Church and State

When John Kennedy was running for president, he had to convince the electorate that his religion would not interfere with his ability to govern, that the Pope wouldn't run the White House, that he believed firmly in the separation of church and state. How much we've changed! And, if you believe in the Constitution, changed for the worse.

In June, Sarah Palin, who might be elected to a heartbeat away from the presidency, told an audience that building a pipeline in Alaska was "God's will." Her very words. God's will!

The legitimate press (as opposed to what has been called the Safeway press) has been charged with being unfairly tough on Palin but in fact they are not tough enough because where is the reporter who would ask what needs to be asked?

Governor, how do you know that building this pipeline is God's will? Did He communicate this to you directly or did you find out God's will by some other means?

If a reporter asked this, s/he'd be attacked for disrespecting the good governor's religion. But this is exactly what needs to be known. How does this woman know that a particular political agenda is "God's will"?

As far as I'm concerned, this darling of the Republicans, this eloquent "hockey mom," this pitbull with lipstick, is a frightening extremist. Fortunately, a good many eloquent women are lining up against her, more kindly than I am but lining up nonetheless.

A people tend to get the government they deserve. Alas, I don't know whether this is good news or bad. We'll find out soon enough.

But what ever happened to the separation of church and state? The strict Constitutionalists on the right, it turns out, are very selective about what parts of the Constitution they actually defend.