(Indianapolis, IN) Accusing those who prefer not to have religion shoved down their throats as promoting, "a cultural coup d'etat by the fashionable elite," Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX)called yesterday for an aggressive counterattack.  He said that such a counterattack would have a friend in the White Hosue once George W. Bush was elected.  Gov. Bush couldn't be reached for comment because, I would assume, he's busily scissoring a picture of Tom DeLay into very small pieces for replacing Pat Buchanan in the Bush Family Album under the heading, "career killer."

DeLay proposed that Congress attach two anti-religious discrimination measures to spending bills. One would allow religious groups and institutions to receive federal funds.  The second would prohibit states and school districts receiving public funds from barring private voluntary prayer and religious activity.

"What we need is simply a return to the healthy appreciation for religion that has always sustained the nation," DeLay said. "Government can't enforce religious teachings or doctrines of specific faiths. But at the same time, federal power must not be distorted into a wedge that splits the vast majority of Americans from the sacred ideals that guide their lives."

He's right.  I know that I won't be able to adequately pray until the Ten Commandments are posted on my courthouse lawn and somebody can get on the microphone and praise God before my local high school football game.  Frankly, I don't know how I've lasted this long with such oppressive federal intrusion into my right to tell my neighbor what to think and how to pray.

First of all, welcome to the true face of the Republican party.  Like what you see?

Second, the two bills DeLay proposes attaching to federal spending bills are so completely contrary to the letter and spirit of the First Amendment that one is forced to wonder whether or not DeLay has read the Bill of Rights.  While one is pondering that, he or she might also ruminate on the likelihood of Bippus, Indiana hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games since both questions are likely to produce the same answer.

The provision of federal funds to religious groups isn't just unconsitutional, it's wrong for both the State and the religious
institution.  Thomas Jefferson said that colusion between religion and government could lead to mutual reliance - government relying on religion for control of the masses and religion relying on government for funds and singularity - which would destroy the freedom of both.  Just as I do not want my synagogue in my government, so do I fear my government in my
synagogue.  Furthermore, giving federal money to religious groups is, clearly, a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.  Even if the government funds multiple groups, it still establishes the broader concept of religion over the objection of those who are irreligious.

As for the right of people to pray in public; I just now found out this right doesn't exist.  I'm appalled.  A man was caught praying silently on the steps of the Califronia Statehouse yesterday and, I believe, has been summarily executed.  Justice, when meted out by the "fashionable elite," is swift.

I think we all know that this right presently exists.  Anyone has the right to bow their head and pray whenever they feel the urge - even in public.

What's really interesting is the continuing efforts on the part of Congressional Republicans to push this issue.  Shoring up Social Security, saving Medicare, protecting patients from their HMOs, educating our children, addressing poverty, enacting common sense gun control, and even the important discussion over how to best manage foreign trade all take a back seat to this blatant attempt to establish Christianity - and a fundamentalist brand of it, at that - as the national religion of the United
States.

Tom "RICO Suave" DeLay and the other right-wing whackos in the US House and Senate are doing a fantastic job of tearing at the empty facade of compassionate conservatism erected by Shrub.  It's always nice to see that an old friend like Pat Buchanan is gone, but not forgotten.
 

AND THE DANNY GOES TO: New Rule for the Danny Award!  Anytime a politician gets smacked in the face with a pie by a protestor, said politician gets the Danny.  So, this week's Danny goes to Illinois Governor George "Get Your Red
Hot Drivers Licenses Here" Ryan.  The scandal-plagued Ryan got belted in the kisser with a cream pie upon his arrival in Carbondale, Illinois on the first stop of a statewide "good will" tour.  An idea for Ryan: after getting booted in 2002, you could always be the corporate spokesman for ReadiWhip!