitutional and therefore unlawful.

They have identified 10 orders they have deemed as being unlawful and will not obey, such orders as: (1) to disarm the American people, (2) to conduct wireless searches of the American people, (3) to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and (4) to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.

All of the above, sounds to me as fears of conspiracies and paranoia all rolled into one.

The SPLC states what makes this era different from the 1990s rise of hate groups is “the movements central ideas are being promoted by people with large audiences, such as Fox News Glenn Beck and U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann. You can also include Pat Buchanan and Lou Dobbs who have praised the Oath Keepers organization.

In other disturbing news, this week the Texas Board of Education, in their attempt to rewrite history, has endorsed many changes to the states’ school textbooks. Their recommendations will not only affect students in Texas, but students in many other states whose Board of Education use their textbooks.

The lasting effect of the textbook changes will not be felt for many years, until those in first grade being taught under the new curriculum graduate from high school and enter college.

In October, I wrote an article titled "Separation of Church and State", in which I stated that one of the goals of the right wing conservatives was to become heavily involved with school boards. We are now seeing the effect of them controlling educational school boards.

Among the changes recommended by the Texas Board are :

(a) removal of Thomas Jefferson ( author of the Declaration of Independence) from the Texas curriculum on Enlightenment thinking and replacing him with religious right icon John Calvin

(b) that students not be required to learn the Constitution (which prevents the U.S. government from promoting one religion over all others) and that the founding fathers had not sought a separation of state and church

( c) a reference to the Second Amendment right to bear arms in a section about citizenship in a U.S. government class

(d) to replace the word “capitalism” (because it has a negative connotation) with “free enterprise system”

When you consider that David Barton of WallBuilders is a Texas Board of Education member, you start to get a sense of what is going on here.

David Barton believes the “separation of church and state is a myth” and that our founding fathers wanted this country to be a theocracy governed by Christian principles.

What we are seeing is the Texas form of book burning, by its rewriting the history of our country in their school textbooks. One has to wonder what will be next: eliminating certain authors from the school libraries, not allowing discussions of contrary points of view, the possible censorship of non-pornography internet sites in school libraries and workshops?

We are in very frightening times, and when you take into consideration the growth of hate groups and the action taken Texas Board of Education and the effect they are having and will have on this country, you begin to see we are heading down a very slippery slope toward a militant theocracy.

It is time for the majority of Americans to wake up and see who is truly stealing the country from us, and I want it back.

Many thanks again for another thorough, relevant piece, 42bkdodgr. You often say what many of us are thinking and feeling, and we thank you for your unique perspective

Texas Approves Curriculum Revised by Conservatives

By GottaLaff

Now children, let's go back and review what we've been missing:

Men rode dinosaurs so that they could hunt better. And besides, they made great companions when the wife was busy birthing cavedwellerettes.

There is no such thing as separation of church and state. That's a crazy myth that some Marxist commie made up.

Always use your position to exploit and indoctrinate children, and then accuse the first African American president of doing the same when he's encouraging good work habits and responsibility:

After three days of turbulent meetings, the Texas Board of Education on Friday voted to approve a social studies curriculum that will put a conservative stamp on history and economics textbooks, stressing the role of Christianity in American history and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light.

The vote was 11 to 4, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat voting for the curriculum, and four Democrats voting against.

And children, above all else, be fair and balanced:

The board, whose members are elected, has influence beyond Texas because the state is one of the largest purchasers of textbooks.

Remember children: The whole church and state thing? Pffft!

The conservative members maintain that they are trying to correct what they see as a liberal bias among the teachers who proposed the curriculum. To that end, they made dozens of minor changes aimed at calling into question, among other things, concepts like the separation of church and state and the secular nature of the American Revolution.

“I reject the notion by the left of a constitutional separation of church and state,” said David Bradley, a conservative from Beaumont who works in real estate. “I have $1,000 for the charity of your choice if you can find it in the Constitution.”

Bias? What bias?

