Bong Hits 4 Jesus

The Almighty gets mixed up in a Supreme Court decision upholding the 10-day suspension of an Alaskan teenager from his high school after he brought a "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner to a school-sanctioned event support the torch run up to the 2002 Winter Olympics. Who knows if using Jesus' name inspired the ruling. Or if it was just the drug-use reference. Or that crazy two-for-one combo of both on a big white banner held by high school students in the middle of the day along the Olympic torch route.

Anyway, just like recent decisions on campaign financing and corporate shareholder lawsuits, our politically-biased Supreme Court has now started to shave away at free speech rights. Bravo boys! I bet you can't wait to get Roe v Wade called back into question.

Why are such LIFE-LONG appointments that are the FINAL WORD of United States justice politically appointed?? Does that make any sense? We have to elect DA's and judges on the city and state level of politics. Why would we - the people - not also be in charge of who is put in these positions at the national scale??

What if that sign said "Bong Hits 4 Jose"... or "Big Love 4 Jesus"?? Would that have inspired the suspension in the first place? And would it have raised through the ranks for the past five years to the Supreme Court?

Probably not. But it did. And the final decision - as most final Supreme Court decisions to come for many years in our near future - was politically-biased by a Republican administration who was largely elected by rallying their base of the Religious Right.

Gone Fishing...

Hey there... On a lil vaca... Back Monday the 25th...

In the meantime, take a minute to find out how to contact your Representative or Senator:

Contact Your Representative Here

Contact Your Senator Here

Tell them what you feel about all the important issues that relate to public policy: education, military defense, health care, the war on terrorism, anything... and tell 'em to

TAKE RELIGION OUT OF POLITICS

TROOP: Around the World We Go...

The Islamist forces of Hamas have overthrown their Fatah rivals and their victory has created a rare calm in the inter-faction fighting Palestine has faced for many bloody months. In the name of Allah and the success of Hamas, "hundreds of Palestinians swarmed stripped bare the home of hated Fatah security leader Mohammed Dahlan and set fire to beachfront villas owned by prominent Fatah figures." - according to an article in McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Religion seems to be inextricable from the political movements in the Middle East. That's a fact. And it should serve as a warning to the Western world as to the catastrophic instability created by top leaders using religion to mobilize their citizens. Does it create a passion to discuss the issues and work things out or just a passion to destroy the opposition and be absolved of responsibility because it's in the name of their God?

Religion is a beautiful thing but politics are not. Both will only poison each other when mixed.

Mittney Gets Heckled (Hidden Camera)

I don't know what to say about this one.... Someone snuck a video camera into a small town hall meeting with Mitt Romney. He gets lambasted by an audience member who questions his religion. No ill will towards Mittney. I think he's just another sacraficial lamb in the war that religion creates around politics.

Yet those Mormons do border on the bizarre when in comes to beliefs.... Here's a one freaky factoid by Brian and Laurl at the blog, HinesSight, "where the gospel of spiritual independence is preached":

"[Mormons believe] that in 1827 Joseph Smith dug up some golden plates in New York that had been protected by an angel named Moroni and engraved by Mormon, a pre-Columbian prophet-warrior.

The plates supposedly were written in something called "Reformed Egyptian." Smith translated the plates by looking into seer stones called Urim and Thummim. And that's how the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormonism, got started. "

Hey, I say whether you believe in Mormonism's golden plates or Islam's 72 virgins or Christianity's Noah's Ark, it's all folklore that's been passed down to shape minds and morals rather than strict edicts that need to be protected by combative means. It's for the individual to decide and share with their family, friends and those close to them. It is NOT fodder for wide debate and definitely not for the political spectrum. It's personal. Why include that in politics? It's like debating whether a "good" presidential candidate should like chocolate ice cream versus orange sherbert (cuz we know what those sherbert-lovers are like!)

A TROOP MUST WATCH: Soldier's funerals being picketed with "Thank God For Dead Soldiers" signs

This video seriously comes close to making me vomit all over my computer screen and then punching my fist through it. My god, even Sean Hannity hates these people.

