I don't think there is any basis for the belief that Obama would surrender America's future to fanatics of any stripe, Muslim, Christian or whatever.

Indeed, what is most honorable about McCain---his refusal to be released from captivity out of his commitment to his fellow soldiers---is also what Republicans fail to understand: The freedom of any group or nation stands or falls on their ability to commit to one another.

The Old Testament is a long tale of how one prophet after another railed against the kings for being selfish and forgetting their obligation to all members of the kingdom. The New Testament is about how Jesus railed against their greed in the temple and told them to care for, love one another: Do unto others...

No nation will stand---against fanatic Muslims or Russian Nationalism or even in economic competition from behemoths like China---if the people don't identify with one another. How can we stand together as a nation---especially in combat---when the soldiers won't have decent jobs IF they survive combat and many won't even have health insurance, all while some people don't even know how many houses they own!

It is a disgrace that Republicans clamor for a strong military while my old friend who served in World War II couldn't afford to go to the dentist. He put his life on the line for his country. Many of his buddies came back crippled or didn't come back at all. Their sacrifice enabled the economic freedom and stability that made some Americans absurdly wealthy. And now in old age he can't afford to keep his teeth!?! What did Georgie Bush do for his country that his wealth was protected while so many hard working, tax paying citizens (including many veterans) have to scrounge around in fear of losing their jobs and their homes?

How dare the Shrub give the richest of the rich a tax break in a rich nation in which many retired people have to choose between eating healthy food and paying for their prescription medication? Paradoxically, the Shrub has managed to do to the U.S. what Reagan supposedly did to the Soviet Union: He has moved the U.S. deep into an insolvency that will make the maintenance of its military might unsustainable.

Obama, on the other hand, understands that a strong nation---economically and militarily---that can protect itself and maintain its freedoms is one that must pull together and make sure all of its citizens have a real chance to be included in the prosperity that is disproportionately controlled by a handful. John McCain does not.

And, sorry, but America was NOT built on Christian beliefs. If anything it was built on Deist beliefs and a strong secular separation of our government from religion so that ALL religions or beliefs would be protected.

Furthermore, as you can see in the link above, Obama's religious identification is not relevant (though he is clearly Christian). What is most hopeful about Obama is his understanding that he is an AMERICAN, i.e., that membership in the larger group that must unite together for the greater good must be organized on allegiance to valid principles NOT on divisive religious affiliations. And a society must protect the freedom of religion that is only maintained by a Separation of Church and State.

Dan