They also included a plank to ensure that students learn about “the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s, including Phyllis Schalfly, the Contract With America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association.”

To be fair, the Black Panthers and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "nonviolent approach" will get some print space, too. That's some concession, huh?

Today's lesson: Little children asked, and received, their own little raptors for their birthdays. And if they were extra special good, pet nanshiungosauruseseseses... eseses...es.

Sunday's lesson: Jesus had dinosaur stables back when saddling up a brontosaurus was in vogue. He loaned his herd out to anyone who needed a ride to the nearest crucifixion. He was socialistic that way.

Jesus Guns, the Sequel: "Uncle Sam had seen fit not to give us a 'pussy 'Jewzzi'"

By GottaLaff

(Via. Click to enlarge)

Remember the Jesus Guns? Weren't they special? Well, now we have the sequel:

And what they will never tell you on Fox "News", and probably not even on CNN or MSNBC, etc. is contained in the following three emails sent to Mikey Weinstein of the Nobel Prize-nominated Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), following an ABC News exposé last week on the bible versus that are encoded on the rifle scopes made by Trijicon, Inc., and used by our military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You'll have to follow the link to read the e-mails, but I'll give you some nasty, hate-filled, bigoted, startling little details from the weevils who need to be exposed right out loud:

The soldier shares an appalling alleged account of his superior officer's description [of the Jesus Gun] [...] All the better, said the officer according to the soldier, than what they might have received since "Uncle Sam had seen fit not to give us a "pussy 'Jewzzi' (combination of the word 'Jew' and Israeli made weapon 'Uzi')"."

Jewzzi SIR! Yes SIR!

To be more specific:

[T]he senior NCO said that the private's rifle was also something else; that because of the biblical quote on the ACOG gunsight it had been "spiritually transformed into the Fire Arm of Jesus Christ" and that we would be expected to kill every "haji" we could find with it.

You can read the rest here.

Meantime, I would like to dedicate this post to those who saw nothing wrong with a few innocent little Biblical inscriptions that would never really cross the line or even see the light of day.

And if all this doesn't convince the doubters, imagine substituting the name Jesus Christ with Allah.

Still poo-pooing us "alarmists"? How's about this:

He said that the enemy no doubt had quotes from the Koran on their guns but that "our Lord is bigger than theirs because theirs is a fraud and an idol". [...]

This senior NCO was apparently also the head person of a conservative, crazy Christian group called the "Christian Military Fellowship" and made a big deal about the importance of joining to everyone. He told us all that we MUST read a book called "Under Orders" in order to make it through this combat deployment and said he had many copies for everyone.

Nope. Nothin' wrong with that. He was just bein' neighborly, doing unto others, and loving his fellow man.

Marine Corps "Concerned" About "Jesus Guns"

By GottaLaff

(Via. Click to enlarge)

For background on prayers being secretly inscribed onto military weapons, see my previous post.

How nice to know the Marine Corps is concerned. Are they drumming up a few prayers for Jesus Guns out of that concern? Maybe they can have something special inscribed on the next batch:

"We are aware of the issue and are concerned with how this may be perceived," Capt. Geraldine Carey, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps, said in a statement to ABC News. "We will meet with the vendor to discuss future sight procurements." Carey said that when the initial deal was made in 2005 it was the only product that met the Corps needs.

Now, now, what's wrong with militarizing religion... or religionizing the military?

Wait for it...

However, a spokesperson for CentCom, the U.S. military's overall command in Iraq and Aghanistan, said he did not understand why the issue was any different from U.S. money with religious inscriptions on it.

Just FYI, Trijicon, who makes the sights, has a $660 million multi-year contract for up to 800,000 sights.... for the Marines and the Army.

U.S. military rules specifically prohibit the proselytizing of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan and were drawn up in order to prevent criticism that the U.S. was embarked on a religious "Crusade" in its war against al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents.

Rules, schmules.