In reality, this is a very small extremist group that even the "Religious Right" consider a black sheep. That said, it is also an extreme example of how religion creates ultimate sensation and steals the airwaves from actual issues. Let's take the air out of the tires of these groups - and their more "mature" big brothers and sisters - by tuning out on religion as something that needs to be discussed in the public forum. What end does it serve? Does anyone actually feel more satisfied after watching a piece like this? Is anyone closer to being educated on true public policy matters? or are we just being distracted in this three-card monte game that forces our eyes to wander away from the truly substantial issues? It's a shakedown folks and at the end of the day our minds will end up just as empty as our wallets from some shyster on 5th Ave asking us to follow the Queen.

Silent Bob gets loud about the horror in "Red State"

Looks like Kevin Smith sees the horror genre as more expansive than spooky Asian girls and Aussies on holiday. In his upcoming $3 million indie horror film, "Red State," Smith takes on preacher Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. The group is famous for it’s “God hates fags” website and picketing the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq.

Check out the full article here

AND WATCH UPCOMING "THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS" POST TO SEE THESE PICKETERS AT WORK. IT DOES PLAY LIKE A HORROR MOVIE!

I Love This Little Fat Boy and his Little Waving Patriotic Chins Of Compassionate Conservatism

Check out Petmark81's informative rant on the differences between Religees & Secularists.

Then tune into Beliefnet.com's David Kuo, blogging a bit on the state of compassionate conservatism and his tips on modding it for the 2008 election. Rev up the slogan-ator!!

GetReligion.Org: Putting it's Religious Nose where it Politically Doesn't Belong

I came upon this bloggity-blog called GetReligion.org whose tagline is "The press... just doesn't get religion"...

Ugg, I've only been at this a few days and now all these tips are raining down like frogs about folks around the world fiercely intent on keeping religion and politics hand-in-hand. Check out Daniel Pullman's blog entry from yesterday titled, "The press gets political religion."

Also references an interesting article from The Sacramento Bee about McCain getting called out for not being so vocal as his comrades on his Christian faith. If McCain isn't wearing God on his sleeve like all the rest then we just might have found a glimmer of the 2000 race McCain who stuck to his guns and didn't sell out to cheap campaign tactics. Here is Matt Stearns' article. And a quote from McCain that I would like to see echoed by all candidates:

"I think it's something between me and my creator," McCain said in an interview with McClatchy Newspapers. "It's primarily a private issue rather than a public one. ... When I'm asked about it, I'll be glad to discuss it. I just don't bring it up."

Is America Ready?

Hee-larious bit on The Daily Show by correspondent, Samantha Bee, titled "Is America Ready for Mormons?" The video hasn't found it's way to YouTube yet but you can find it through this link.

The inclusion of Mitt Romney into the 2008 race has only helped to fuel the faithful fire of keeping religion knee-deep in politics. But it's a weird nasty tone, isn't it? Anytime I see a news piece on Romney being Prez the gist is something akin to: "Is America ready for a Purple Six-Foot Alien as President?"

This "Is America ready?" media machine has been revving up ever since Romney got in the race? Here's an interesting 2006 article from MSNBC. When will a major story on Romney be about something other that his religion? Is this really what is going to dictate his actions as president? Or is this fear-mongering (hmmm, who does great fear-mongering these days?) just a quick, easy way to get one more guy out of the race?

Mitt Romney Lying for the Lord

Dem Votes, Dem Votes, Dem Faithful Votes

Looks like the Dems are now taking the tactic of fighting Faith with Faith...

Last week they lined up like kids at their First Communion to get on a panel at "Pentecost 2007" and show the religious right, left and center that they take religion seriously. The pundits, strategists and politicians themselves all seem to agree that this move takes the wind out of the Republican sails that they've enjoyed (owned) for years. Good idea but too bad they have to sink rather than soar above this level of politics. Where are the true leaders that can put this issue back into people's homes and houses of worship rather than "taking the vision to the streets" like a Crips/Bloods gang fight?

