My initial, knee-jerk response (as many would probably have) is to mention how the actions of individuals like Ted Haggard deeply underscore the hypocrisy present in mainstream American Christianity.

However, I honestly feel sympathy for this kind of situation. Imagine that you are gay but raised in an environment in which hard right, fundamentalist dogma is central to not only your spiritual life, but influences every aspect of your interpersonal and social life as well. The overwhelming demand of conformity is largely what characterizes fundamentalist dogma, and any deviation from what is considered the “norm” is not dealt with with any shred of compassion and understanding, but relentlessly excoriated, mitigated and pushed away.

Now, imagine you are gay and brought up in this environment. It’s lose-lose. You cannot be honest and open about your orientation, because it would mean exile from your peer group and often your family (who is “supposed” to love you regardless, btw). Your only recourse is to live a lie – marry into a sham heterosexual marriage and feign happiness and “normality” while screaming and crumbling inside.

Given that, it’s completely understandable that Haggard and others like him, would seek an expression of their true sexual orientation in whatever way possible, even if it were with male prostitutes or tapping under restroom stalls. People’s true nature and identity can only be contained and concealed for so long before nature forces it to emerge.

This is why I shied away from organized religion in my early teens. I knew young men and women in my high school who were clearly gay or lesbian, but “required” by their religious beliefs and peer group to stifle their orientation. Being a gay or lesbian teen is hard enough (I know) without the additional pressure and stigma fundamentalist religion places upon it.

Does this not also underscore the high probability that sexual orientation is an inborn trait, and not “chosen” as so many on the right would assert? Logically, why would a man like Haggard “choose” to engage in homosexual behavior, when the social and personal costs to him would be so great?

For an organization which asserts to be compassionate and embracing of the marginalized, contemporary Christianity is failing miserably.

Economic stimulus for robber barons, wall street pirates and incompetent banking managers? OK!

Economic stimulus for healthcare in any form, especially STD prevention? NO! BAD! SOCIALISM!!

When the hell will these morons realize that:

1) Abstinence only programs DO NOT WORK, and that people are better informed through scientific information which is presented in a frank and factual manner. Further, this kind of education negates the creeping strain of fundamentalism that infects all forms of "abstinence only" education.

2) Factual and accurate scientific information regarding pregnancy and STD transmissions benefits everyone, especially since:

i) Individuals and their sexual partners can make informed decisions in regard to sexual activity and pregnancy. They will use contraceptives, and when doing so will use them correctly - thereby reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and the social cost of adoption and unwanted children.

ii) STD rates will decline as sexually active individuals will be aware of correct protection methods, thereby reducing the spread of STDs. Currently, many STDs and unwanted pregnancy in teens has much to do with ignorance regarding safe sexual practices.

3) The overall social cost of a healthy society is a boon and not a burden. Think of how much of individual productivity is lost due to preventable illness, and how much stress is born simply because most Americans are woefully under insured, if insured at all? Universal healthcare, and spending on healthcare in general is not some political boondoggle or pork project- it is an investment in the greatest part of our national infrastructure- our citizens.

If the Republican party is dead set upon being wrong on every issue all pf the time, so be it. But they shouldn't be able to drag rational and caring people down with them.

And, as Mr. Koppelman has noted, there is much in this bill that will help many Americans in need. But, per usual, the GOP focuses on the one red-herring issue and throws the baby out with the bathwater.

and make a plan. But I see no reason at all that you shouldn't pursue this. You've been desiring it for years and waiting patiently for an opening. I think you have it.

One remarkable thing that I have noticed and read in this terrible economy is that people are now more open to following their creative urges, or their urge to work at a non profit or social advocacy agency as opposed to a Fortune 500 career. One young woman I read about was following a desire to engage in community organizing. Her motivations? There are some things more important than money.

The silver lining of this downturn may be a re-commmitment by average Americans in working toward bettering themselves and those around them, as opposed to chasing the allmighty dollar.