so says Jay Leno:

If you watched, the three Democratic frontrunners said last night -- this is what they said. Hillary and Barack and John Edwards, they said setting a timetable for a complete withdrawal is irresponsible, because you can't project what the future situation will be in Iraq. And pulling out troops basically depends on the situation on the ground. Otherwise known as 'the Bush plan.' Hello?" read more »

My friend Gabe Lyons has just co-authored a fantastic new book, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters. In it he and David Kinnaman explore many of the negative opinions that people have about Christians. Not surprisingly they learned that many people think of Christians as being judgmental, hypocritical, anti-homosexual, too political, and sheltered. (Here is an interview I conducted with Gabe)

I'm curious as to what other impressions people have about Christians.

I'm going to tag five of my friends to write their four things about Christians: three negative perceptions and one thing that Christians should be known for. So here is my list:

1. Christians don't create anything original. They only mimic the world around them.
Just go in any Christian bookstore. You will see "sanctified" Christian books that are almost identical to books in B&N or Borders. You will see t-shirts that are rip offs of "secular" apparel, yet with Bible verses. There are even Christian workout clubs. Yet why is it that the Christian version of so many "secular" (I hate the word secular) items are so often totally lame?

2. Christians get offended at everything.
It seems like every day Christians are getting riled up about something - be it DisneyWorld, supposed persecution of Christians in America (puh-leeze!), or even cursing in the work place. Sometimes it feels like Christians disagree with the first part of the bumper-sticker that says "Christians Aren't Perfect, Just Forgiven".

3. Christians are just waiting to be "raptured up" and couldn’t care less about this world.
What with books like the Left Behind series telling Christians that this world is all going to burn and many Christians’ visible revulsion at being good stewards of the Earth, it is hard to think otherwise.

4. Christians should be known for their unfailing love for others.
By others, I don't mean other Christians. I mean all other people. Especially those that are hard to love. The poor. The sick. The widowed. The outcasts. The oppressed.

A few of my friends are doing this. My friend Chris Heurtz of Word Made Flesh helps the poorest of the poor around the world. My friend Jamie Tworkowski of To Write Love On Her Arms helps people suffering with depression and suicidal tendencies. And my friend Daniel of Meet Justice is working to stop child sex trafficking in Atlanta.

I'm tagging the following five people to answer "UnChristian: 4 Things About Christians" and link to the book to read more about this topic:
Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost
David Wayne of Jollyblogger
Brother Maynard of Subversive Influence
Daniel Larison
Michael Spencer of InternetMonk

You don't have to be tagged to answer these questions. read more »

This short clip highlights some of the findings in the new book, UnChristian: What a New Generation Thinks About Christianity and Why it Matters By David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. The real shame is that Christians are the ones who have unfortunately created these negative feelings.

I'd love to get the thoughts of my readers on this topic. Do these characterizations seems accurate? How about as it relates to Christians in politics?

Here is my interview with co-author Gabe Lyons.

Today I interviewed my friend Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project about his new book, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters.

Gabe and David Kinnaman of the Barna Group co-authored this book in which they explore some of the common perceptions that people have about Christians. Those perceptions include judgemental, anti-homosexual, and too political. I highly recommend people picking up a copy of this book.

I am particularly interested in the section on politics in this book. As regular readers of this blog probably know, I am very interested in changing the nature of political discourse in this country particularly as it relates to interactions between conservatives and liberals, Christians and non-Christians. Over the next few weeks, I am going to be focusing on this topic and will be interviewing more people that are challenging many of the preconceived notions of how Christians should approach politics. read more »

Earlier this evening, PBS aired the first part of Ken Burn's latest epic documentary, "The War," which focuses on the American experience of the Second World War. Tonight's opening installment was gripping viewing, complete with extraordinary footage and moving stories of everyday veterans. The overwhelming sense of tragedy and devastation permeate a narrative that also captures both human honor and indignity. Weaved through the events of war are the stories of four American towns--one in the West, the South, the Midwest and the East--and how the war changed them forever.

As I watched, however, I became increasingly annoyed. Not with "The War" itself, mind you, but with the review of it I read earlier today from Alessandra Stanley in the The New York Times. Stanley wants to remind us that "World War II didn't just happen to us." Well no, and Burns didn't suggest that it did. In fact, the prologue suggested just the opposite by reminding viewers that other nations sustained heavier losses and the destruction of their homeland. Burns is very up front about the fact that he is examining the American experience of the war. Why is this a problem? According to Stanley, it's "rarely a good idea" to look at the war from the view of just "one belligerent." Not only that, Burns commits this offense in a documentary with the audacity to have such a "definitive" title as "The War." In fact, "it's telling" that Burns focuses so heavily on America. But perhaps there's an explanation: read more »

No doubt it is all shits-and-giggles for some, at one the nation's top Universities, as a student from MIT walked into Logan airport with a circuit board strapped to her back. But hey, it's just like a frickin britelite, and she thought it was art and stuff, so what is the big deal, man.