An excerpt from The NY Times (June 11th, 2007 by John Cochran of Congressional Quarterly):

"For the candidates invited to “Pentecost 2007” — Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama — it was a chance to dispel the perception of many religious voters that Democrats don’t take religion seriously and to make a case that their party’s policies on poverty and other social issues speak to the concerns and values of religious people.

Lessons of past campaigns, when abortion and gay marriage dominated the religious agenda and Republicans seemed to have a lock on the religious vote, suggest that those involved in the forum were wasting their breath. But in fact, political scientists, pollsters and religious leaders say religious voters could be in play this political season in broader and more unpredictable ways than ever before.

Religious activists are involved in a wider sphere of issues, including poverty, the environment and human rights. That broader agenda, said political scientist John Green of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, gives candidates such as Edwards, Clinton and Obama more opportunities to connect with religious voters."

Read Full Article: Converting the Faith Community - NY Times

Episcopalians, Jews & Catholics Unite! on, uh, the new faith-based GLOBAL WARMING movement?

With Green being the new black of the 2008 election, the religees scramble to find a way to stay relevant...

I think the article says it all, excerpt below... please excuse me while my brain explodes

WASHINGTON - Religious leaders and senators invoked the Old Testament, the teachings of Jesus, modern-day polls and hard-edged politics Thursday in a lively hearing that turned into a debate about the role of faith and doctrine in tackling global warming.

Using her prerogative as committee chair, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., scheduled the hearing to highlight the growing importance of religious groups, including evangelicals, in grass-roots campaigns to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

After weeks of hearings on climate change that brought scientists, snowmobilers, CEOs, environmental activists and retired admirals before the Environment Committee, this hearing featured the nation's presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, a leader of reform Judaism, a representative of Catholic bishops, evangelical leaders and theologians.

Several leaders said denominations that often disagree over moral issues and policies have found widespread accord on the need to protect Earth and future generations by aggressively combating global warming.

"Faith communities, in the area of global warming, are increasingly of one mind that action is needed," said Episcopal Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who also spoke for the National Council of Churches, which represents about 45 million Americans. (By Frank Davies/MediaNews)

Full Article: San Jose Mercury News - Religion, politics mix at global warming hearing

I Don't (Heart) Huckabee

From, sigh, FoxNews.com... the Preacher Man for President shares his insight into the living conditions at Guantanamo Bay shortly after Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.) calls for the closing of Gitmo, not just immediately but "this afternoon." (Click here to watch)

Huckabee actuals said these words on a national cable news network: "I can tell you most of our prisoners would love to be in a facility more like Guantanamo..." You better pray Preacher Man that this story doesn't gain traction.

2008 Candidate Mike Huckabee Says Guantanamo Bay Offers Better Conditions to Detainees Than Most U.S. Prisons

Dio Mios Mang... Religious Hispanics Open Arms to Politics at "National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast"

An excerpt from this recent article:
Pew Forum: ¡Here Come 'Los Evangélicos'!

"The prayer breakfast offers a vivid illustration of the growing presence and increasing political influence of Latino evangelicals, who now make up some 15% of the rapidly expanding Hispanic population in the U.S., according to a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Hispanic Center. That survey also shows that among eligible Latino voters, evangelicals are twice as likely as Latino Catholics to identify with the Republican Party (37% vs. 17%). Latino evangelicals also are far more likely than Latino Catholics to describe themselves as conservative (46% vs. 31%).

In short, if Republicans have a prayer in making deep inroads into the Hispanic community, evangelicals may well provide their most direct route."

This is a growing problemo that looks to infiltrate every nook and cranny of American life.

Ron Paul stomps Sean Hannity

Watch this. A perfect example of one man trying to talk facts and specific opinion, Ron Paul, and another just vying for soundbites and politically-motivated fear-mongering. Hannity obviously doesn't even try to listen and absorb Paul's points. And this from a man who's job it is to discus politics for a living?

Oh God, does this look like a night in hell to you?

Giuliani Boxes With God

Gee Guily, see what happens when you take "God" bait from Wolf

Take Religion Out Of Politics

Okay, here's the idea...

