Excellent letter and editorial. The letter brings up PNAC and

[alfredo]

the editorial brings up church state issues.

Read the last letter on the page.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/editorial/14183672.htm


Though this editorial is specific to Kentucky, it should resonate nationwide. In 2004 Dr Daniel Mongiardo ran against Jim Bunning. He did pretty good, but the whisper campaigns that Dr Dan was gay (he's not) or because his skin was a shade darker that he was a terrorist (he's a rural doctor) swayed the "conservative" voters to vote for Bunning. Dr Dan did good in moderate parts of the state, but the specter of having a "gay terrorist" in the Senate was too much for the easily deceived and Bunning pulled out a victory.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/editorial/14183671.htm

KENTUCKY VOICES
Beware of politicians using religion to push other issues
By Daniel Mongiardo
Over the past several years, one political party has deceived the public by exploiting religion. For example, we have been duped into looking at separation of church and state from the wrong perspective.

Separating church and state should not mean keeping God out of government. Instead, we should be worrying about keeping the corrupting influence of politicians out of religion. Indeed, that was what most concerned our nation's founders.
Our country was built on fundamental Christian values. That is why I supported and voted for House Bill 277, which would allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in schools and other public buildings.

What concerned our forefathers was protecting religion from the interference of state. Indeed, warnings about the dangers of political corruption of religion stretch back through the ages.

more at link.


BTW, Dr Dan was one of the many campaigns I helped in 2004. Though he is a bit conservative for my tastes, I liked the guy and liked his honesty.

[Mythsaje]

1. Load of crap...

The founding fathers wanted to keep both separate from one another. Unlike modern Americans, they were WELL aware of what happened in Europe as a result of religion and politics becoming too closely aligned with one another. It's bad for the political process and religion alike. And sure as hell bad for the people.

Anyone who natters on about the whole "founded on the Christian religion" crap is fouling the water and making things worse, even if that person IS for the separation of church and state on principle. We were founded as a secular republic made up of several colonies representing several different Christian sects who wanted NO particular sect to have more authority than the others. The only way to accomplish this was to make certain that no religious language was included in our founding documents.

[NanceGreggs]

2. As always, MythSage ...

... well said!

[Mythsaje]

3. Thanks, Nance...

Have you seen my latest rant?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=750157&mesg_id=750157

[NanceGreggs]

4. Thanks for the link!

BRILLIANT stuff, Mythsaje! Posted over there, and gave it a big kick and Recommend!!!!

[Mythsaje]

5. Thanks...I posted it late last night

and it doesn't look as though it's going to get five recs. :shrug: I'll probably re-post sometime next week. With my change in schedule people who know me and my writing aren't around when I post anymore. :)

On edit...of course, I could be wrong. LOL It got five.

[NanceGreggs]

6. Here's my latest rant ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2533871

Come on over and take a look!

[alfredo]

7. You always need to know your audience. He said what he said

to keep from turning off the readers before he made his case. Nothing we can say can change their belief that this is a Christian nation, so he has to work within that belief to reframe the debate. So don't discount the message by that nod to the sensibilities of his target audience.

He wants to let them know the Republicans are using religion to manipulate them, and if they don't pay attention they will lose their freedom.

forgot to add:

I spent 14 years in retail and I learned that to effectively sale a product you must first sell yourself. If your customer doesn't like you, or doesn't trust you, you are not going to get that commission. So by getting the customer on your side you you stand a much better chance to make that sale.