In the Morning Reads, there is a Post article about James Dobson threatening to take out 6 Democrat Senators if they try to block any of President Bush's judicial appointments.  Coming from a conservative Southern Baptist up-bringing, I am reminded why politics from the pulpit was frowned upon by my elders at the time.

First, did anyone see a burning bush designating Dr. Dobson as our modern day Elijah?  Who is he to condemn anyone who questions a President who just recently had to revise "policy" to recognize what torture is (and if that doesn't bother the Faithful, what will?). 

Second, when did he receive the vision that no one should question a Bush appointee?  Has Bush ascended into the status of a deity, unable to do any wrong?

Third,  what of the opinions of the constituents that elected those senators?  Did they agree to allow Dr. Dobson to speak for them?  Is not such judgemental bombast what marks the beginnings of tyranny (See Socialism, Communisum, Leninsim, Nazism)?

Perhaps, we should take a hint from Elijah's career of chasing false gods from the eyes of God's people and challenge Dr. Dobson and his ilk to a wood burning contest (See I Kings 18:22-39).  That's right, pile it up, soak it in gasoline and then let them pray for fire from above to consume it.  Let us know when it catches on fire.  My bet is it won't.

8:41:02 AM    

Winer extends his salutations to Dan Gilmor (hmm.  that's another link I need to change) who is leaving the San Jose Mercury News (should I drop them from the morning reads?)

Congrats to Dan Gillmor (Steve's younger brother) on winding up his long run at the SJ Merc, and looking forward to hearing more about the new career as Pied Piper of amateur journalism in the US. [Scripting News]

Nonetheless, Dan leaves a list of cites for the increasing relevance of blogs in today's information economy:

My colleague (until tomorrow) Mike Bazeley discusses how blogs and other online forums have become a "global commons" in the wake of the tsunamis. See also this BBC story.

ABC News's World News Tonight understood the importance of bloggers, and called them "People of the Year" (Xeni Jardin of BoingBoing is featured).

Stuart Hughes, one of my heros in the blog world, posted some kind words about my book. Thanks, Stuart.

Jay Rosen has been penning a fascinating "top 10" list of journalism ideas emerging in 2004. My work figures in several, but I encourage you to just go to his invaluable PressThink blog and start reading.

Enjoy.

7:05:16 AM