If you haven’t checked out the new site The American Street you’re really missing something. Over 16,000 hits have been registered in just one week. My first post as a member of the writing group appeared this past Wednesday. Right now there are some good posts on such diverse topics as the California prison system and gay rights in Macedonia. Yep, Macedonia. Go ahead and take a stroll down the street.

George W. Bush, right after visiting the tomb of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used a recess-appointment to name Charles W. Pickering Sr. as an federal appeals court judge.

Pickering has had ties to the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission, a neo-Nazi organization. People for the American Way recounts more of his anti-civil rights record:

As a federal judge, Charles Pickering:

* criticized the “one-person, one-vote” principle recognized by the Supreme Court.

* suggested that large deviations from equality in drawing legislative district lines, which the Supreme Court has held presumptively unconstitutional, were “relatively minor” and “de minimis.”

* criticized or sought to limit important remedies provided by the Voting Rights Act.

* repeatedly inserted into his rulings, in cases involving claims of employment discrimination, severe criticisms of civil rights plaintiffs and the use of civil rights laws to address alleged discrimination.

* demonstrated a propensity to make it harder for some people to obtain access to justice, especially less powerful litigants, such as people raising civil rights or liberties claims.

* has been reversed 15 times by the 5th Circuit for ignoring or violating “well-settled principles of law” – 11 of those 15 in cases involving constitutional, civil rights, criminal procedure, or labor issues; in contrast, another Bush nominee who was confirmed to the 5th Circuit, Edith Brown Clement, was reversed only once during a slightly shorter tenure as a district court judge.

* engaged in unethical conduct in an effort to reduce the sentence for a defendant convicted for burning a cross on the lawn of an interracial family and by soliciting letters of support for his confirmation from attorneys who practiced before him.

As a state senator, Charles Pickering:

* co-sponsored a Mississippi Senate resolution calling on Congress to repeal Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (providing federal oversight over jurisdictions with a history of discrimination in voting) or to apply it to all states regardless of their discrimination history, widely seen as an effort to gut the Act.

* supported “open primary” legislation that was blocked by the Justice Department over concerns about discrimination against black voters.

* supported a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to propose an amendment to ban abortion.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

Here’s my prediction for how Monday’s Iowa caucuses will turn out:

Howard Dean wins the first battle for the democratic nomination.

John Edwards pulls a surprise second place.

John Kerry manages to come in third followed closely by Richard Gephardt.

Stay tuned on Monday night for the results. If I’m right I fully expect to be offered a position with CNN as their new political analyst.

I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today's motor bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaimed the rule of the land. "And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid." I still believe that We Shall overcome!

- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Former Vice President Al Gore gave a major speech today on the environment. He used the occasion to criticize Bush Administration policies that are undermining attempts world-wide to control global warming. Gore also criticized Bush’s call for trips to the Moon and Mars :

"Instead of spending enormous sums of money on an unimaginative and retread effort to make a tiny portion of the moon habitable for a handful of people, we should focus instead on a massive effort to ensure that the Earth is habitable for future generations," Gore said to a cheering Manhattan crowd.

This was the second speech this week by a prominent American political leader taking issue with Bush Administration policies. Senator Ted Kennedy on Wednesday told an audience that the Bush Administration created the conflict with Iraq to draw attention away from the dire economic situation since Bush assumed office.

I believe that this Administration is indeed leading this country to a perilous place. It has broken faith with the American people, aided and abetted by a Congressional majority willing to pursue ideology at any price, even the price of distorting the truth. On issue after issue, they have moved brazenly to impose their agenda on America and on the world. They have pursued their goals at the expense of urgent national and human needs and at the expense of the truth. America deserves better.

You can read the Gore speech here and the Kennedy speech here. Both are worth the read.

I've been meaning to add Winston Calvert's Blog to my links for sometime and finally got around to it today. Winston attends the church where I'm doing my field study. Check out his site.

Some of our Christmas photos are also now online to view. You can find them here.

George W. Bush took time out of his busy fundraising schedule to drop by the tomb of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on the slain civil rights leader’s birthday. Hundreds protested the spectacle:

Bush's visit to observe King's birthday upset some civil rights activists who said the president's policies on Iraq, affirmative action and funding for social services conflict with King's legacy.

Bush placed a wreath on King's grave before heading to a $2,000-a-plate fund-raiser in Atlanta.

Beating drums and chanting, "In 2004, Bush no more," protesters marched in circles near the tomb. Some held signs that displayed King's image and read, "War is not the answer."