Maj. John Redfield, spokesperson for CentCom:

"This does not constitute proselytizing because this equipment is not issued beyond the U.S. Defense Department personnel. It's not something we're giving away to the local folks."

Ohhhh, well then! Our bad.

But ABC News was able to find repeated references to the Biblical citations in on-line discussions of the gun sights.

Oops. What's the opposite of our bad? Our good?

Back in 2006, on a self-described "Armageddon Forum," a number of users discuss the Bible references. "Seems there's a different verse on each model," writes Mr45auto. "They chose some whoppers too!"

And here's one from a 2006 thread on a gaming forum:

"DoD contractor puts bible verses on it's (sic) products."

There were more like this, even on YouTube, where a video about the verses got nearly 20,000 hits. Here are a couple of comments from that very page:

"I love it. I love it. Yes, Trijicon, those guys are Christians. On all of their different sights they have verses on there."

"For those of you who aren't Christians, well, you know, get over it."

It's good to know how concerned everyone is. I feel somehow comforted and no longer feel the need to worry one whit about the separation of church and state.

U.S. Military Weapons Inscribed With Secret 'Jesus' Bible Codes

By GottaLaff

(Via. Click on image to enlarge)

Jesus saves! Love your fellow man! Then shoot 'em with Guns for Jesus:

Coded references to New Testament Bible passages about Jesus Christ are inscribed on high-powered rifle sights provided to the United States military by a Michigan company, an ABC News investigation has found.

The sights are used by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the training of Iraqi and Afghan soldiers. The maker of the sights, Trijicon, has a $660 million multi-year contract to provide up to 800,000 sights to the Marine Corps, and additional contracts to provide sights to the U.S. Army.

U.S. military rules specifically prohibit the proselytizing of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan and were drawn up in order to prevent criticism that the U.S. was embarked on a religious "Crusade" in its war against al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents.

One of the citations on the gun sights, 2COR4:6, is an apparent reference to Second Corinthians 4:6 of the New Testament, which reads: "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

There are more references cited here.

Whatever happened to separation of church and state? Remember that?

According to "Mikey" Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group that seeks to preserve the separation of church and state in the military, this violates the Constitution.

Weinstein, an attorney and former Air Force officer, said many members of his group who currently serve in the military have complained about the markings on the sights. He also claims they've told him that commanders have referred to weapons with the sights as "spiritually transformed firearm[s] of Jesus Christ."

He said coded biblical inscriptions play into the hands of "those who are calling this a Crusade."

That should go over well.

Patrick Kennedy, Bishop Tobin, and Abortion Rights: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff



My very caring, impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to once more share his feelings about the separation of church and state. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

Patrick Kennedy, Bishop Tobin, and Abortion Rights

I wrote about the separation of church and state in a previous Special Comment. After reading the story about Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, asking Rep. Patrick Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion because of his support for abortion rights, I felt it was important that something be said.

I decided to have someone much smarter than me on this issue to make the comment, and I thought it would be appropriate for his uncle, John Fitzgerald Kennedy to make them.

I have linked to the speech made by John Kennedy, then Democratic candidate for President, on September 12, 1960 on the topic of the Separation of Church and State to Greater Houston Ministerial Association.

John Kennedy’s remarks are just as relevant today as the were in September, 1960, especially the statement

“I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish--where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source--where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials--and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.”

Many thanks again for another timely, thoughtful piece, 42bkdodgr. You never fail to say what so many of us are thinking and feeling, and your perspective is invaluable.

UPDATE: Video of Chris Matthews calling out Tobin here.

Separation of Church and... Health Care

By GottaLaff

Paddy's earlier Tuesday Linkage post mentioned this briefly, but when I opened my L.A. Times this morning, I opened my eyes, too... wider and wider.

Abortion is one of the favorite health care reform sticking points that the punditiots opine about daily, but we haven't heard a peep about equating prayer with clinical medical treatment:

Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as medical expenses.

