From WORLD: USA Today is reporting that most Americans believe the nation's founders wrote Christianity into the Constitution. I think that indicates a flawed view of both historic Christianity and the historical climate surrounding the writing of the Constitution.

UPDATE: AU weighs in.

After John Piper posted on the Minnesota bridge collapse, Greg Boyd posted some thoughts of his own and raised some concerns about how we interpret and explain a catastrophe like this. Coincidentally, both pastors happen to be from The North Star State - Piper resides in Minneapolis, Boyd in St. Paul.

The Evangelical Outpost links to a blogger responding to the Hindu prayer in the Senate:

After I watched the video my initial gut reaction was one of "go get em, take one for the team. What's that pagan doing 'praying' in our Senate", but as I sat for several minutes trying to decide how I really should feel about this incident I wonder if my initial reaction was correct. I am familiar enough with political Christian activist to understand their reasoning. They were trying to protect America from this pagan, and one part of me emphasizes with their plight. But does America need protecting from Hindu's or Mormons or JW's or Muslims etc? What I believe about false religions is all over this blog, so it goes without saying that I disagree with this man. However, doesn't our constitution give him as much right to pray to his false godsssssssssssss' as I have to pray to the real one? Honestly I am surprised this is the first time a Hindu has opened the Senate in prayer. These political Christian organizations (which may be an oxymoron, I am still working on that) shout from the rooftops that we have freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Ultimately, whatever legislation is going to protect us from Hindus is also going to protect them from Christianity. As much as I disagree with Rajan Zed he has a right to pray in spite of the fact that doing so violates the 1st commandment. As well the 3 people arrested have the right to stand on the floor of the Senate and protest. That is what makes our country great.

I will add no commentary at this time, except to point out that this incident provides an interesting opportunity to think about these matters.

Is the media muffling Ron Paul?

It is interesting that when a candidate comes out on top during these informal voting sessions everyone automatically concludes that their supporters are "clogging the polls." Either we're facing brazenly selective statistics, or else the whole thing is a gigantic waste of time.

Surprise, surprise: Oprah supports Obama.

I may get some thoughts posted soon on the recent GOP Debate, but for now, here's a piece on Ron Paul from Reason.

EDIT: Paul won the MSNBC post-debate poll; perhaps his showing wasn't so bad after all.

The right battle, on the wrong battlefield: Supreme Court upholds Congressional ban on Partial-Birth Abortion.

AU weighs in.

Instapundit has a roundup on the Virginia Tech shooting. And Pajamas Media (with a roundup of their own) links to some cell-phone footage from a student.

I'm scratching my head regarding why the crackdown didn't occur at 7:15, when the first call came in.

UPDATE: VA Tech not the deadliest school disaster in U.S. history after all.

UPDATE II: PJM keeps rounding it up. More here.

Low on charisma and high on common sense, Republican candidate Ron Paul looks to be about our best shot at getting a wise man in the White house in 2008. Paul seems by far the most libertarian and Constitutionally honest of the serious candidates, and should be supported by all who object to the idea of running a Government like a kindergarten.

LVMI has a tribute to Ron that outlines his positions and political record and includes a long list of outstanding quotes from Paul himself.

In a free society, government is restrained--and therefore political power is less important. I believe the proper role for government in America is to provide national defense, a court system for civil disputes, a criminal justice system for acts of force and fraud, and little else.

Michael Thomas is also following the Ron Paul campaign closely.

Perhaps the "Freedom and Unity" motto has proved a little too idealistic: disillusioned with the state of the "Union," Vermont wants its money back. (LVMI)

"Ashes, ashes, we all fall down:" the real estate market is still in decline.

And the flattening continues: America's top-heavy educational institutions are starting to crumble.

Higher education, prior to the social spasms of the late 1960s, was a very different entity than it is today. Hardly perfect, having a "college degree" meant something then. It meant that you had undergone a passage, a set of experiences and to some degree had mastered important skills and knowledge. It set one apart. To announce you have a college degree today has all the heft of reporting that you have cable TV.

It's happening:

Using the name of Jesus in the public square is patently offensive.

From an Alaskan free-speech school case. More here and here.

Still watching the immigration issue: here's some interesting statistics that, if true, confirm some of my suspicions. (Hat Tip: PJM)

Jim Wallis thinks the Religious Right is as good as dead.

AU doesn't agree.

The Army, hurting for recruits, is being forced to lower the bar. (PjM)

Giuliani campaigning in California. It's a decent performance, (I like the decision-making part) but he does sound a bit like Bush, and I wonder if that might hurt him.

I guess we'll keep squeezing them in: former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in the running. (PjM) Giuliani is a pro-choice Republican with a somewhat shaky family background. He seems to be polling well within his party.

It seems this country hardly knows what it wants anymore.

Free speech? This seems to be taking things a bit too far. (PjM)

UPDATE: Another report on this sorry mess, via Instapundit.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is throwing his hat in the presidential ring. The more the merrier I guess. (Daily Kos)

UPDATE: You guessed it: Charlie Rose interview.