I was just reading a story about VA hospital care and had a thought worth sharing: The GOP is known as the party that is all about a strong army and military support (even though soldiers currently serving in Iraq have to pay for their own body armor, thanks to Donald Rumsfeld's criminal indifference), the democrats are the ones who care about troops after they come home from duty. Think about that the next time you go to vote and pass a car with one of those "Support our Troops" yellow-ribbon bumper stickers (Paid for with money that doesn't go to any troop support). It turns out that the GOP is interested in privatizing veterans' health care. Check it out at www.military.com . Fascinating.

The whole argument reminds me of the joke that was started, I believe, by either Maureen Dowd or Molly Ivins ( can't remember which), that the GOP cares about life from the moment of conception until birth--and then you're on your own.

Speaking of which, you should check out www.mediamatters.org to check the latest bile spewn forth by America's favorite holy dice roller on moral "virtue," William Bennett. Apparently African-American crime surpasses the crimes of Enron, Tyco, Halliburton, Worldcom, and Harken Energy (to name a few).

Also of note this week is the confirmation of John Roberts to the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Aside from the fact that he has acted as a political hack for every republican administration since Reagan, including a significant role in the stolen election of 2000, I think this guy might have cut some sort of deal to advance his own career is quite frightening. He could have earned tons more money in the private sector over the years, but instead stayed close to the power that could put him on the bench. I think he's an idealogue, and dangerous to our civil liberties.

Sorry I have not posted much lately, but I was recently hired to write an artible about wine, which was clearly a mistake. I don't know anything about wine. I had to do a lot of research.

Looking for a fun little project? Go to www.rinkworks.com/dialect/ (the dialectizer) and type in the address www.anncoulter.com . The check off the "redneck" option or the "moron" option. You'll howl with laughter. Her lazy, lame diatribes read so much better in their original dialects.

Here's a tip: I found that I had to cut and paste text from Mann Coulter's web site into the dialectizer's text box. It's totally worth it. Ann Coulter is a scumbag.

I was reading Media Matters for America today, and caught up with the latest spew set forth by Pat Robertson, and he never fails to amuse me.

Apparently, Robertson used his 700 Club bully pulpit to blame Hurricane Katrina on the usual suspects: liberals, abortionists, puppies, etc. Of course, the SCOTUS had to come up, because that's what preachers are supposed to do, worry about judicial nominees. Here's a gem:

ROBERTSON: You know, it's just amazing, though, that people say the litmus test for [Supreme Court nominee John G.] Roberts [Jr.] is whether or not he supports the wholesale slaughter of unborn children.

Robertson's ignorance is astonishing. His total disregard of the facts lies naked before us in his words. When he speaks of "Wholesale slaughter," he fails to account for the fact that I'd pay retail. I feel that strongly about it.

I read the news today, oh boy...

John Roberts as Chief Justice? Come on, show some freaking reason! What has this clown ever really done except carry water for the GOP? Seriously. I'd even have more respect for the decision to nominate wacko judge Roy Moore, because at least he isn't just some low-level functionary of the Republican party. Truth be told, I'd holler from the rooftops against Moore, but at least that guy doesn't care if the party renews his membership.

The good news is that the C.J. job isn't going to Scalia. In fact, this slight might make Nino go off the res. That would be nice.

I started this blog because I am really frightened by what some folks on the christian right want to do to my great country. I'm certain that I'm going to offend lots of folks, and I honestly don't mean to. I know that most people who have religious faith in their lives are good-hearted and honest, but there are a few folks out there that use religion to justify greed, bigotry, and hatred. Pat Robertson, I'm looking in your general direction.

The point of this blog (I hope) will be to illustrate why the church should not be tied to the government. Our founding fathers set up the United States this way for a reason. It is to protect people of all faiths from the will of the most vocal, or the most powerful.

That said, I must also point out that I'm probably going to rant about numerous other things going on in the world, and of course, the Boston Red Sox.

Thanks for stopping by.

Here's a look at how I might answer some questions you'd love to ask me.

Hey Roscoe, do you believe in God?
Short answer: No. Slightly longer answer: I'm open to the idea, but he's got some lousy representation. Also, the Bible is a work of fiction. It might have started out as an historic document, but then the editors got a hold of it and turned it into a Bruckheimer script.

What's the matter with you? Don't you love your country?
Yeah, I love my country, and I look at the Constitution as a sacred text. I hate to see what some people are doing to ruin my country in the name of "patriotism."

Roscoe, should we outlaw abortion?
I lack a uterus, so I'll stay out of this one. Oh, what the hell, I'll take a stab at it. Safe, legal, rare. Well, sometimes I think it shouldn't be all that rare, like when I see Ann Coulter on TV. Seriously, if you don't have a uterus or are unwilling to adopt an unwanted kid yourself, stay out of the conversation. The grown-ups have work to do.

What are you, some kind of fag?
Nope. Though I do enjoy watching some girl-girl action from time to time. Yeah gay marriage should be legal, it won't bother you anyway. Gays don't recruit, despite what your closeted pastor tells you. In fact, I've never been targeted as a potential convert by the gay community. However, many religious people have tried to convert me to their particular brand. Besides, with gay marriage comes gay divorce. Think of the yard sales!

Why do you want to take my gun away?
You misunderstood me. I asked if I could try your gun, not have it. I love guns. I own two, and am interested in buying a shotgun soon. I want to give skeet shooting a try, but the shotguns I fancy are more like the pistol-grip gangster movie type. Not really good for aim.

Hey Roscoe, is birth control immoral?
Look, it's like my friend Jay said. "If there was a birth control pill for men, they'd put it in the water." Anyone who is against birth control hates women, it's that simple. These people think that a woman who has sex is a slut, and should be punished for the next 18 years with a child. Have you ever noticed that the people on the Christian right only care about human life up to the minute of birth, and then that kid is on his own? Try to get these guys to pay for a health clinic sometime, and you'll see what I mean.

Roscoe, why can't I pray in school? And why can't we talk about intelligent design?
Um, don't you have a church for that? Tell you what: I'll keep evolution out of your church, and you keep the fairy tales out of my schools. My taxes don't pay for your church, so do whatever you want. Hop on one foot and bark at the moon, I do not care. I pay for the public schools, so I would prefer to keep your witchcraft and voodoo out. Got it?

One last thought: If your pastor got rich while being in the God business, you might want to look at his books. No, not the ones he hawks on his infomercials.