The provision was inserted by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) with the support of Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and the late Edward M. Kennedy, both of Massachusetts, home to the headquarters of the Church of Christ, Scientist.

The measure would put Christian Science prayer treatments -- which substitute for or supplement medical treatments -- on the same footing as clinical medicine. While not mentioning the church by name, it would prohibit discrimination against "religious and spiritual healthcare."

I understand the premise, but that creaking sound you hear is the door opening... too widely.

It would have a minor effect on the overall cost of the bill -- Christian Science is a small church, and the prayer treatments can cost as little as $20 a day. But it has nevertheless stirred an intense controversy over the constitutional separation of church and state, and the possibility that other churches might seek reimbursements for so-called spiritual healing.

It would be part of the policies offered in the "exchange" we've been hearing about. The so-called marketplace could now include prayer.

But critics say the measure could have a broader effect, conferring new status and medical legitimacy on practices that lie outside the realm of science. [...]

[T]he opportunity to receive payment for spiritual care could encourage other groups to seek similar status.

Nancy Pelosi agreed that this would be unconstitutional and took it out of the House bill.

Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Irvine School of Law, said the provision raised serious questions about government support of religion.

There would be no mandate for spiritual care, but Dr. Norman Fost, a pediatrician and medical ethicist at the University of Wisconsin, said:

"They want a special exception for people who use unproved treatments, and they also want to get paid for it," he said. "They want people who use prayer to have it just automatically accepted as a legitimate therapy."

Why would religious consultation be acceptable when end-of-life counseling wouldn't? Church panels v. death panels. One is faith-based, one is option-based. So, if I have blind faith in options, would that pass muster enough to slip into final legislation, too?

During the day, Davis may see multiple patients and pray for them at different moments. He charges them $20 to $40 for the day, saying, "I think that it would be considered modest by any standard."

So as long as it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, separation of church and health care doesn't apply? Is that all it takes? Bargain basement prices and you get a thumbs up! It's the Wal-Mart of health care reform.

I'm not at all religious, but I pray this gets a little more attention. If we're trying to cut costs, and if every dollar counts, and it's not clinical medicine, then how is this justified?

Your thoughts?

Separation of Church & State: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

My very caring, impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about the separation of church and state. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

Separation of Church and State

The foundation of this great country is the separation of church and state. It was a principle derived from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and it made this country different from all other countries in the world at that time.

Over the years I have heard that America is a Judeo-Christian Nation and more recently a Christian Nation. America is neither, we are a nation of believers and non-believers. America is made up of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Baptists, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, other religions, Agnostics and Atheists.

It is the diversity of religions and nationalities that makes America great. Over the years I have seen an attempt to move this country away from the separation of church and state principle.

One of my biggest fears with the growth of right wing Christian Conservatism, is that one day this country will become a theocracy.

The growth of the Religious Right began in the late 1970s with the founding of Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, in the 1980s with Pat Robinson’s Christian Coalition and more recently the emergence of Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. Their interest is to have more Christian values as part of the public school system and in government.

Over the years Christian conservatives have made statements regarding their feelings about the separation of church and state:

“I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be.” Jerry Falwell, 1979.

“The Constitution of the United States, for instance, is a marvelous document for self-government by the Christian people. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non-Christian people and atheistic people they can use it to destroy the very foundation of our society. And that is what is happening.” Pat Robertson 1/11/85

“The public education movement has also been an anti Christian movement…We can change education in America if you put Christian principles in and Christian pedagogy in. In three years, you would have totally revolutionize education in America.” Pat Robertson, September 27, 1993.

“We’re going to bring back God and the Bible and drive the gods of secular humanism right out of the public schools in America.” Pat Buchanan February 11, 1996.

There has been a growth of conservative religious law schools over the years such as; Liberty Law School (Falwell), Regent University Law School (Robertson) where students are taught to evaluate the law and public policy from a Christian perspective.

