Major fighting in the civil war ceased in 1865, but the war didn’t end; it just became an ideological war of attrition of which the North—and its allies in the Pacific West—have been losing ever since. I have to agree with the poster earlier in saying that it would have been better if we had just let the south secede. Of course I’m not trying to lump all southerners (or their red state denizens) together, because there are certainly many progressive elements in those regions, but as an aggregate, the south has been an albatross around this union’s neck.

I speak not as a ‘Northerner’ but as a resident of one of the south’s unwitting allies; Utah. Utah is a beautiful state full of lovely, kind people who have unfortunately chosen (like their southern counterparts) to ideologically leave the Union and become citizens of that ethereal nation I call ‘Dumbfuckistan’. Like the South, Utah’s political philosophy is inextricably connected to end time superstition, biblical literalism, free market fantasy, aggressive deregulation, warmongering in the guise of defense and that tired old canard of rugged individualism. Like the South, Utah sucks off the teat of the federal government while consistently trying to undermine if efficacy. And like the South, Utah trails its Northern and Pacific Coast counterparts in almost every measure of physical, social and economic health. These red states, with their Bronze Age religion, their 18th century isolationism, 19th century nationalism and their constant spitting in the face of science are ill equipped to deal with the realities of 21st century real politic.

So, let’s just let ‘em go! Let them all go to hell in that simple and fragile hand basket of their own construction. I’ll miss Utah of course, but I’m sure I’ll be happy in Oregon or better yet, Montana (after we annex it and run out the Red staters there before they fuck it up beyond recognition). They’ll get to put those crèche’s up on their statehouse lawns and Ten Commandments plaques in their courtrooms and we’ll get live without the burden of their welfare payments and treasury draining subsidies. They’ll get to tote their guns around and drive their SUV’s without café’ regulations and we’ll get to pass legislation without a bunch of rubes that sound like Gomer Pyle stonewalling the legislative process or begging for bridges to nowhere.

So let them go! I’m dying to see who they’re going to start blaming for all their new country’s moral failings when the secularist and liberals aren’t around to pin them on.

This is not really about the bailout--which I have big problems with. This is about the politics of the South!

We are a democratic republic. And nowhere in the constitution is the word capitalism or socialism found.

I meant in theory of course.

Good question!

I think this is exactly why so many right wing troglodytes feel like they need things like Prop 8. Because without it they would marry goats, dogs and horses!

I understand that Obama is trying to do the 'Team of Rivals' thing and choose his own political and ideological rivals to perform tasks in his administration. This will show that he is capable of healing wounds, reaching across the isle and being inclusive.

However, with that said, choosing Warren is has nothing to do with reachin across the isle-it's just pandering to the basest ignorance in the country. Rick Warren represents everything wrong with this country. Choosing him to participate in the inauguration is just a slap in the face to his supporters--gay and straight!

It’s apparent that Obama is trying to do the ‘Team of Rivals’ thing by reaching across the isle, embracing his rivals and at least trying to appear inclusive. But what he’s really doing is just pandering to the most obnoxiously bigoted and ignorant segment of the population. Besides being a preacher of Bronze Age ideas, Rick Warren is a shameless huckster and opportunist. Just letting him get near the podium at the inauguration lends him more legitimacy than he will ever deserve.

"...I'm opposed to Warren himself. He's a poster boy for kinder, gentler 21st century bigotry, and Obama shouldn't validate him with this lofty symbolic role."

I have a modest proposal to solve this conundrum. Why don’t we just shit-can the whole prayer thing all together; both invocation and benediction. Doing this would help the American people to start taking some personal responsibility for the mess we’re in. At some point in time we are going to have to come to the conclusion that it was us—not some mythical deity or demon—that got us into all this financial and military trouble in the first place, and it is us—not a white bearded sky god—that has to get us out! And do you want comfort or guidance in your time of need? Try looking to one another and not a Bronze Age trickster to provide it. After all, the only thing worse than navel gazing is heaven gazing!

Obama was elected on a platform of change. Let’s hope that change includes a healthy dose of rationality.

You said: "This is one of the worst things about being a Democrat these days - the unabashed and down right creepy hatred of Christians."

I know dozens of Democrats; some Christian, others not. But I don't know one that "hates" Christians. So what the hell are you talking about?

What impeccable logic. We all bow to your superior powers of reasoning.

P.S. By the way roncee, it’s perfectly fine to be gay –you don’t have to fight it!