This is a political blog. On several occassions, while trying to be incredibly sensitive to other's beliefs, we've tried to bring religion into our discussion. If politics can bring out the fight in people, probably nothing in American life will arouse passions like the subject of religion.

To address this subject, I'd like to delve deeply into what may seem to be one of the most shallow of possible topics in the news: Tom Cruise's vocal adherance to Scientology. Before you tune out, I'd like to point out the importance faith and profession of one's personal beliefs play in our society.  

It seems some "moderates" within our party feel Democrats are not embracing religion or religious values strongly enough. It seems like a compelling argument considering the perceived clash between liberalism and  religious values (an argument I consider deeply flawed, but I'll get back to that).

A great playwright has passed today.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/books/02/11/obit.miller/index.html

I believe both "The Crucible" and "Death of a Salesman" should be required reading for students. Miller drew analogies to the McCarthy era "In the Crucible", analogies we can draw today. And he warned that while dreams can become goals, the American Dream became self-destructive for Willie Lowman in "Death of a Salesman".

He stood up to the HUAC when even Humphrey Bogart chose to continue his career and retract his statements. This was a brave man, a brilliant intellectual, and a model for modern liberals fighting the establishment.

This was a response that just got out of hand in length. Some one posted that homosexuality is a choice and I've heard many people say this is an issue that needs to be dropped by Democrats because it is unpalatable to the larger public.

I'll preface this by saying I took the "Mask of Benevolence" from a book title regarding hearing people's treatment of the deaf community (deaf is generally preferred in the community, not "hearing-impaired or "deaf mute"). Also, I have a gay sister, cousin-in-law, and several close friends who are gay. I happen to be a straight guy.

There was a pretty heated debate between very partisan Kerry and Dean supporters regarding a possible slight on Kerry's part. He sent out an e-mail not officially noting Dean was the new DNC chair. Maybe he got flak from that on other fronts or whatever.

I'm not wading in on the merits of Dean or Kerry; I prefer to concentrate on opposing Republicans. Anyway, here's the latest, very clear e-mail from Kerry with the subject in my diary title.

"Gannongate" on NPR: would the real Slim Jeffy please stand up?

Driving in my car yesterday, I got to hear a full-blown report on "Gannongate" on NPR. Oh, the hilarity.

The best part was when an interviewer asked him why he'd go by another name. I'm paraphrasing here.

Gannon: "There are lots of reasons a person might go by another name."

Interviewer: "Yes, but I'm asking YOU why you'd do that."

Gannon: "Well... well, I'm not even going to acknowledge that I'm doing that."

Interesting to see these side by side in the Flint Journal today. Guess which article got more space? (Solution below!)

1. Proposal 2 which defines a union between a man and a woman as "the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose" is now going to be used to remove same-sex benefits from Ann Arbor Public Schools.

2. Four employees of Okemos-based Weyco Inc. were fired for continuing to smoke outside of work and at home.

The New York Supreme court (not the highest level court in the state despite the name) has ordered that "gay men and lesbians in that state must be granted the right to marry."

Check out the article yourself. Remember, it's free to view the full article if you just watch an ad.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html

Interesting that the New York Supreme Court doesn't actually have the final say in the matter; it still has to go before two appeals courts. But as the article says, it's a start.