The goal of Christian conservatives and graduates of Christian law schools is to become involved in school boards, politics and the judicial systems in order to affect change in the areas of abortion, same-sex marriage, death penalty, school prayer and homosexuality issues.

In recent years events have taken place that raised the level of my concern regarding Christian conservatives attempt to remove the wall between church and state.

• Christian proselytizing in the U.S. Air Force Academy.

• The hiring of alumni from Christian conservative law schools into federal government positions during the Bush Administration. It included the hiring of Monica Goodling who was involved in the firing of the U.S. Attorneys, and Kay Cole James, dean of Regent’s government school to be the Director of Personnel Management in the Bush Administration.

• The distribution of the bible and proselytizing to the Afghan people by U.S. Army personnel.

• Texas state law requiring that public schools incorporate Bible literacy into its curriculum.

• “C Street House” revelation.

I write this Special Comment to express my concerns and feelings about the Christian conservatives belief that their form of Christianity should be the religion of choice in this country and government should operate under their values. Should that ever happen, this country would be no different from the Taliban enforcing their version of Islam when they ruled Afghanistan.

Great thanks again for another timely, thoughtful, and very welcome piece, 42bkdodgr.

By the way, I agree with this piece wholeheartedly. 42bkdodgr had some concerns about posting it, but I think it's obvious that it is not meant to offend anyone, and is in no way condemning or criticizing anyone's personal religious beliefs. It's purely an opinion piece based on the current tumultuous political atmosphere.

Some Texas schools will teach bible in school, won't let Obama speech air

Seriously, I just want to cry over the stupidity. Here's the DDN coverage of the "controversy" over the President's speech.

A new state law requires that Texas public schools incorporate Bible literacy into the curriculum, but it provides no specific guidelines, funding for materials or teacher training. So high schools are left scrambling to figure out what to teach and how to teach it.

A handful of North Texas districts are offering an elective class, but most are choosing instead to embed Old and New Testament teachings into current classes.

Such broad parameters leave one of the most controversial topics in public schools virtually unregulated, say religious scholars and confused educators. They warn that the nebulous law may have thwarted its purpose — to examine the Bible’s influence in history and literature.

Obama Mentions Jesus More Than Bush but Acknowledges the Godless More, Too

Excellent point. I'm not so crazy about the President's stance on religion/state (esp with stuff like this), but I have noticed his willingness to be inclusive.

...That's all true. But it's important to note that Obama also recognizes other religious traditions—and actively recognizes nonbelievers—more than Bush.

Last week's Cairo speech was a good example. Bush never engaged the world's ordinary Muslims so directly.

At his inauguration, meanwhile, Obama described the United States as "a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus—and nonbelievers."

In his remarks at February's National Prayer Breakfast, the president again touted America's religious diversity: "We subscribe to different accounts of how we came to be here and where we're going next—and some subscribe to no faith at all."

Obama is both more overtly Christian and more outwardly appreciative of the nation's religious diversity.

Original Politico article re the Jesus mentions here.

Praying for firearms: Church to hold gun service, would "nauseate Jesus"

By GottaLaff

Nothing says Christian family values, peace, and sweet Jesus love like church-sanctioned ownership of firearms and blood-spattered images proselytizing same:

A Valley Station Road church is sponsoring an "Open Carry Church Service" in late June, encouraging people to wear unloaded guns in their holsters, enter a raffle to win a free handgun, hear patriotic music and listen to talks by operators of gun stores and firing ranges.

Pastor Ken Pagano of New Bethel Church said the first-time event is "basically trying to think a little bit outside the box" to promote "responsible gun ownership and 2nd Amendment rights."

The event, slated for late Saturday afternoon, June 27, is being promoted with online posters, including one using a red font resembling splattered blood with the words: "Open Carry Church Service."

Pagano said the poster wasn't intended to glorify bloodshed and that the lettering was just "a font that somebody developed."

Well then, a-f'ing-men and hallelujah! Freedom of Font!

"There are people who own firearms and do so responsibly and enjoy them as a sport, maybe like golfing or bowling."

