corrente

Surely you remember the "Christians" at the Air Force Academy? The ones who called cadet Curtis Weinsteina "filthy Jew"? Where the chaplain urged cadets during basic training last year to warn fellow cadets that those not "born again will burn in the fires of hell"? (back)

Well, the Dems remembered, and tried to do something about it. Here's what happened:

The House passed a mammoth defense spending bill Monday evening, but only after a Republican congressman was forced to take back remarks accusing Democrats of "demonizing Christians."

The rhetorical warfare came as the House considered a proposal by Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., to put Congress on record against "coercive and abusive religious proselytizing" at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Thank God! Ever since that airline pilot started proselytizing over the intercom during a flight (back) I've had the feeling that this whole thing about "sharing" faith was getting out of control.

Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., criticized Obey and Steve Israel, D-N.Y., who offered a similar condemnation of academy officials earlier this year on another bill.

"Like a moth to a flame, Democrats can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians," Hostettler said.

Democrats leapt to their feet and demanded Hostettler be censured for his remarks. After a half-hour's worth of wrangling, Hostettler retracted his comments.

Excellent! For once, the Dems call the Republicans, stand up, and refuse to be bullied.

Of course, if the theocrats were Christians, it would be possible to demonize them as Christians, but they aren't. I mean, real Christians don't lie all the time, right? Especially as a way to get the country into wars?

Republicans rejected Obey's amendment by a mostly party-line vote of 210-198.

The House instead approved by voice vote a Republican plan requiring an Air Force report to Congress on the steps it was taking to promote religious tolerance.

At issue is how Congress should respond to allegations of proselytizing and favoritism for Christians at the Air Force Academy.

The Air Force is investigating numerous allegations of inappropriate actions by academy officials, including a professor who required cadets to pray before taking his test and a Protestant chaplain who warned anyone "not born again would burn in the fires of hell."

Hostettler, a Christian [sic] and social conservative, made headlines last year when he was caught carrying a loaded handgun in a carry-on bag in the Louisville, Ky., airport. He pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and received a 60-day sentence, which he will not have to serve unless he has other criminal troubles before August 2006.

A loaded handgun in a carryon? WTF? Did Jesus say, "Blessed are the gun nuts," or what?

And all this crap is going down at the Air Force academy, in Colorado Springs, which is also a hotbed of theocratic activity (back). I hate to put on my tinfoil hat here, but the Air Force controls nuclear weapons. Do the theocrats believe in the chain of command? (And if so, why?) I mean, Dobson alone is bad enough, but a Dobson armed with nuclear weapons—the mind reels. Dr. Strangelove, here we come...