Bush, who was appointed President by the Supreme Court in 2000 after losing the popular vote to Al Gore, has refused since taking office to met with living members of the Congressional Black Caucus or other prominent African-Americans leaders.

Former United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun is quiting the race for the White House and backing Howard Dean. Her endorsement ads to a growing list of prominent African-American leaders who are supporting the former Vermont Governor.

Braun defended Dean at a debate in Iowa on Sunday when civil rights activist Al Sharpton questioned Dean's racial hiring record while Vermont governor. Trippi said Dean and Braun talked after the debate and get along personally.

Braun went after Sharpton for attacking Dean, telling him "you can always blow up a racial debate and make people mad at each other. But I think it's time for us to talk about, what are you going to do to bring people together?" she said.

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards is also throwing her support behind Dean this week.

Maybe she'll take him on a bike ride across Texas in search of votes.

Finally, Howard Dean will go to church this Sunday with none other than former President Jimmy Carter.

Dean will visit with the former President in Plains and will attend the Sunday school class that Carter teaches. Hopefully, he'll learn where Job fits into the Bible.

This is all good news for our man Howard Dean.

The American Street is a new blog developed by Kevin Hayden designed to be a forum for American citizens during the election year. There are some big name bloggers writing for this and a few not-so-big names (like me). So check it out.

(photo by Pete Springer)

Where do you go to church? Oregon Public Broadcasting recently ran a program on spirituality in the Beaver state. Check it out.

Oregon has the highest proportion of residents in the nation who say they have no religion at all. One hypothesis is that many Oregonians celebrate their spirituality in nature. We'll explore the concept that's been dubbed "the Church of the Outdoors."

from Jack Ohman, The Oregonian

Liz wrote a short update on the twins for family and friends and I thought I'd share with you all the most recent news:

Hi all. In case you haven't heard, the twins are definately identical! This is rare (1 in 250 births) and comes along with some added complications (as if having two weren't enough!). I have what is known as diamniotic monochorionic twins. I think this means they share a placenta but are in two sacs with a thin membrane separating the two babies. The risk is something called twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) which occurs in about 15-25 percent of di-mono babies. One twin gets too much aminiotic fluid and the other too little. They share some circulatory works, too. This hasn't happened yet and wouldn't be diagnosed until the second or third trimester, so there really isn't too much we can do but hope for the best. On the bright side, I haven't felt even a pang of morning sickness and have only been a little more tired than usual. :) Lots of love, Liz

Sorry for not posting much the last few days. I'm still busy catching up on school work from when I got sick last month and then had to take time off for my grandmother’s funeral in South Carolina. On Sunday, I preached both services at Grace United Methodist Church, where I’m doing my field placement this year. Then it was off to Washington, D.C. (school papers and books in hand) for a one-day meeting with officials of the Clergy Leadership Network (CLN) to discuss getting seminary students involved with their efforts. Jesse Jackson was there for a couple hours and it was nice seeing him again. The last time I’d met him in person was 1992. The CLN meeting goes throughout the week but I needed to get back and concentrate on school. My first level review is also this Friday. I wish I’d been around to write more about Paul O'Neill, but that will have to wait until I have more time.

by David Sirota
Center for American Progress

Though neglected by major media in the United States, international news sources report that French law enforcement authorities have made Vice President Dick Cheney the target of a criminal investigation for his role in a massive bribery scandal during his time as CEO of Halliburton. Le Figaro, one of France's biggest (and most conservative) newspapers, reports "an investigative judge is looking into allegations of corruption during construction of a natural gas complex in Nigeria by Halliburton and" a French oil company. According to a gas and oil trade publication (picked up by the international AP newswire on October 11, 2003) the judge is "looking into who may have benefited from nearly $200 million in potentially illegal commissions allegedly handed out from 1990 to 2002." In May, Halliburton admitted that, under Cheney's stewardship, it paid "$2.4 million in bribes to Nigerian officials to get favorable tax treatment." Halliburton now says it is cooperating with a simultaneous review by the Security and Exchange Commission.

The London Financial Times reports the investigation specifically focuses on the criminal charges of "misuse of corporate funds" and "corruption of foreign public agents." The Sydney Australia Morning Herald reports the investigative judge is specifically targeting Cheney for his "alleged complicity in the abuse of corporate assets."

