America's Constitution is one big "No" to the Pilgrims' self-serving version of "religious liberty." Why I try to avoid "big gun, small penis" jokes. The news from Texas. SNAP cuts hurt hundreds of thousands of veterans. The pastor and the imam. "All I want is just one more oatmeal pie ..." Read more

I want Ellison and Gabbard to take their duty as public servants seriously, so I want them to take their oath of office as seriously as possible. The Koran is sacred to Ellison, so it is, for him, an appropriate expression of that seriousness. One does not have to share Ellison's Muslim faith to appreciate that. The Gita, likewise, is sacred to Gabbard and is thus an appropriate expression of her seriousness. One does not have to share Gabbard's Hindu faith to appreciate that. Read more

The scribes on all the people shove And bawl allegiance to the state, But they who love the greater love Lay down their life; they do not hate Read more

Horrible news in the aftermath of a typhoon. The bargain of Veteran's Day. Sr. Helen Prejean on Albert Camus. Pennsylvania Bigfoot angry with fracking. Commuting is awful. How unicorns, satyrs and dragons can teach you to read the Bible. What if America really gave as much foreign aid as Americans think we do? Read more

On the other hand, you've got your political evangelicals. On paper, these people look very similar to the Ned Flanders types. The difference is what they regard as paramount, as most important. For your political evangelicals, who you vote for and what is taught in science class is all that really matters. They may go to the same church as Ned, and they may attend just as often, but when push comes to shove that religious stuff isn't nearly as important to them as the pride and power of politics. Read more

Poor John. "We told him to stop, because he was not one of us." Brilliant move, that. It shows what comes of treating Jesus like a brand name -- you end up siding with the demons. Read more