A Pagan, a Spoiler, and a Democrat
Margot Adler was the moderator for a debate between independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader and former Democratic candidate Howard Dean. I’m sure the pundits on the right and the left will pick it apart, but I want to touch briefly on something that will most likely not get much cover (but was mentioned in a Salon article).
“In a refreshingly energetic debate, the two iconoclasts found themselves reverting to politician-speak at the end, when the moderator, Adler, posed what she called her “favorite question”: If diversity in ideas and perspectives is the main recommendation for a strong third-party system, what did the two have to say about the hurdles to women or atheists running for president?” – Mary Jacoby (Salon)
The answers?
“If diversity in ideas and perspectives is the main recommendation for a strong third-party system, what did the two have to say about the hurdles to women or atheists running for president? “This country is alive and well if they have candidates who stand up” for their principles, Dean said blandly. Nader, in a non sequitur, advocated repeal of the antilabor Taft-Hartley Act, enacted in 1947. (Not a single union has endorsed him.)” – Mary Jacoby (Salon)
Which prompted this retort from pagan Adler.
“I still haven’t heard about women and atheists,”
Nor do I think we will in this campaign. We may get a bit of attention to the “woman vote” from both parties but the rights of non-Christians, Atheists and modern pagans will continue to be ignored until we take the seperation of Church and State seriously. This administrations current cozy attitude towards certain Christian sects (and the willingness of Liberals and Progressives to turn a blind eye) creates an atmosphere that sends a hostile mandate to anyone who wishes to trample our rights at the local level.
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