Though the investigation is being spearheaded by French law enforcement, the UK Guardian notes, it would be prosecuted under international laws agreed to by the United States in a 35-nation treaty signed in 1997, meaning the consequences could be very real. The treaty, "under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, aims to fight corporate attempts to buy the favors of public authorities abroad." Not coincidentally, the London Financial Times points out that the Bush Administration is using similar agreements to aggressively "seek the extradition and pressing claims against senior French finance industry executives connected with the Credit Lyonnais purchase of Executive Life, the failed Californian insurer."

Our dog Hazel hurt her foot and made a trip to the vet today. These pictures show the result. I think we're in for a long weekend.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, appointed by George W. Bush to manage the economy, told 60 Minutes that his former boss wasn't engaged in his job.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill likened President Bush (news - web sites) at Cabinet meetings to "a blind man in a room full of deaf people," according to excerpts on Friday from a CBS interview.

O'Neill, who was fired by Bush in December 2002, also said the president did not ask him a single question during their first one-on-one meeting, which lasted an hour.

"As I recall it was just a monologue," he told CBS' "60 Minutes," which will broadcast the entire interview on Sunday.

In making the blind man analogy, O'Neill told CBS his ex-boss did not encourage a free flow of ideas or open debate.

"There is no discernible connection," CBS quoted O'Neill as saying. The president's lack of engagement left his advisers with "little more than hunches about what the president might think," O'Neill said, according to the program.

CBS said much of O'Neill's criticisms of Bush are included in "The Price of Loyalty," an upcoming book by former Wall Street Journal reporter Ron Suskind.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin will endorse Howard Dean later this afternoon.

"He's the Harry Truman of our generation," Senator Harkin said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Howard Dean is really the kind of plain-spoken Democrat we need."

Harkin's endorsement in the first caucus state will be a huge boost for the former Vermont governor and a big disappointment for Richard Gephardt.

New information casts additional doubt on Bush Administration claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction before the US invasion last year. George W. Bush and other administration officials went so far as to suggest Iraq was either in the process or had developed nuclear weapons. The Christian Science Monitor and The Washington Post both dispute those assertions in articles published today. No weapons have ever been found. Tom Regan reports on csmonitor.com:

The Guardian reports that the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) Thursday accused the Bush administration of "systematically misrepresenting" the threat posed by "Iraq's weapons of mass destruction" in a comprehensive report on post-war findings. The report, by four experts on weapons proliferation at the respected institute (which has consistently opposed the war in Iraq), is likely to reignite calls for a commission to look into the government's pre-war intelligence claims.

According to the BBC the report's authors, "WMD in Iraq: Evidence and Implications," says they can find no evidence Iraq reconstituted its nuclear program after the first Gulf War, and it is unlikely Iraq could have destroyed, hidden or moved large amounts of chemical and biological weapons without the United States detecting some sign of activity.

The truth is that President Bush misled the country when he sent American soldiers into battle. Nine more of those soldiers were killed today.

The word has been out for weeks now: Chuck and Liz are having twins. Here's the proof. Two cute little babies are in this photo (taking after both their mom and dad). We're just about finished with the first trimester. Mid-July or early August should be their due date. Boys or girls? Still not sure.

For those trying to get in touch with me via e-mail (or any other way for that matter) please give me some extra time to respond. My computer crashed three weeks ago and I just got a new one today. That's on top of being sick in December and then my grandmother's passing.

But these two little guys / girls will brighten anyday (just not quicken my response time).

I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord that it's going to be a blowout election in 2004. The Lord has just blessed him. I mean, he could make terrible mistakes and comes out of it. It doesn't make any difference what he does, good or bad; God picks him up because he's a man of prayer, and God's blessing him.

- The. Rev. Pat Roberston on George W. Bush's 2004 election campaign.

According to the Americans United for Separation of Church and State website, The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told the Associated Press that Robertson’s claim was typical for the televangelist, who has spent many years promoting Republican politicians.

“I have a prediction of my own,” Lynn said. “I predict that Pat Robertson in 2004 will continue to use his multi-million-dollar broadcasting empire to promote George Bush and other Republican candidates. Maybe Pat got a message from Karl Rove and thought it was from God.

“I don’t think God is partisan, but Robertson sure is,” Lynn continued. “The Christian Coalition, the political group that Robertson founded, has shamelessly used its so-called nonpartisan voter guides to steer religious voters toward the GOP.”

