Jesus at the DNC

Thanks to tabbed browsing, I can both watch live box scores, and some dude give a shout-out to Jesus at the end of the first day of the DNC.

I try to be a realist, and I know that those Jesus-lovin folk are still allowed to vote, but I really wish we did not have to stoop so far below the first amendment…

Obama, Where are You?

Barack Obama, who has said some remarkably intelligent things in the past (such as his speech on race in America), has in the previous few days said he would sign the FISA bill, which grants immunity to telecoms who broke the wiretap law at the FBI’s request, and advocated expanding funding for faith-based programs.

If you don’t know why FISA is a terrible step backward, read the quote that Brad recently posted.  Government officials always want to bend the law to suit their needs.  It is the responsibility of law-abiding corporations to not capitualte in the face of law-breaking agents.  To grant these companies immunity after the fact is to essentially hand the government a “write your own law” card.

I want to be clear about faith-based groups: many of the services they provide are fantastic and beneficial to society.  But while I certainly support community service and helping others, faith-based to me means god-tainted.  If even one group uses their government-given money to evangelize, say that god hates gays, or that condoms are evil, that’s too much for me.  This is not a Christian country.  Leave God out of it.

Obama, in the arduous choice between holding up to good, progressive principles, and compromise for political reasons, please don’t stray too far.