Houston Democrats

A day of decision is upon us. Whether it was the legalization of abortion, the banning of school prayer, the expulsion of the 10 Commandments from public spaces, or the starvation of Terri Schiavo, decisions by the courts have not only changed our nation's course, but even led to the taking of human lives. As the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left has been repudiated in almost every recent election, the courts have become the last great bastion for liberalism.

For years activist courts, aided by liberal interest groups like the ACLU, have been quietly working under the veil of the judiciary, like thieves in the night, to rob us of our Christian heritage and our religious freedoms. Federal judges have systematically grabbed power, usurping the constitutional authority that resides in the other two branches of government and, ultimately, in the American people.

In fact, my religious freedom and yours are stake here.

These extremists want to impose their interpretation of religion on us. Daily Kos has a great summary of reaction to the planned telecast and Frist's Jihad, as does The Moderate Voice, which has an excellent roundup of commentary on this issue and asserts that if Frist goes through with this "nuclear option:,

it'll be a watershed moment — a transformational moment for the GOP...marking the political death of a dominant part of its party.

Forget Democrats. Anyone who is a libertarian Republican, centrist, or independent voter has to be extremely concerned — and angered

The New York Times reports:

"Our debate over the rules of the Senate and the use of the filibuster has nothing to do with whether one is religious or not," Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, said at a news conference with Senator Harry Reid, the minority leader from Nevada. "I cannot imagine that God - with everything he has or she has to worry about - is going to take the time to debate the filibuster in heaven."...

...Both sides say the procedural fight over the Democrats' power as the minority party could take place within the next two weeks and will shape the contests over nominees to the Supreme Court.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement that he was "deeply troubled" by Dr. Frist's participation. "Whatever one's views may be on this or any other issue," Mr. Foxman said, "playing the religious card is as unacceptable as playing the race card."

The event is scheduled for the second night of Passover, when many Jews will be attending seders.

Democrats seized on Dr. Frist's participation in an effort to portray Republicans as intolerant extremists. "In America, we are in a democracy, not a theocracy," Mr. Reid said, urging Dr. Frist to back out of the event. "God does not take part in partisan politics."

People for the American Way president, Ralph Neas, wrote an open letter to Senator Frist asking him to repudiate the telecast:

As Americans consider the crucial role that an independent judiciary plays in our constitutional system of checks and balances, there is plenty of room for honest and vigorous debate. That is the American Way.

What is not the American Way is the misleading manipulation of religion for political gain.

I urge you to repudiate the “Justice Sunday” event at which you are scheduled to speak later this month. The event is being promoted with deeply offensive materials suggesting that the filibuster is being used to target people of faith, and that proponents of the filibuster are forcing individuals to choose between serving in public office and Christian faith.

This is religious McCarthyism. It is dishonest, destructive and despicable.

This isn't just a matter of principal. If Frist is successful in changing the filibuster rules, the result could be disastrous. It's not just about ensuring the minority has a voice. The very people who cynically cry that we are trying to take away their religious freedom, intend to do exactly that to us.