Weekend Quick Hits

Just cramming a few thoughts in an omnibus post for the day ...

I.
The latest issue of Boston Review is up and the focus is on faith and public life. Two worthwhile reads from the bunch:

• American Salvation by Albert J. Raboteau
  A wee bit broad-brushed, but contains a decent historical perspective.
  
• Taking Faith Seriously by Michael Gecan
  A much better read. Gecan previously had a post-election rant in the Washington Post, entitled In a Clueless Party. Both are well worth reading, with the latest version being much more indepth. Of note here is Gecan's references to Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church here in Houston. I'm not sure I follow Gecan's pivot from religous resonance between people of faith and the GOP to a fuller commentary on how the conservative "Opportunity Society" fits into this, but it's still a far better summary of some of the problems the Democratic Party must address.
  

A more anecdotal story is also offered by Ari Lipman. Make of it what you will.

II.
Speaking of the above topic, the Bill Frist Presidential Campaign is already underway to find any way possible to slam Democrats as not merely lacking a resonance to communities of faith, but just being downright anti-religious. How so? By our insistence that the filibuster be maintained as a tool for use in the US Senate.

Seriously ... I cannot make stuff like that up.

To be blunt, I've got just about the lowest of opinions of anyone (Senator, neighbor, or otherwise) who views either party as anti-religious. Democrats have their issues with people who prefer a more secular civic life ... Republicans have their issues with people who believe that selfishness and greed are virtues despite what the Bible teaches us all.

Read Ed Kilgore for a more clearminded take on the matter than I'll likely ever be able to conjure up.

III.
A decent read by Houston-area political pro, Marc Campos on the Democrats' message problems. Not a whole lot to add ... just another signpost along the way to say "Hey, problem here we need to fix."

IV.
Frequent commentor, Scoop Jackson Democrat tips me off on some John Corzine commentary. On KOS, Corzine has posted a rather nice read on The Importance of Governance. But, rather confusingly, he quotes an earlier article of his, from The Nation: A Time to Be Bold (April 16, 2001), which offers up the most contorted take on the Democratic Leadership Council I think I've ever read:

So while I respect the contribution of the DLC and while I respect its leaders, I'm not ready to join. The answer to "compassionate conservatism" isn't timid progressivism. It's a real commitment to equal opportunity, to fiscal responsibility and a fair society. We can and must be a party with the courage to stand tall for our beliefs because that's how we will be able to win as the party of the people.

Huh?

Let's see if I got this right: I respect the contributions of the DLC (defined later as "timid progressivness"), and I'm not quite ready to join them.

So ... when IS a good time to be down with timid progressivism, Senator? Furthermore, by all means spell out how you view any DLC/PPI idea as anything close to timid. Otherwise, the only thing timid is the description offered that tries to split the difference. In fact, just about the one biggest thing lacking from Corzine's latest entry is anything approaching what could be called "a strong set of progressive principles." Laundry lists don't qualify for that.

V.
The NRA is in town for their big annual convention. Already, gun owners have been greeted by the leading lights of the second amendment defenders: Rick Perry, Ted Nugent, and Charlie Daniels. At last check, my press credentials to cover Tom DeLay's keynote speech have yet to arrive.

VI.
Dan Gerstein's article in the Wall Street Journal is finally posted on Opinion Journal for free reading. His blog should be up in a matter of days.