Happy Fourth of July

Just a short entry today to wish everyone a happy Independence Day... eat lotsa hot dogs and enjoy the fireworks responsibly.

Stop FISA!

From Russ Feingold:

In recent days, people across the country have voiced the opinion that the so-called "compromise" FISA bill working its way through the Senate must be stopped.

As you already know, I am working hard to strip retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that allegedly cooperated with the President's illegal warrantless wiretapping program from the bill.

But that is not the only problem. This FISA legislation gives enormous powers to the government: including the ability to read emails and text messages and listen to phone conversations of anyone communicating with their family members, friends, associates, reporters, ANYBODY who may be overseas -- all with zero court review. Nobody should be supporting this legislation.

We can defend our country from terrorists while at the same time protecting the rights and freedoms outlined in the Constitution. It's time for our elected officials to stand up for the values on which our country was founded.

We should celebrate our Constitution this Fourth of July -- and do everything we can to prevent it from being torn up when the Senate returns to Washington next week.

Progressives everywhere have already had a tremendous impact -- with phone calls, emails, and letters pouring into offices by the hundreds (in some cases thousands), but the pressure on my colleagues to give in to this so-called "compromise" and President Bush is strong.

I'm going to continue to do everything I can to stand up for the rights and freedoms we all share. Thanks again for doing your part.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
Honorary Chair
Progressive Patriots Fund

Senator Feingold needs our help to stop the FISA "compromise" bill. Please sign the Petition to Stop Telecom Immunity. The DFA will deliver the petitions to every Senator on Tuesday morning, right before the expected vote.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW

Can Muslims Deny Their Faith?

According to a March 2008 poll, one in 10 registered voters believes that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Of course, he isn't. Obama is a Christian (but I try not to hold that against him).

Given this pathetic level of misinformed potential voters, The Slate poses an interesting question: Are Muslims allowed to pass?

I always thought that believers were taught that it is better to die for your faith in God than to deny him or your belief...

A Suggestion for Obama's Team

Here is the quote you need to keep splashing around about Grandpa McCain:

"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," McCain said.

And then ask why someone who does not properly understand economics should be president in these troubling times.

I think that might resonate with some voters...

Good Points, General!

Retired General Wesley Clark, a former presidential candidate in 2004 and a war veteran and commander raised a valid question about John McCain's "war hero" status that has been a long time coming IMHO.

"[McCain] hasn't held executive responsibility," Clark said on "Face the Nation" yesterday. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded -- that wasn't a wartime squadron. I don't think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president."

Yes, McCain should get our profound thanks for serving his country, but he seems to want more. He wants to be viewed as a hero. But a hero does extraordinary things. McCain got shot down and spent years in prison. Yes, this is valid service. No, it is not heroic in the same way that taking a bullet or leading troops to safety would be... you know, like John Kerry did.

Texas Allows Christian Child Abuse to Stand

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday rejected a jury award over injuries a 17-year-old girl suffered in an exorcism conducted by members of the church she attended.

The justices ruled that the exorcism was a matter of church doctrine and subject to certain First Amendment religious protections, and thus the case would "unconstitutionally entangle the court in matters of church doctrine."

In its 6-3 decision, the high court ruled that a lower court erred when it said the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God's First Amendment rights regarding freedom of religion did not prevent the church from being held liable for mental distress brought on by a "hyper-spiritualistic environment."

Laura Schubert sued the Colleyville, Texas, church in 2002, claiming she was cut and bruised and later experienced hallucinations after the church members performed an exorcism on her in 1996, when she was 17.

Attorneys for the church said her psychological problems were triggered by traumatic events she witnessed with her missionary parents in Africa.

Another horrific case of children being abused in the name of god. This is a horrible decision by the Texas Supreme Court. Yes, the woman's claims may be dubious, but she should be permitted to air them in a court of law and have that decided legally.

Questions and thoughts that this particular "decision" raises for me:

1. If an atheist did the same thing to this woman as these religious fucks did he or she would be arrested.
2. How is polygamy, a religious practice, not protected under the first amendment, but child abuse during an exorcism protected?
3. Perhaps the Catholic church should just make child rape a sacrament, then it could not be punished because those priests would be protected under the first amendment because they were just performing religious rites on those altar boys.
4. What the fuck is a "hyper spiritualistic environment"?
5. I wonder what this woman was doing to make the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God elders think she was possessed by demons? Was she spewing pea soup? Or just acting like a 17 year old who didn't buy their shit any more?
   

Your thoughts?