Here are a few of our other favorite Pat Robertson moments:

“We often hear of the constitutionally mandated ‘separation of church and state.’ Of course, as you know, that phrase appears nowhere in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights....We do find this phrase in the constitution of another nation, however...that of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics—an atheistic nation sworn to the destruction of the United States of America.”
Aug. 18, 1982, Senate Judiciary Committee testimony in favor of a school prayer amendment, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that sanctifies the separation of church and state.”
“The 700 Club,” Oct. 2, 1984, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“It’s amazing that the Constitution of the United States says nothing about the separation of church and state. That phrase does appear, however, in the Soviet Constitution, which says the state shall be separate from the church and the church from the school. People in the educational establishment, and in our judicial establishment, have attempted to impose the Soviet strictures on the United States and have done so successfully, even though they are not part of our Constitution.”
Interview with Conservative Digest, January 1986, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“The First Amendment says Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof—nothing about a wall of separation, nothing about separation of church and state! Merely, Congress can’t set up a national religion. End of story.”
“The 700 Club,” April 11, 1986, Christian Broadcasting Network (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“It is interesting that termites don’t build things, and the great builders of our nation almost to a man have been Christian, because Christians have the desire to build something. He is motivated by love of man and God, so he builds. The people who have come into [our] institutions [today] are primarily termites. They are into destroying institutions that have been built by Christians, whether it is universities, governments, our own traditions, that we have.... The termites are in charge now, and that is not the way it ought to be, and the time has come for a godly fumigation.”
New York, August 18, 1986

“You say you’re supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense! I don’t have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist. I can love the people who hold false opinions, but I don’t have to be nice to them.”
Jan. 14, 1991 “The 700 Club” Program, Christian Broadcasting Network

“Indeed, it may well be that men of goodwill like Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush, who sincerely want a larger community of nations living at peace in our world, are in reality unknowingly and unwittingly carrying out the mission and mouthing the phrases of a tightly knit cabal whose goal is nothing less than a new order for the human race under the domination of Lucifer and his followers.”
The New World Order, (Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas) 1991, p. 37

“When I said during my presidential bid that I would only bring Christians and Jews into the government, I hit a firestorm. ‘What do you mean?’ the media challenged me. ‘You’re not going to bring atheists into the government? How dare you maintain that those who believe the Judeo-Christian values are better qualified to govern America than Hindus and Muslims?’ My simple answer is, ‘Yes, they are.’”
The New World Order, (Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas) 1991, p. 218

“They [the radical left] have kept us in submission because they have talked about separation of church and state. There is no such thing in the Constitution. It’s a lie of the left, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”
Address to the Christian Coalition “God and Country” rally in Greenville, S.C., November 1993, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”
Op-Ed column in USA Today, June 2, 1994

“[The separation of church and state] was never in the Constitution. However much the liberals laugh at me for saying it, they know good and well it was never in the Constitution! Such language only appeared in the constitution of the communist Soviet Union.”
“The 700 Club,” Jan. 22, 1995, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 10)

“There was no concept of separation between God and government in the New Testament or the Old Testament. The concept that was before us in the Bible is that rulers are ministers of God, that the sword that they wield is not in vain, but they’ve been placed in authority by God to make sure that law and order prevails in our land and there is no anarchy. Now when atheism came in under what used to be called the Soviet Union a new constitution was written, which said the state shall be separate from the church and the church from the school. In the United States of America people have tried to apply that phrase from the Soviet Constitution to the schooling of children in America. Both of these constitutions are wrong. There is nothing that should indicate that God Almighty should be separated from the government nor that Godly people should not hold office in government…. So there is nothing to indicate that there should be a separation.”
“The 700 Club,” Christian Broadcasting Network, Aug. 1, 1995, (reported in Church & State, April 1996, p. 11)

“I want to say very clearly, ladies and gentlemen, there’s no such thing in the Constitution as, quote, separation of church and state. That term does not exist in the United States Constitution. It existed in the former Soviet Union’s constitution, but not America.”
“The 700 Club,” Christian Broadcasting Network, June 17, 1998

“We have a court that has essentially stuck its finger in God’s eye and said we’re going to legislate you out of the schools. We’re going to take your commandments from off the courthouse steps in various states. We’re not going to let little children read the commandments of God. We’re not going to let the Bible be read, no prayer in our schools. We have insulted God at the highest levels of our government. And, then we say, ‘Why does this happen?’ Well, why it’s happening is that God Almighty is lifting his protection from us.”
On the reason for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, Sept. 13, 2001 “The 700 Club” program, Christian Broadcasting Network

“We have had a distortion imposed on us over the past few years by left-wingers who have fastened themselves into the court system. And we have had a lie foisted on us that there is something embedded in the Constitution called separation of church and state.”
Address to the Christian Coalition “Road To Victory” Conference, Oct. 12, 2002