Driving home the other day, I was listening to "Left, Right & Center" on KCRW (NPR) and became a bit blown away by the fact that over half of what is usually a fairly intelligent and entertaining program, discussing politics from all angles, was taken up by religion: stem cells, the use of the word "God" in the latest Republican debate, the lack of the use of the word "God" in the latest Democratic debate, the fact that 92% of Americans believe in (their) God, etc, etc, etc... and it all made me think...

TAKE RELIGION OUT OF POLITICS

Is it that simple? I don't know... but what I do know is that this nation was founded on a simple principle of a separation between Church and State... and over the last eight-plus years there's been a definite machine-like momentum created in making all Church issues (read: religion) relate to all State issues (the passing of bills, the election of officials, the political punditry arena). And what is the positive outcome of this marriage? I do not believe there is one...

Seriously. It's a red herring, a MacGuffin, a total distraction from what is relevant: the passing of bills and the election of officials that directly relate to all of our true day-to-day life issues. Not to say that religion does not relate to day-to-day life issues. Of course it does! Many people observe their faith every day. But is this a practice that need be intertwined with such issues as how we are taxed, our nation's foreign policy or healthcare, immigration, education, the environment or the military? Should religion play a role in these issues? If you think so, then we're on different sides of the fence and I welcome hearing your reasonings why. If you think not, then why do you think religion is such a top-notch player in the debate we constantly see and hear on radio, television and the internet? Do you see the disconnect that I do?

To paraphrase an old political idiom: It's the red meat, stupid. That's it, right? The inclusion of religion into the general politic debate foisted upon us on CNN, Fox News, NY Times, NPR, HuffPost, Weekly Standard, etc is simply "red meat" that is there to get our blood boiling in the same way news on Anna Nicole Smith or Lindsay Lohan gets us to crane our neck like it's a ten-car pile-up on the interstate. It's red meat. It's water-cooler talk that makes people debate rather than exchange ideas. It makes people take sides rather than agree we are all on the same side - the American side. It brainwashes us into passionately caring about something publicly that is really best served personally, much like a fervent debate on Coke versus Pepsi.

This is a problem. The growing role of religion in politics is dividing us in the same way that made the Protestants and Catholics eventually shed blood in Ireland and the Jews and the Palestinians doing the same in the Middle East. Are these passionate conflicts really about religion at their core or more about land, money and power with a small politically influential minority using religion to stir up their public "base" to take sides and to take action that furthers the divide rather than the resolution? In the United States, is the inclusion of religion into politics any more Conservative (the minimizing of government into the lives of the public) or Liberal (the free sharing of ideas amongst the people without fear of retribution)? I think not. I think the inclusion of religion is - and always has been - a way to "stir the pot" by those that have found their way into a position of political power.

Listen, I'm just a guy. A person. A citizen. Someone who wants to turn on the radio or the TV or a website and take in debates that might actually have an end goal. Discussing religion will never have an end point. Religion is personal. Religion is a passion. Religion is a beautiful belief in a higher power that can never be measured in the same way as unemployment or test scores or GDP. I mean, what's the point if we distract ourselves and waste our breath trying to exchange political views when they are bogged down by personal, subjective virtues.

TAKE RELIGION OUT OF POLITICS.

It's really the only way. And the first step in clearing out the noise pollution that clouds us all from debating substantive matters. Take religion out. Own it in a different way than in the political spectrum. Save that passion for your own church or synagogue or dare I say mosque. Save it for the people that you truly interact with on a daily basis rather than letting this personal passion be inflamed by the mainstream media creating "hot button" (Breaking News! Exclusive!) topics that are there just to ensure you stay for the commercial breaks or tune into the next episode.

Over the next few days, weeks, years and maybe decades I hope to continue this dialog. This blog world is a new thing for me. Hopefully I have a place. Hopefully you have some time. I don't mean to dominate your day. Go enjoy the sun, your loved ones, your faith and your political beliefs. Just be wary of those that are trying to intertwine all of these important individual issues. Focus on them as they need to be focused on. Letting them bleed into each other will only compromise the joy you reach from each. If you, like me, are interested in meaty (not red meat) political discourse then I hope you will agree that a true step forward into progressive debate will happen once we

TAKE RELIGION OUT OF POLITICS.