We have freedom of religion here? Not if you're Muslim.

Oak Lawn, Illinois: A conservative Muslim faction called Hizb ut-Tahrir held a convention this weekend at the Oak Lawn Hilton in this Chicago suburb. Outside was held another convention, a convention of protesters who didn't like this group in their backyard (NIMBY?). Technically this Muslim group is a political party with their own religious agenda. Just like the Republicans want that everyone in the U.S. convert to christianity and become a heterosexual white male this group would like everyone to convert to Islam. Republicans are afraid. So much so these protesters claim Hizb ut-Tahrir should be considered terrorists. I assume because christians aren't terrorists? We all know how those bible-thumpers are full of love and compassion for their fellow man. But I guess it takes a terrorist to know a terrorist. One protester complains, "I want to know why the FBI has a terrorist watch list and why this group is not on that list?" Could it be the FBI knows more about them than this idiot does? Methinks they might.

Ah, to be a white, conservative, NASCAR loving, christian, male in the United States. Everyone else is going to hell. The way it should be. This country is only a melting pot if you become like those who hate, christian.

I'd also like to comment on the two gay guys who were harassed in Salt Lake City by police and Mormon officials for kissing. These two fellas were on private property that had their own decency standards. While these standards might not match those of others around the country they are the standards set for this area of privately held land. There are certain things that don't go on in my house, too, and if you do them I escort you to the door. These men are disrespectful boobs and should have been shoo'd away. Maybe not this harshly but sent away. These Mary's need to get over it.

Chuck

The importance, and sometimes necessity, of anonymity

Why do we have a Constitutional Amendment protecting the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press? Because prior to these protections the government enjoyed censorship and revisionist media. They didn't like folks to speak ill of them or to inform the electorate of their activity. Those who did received retribution and laws were passed to prevent further negative reporting. And not just in our country but all over the world (at the time). And so we have protections and have enjoyed these freedoms for quite some time. Until fairly recently.

When George W. was disgracing the Oval Office he forbid the press from publishing certain things. Most notably images of dead soldiers returning home from Iraq. These images truly drove home to many the meaning of this war and how very unjust and evil it was. And when your are either wickedly religious or courting this base of voters you can't let them see how awful they really are. Truth to these people is like water to fire; dangerous and deadly.

This Mr. Bush also went to great lengths to "claim" executive privilege so that those who sigh his paycheck could not know what he was up to. He's not alone in this, Mr. Obama is also committing to a tenure of protectionism and secrecy worthy of only those whose wicked deeds should remain hidden lest they be found out. Even here in Chicago our elected officials have worked to quash negative press by keeping secrets. Ask Mr. Daley the important questions and you will surely get no answers.

And so we have now resorted to anonymous blogging in order to get out the truth and get AT the truth to what is happening in our government.

What, you may be asking, brought about this particular column on this particular day? As you all should know by this time Sarah Palin has resigned her post of governor of Alaska without fulfilling her very first commitment to the post. A blogger in Alaska has written about a rumor of investigation against Ms. Palin for corruption. A blogger, I'm sure, very few have ever heard of. Sarah's lawyers have already begun cleanup. They have, pre-emptively I might add, already threatened a lawsuit against CNN, MSNBC, FOX, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post should any of them decide to report on this rumored lawsuit. These lawyers are claiming this reporting is defamation and libel. So much for the First Amendment. So much for the Constitution. We can only hope these large media outlets research and report, against the demands of politicians who wish to operate outside the watchful eyes of those who elect them. It would be a travesty if the rumor were true and we only found out after an important event because news outlets caved to government pressure and abandoned our Constitution.

But they've already begun that process. And that is sad and shameful.

Chuck

Happy Holiday

Today we revel in our Independence. Today we celebrate freedom. Today we embrace our country.

We have NAMBLA catholics in America. We have christians and jews. We have mormons and jehova's witnessess. We have agnostics and secular humanists. We have muslims and buddhists. We have every religion imaginable. While we may not agree with some or any we still rejoice in their being and the freedom they have to be who they are in our United States.

We, too, have Republicans and Democrats and Independents. We have the Cool Moose Party and the Green Party. We have parties many of us have never heard of with platforms built of outrageous and bigoted planks. And, also, in these we rejoice their being and the freedom they have to be who they are.

And we have blacks and whites. We see Indians and Asians and Canadians and Native Americans. We have communities of Irish and Italians and Russians and Cambodians. Neighborhoods comprised of Latinos/as and Spaniards and French and Ethiopians and South Africans both black and white.

In America are Elks and Kiwanis and Four H and Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. We have non-profits and for-profits. Big Business and small business. We have cities and countries and rich and poor. In America we have everyone.

Today we will celebrate the differences and the diversity of our Country. We will light fireworks representing our deliverance to freedom. Today is our day of Independence, July 4th. And while there may still be some in our land that are not fully free we smile on our moving forth toward correcting injustice and our yearning that all breathe free.

Today we let the bells of freedom ring. Have a happy and safe holiday.

Chuck