Eric Berg, a Portland activist I've known since high school, took the FBI's warning very seriously that Americans should be on the look out for “suspicious” looking people carrying around almanacs. Almanacs, said the FBI, could be used by terrorists. Willamette Week reports:

The warning sparked one Portland patriot into action. Eric Berg, a 36-year-old soccer fan (see Mailbox, page 4), marched into Portland's downtown FBI office on Jan. 2, intent on doing his patriotic duty--he wanted to turn in his almanacs. And this is a man who loves almanacs. "Some people call me the Human Search Engine," says Berg, who has been unable to translate his skills into gainful employment. "Others, the Man of Knowledge."

But it turned out the feds weren't as keen to seize Berg's dangerous portable information banks as might have been expected. After Berg stood in the FBI's lobby for some 15 minutes--holding an almanac in plain sight--three special agents roguishly refused his would-be contribution to the cause. "It must be FBI policy not to crack a smile," Berg notes. The Portland man kept his beloved almanac but says he may take further action with his hastily formed group Americans Against Terror and Knowledge.

For their efforts Willamette Week named the FBI their "Rouge of the Week."

For the record I would like to state that I do not own any almanacs. Though my wife does love maps. She's also a member of AAA. Very suspicious.

The United Church of Christ has posted a new article on their web site responding to recent media articles on Howard Dean and religious faith. Dean is a member of the UCC (read more). The article reads in part:

On Dec. 30, conservative syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, disparaged the UCC as "a liberal denomination that does not believe in ministerial authority or church hierarchy." Thomas further claimed that "each Congregationalist believes he is in direct contact with God and is entitled to sort out truth for himself." Meanwhile, The New Republic, in its Dec. 29 cover story on Dean's religious life, called his church "a denomination famous for its informality and liberal stances."

More accurately, the UCC's Congregationalist roots trace back to the early 1600s, when the Pilgrims and Puritans first landed on the continent. These "Congregationalists," as they were later called, sought religious independence from persecuting political authorities in Europe. They believed firmly in local church autonomy, church-state separation, personal piety and the priesthood of all believers.

Today, the UCC holds firmly to these early religious tenets. Yet, while often recognized for its historical and contemporary social justice commitments, its approach to worship might be considered traditional by most standards.

Former NBA great (and ex-US Senator) Bill Bradley endorsed Howard Dean for President today. Click here to read his remarks.

(Bush in St. Louis)

George W. Bush is in St. Louis for a $2000 per person dinner to benefit his campaign. While here he stopped by a local school to congratulate himself on passing the "No Child Left Behind Act." Critics note that the Bush Administration has not fully funded the act passed by a bi-partisan majority in Congress. The AP reports:

"We agree with the whole idea of standards and accountability, but it isn't being funded the way everybody thought it would be," Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers, a union representing more than 1 million teachers, said in a telephone interview Sunday. "An increase that is billions short of what you need to carry out the mandates just doesn't do it."

In fiscal years 2002 through the current 2004, Congress authorized between $26.4 billion and $32 billion to be spent on the "No Child Left Behind" initiative. While Bush's budget request rose in each of those years, it still fell far short of the authorization.

And in the past two fiscal years, the president's request of about $22 billion was less than what Congress had appropriated the year before. Both years, Congress provided more than Bush requested.

(KSDK) -- Not everyone in St. Louis is welcoming President Bush with open arms. Labor leaders along with union and non-union workers met inside the St. Louis City Hall to speak out against the president's proposal to end overtime pay.

Labor leaders call the president's proposal an assault on overtime pay. They say longer hours, lower pay and unpredictable work schedules are just some of the changes working families will see under the new Bush plan.

The president wants to change the labor laws that require overtime pay for working extra hours. The 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act defines who gets paid time-and-a-half for working more than 40 hours. The Bush administration calls the current regulations out dated.

Bob Soutier, with the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, says, “President Bush's attempt to undo overtime protection dating back to the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is nothing but a corporate handout to his well-heeled supporters, and it must be stopped.”

Monday, billboards are going up around the city to bring attention to the fight to save overtime pay. Right now, about 80 million Americans are eligible. Under the new policy, overtime pay would be mandatory for low-income workers, but it would end overtime pay for millions who are now eligible.

Some of those affected include rescue and public safety personnel and nurses.

President Bush has already threatened to veto any bill that doesn't contain the overtime changes.