In other news, two reports from half a world away. Rest in peace, 1LT Travis Manion, and Sgt. Eddie Jeffers. read more »

I think we are finally seeing the end-game of the Karl Rove strategy to make Republicans unelectable.

I'm reading this morning about Rudy Giuliani's radio ads that are running in Iowa.

"MoveOn.org is the most powerful left-wing group in the country. They spent millions electing anti-war liberals. And publicly brag how the Democratic Party is theirs — bought and paid for. Why is MoveOn attacking Rudy Giuliani? Because he’s their worst nightmare."

“They know Rudy is a Republican who can beat the Democrats. And they know, no matter what they say — Rudy will never, ever back down.” read more »

After being denied a single vote in the House of Representatives by a filibuster, I wasn't surprised to see that Senate Republicans also filibustered (and killed) restoring habeas corpus to terrorism suspects and extending home leave for troops serving in Iraq.

Although it has hurt my cause, I generally support the filibuster. I think it is an ingenious way to ensure against 'tyranny of the majority' that r.johnson always rattles on about. read more »

Earlier this summer I went to see Rudy Giuliani when he came to Atlanta. This week I will be checking out Barack Obama. Here are the details on his visit. Hope to see some of you guys there.

A Message from:

CONGRESSMAN HANK JOHNSON, CHAIR
GEORGIANS FOR OBAMA

INVITATION AND CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN ME AND THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS FOR CHANGE!
in
WELCOMING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

BARACK OBAMA
Senator from Illinois

to

THE GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

(DOORS OPEN AT 4:00 PM)
DONATION - $25 General Admission

For more information or R.S.V.P read more »

I still live in an oligarchy...

D.C. Vote Bill Dies in Senate

42 Republican Senators (and maybe Senator Byrd) think I'm a second-class citizen who is required to pay federal taxes, but can't have any say over the laws that effect me.

DCist has a rundown on what next. I like their idea that we keep the pressure up:

Let's force the voting rights message on to everything the District owns, controls or has even the scantest of influence over. The new baseball stadium? We'll call it Taxation Without Representation Field. The Wilson Building? Let's get a big sign out front tallying how much in federal taxes we have paid, how many residents we have lost in foreign wars and for how many days the injustice has continued. Let's partner up with local businesses to have them display signs supporting District voting rights. Whenever members of Congress come back to town, they should know that the cause is still alive. Whenever tourists come to visit, they should be forced to ask what the ruckus is about, and then ask their own members of Congress where they stand on it. read more »

Ever since the '60s, people in America have become emboldened to make political statements. Wearing a ribbon, driving a certain car, or eating certain foods have been turned into political statements. Unfortunately we have reach the level of using people as political statements.

There is a sense in which this has been true in the case of politicians for a long time. The irrational hatred of Bush and Clinton over the past decade is the continuation of an ages-old phenomena of the personification and demonization of political ideologies.

I am now seeing instances where non-politicians are being made the target of a political statement. Yesterday I read about Barry Manilow trying to make a political statement. Apparently Barry had been invited to appear on The View but decided to pull out of his scheduled appearance because one of the co-hosts, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, is conservative. read more »

In a poll taken between September 4 and September 8, 2007, forty percent of those who identified themselves as republicans believe that Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11 attacks. Forty percent. In 2007. The republican responses help push the overall total to an average of one in three Americans. One in three.

Before I make a comment about intelligence or ignorance that might be misconstrued (or post a tome showing why this view is just plain wrong), can any republicans explain to me why forty percent of those who identify themselves as republicans think Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11 attacks? Anyone care to explain why one in three sharing this view is a good thing? read more »

Much has been made of the fact that prominent Republicans and prominent conservative bloggers called for Senator Craig to resign after he plead guilty to a misdemeanor. I don't have much to add to the poor guy's misery. I hope him and his family can come through this broken trust and learn to forgive and love.

However, I do think it is hypocritical that Senator Craig was forced to resign, but Senator Vitter after he admitted to using a prostitution service. Could it be that the Republican Governor of Idaho will replace Craig with another Republican, but the Democratic Governor of Louisiana would probably replace Vitter with a Democrat? Republicans have thrown one of their own under the bus for political reasons, not for character reasons. read more »

Not that progressives are any better than conservatives...MoveOn targets pro-surge Democrat.

Rep. Brian Baird’s (D-Wash.) recent conversion on the Iraq war is beginning to affect more than the national dialogue. On Wednesday, liberal group MoveOn.org announced an ad campaign against the congressman in his own district. Baird recently returned from a trip to Iraq and reversed his position on a withdrawal timetable, citing military progress in the four-year-old war. MoveOn is calling the move a “flip-flop” and says it goes against the views of his constituents. read more »