Or shooting OB-GYNs. And no, I am not against gun ownership. I'm against murder.

Some worry about the message that is being sent.

"Even if I were perfectly comfortable with open-carry handguns or gun rights, it seems to me a completely whole other thing to connect those rights to Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Jerry Cappel, president of the Kentuckiana Interfaith Community, a coalition of local leaders from various religions.

Tying in the event "with one who explicitly called us to put down the sword and pick up the cross and love our enemies and turn the other cheek, it just makes no sense," he said.

Gee, ya think?

The Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper of Lexington, who has lobbied against laws such as one allowing citizens with permits to carry concealed weapons, said the event "would nauseate Jesus."

I can relate.

Pagano said the event was planned several months ago — long before Sunday's shooting death of an abortion doctor at his Kansas church refocused attention on, among other things, churches and guns. [...]

Pagano said a major impetus for the event was concern among many gun-rights advocates about then-presidential candidate Obama's legislative record in favor of some firearms restrictions — despite Obama's attempt to reassure gun owners.

So-o-o, a church went all political on us. Again.

I wonder if Jesus would have run for office. My feeling is that he'd be one hell of a fundraiser.

Bill O'Reilly Still Skirmishing the "War On Christmas"

Kelly tries, but there is no getting thru that skull of Billo's. Dave at C&L caught something I didn't- They're not mocking Gregoire Bill, they're mocking you.

Kentucky law requires state Homeland Security office to credit God with state's safety

Very weird state commonwealth**.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) _ A lawmaker says the state's Homeland Security office should be crediting God with keeping the state safe.

State Rep. Tom Riner, a Southern Baptist minister who was instrumental in establishing that requirement in 2006, disapproves of the fact that Homeland Security doesn't currently mention God in its mission statement or on its Web site.

The law passed under former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who prominently credited God in annual reports to state leaders. But Gov. Steve Beshear's administration didn't credit God in its 2008 Homeland Security report issued last month.

(snip)

The law that organized the Homeland Security office first lists Homeland Security's duty to recognize that government itself can't secure the state without God, even before mentioning other duties, which include distributing millions of dollars in federal grants and analyzing possible threats.

**corrected via comments.

Court upholds 'God' plates in Indiana

It pissed me off then, and it pisses me of now. The rest of the article goes into the mumbo jumbo of the decision, but basically it boils down to the fact that you have to pay extra for your "Support Teachers" or "Support The Environment" plates, but for the "Jesus Loves You" one, not so much.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the state's "In God We Trust" license plate Monday, rejecting a claim that people who buy the plates should have to pay a $15 administrative fee charged for other specialty plates.

In its 12-page ruling, the appeals court found that state lawmakers acted correctly in creating a license plate classification system that exempts people who buy the "In God We Trust" plate from paying the administrative fee.

The court found that the General Assembly's license plate system "is reasonably related to the inherent characteristics of the license plates."

AP: IWRC* Palin Charged Taxpayers $13k to Attend Her Church

By GottaLaff

Here is the previous problem Palin had with bilking taxpayers for staying at her home.

Merge church and state much, IWRC* Palin? Via turneresq at DKos:

The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.

What she didn't tell worshippers gathered at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown was that her appearance that day came courtesy of Alaskan taxpayers, who picked up the $639.50 tab for her airplane tickets and per diem fees.

An Associated Press review of the Republican vice presidential candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.

Since she took state office in late 2006, the governor and her family have spent more than $13,000 in taxpayer funds to attend at least 10 religious events and meetings with Christian pastors, including Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical preacher Billy Graham, records show.

Welcome to the world of Ms. Toast.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

State paid for trip when Palin told students to pray for pipeline

By GottaLaff

Pray for Sarah Louise Palin. She may need some help:

Gov. Sarah Palin used state funds in June when she traveled from Juneau to Wasilla to speak to graduating evangelical students and urge them to fan out through Alaska "to make sure God's will be done here."