Monday evening, the AFL-CIO and various other labor organizations are picketing outside the Bush fundraiser at the America's Center.

Liz Smith Currie, my wife, is one of the organizers of the protests today.

(John Edwards and Richard Gephardt)

Election '04 is in high gear. On Sunday the Democrats held another debate in Iowa. There are only 15 days until the caucus there. The New Hampshire primary is just 23 days from now. By early Spring we should know which Democrat will face George W. Bush in November.

Do you have a favorite candidate? Or are you hoping someone else will jump in the race? Would you vote to elect Bush?

Leave a note in the comment section and tell us where you stand in 2004.

Each year the Religion Newswriters Association ranks the top religion storys in the US press. Gene Robinson's election as a Bishop in the Episcopal Church was ranked as the top story of this year. Overall the top five stories for 2003 included:

1. Episcopal Church approves and then ordains first openly gay bishop, spurring threats of a schism both in the U.S. and throughout the Anglican Communion, and leading to emergency meetings. The bishop of New Westminster Diocese in British Columbia draws criticism for approving same sex unions.

2. Pending war in Iraq splits religious communities; most mainline denominations, led by the National Council of Churches, oppose it, while many evangelicals support it. Religious groups sponsor follow-up relief efforts.

3. Definition of marriage becomes a hot topic as the Massachusetts Supreme Court overturns a gay-marriage ban; a constitutional amendment on marriage is proposed. Earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a ban against homosexual sodomy in Texas, and Ontario's highest court legalizes gay marriage.

4. Ten Commandments monument is finally removed from Alabama Judicial Building after state vs. church debate. Chief Justice Roy Moore, its proponent, is removed from office.

5. Roman Catholic Church seeks to implement plans to combat priestly sex abuse; efforts bring both praise and criticism. Sean Patrick O'Malley of Palm Beach succeeds Bernard Law in Boston and earns high marks. Convicted sex-abuser John Geoghan is killed in prison.

25 stories were ranked all together. You can read about the remaining stories by clicking here.

One of the first homeless shelters I worked at had this as an interview question:

Where would you put a transgender person: the men's side or the women's side of the shelter? All I could do was laugh and say I had no idea. What surprised me more than the interview question was the number of times I actually had to face that question in my work over the years.

Now the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have published a guidebook for shelter operators called "Transitioning Our Shelters: A Guide to Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People." This is a useful resource for anyone working to end homelessness.

This past summer the United Church of Christ adopted two important statements related to transgender people: one reaffirmed the UCC's stance as a welcoming church and the other called for the church and larger community to address issues of violence against transgender people. Read more.

When it comes to talking about religion Howard Dean, the normally talkative former Vermont governor, is quieter than some of the other candidates running for President. Dean attributes this to his upbringing:

"For whatever reason, New Englanders are the most reluctant of Americans to share their faith openly. I don't know why that is. It is just a cultural difference," he said.

A story from the Reuters newswire says that the South Carolina primary is forcing Dean to talk more about his religious beliefs.

"I think that I am gradually getting more comfortable with talking about religion in a way that I did not talk about it before," the former Vermont governor said. "It hasn't made me more religious or less religious than I was, but it means I am willing to talk about it in different ways."

Dean is a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Burlington, Vermont. A recent article in United Church News, the national newsletter of the United Church of Christ, talked about Dean’s church life.

According to his pastor, the Rev. Robert A. Lee of First Congregational UCC in Burlington, Vt., "Howard Dean is known in this community and in the church as a person with strong principled views who speaks his mind and stands up for what he believes in."

One of those beliefs led him to stand up for and sign Vermont's civil union legislation that provides samesex couples with the same rights and privileges as heterosexual couples.

"It [civil unions] was a simple matter of right and wrong. Even though it was politically risky, it was the right thing to do," Lee says. "Gov. Dean signed the bill without fanfare, without letting those who opposed it use the signing ceremony as another opportunity to be divisive."

Church World Service, an internation ecumenical relief agency, is working to help those who lived through the earthquake in Barn, Iran. At least 20,000 died.

NEW YORK - Responding to the immediate need for medical supplies in earthquake-ravaged Bam, Iran, global humanitarian agency Church World Service announced this morning (Wed 12/31) that it will airlift medical supplies to serve 100,000 persons for three months and 5,000 hygiene kits.

You can help by donating to Church World Service. Click here or contact them:

Call toll-free: 1-800-297-1516

Or send donations to:
Church World Service
28606 Phillips Street
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515

Email them for more infomation:
[email protected]