Newsweek: “The End Of Christian America”

Newsweek‘s cover story quotes R. Albert Mohler, Jr, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:

“A remarkable culture-shift has taken place around us,” Mohler wrote. “The most basic contours of American culture have been radically altered. The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus of the last millennium has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-Western cultural crisis which threatens the very heart of our culture.”

The premise of the Jon Meacham piece is that Christianity is less and less a cultural, political and religious force in America.  Christianity isn’t dead, but it is receding as a flash point for politics, which …

Karzai: “I Don’t See Any Problems” With Afghan Law Approving Rape

Our good ally, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, says “I don’t see any problems” with a law that makes it legal for men to rape their wives.  But he does say he’ll study the law and maybe send it back to parliament for review to see if it is in keeping with Shariah law.  The law, Article 132, legislates the frequency of sexual relations between husbands and wives.  Unless the wife is ill, the law states that a husband has the right to have sex every fourth night.

Karzai did not mention Article 132 during a news conference Saturday. But …

Another Paranoid Obama Hater Goes Crazy

The Pittsburgh shooter who killed three police officers had lost his job and was afraid Obama was going to take his guns away. Twenty-three year old Richard Poplawski held police officers at bay with an assualt rifle and two other guns.

Poplawski feared “the Obama gun ban that’s on the way” and “didn’t like our rights being infringed upon,” said Edward Perkovic, his best friend.

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Another longtime friend, Aaron Vire, said Poplawski feared that President Barack Obama was going to take away his rights, though he said he “wasn’t violently against Obama.”

Where does this …

Iowa Rep. Steve King Worried His State Will Become “Gay Mecca”

Republican Iowa Congressman Steve King is living in fear that the Hawkeye state will become “the gay marriage mecca,”  now that the state’s Supreme Court ruled that it’s unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.  Here’s what he said:

“This is an unconstitutional ruling and another example of activist judges molding the Constitution to achieve their personal political ends. Iowa law says that marriage is between one man and one woman. If judges believe the Iowa legislature should grant same sex marriage, they should resign from their positions and run for office, not legislate from the bench.

 …

Binghamton Gunman Felt “Degraded And Disrespected”

Vietnamese immigrant Jiverly Voong was angry about poor language skills and lack of job prospects.  Police Chief Joseph Zikusky of Binghamton says he felt “degraded and disrespected” because of his poor English.  One wonders how he was treated as an immigrant with a large learning curve to overcome in the US.  He was clearly mentally unbalanced and there is absolutely no excuse for what he did.  But we do know there is a huge anti-immigrant backlash in this country, especially at at time of increasing unemployment and economic despair.

A string of attacks in the U.S. in the last month …

Friday Means FFA

…

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• Alan analyzes right-wing outrage at President Obama’s efforts to improve America’s image around the world.

• Christopher Hitchens, bestselling author of God Is Not Great, defends his controversial views about religion.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…

John Boehner: Hair Expert

GOP Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Hair Never Moves) was more jocular than usual when giving tonsorial advice to a questioning reporter.  In addition to suggesting he needed to “do something with that hair of yours,” Boehner called on one inquisitor by calling him “the bald guy.”  When a female reporter said she hoped her hair was okay, Boehner replied, “You mean what’s wadded up in the back of your head?”

…

Michele Bachmann: Obama “Marching Full Steam” Against Bill Of Rights

In full wingnuterry, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann had some crazy things to say to the Bachmann-friendly site Atlas Shrugs.  First, here’s HOW friendly this site is to Bachmann:

Bachmann really gets it. This is a woman I would gladly follow into battle. She’s a comer. If America is to emerge from this war from within, it will be under the stewardship of great Americans like Bachmann. I am a huge fan.

In keeping with her history of nonsensical ramblings, Bachmann did not disappoint:

…we need a freedom agenda, that would repeal and cut out what …

Comrade Means Friend, BTW

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, seen here (r) with Obama and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, referred to our president as “my new comrade.”  And plans were made for Obama to visit Moscow in July. Start your engines, the conservative blogosphere is about to go crazy.

I believe that we managed to establish contact. But Moscow lies ahead. I cannot say that we made much progress on the most serious issues,” [Obama] reporters, adding: “Let’s wait and see.”

“I liked the talks. It is easy to talk to him. He can listen. The start of this relationship …

Iowa Supreme Court Says Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

Iowa’s Supreme Court says the state law forbidding gay marriage is unconstitutional.  The 1998 law says the state recognizes marriage only between a man and a woman.  Now, because of a 2005 suit brought by six gay couples, same-sex couples will be allowed to file for marriage licenses and get married in Iowa.

On Thursday, legislative leaders from both parties said the 2009 legislature will likely adjourn for the year within the next week or 10 days without passing a bill in reaction to this ruling. Opponents of gay marriage have been pressing for an amendment to the state …