State records show that Palin submitted a travel authorization for a quick round-trip visit to attend the June 8 graduation of the Master's Commission program at the Wasilla Assembly of God, the church where she was baptized at age 12. The only other item on the agenda for that trip was a "One Lord Sunday" service involving a network of Mat-Su Christian churches earlier that morning at the Wasilla sports complex.

The records show Palin flew from Juneau on Saturday, June 7. She returned to Juneau that Monday afternoon. The plane tickets cost the state $519.50, and she claimed an additional $120 for meals and other expenses.

I can't imagine Sarah Louise wouldn't have something to say in her own defense. A simple explanation, perhaps, to allay the fears of those of us who believe she may have crossed a line?

Palin couldn't be reached for comment Friday as she campaigned for vice president. Her spokeswoman at the McCain campaign said she wouldn't grant an interview.

Why in the world would she grant an interview? That would mean communicating with voters! That would mean answering questions. That would mean being held accountable. That would mean sharing her views. That would mean allowing voters to understand who they might or might not be supporting.

But Palin's spokeswoman in the governor's office, Sharon Leighow, said the state paid for the trip because Palin was invited to the events as the governor, not as a private citizen.

Let's see what the governor's remarks included:

"What I need to do is strike a deal with you guys as you go out throughout Alaska -- I can do my part in doing things like working really, really hard to get a natural gas pipeline." Palin said. "Pray about that also. I think God's will has to be done, in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that. But I can do my job there, in developing our natural resources, and doing things like getting the roads paved, making sure our troopers have their cop cars and their uniforms and their guns, and making sure our public schools are funded.

"But really, all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's hearts isn't right with God. And that's going to be your job," she said. "As I'm doing my job, let's strike this deal. Your job is going to be: to be out there, reaching the people, (the) hurting people throughout Alaska, and we can work together to make sure God's will be done here."

No crossover of church and state there, right Sarah? .... Right, Sarah?... Sarah, I'm talking to you, why don't you answer?.... Oh. That's right. You refuse to talk to anybody.

Palin's talk was recorded by the church and posted on its Web site. It has since been removed, but the video has been copied to multiple sites on the Internet as Americans attempt to learn more about her since her surprise pick by John McCain as his running mate Aug. 29.

Palin told the graduates her remarks were off the cuff because she wasn't sure she could attend. [...]

But Leighow said the graduation was one of two purposes for the trip.

According to a six-minute promotional video by the Wasilla Assembly of God, the master's commission program is a live-in, year-long educational program for young adults. The church's description shows there's nothing secular about it.

"The Master's Commission program is something that's going to take a young person and lead them for the rest of their lives in passionate journey for Jesus," the video says. The instruction is "designed to take students in from around the nation, and through that we're able to shape and mold disciples of the lord Jesus Christ."

The program isn't just inward looking -- the graduates are expected take the message to people around the state.

"We seek him in the morning with worship, with live worship, with intimate worship, to know him face to face," the video says. "The first part in the morning is to know God, and then from that afternoon you go out and make him known." [...]

In words similar to Palin's, the video stresses the program's ties to Alaska:

"God has a destiny for the state of Alaska, and we know that master's commission is one of the keys that God is going to use to unlock his glory for that state," a speaker says.

In an e-mail exchange on Friday, Palin's spokeswoman Leighow defended the use of state money by Palin to travel to Wasilla and participate in the event. Attending religious events is common for elected officials, she said. There was no violation of the constitutional separation of church and state in Palin's official appearance and remarks, she said. [...]

Leighow compared Palin's prodding of the young evangelical students to her attending the 2007 installation of Rabbi Michael Oblath at Congregation Beth Sholom in Anchorage.

"What's the difference?" Leighow said.

I'm almost sure Sarah could tell us the difference, if only we could get her to talk to us.

Matthew 25 Releases Pro-Obama TV Ad

I'm seething. I understand, but this shouldn't be necessary. More about the organization here.