Why? Read the newspaper. We've all seen numerous examples of misuse by the clergy, from fiscal irresponsibility (a polite way of saying extortion and numerous other crimes) to indimidation and abuse on every level. Our world is in crisis - the last thing we need is someone in the White House who will see events and make decisions through the smoky glasses of his religion. The arrogance of these so-called "Christians" is appalling - they believe that they, and only they, are correct in their dogma and faith, they and only they are going to "heaven," and anyone who doesn't see things their way is "lost" or has "gone astray" or is in some other way beneath them.

They are similar to the Muslim extremists in many ways - they pervert the scripture, twist it to fit their own agenda and then march forward into the social and political landscape to fix what doesn't look right to them, to change those who don't appeal to them and to make everyone and everything conform to their religious specifications as noted and interpreted from a book thousands of years old. True, they do not behead people or blow up buildings but they can and do destroy lives by weilding their "faith" as a weapon rather than as a shield. Fundamentalist Christian or Muslim - the message is different but the passion is identical.

Is this what we need in the White House? Personally, I think not. Fortunately, I don't think Thumper has much of a chance beyond Iowa - out in the 'real world.'